THE SWING Six of the holes wind their way along the edge of an 183-metre drop into the sea. <strong>The</strong> 15th hole is known as the ‘Pirate’s Plank’. <strong>The</strong>re are no safety barriers. CAPE KIDNAPPERS GOLF COURSE TM | september/october <strong>2017</strong> 64
THE SWING infamous 1982 Singapore Open event where Jim Stewart came face to face with a 10-foot cobra. He killed it, only to watch in horror as another snake emerged from its mouth. While much has changed since 1982, the incident refused to die and the club continues be known for that notoriety. Now, golfers are reminded of the serpent hazards and to be mindful of wild boar encounters. <strong>The</strong> official ‘local’ rules of the course include a free lift in areas damaged by digging from wild boar, monkeys or other non-burrowing animals. <strong>The</strong>se are considered GUR or ‘ground under repair’. 6. Carbrook Golf Club, Brisbane, Australia This course gives the phrase water hazard a whole new meaning. <strong>The</strong> Carbrook Golf Club in Brisbane proudly calls itself the home of the bull sharks; and for a good reason too. Shark sightings on the Great Barrier Reef are common, but spotting them in a lake at the golf course? Golfers have reported frequent sightings of these marine predators some 15km inland from the 15th fairway at Carbrook Golf Club. <strong>The</strong> sharks got onto the golf course in Queensland following a flood in the early 90s after a river broke its banks. <strong>The</strong> predators became stranded when the water receded, but now they are thriving and even breeding. 7. World Ice Golf Championship, Uummannaq, Greenland <strong>The</strong> trying conditions of golfing in temperatures well below freezing are a challenge even some extreme golfers can’t refuse. Since 1999, Uummannaq, Greenland has hosted the Drambuie World Ice Golf Championship in late March and early April. Located 600 km north of the Arctic Circle in Greenland, Uummannaq’s tournament involves a two-day, 36-hole tournament between 36 players. <strong>The</strong> nine holes are sculpted over the frozen sea into which seven glaciers have released enormous icebergs. As such, this Greenland golf course changes annually, depending on the moods of nature and the shape of ice. With ice as the ‘greens’, red balls are used. Players are allowed to scrape the surface to smoothen the putting line. While enjoying a game of golf, players would have to keep an eye out for polar bears as it is their territory. 8. Prison View Golf Course, Angola, Louisiana, USA This golfing venue gives a new meaning to the phrase ‘shank the ball’. <strong>The</strong> nine-hole Prison View Golf Course is situated within the Louisiana State Penitentiary compound, which is the largest maximum-security prison in the United States. <strong>The</strong> golf course has been open to the public since 2004. Security here is tighter than any other golf club manned by security guards. <strong>The</strong> tee markers are in the shape of white handcuffs, welded shut, and there are watch towers with armed guards overlooking the course. Tee times are booked 48 hours ahead to enable background checks. Players must also agree to the possibility of a body search and a thorough inspection of their cars. Since the course is on the grounds of the penitentiary, security measures are enforced. Golfers are unable to have a six-pack to go with their rounds. Nor can there be weapons of any sort on the players, except your golf clubs. Understandably, play can be suspended in the event of a riot or an attempted jailbreak. And that is the real danger of playing at the Prison View Golf Course. 9. Skukuza Golf Course, Kruger National Park, South Africa This is a safari and a round of golf rolled into one. It is next up to the Kruger National Park, which is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. With no fences, lions, elephants, leopards, warthogs, buffalo and more wander onto the course regularly. This is not a sale pitch by the club. It urges players to read the information sheet and forces them to sign the indemnity form before teeing off. Players are also advised what to do when they come across these animals. Players are to stay clear of the water as it has hippopotamus that are big, fast, lethal and not scared of a golfer of any handicap. 10. Cape Kidnapper’s Golf Course, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand This is not a course for those who are scared of heights. Its 180-degree view of the Pacific Ocean and the miles of coastline may be breathtaking, but throw caution to the wind at your own peril. Six of the holes wind their way along the edge of an 183-metre drop into the sea. <strong>The</strong> 15th hole is known as the ‘Pirate’s Plank’. <strong>The</strong>re are no safety barriers. Walking backward to line up your putt can be your last mistake in your round of golf here — a fatal one. 65 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER <strong>2017</strong> | TM
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