HIGHLANDER FOR A DAY.

Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate

My last game of 2019 came in the form of a postponed birthday present. Not wanting to leave it for the next year, we decided to squeeze in a girls getaway before December. So we set out to be Highlanders for a couple of days. Just under 3 hours, the drive to Dullstroom from Johannesburg is pretty easy. Nestled in the Steenkampsberg mountain lies the majestic Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate. Because of where it is situated and my love and knowledge of that part of the country, I expected the rolling hills and vast open spaces that would make you feel insignificant in the midst of them. What I did not fully anticipate was the grandeur of what has now become one of my favourite courses in the Highlands.

The 18 hole Ernie Els signature golf course is everything and more that it is hyped out to be. From the minute you drive in, you know you are about to embark on an adventure of pure majesty of scenery. An early tee time allowed us to truly enjoy the course without it getting unbearably hot. After all, it is summer in what I fondly call “the sunshine state” Mpumalanga, when translated means ‘where the sun rises’. You can not help but catch your breath as soon as you enter. This place is green everywhere, on some parts even the hills look like an extension of the fairways.

The immaculate condition of this course is a visible indication from the first tee box. The attention to detail with all of its tee boxes with signature names and descriptions carved on a stone, on every hole is a lovely touch. It has wide lush fairways with enough bunkers for an exciting challenge but whatever you do, make sure to stay out of the rough because finding and retrieving your ball is near impossible. Picking the right club is of utmost importance because of the long carries between tee boxes and fairways and the danger that lies between. The insane views on most holes are enough to slow any day down because of all the picture taking and sightseeing, but I think they know this, so the planning and spacing of fourballs is taken into consideration. At no point did we feel rushed or holding anyone up. I lost balls, and I have to say I was not upset about that, considering where I lost them. So many blind spots that really require you to hit them as straight as you possibly can because even just 3 meters to the right, you are most likely to get there and find your ball has rolled down the side of a mountain.

One of the biggest challenges came from what might be my favourite hole, the uphill hole 3, par 3 also known as ‘Thunder and Lightning’ an appropriate name for this little monster with nothing but danger between the tee box and green and no fairway. The distance on the day was 140 meters for the ladies which would be a solid 8 iron for me, an up, I mean UP hill lie. Taking an extra club I was still about 30-50 meters short straight into the mess. With no hope to find my ball, I reloaded with another extra club, now I am playing a 6 iron for 140 meters off the tee, mind blown. Managed to place it just off the green, there for 3 and happy to walk away with a 5 if I can. There is no fairway on this hole so its up the mountain on carts to the green. The views from that green are just breathtaking, and I was going to savour this moment…but my stubborn self decided to go and look for my first ball down the valley and finding it and many others that had not been retrieved. Figured I would play it, sand wedge in hand, chipped it onto an elevated green I couldn’t even see the flag. A WOOP and applause from my playing partner was the only indication I got that it was a decent shot…a meter from the pin. I walked away extremely happy with a par, that was officially my hole for the day. I played a solid first 9, and the wheels came off a bit on the 2nd 9 but overall happy with my game and the way I tackled this incredibly challenging course.

I could go on and on and give you a hole by hole breakdown but I will instead, tell you to make your way to Dullstroom. I will definitely be back.