| Houghton
Golf Club, one of Johannesburg's premier courses, has been upgraded in preparation
for the opening event of the 1999 season. One of the most significant changes
to the Houghton course is that the nines will be played in reverse at the 1999
Alfred Dunhill SA PGA Championship.
The tee area on the third hole (previously
12th) has been raised and redesigned to incorporate a new championship tee, increasing
the length by 20 meters and making this one of the longest par 5's on the Highveld.
The bunker of the left hand side of the 11th fairway (previously 2nd) has been
extended to the right, bringing the bunker into play when the hole is played at
its maximum length.
A new, elevated championship tee has been built on
the 14th (previously 5th), increasing the length of the hole by 20 meters. This
new tee has changed the playability of the hole in that the water on the right
hand side of the fairway is within driving distance and accuracy off the tee will
now be at a premium.
The long par 3 15th hole (previously 6th) has been
altered to incorporate some large mounds at the back as well as at the right hand
side of the green. A new feature to this hole is a grass bunker, which has been
constructed within the mounds to the right hand side of the green. The mounding
has created an amphitheatre type of atmosphere.
A small cosmetic alteration
has been made to the two fairway bunkers short of the green on the 16th (previously
7th). These two relatively small bunkers have been incorporated into one large
bunker with a high front face.
An entirely new tee has been constructed
on the 18th (previously 9th) lengthening the championship tee by 45 meters and
changing the angle of the tee to face the fairway. The hole can be varied dramatically
in length for all scenarios of tournament play. Large mounds have been built to
the right of the tee to protect players on the 8th green from errant tee shots.
The back bunker on the left side of the fairway within the driving area has been
altered so that it is more visible from the tee.
The changes made to
the last few holes at the Houghton course will certainly add to the excitement
of a close finish for the 1999 Alfred Dunhill SA PGA Championship, with the par
5 18th bound to elicit much excitement at the close of the tournament.
| 1 | 4 | 337 |
| 2 | 4 | 381 |
| 3 | 5 | 552 |
| 4 | 4 | 400 |
| 5 | 5 | 484 |
| 6 | 3 | 174 |
| 7 | 4 | 385 |
| 8 | 3 | 142 |
| 9 | 4 | 435 |
| Out
9 | 36 | 3290 |
|
| 10 | 4 | 430 | 393 |
| 11 | 4 | 429 | 392 |
| 12 | 3 | 160 | 146 |
| 13 | 4 | 469 | 429 |
| 14 | 4 | 498 | 455 |
| 15 | 3 | 225 | 206 |
| 16 | 5 | 523 | 478 |
| 17 | 4 | 406 | 371 |
| 18 | 5 | 572 | 523 |
| In
9 | 36 | 3712 | 3393 |
|
Course
Record: David Frost 63 (-9) 1997.
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