fairways & beyond
ROYAL JOHANNESBURG
This Gauteng-based club is leveraging 133 years of history to create an unforgettable golfing destination. Ben Karpinski
The history of Royal Johannesburg is a storied one; founded in 1891 as the Johannesburg Golf Club, golf was first played on the property as early as 1909. It received its Royal Charter in 1931, and has matured into an unrivalled experience in the golf course-rich Gauteng. The Bob Grimsdell-designed East Course in particular is a major drawcard, having hosted a multitude of top amateur and professional events over the years.
When looking at the main golfing venues in South Africa, Royal Johannesburg is one of a handful that offers more than one course, with its quality of design, conditioning and all-round facilities difficult to beat.
This doesn’t happen by simply firing up the mowers and turning on the sprinklers, though. In the 133 years of the club’s existence, there have been highs and lows that have shaped its identity.
A progressive merger between the nearby Kensington Golf Club in the 1990s breathed fresh life (and resources) into the club to take it into a new era as the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club. That period set it up for incredible growth and the creation of industry benchmarks.
SPOTLIGHT ON: CHRIS BENTLEY, CEO
A visit to Royal Johannesburg shows how much investment the club has made in recent years.
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SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
Situated on the east of the city, Royal Johannesburg provides an established green zone.
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Gallery below
Explore the East Course
So much so that in 2023 the club decided on a rebrand featuring the iconic clubhouse clocktower, and is now known as Royal Johannesburg, as it celebrates the club’s history while looking boldly into the future.
This new identity started taking shape from 2017 when the championship East Course underwent extensive renovations to all greens and bunker complexes. Some added minor design tweaks have made the course even more playable for all levels. The mark of a true championship layout is one that tests the professionals while still being a fair challenge for the everyday golfer.
The East Course passes this with flying colours, and in doing so also offers two nines that are rather different, with the front nine being a par 37 with three par fives, and the back nine a par 35 with some tricky twists and turns before finishing on the lone par-five 18th. It makes for a course that delivers breathtaking moments as a special occasion choice for out-of-towners, while ensuring the quality that members want to return to.
The West Course was also renovated in 2022, which has resulted in both courses having a “new” feel but with all the charm and character of their established parkland designs. Part of the West’s improvements included switching over the nines, which arguably made for a stronger finish.
CLUB MEMBERSHIP
A variety of membership levels are available at Royal Johannesburg.
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CLUB MEMBERSHIP
A variety of membership levels are available at Royal Johannesburg, which cater to the needs of golfers and their families. The core membership opportunities offered include Social, Golf and Corporate, with member categories being Platinum, Gold and Silver.
Member benefits: two golf courses; free venue hire; 10% off food & beverage; reciprocity with over 50 clubs worldwide; complimentary tea and coffee station; preferential bookings cart fees, driving range fees, guest rates and retail; loyalty programme and dedicated guest relations.
For more information, visit: https://royaljk.co.za/become-a-member https://royaljk.co.za/become-a-member/
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SPOTLIGHT ON
A visit to Royal Johannesburg shows how much investment the club has made in recent years.
For CEO Chris Bentley, that investment is geared towards more than just member retention and being competitive in the golfing space. It’s about the future and constantly redefining what makes a facility like Royal so successful.
“New is not a term you might apply to a facility with 133 years of history, but new is exactly what Royal Johannesburg is. For my team and I as custodians of this amazing establishment, it’s all about legacy, respecting history and creating a better future,” says Bentley.
A fine example of this is a residential partnership that has resulted in over 400 luxury apartments being created on the outskirts of the property, ensuring Royal has significant annuity income in perpetuity.
“It’s incredibly important that we ensure the club caters for the entire family and the broad interests of our members. For example when considering adding anything to the club mix, it has to align to what is already here. The Old Oak restaurant delivers an incredible dining experience as an addition to our main clubhouse while also providing engagement points for the kids.
“With our partnership with Africa Padel, we’ve found that golfers and padel players are like-minded. So, offering this further builds a unique community and networking experience for people. Then lastly, with our wellness centre and gym, we have found that our members used to just play golf here, but now they can bring family members with them to exercise and use the gym together,” adds Bentley.
