MONZI GOLF CLUB
in Mtubatuba, Zululand & Maputuland,
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Monzi Golf Club
The Monzi Golf Course and Club House are situated on 75 hectares in a
farming area, half way between the town of Mtubatuba and the coastal resort of
St Lucia. This area lies on the southern perimeter of the new World Heritage
Site of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park.
The course, together with the charming Club House is probably one of the
most unique in our country, in that it was founded and developed by the local
farming community. They now hold title to the property, and are responsible for
new developments and all ongoing maintenance.
Recent developments have included the building of a squash court and two
flood-lit tennis courts. Part of the ongoing maintenance of the golf course
includes the removal of alien vegetation and replacement with plants indigenous
to the local bio-system.
The Club House boasts a fully licensed bar, while snacks are available on
request. Catering for major golf functions is provided by Club Member's wives
and the bar is manned by Club members. The hours are from 17h00 to closing time
(which can be as early or late as patrons wish). Beer, cool drinks, snacks and
golfing apparel are available from the kitchen or office during the day.
When you relax at the "19th" hole, you will not be amongst strangers, but
become part of "the extended Monzi Family", in fact the barman might be one of
your co-players from the days golf.
The Club is available for hire for major functions such as conferences and
weddings and is able to accommodate seating for 110 -120 people.
Facilities include golf club hire and cart hire. Caddies are available.
The course winds through a series of coastal lowland forests, with some
impressive examples of trees such as Flatcrown, Waterberry, Hard Pear and Natal
Mahogany, amongst others. The tree-tops are home to troops of vervet monkeys
and the rare Msimango monkey. Red Duiker, mongoose and the occasional Bush-buck
might be seen creeping through the undergrowth.
Apart from common sightings such as Ibis, Egrets, White-eyes and Hornbills,
bird lovers are likely to see some of the less common species such as Green
Malkoha, Grey Waxbills, a variety of Turaco, Green Twinspots and with luck a
Narina Trogan. The dams provide the ideal habitat for Jacanas, pigmy Geese,
Black Crakes, Herons and Ducks.
This is a 9-hole course measuring 5791 meters with 18 different tee boxes
and 10 greens, thus approaching the greens from a different angle over 18
holes. The extra green is on the 15th and is guarded by a couple of dams.
On the 1st and 10th holes there are a series of dams running down the left
hand side of the fairway and the green is protected by two dams and two
bunkers, making accuracy vital. The 1st hole is a par 5 but the 10th becomes a
par 4 and is the stroke 1. This becomes a difficult hole to reach in regulation
when playing into the prevailing North wind.
The 4th and 13th also have two dams, as do the 5th and 14th. The 7th (par 5)
and the 16th (par 4) dogleg to the right and there is a dam on the dog to catch
the unwary.
The fairways are a mixture of Kikuyu and Kearsney grass and the greens are
Durban Country Club grass.
This is a delightful course and is presently rated as one of the top 9-hole
course in South Africa
Apart from common sightings such as Ibis, Egrets, White-eyes and Hornbills,
bird lovers are likely to see some of the less common species such as Green
Malkoha, Grey Waxbills, a variety of Turaco, Green Twinspots and with luck a
Narina Trogan. The dams provide the ideal habitat for Jacanas, pigmy Geese,
Black Crakes, Herons and Ducks.
2011 sees the 14th consecutive year of the Monzi Lemon Drops Ladies Golf
Tournament. Held over 2 days during July each year, this tournament has grown
from originally only having 20 ladies playing to a full field of 72 players in
recent years.
This unique tournament involves the entire Monzi community who contribute
either with the catering, the fabulous entertainment or assistance with venue
preparations. The result is a friendly and relaxed weekend of good food, great
company and of course some golf.
The Monzi Golf Club also hosts the Monzi Hippo MTB Challenge which forms
part of the Zululand Big 5 series and has 10km ride for children, a 25km
intermediate and 50 km classic route. About 400 people participate and the day
is a fun filled family outing with entertainment for the children, food stalls
and shopping with Canerat Crafts nearby.
The Golf complex is part of a residential area enclosed by an electric
fence. There is
restricted access through a gate manned by 24-hour security.
Accommodation in this secret hide-away is available at several B&B
establishments. For those wishing to eat out, nearby St Lucia has much to
offer.
Canerat Crafts and Maywood Nursery are a must for "bored Golfing widows".
Monzi is in close proximity to the KZN Wildlife's Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game
Park, and some of the facilities of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park such as
the St Lucia beaches, Cape Vidal, Charters Creek and Fanie's Island. Further to
the north are Mkuze and Ndumu Game Reserves, Tembe Elephant Park, Sodwana and
Kosi Bay.
We are extremely proud of what we have achieved as a small community and
invite you to visit and see for yourself what can be achieved with minimum
expense and much community co-operation.
