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History of Southbroom Golf
Club
"Southbroom golf course is one of those rare South
African layouts that is an integral part of the village.
If it wasn't for all the palm trees and tropical
foliage, you'd think you were in Britain or Ireland."
Makes sense considering the town's founder, missionary
Alfred Eyles, was from Wick near Bath.
In 1933, two of Alfred Eyles' sons, Frank and Gilbert,
decided to establish the Southbroom township on land
that their father had acquired from the Natal Colonial
Government in 1883. They envisaged the preservation of
all that was best in the original landscape, with the
maximum conservation of indigenous vegetation. To this
end, they provided larger lots than is customary and
made generous provision for parks and open spaces,
including a magnificent golf course occupying over 100
acres.
Southbroom was originally a 9-hole golf course. It was
laid out by J Naven, then professional at Umkomaas. The
course was constructed by Frank Eyles, the third son of
the town's founder, and officially opened in 1938 by P G
Stiebel, President of the Natal Golf Union.
Progress during the war years was very restricted, but
in 1946 the Southbroom Development Company was formed to
develop the estate and improve the course which was
becoming increasingly popular. Progress since then has
been steady and continuous.
In 1948 the course was extended into an 18-hole course
and construction was carried out by the development
company under the supervision of the course designer, Mr
Mandy of Durban Country Club, and the co-operation of
local enthusiasts and Ron Burd, the club's first
professional. Only four of the original nine holes were
incorporated into the new layout.
In April 1950 it was decided to form the Southbroom Golf
Club. Only 8 attended the inaugural meeting out of a
possible membership of 50 regular players, and Gilbert
Eyles was elected first President and E A Marshall first
Chairman and Captain. The enthusiasm of the small
committee was terrific and gradually, in spite of
inadequate funds, the club developed into one of the
finest golf clubs in South Africa.
The original clubhouse consisted of a single room and
today is part of the house that stands left of the 15th
green. The men and ladies shared a loo which was in a
tin shack at the back and, per Peggy Brown, every time a
lady went in there they got rocks thrown on the roof!
Boys will be boys ...
With the increasing popularity of the course, the
development company erected the new clubhouse in 1953,
in the hope that it would prove a popular amenity and
social centre.
On 6th November 1954, the new 18 hole course and
clubhouse were officially opened by the Honourable D. G.
Shepstone, Administrator of Natal. The President and
Members invited the Public to be present at the function
which was followed by an exhibition match.
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Fourball from left to right: Ron Burd, Bobby
Locke, Eric Marshall and swinging is Bertie
Brown. |
Southbroom Golf Club has projected its thoughts and
visions to the future. It now possesses the finest
fairway, greens and rough cutting equipment available to
produce a course that equals the finest in the country.
The full time Greens Supervisor, together with his
trained staff, provide a course that is not only a
pleasure to play but boasts the added feature of an
abundance of bird life, bush buck, duiker and monkeys
that roam the tropical edges of the fairways.
Today the club boasts 840 members and over 35,500 rounds
per year. Visitors account for around 23,000 of the
rounds. |