Golf will always be the main focus and “product” of Royal Johannesburg, but by staying on the pulse of what else will benefit members and visitors, Bentley and his team are confident the future of the club will be an evolving one.
FACILITIES AND AMENITIES
Everything you need to know about what’s on offer at Royal Johannesburg.
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facilities and amenities
Everything you need to know about what’s on offer at Royal Johannesburg.
It’s apparent why Royal Johannesburg’s slogan is ‘Live, meet, work, play, relax’, with the club offering something for everyone.
The Golf Shop at Royal Johannesburg offers the latest in men’s and women’s golf apparel while preserving the traditions of the game. Catering to the equipment and accessory needs of all players, the store is a one-stop-shop for everything you need to enhance or commemorate your golf experience.
Located between the East and West Courses, The Driving Range & Academy offers individual programmes integrating instruction, fitness, club fitting and playing strategy to improve performance and lower your scores. Led by renowned PGA golf instructors, the team will assess all aspects of your game and develop a specific plan to help you reach your goals.
Whether you’re an experienced padel player or a beginner looking to improve your skills, the three padel courts at Royal are the perfect place to come together and enjoy this exciting racquet sport.
The Royal Retreat – Wellness & Fitness Club provides diverse, unique and specialised services tailored to fit all health and wellness requirements. The new fully equipped, state-of-the-art facility includes training machines, free weights, cardiovascular units, personal training and an array of wellness services.
The Champions Retreat Patio & Bar offers a selection of gastro pub meals throughout the day, while The Deck is ideal for experiencing the glorious African sunshine over a leisurely lunch or afternoon sundowners.
The Old Oak restaurant & family centre is all about family, fun and a memorable dining experience. Overlooking the award-winning golf courses, the name ‘Old Oak’ pays tribute to the grand oak tree that once was. Open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, and on Saturday and Sunday mornings for breakfast.
Royal is also a sought-after venue for corporate golf events and special occasions. A major revamp in 2018 has resulted in a sophisticated facility that has successfully merged vintage with contemporary design. The teams offer a full range of services and are able to cater for all requirements.
CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: (011) 640 3021
Email: royal@royaljk.co.za
Webiste: https://royaljk.co.za/
Gallery below
Explore the West Course
Gallery below
The stroke-one par-four 16th is the starting point for this turn for home which, in combination with the tricky par-three 17th and getable par-five 18th, make for a memorable end to a round.
As a general average, the East Course could play around three shots more difficult than the West. This can be attributed to the extra length, potential difficulty of pin placements and greens complexes, plus the ever-daunting reality of there being more water on this lower-lying layout.
Whichever side you choose to tee it up on, though, you are in for a world-class golfing experience.
BEN KARPINSKI/ROYAL JOHANNESBURG/TYRONE WINFIELD/SUNSHINE TOUR
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
Situated on the east of the city, Royal Johannesburg provides an established green zone. Home to a variety of migratory and non-migratory bird species and natural plant life, the course is maintained in accordance with its natural counterparts.
Special environmental-sensitive zones are demarcated on the property, with one such area set aside for bees. A garden-to-kitchen initiative has been launched, seeing a large amount of fresh produce being grown on the grounds. Along with the implementation of water storage and the use of hybrid maintenance machinery, the club’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint is becoming a reality.
Added facilities come with a need for increased infrastructure such as parking. With upgrades in this department needed, including shade structures, Royal Johannesburg saw this as an opportunity to create its ambitious solar power and battery micro grid – 452 solar modules are now fitted in this expanded area, meaning 400Mwh of energy is created per annum. This has resulted in huge financial savings for the club, a further reduction in its carbon footprint and the ability to be more in control of how it runs its operations.
With all these future-focused elements coming to the fore at Royal Johannesburg, there is no better time to apply to become a member, book a round of golf, arrange a padel game with friends, or bring the family for a meal at the award-winning Old Oak restaurant.