Located on the south-eastern edge of Pretoria, Wingate Park Country Club is the venue once again for the Sunshine Tour’s SunBet Challenge hosted by Time Square Casino.

This is a well-established course with a history dating back to 1947 when it was founded by members of the Jewish community in Pretoria to establish a sports and recreational club “where everyone was welcome”.

Farmland was purchased through the issue of bonds to members of the community and the club was opened in 1951.

Designed by Englishman Charles Hugh Alison, the championship parkland layout is characterised by narrow, tree-lined fairways and quick greens, coupled with well-placed bunkers and water hazards. Golfers are also treated to a variety of birdlife in this picturesque setting.

Feature holes include the par-four ninth where a pond on the right side of the fairway comes into play for the tee shot. The approach shot then has to carry a two-tiered water feature in front of the green. On the back nine, golfers need to navigate large trees on the risk-and-reward par-five 18th, along with water guarding the right side of the green.

While this layout is a true test for professional golfers, it retains a level of playability for amateurs and is one of the country’s busiest courses with around 50 000 rounds played each year.

DID YOU KNOW?

• In 2022 Wingate Park CC members rejected an offer of R400-million from developers who planned to turn the area into a housing estate.
• Tony Johnstone won the 1993 SA Masters at Wingate Park, beating Roger Wessels by one shot. Sammy Daniels also shot the course record of 62 in the same event.
• Wingate Park Country Club was ranked 48th in South Africa’s Top 100 Courses this year, a climb of one place from 2022.