Graceland hosted the inaugural IFA Cup this past weekend.
The word Ifa is inspired by the Zulu word for Heritage.
In celebration of Heritage Day, Graceland decided to host this event. It is also spring season and it was an excellent opportunity to enjoy the fresh air. The long weekend also contributed to a successful two-day event.
The IFA Cup 2021 started on Friday 24 September and ended the following day.
A total of 80 golfers competed for their share in R50000 worth of prizes. Different formats were played and scores were added. The idea was to have fun.
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Golfers were also asked to dress in their best heritage outfits. Prizes were awarded to the best-dressed golfers and the best-dressed teams were:
- Kobus & Ella
- Pieter de Villiers & Jacques Cloete
- Wimpie & Louise
- Jacques Siebritz & Jaco Joubert
“This was a very successful event,” said Pieter de Villiers, General manager for Graceland Hotel, Casino & Country Club, “A huge thank you to all the golfers and their families for the support as well as the Graceland team for assisting in making the IFA Cup a great one and we look forward to hosting the IFA Cup again next year.
Winners:
- 1st place: Stanley Dodd and Riaan Burger – 98 points
- 2nd place: Dannie Kruger & Martin Smallberger – 91 points
- 3rd place: Angus Dickson & Darren Braam – 90 points
- 4th place: Johan Janse van Rensburg & Beno – 88 points
- 5th place: Isaac Mhlangu & Moorosi Seboka – 88 points
- 6th place: Jaco Joubert & Jacque Siebritz – 86 points
- 7th place: Daniel Nyathela & Mxolisi Shirindza – 86 points
- 8th place: Bafana Mbaba & Mali Mahana – 86 points
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Playing a round of golf at Graceland means playing on the best greens in Mpumalanga!
The upgraded irrigation system has allowed the fairways and tee-boxes to be in top condition and the greens have been hollow tined to maintain the rhythm of play on the course. The bunkers have been restored to the original Gary Player specification, the rough is being cut regularly and the reeds have been removed from the river. The current cart paths have been upgraded and the practice and chipping areas have been rebuilt to tournament standards.
Flat savannahs and highly challenging… the Gary Player designed 18-hole championship golf course at Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club makes use of natural features as the front and back nines follow paths along opposite sides of a valley. The course features a mixture of significant elevation changes, water hazards, rolling fairways and a strategically placed bunker.
This Gary Player golf course is a typical inland links course with undulating greens and relatively steep, grass-faced bunkers. Two streams twine through seven of the holes and several dams attract a variety of birdlife.
The signature hole is the par 3, 15th, a short but treacherous hole where only a well-placed tee shot will be rewarded. The green is well guarded with a water hazard short and up the right side of the green, while two well-placed bunkers at the back of the green catch any shot that is even a little bit longer. Crenshaw Bentgrass and Kikuyu provide ideal playing surfaces.
Slope Ratings
As of 3 September 2018, Graceland will be implementing a new handicap index system and a new slope rating from the championship tees is as follows:
Men
Slope rating club tees are 135 rating
Slope rating senior tees are 128 rating
Slope rating ladies tees are 123 rating
There are no more ladies and senior tees
Tees are played on yellow, white, blue or red with the exception of ladies.
Ladies
Blue tees 144
Red tees 138
Slope ratings in South Africa
For those who are not familiar with the concept of the Slope rating system, it is a USGA system that changes the ball game with regards to handicaps. A Slope rating determines the difficulty of a course which differentiates courses a lot better and adjusts your handicap according to each course. The higher the rating, the more difficult the course. The minimum or easiest is 55 and the most difficult or highest is 155.
The Graceland Pro Shop offers a wide range of golfing equipment. Between September and April, it is open daily between 07h00 and 18h00 and between May and August it is open daily between 07h30 and 17h00. For more information, please call 017 620 1188.
Click here to find out more about their Stay & Play Packages.
Contact the Graceland Country Club Manager via the Pro Shop on +27 (0) 17 620 1188.
