Golfing in the Drakensberg

Q: Can you recommend hotels or resorts in the Natal Drakensberg which have golf courses? - Wendy Smit

A: In the foothills of the southern Drakensberg, the Drakensberg Gardens Golf and Leisure Resort Hotel has an 18-hole championship status course. This family-friendly resort also offers trout fishing, tennis and hiking (www.goodersonleisure.co.za). The Sani Pass Hotel and Leisure Resort offers a nine-hole course with 18 tees for the free use of hotel guests. The course is laid out along the meandering Mkhomazana River, with many scenic river crossings on swing bridges (www.sanipasshotel.co.za). In the central Drakensberg area, the Champagne Sports Resort has an 18-hole course designed by Hugh Baiocchi. Highly-rated, it is set against the backdrop of the Cathkin and Champagne peaks and serves a number of nearby resorts including the Drakensberg Sun (www.champagnesportsresort.com). The Amphitheatre Golf Club in Bergville has a nine-hole golf club. Situated adjacent to the Hlalanathi Drakensberg Resort, it is to be extended into an 18-hole course across the Tugela River (www.hlalanathi.co.za). To the north, the Cathedral Peak Hotel has a nine-hole course which offers alternate tees for an 18-hole game. There is a great clubhouse surrounded by spectacular mountain views - a great 19th hole hangout! The resort is located 250kms from Durban and 400kms from Johannesburg (www,cathedralpeak.co.za). (8/8/10)