ROYAL JOHANNESBURG
Our History
The story of Royal Johannesburg began in 1890, a privately owned member’s Club, where visitors are welcome. Spanning over a century of South African golfing history, few Clubs, if any, are able to claim a heritage like that of the Royal Johannesburg.
The Club is the product of a merger of Royal Johannesburg Golf Club and the former Kensington Golf Club in 1998. The first merger of its kind in South Africa, it has produced a financially sound Club with modernised facilities and a strong and supportive membership base.
Essentially, the improvements to the Clubhouse and the two courses at Royal Johannesburg were funded from the sale of the Kensington property. The result is a superb facility, with two outstanding parkland golf courses ideally suited to preserve the value of both clubs, and meet the challenges of the 21st century.
ROYAL JOHANNESBURG
Steeped in Heritage & Tradition
The Johannesburg Golf Club was founded in 1891 and was located on the current premises as far back as 1909. It received its Royal Charter in 1931. On the occasion of the Club’s Centenary celebrations in 1991, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews sent both its Captain and Chairman of its Rules Committee as official representatives.
The Club was instrumental in forming the Transvaal Golf Union in 1908 and from its membership provided the first President of the South African Golf Union in 1910. The Club is known as the Home of Golf in South Africa, housing the Gauteng Senior Golfer’s Society, the PGA of South Africa and the Club Managers Association of South Africa.
Located to the east of Johannesburg and just 15 minutes drive from OR Tambo International Airport and the private Rand Airport, Royal Johannesburg is one of the most esteemed golf clubs in South Africa boasting a rich history with 2 superb 18 hole golf courses (The West Course and the Championship East Course), renowned practice facilities, a boutique golf shop and PGA qualified professionals to assist at every turn.
ROYAL JOHANNESBURG
The Courses
The East Championship Course, designed in 1939 by Robert Grimsdell is regarded to be in the top echelon of courses on the continent. After completing a full revamp in 2017, the course is now regarded as a contemporary parkland, delivering more of a challenge for the serious player as well as changes that ensures the club golfer enjoys their round. All this with emphasis on cost-effective maintenance and a fusion of environmental sensitivity with elevated aesthetic appeal. In 2018, the East Course received numerous international accolades including two World Golf Awards (South Africa’s best course and Africa’s best course), Golf Scapes Top 100 Courses in the world (25) and Course of the Year by Luxury Travel Guide.
Par 72, 7001 meters, kikuyu fairways & tees, bent grass greens.
ROYAL JOHANNESBURG
East Course Designed by Robert “Bob” Grimsdell 1939
A fine competitive golfer in his youth Bob Grimsdell moved to South Africa in his twenties to establish himself in a year round golf career. Grimsdell became the Pro/Greenkeeper at several South African clubs, but made his name known at Royal Johannesburg, when he laid out the East Course in 1933. Grimsdell served as the golf professional at Royal Johannesburg for nearly 20 years before becoming South Africa’s foremost golf course architect.
He was a pioneer of Golf Course architecture in South Africa and was recently inducted into the Southern African Golf Hall of Fame.
ROYAL JOHANNESBURG
West Course Designed by Lawrie Waters 1927
Designed in 1927 by Laurie Waters, the West Course, shorter in comparison to the East Course, is a fine example of how two layouts in close proximity can still create quite different, but vastly enjoyable golf experiences. While its beautiful sweeping fairways and generous sized greens inspire joy and confidence, the player who strays from them will quickly find trees, water or frustration in uncompromising abundance. Players of every level will find much delight in and many reasons to return. The West Course is set for a revamp similar to its sister course in July 2020.
Par 72, 6225 meters, kikuyu fairways and tees, bent grass greens.
Greenkeeper, Club maker, Teacher 1898 – 20 Club Professional Pretoria, Royal Johannesburg, Heronmere, thereafter and Royal Salisbury & Chapman (Rhodesia) Designed golf courses in Belgian Congo, Nyasaland, Northern & Southern Rhodesia, and South Africa including Durban CC, ‘West course’ Royal Johannesburg & Potchefstroom GC. In recent years Lawrie Waters was inducted into the Southern African Golf Hall of Fame.
ROYAL JOHANNESBURG AWARDS
Creating Legacy
These recent awards and acknowledgments reflect our dedication to the game and providing excellence in Golf, Tourism and Hospitality.
Rolex Top 100 Clubs of the World and World of Leading Golf serves as our platform in the golf community, to deliver the highest quality products and experiences.
