Durban - When one hears of Nottingham Road, the first thought that comes to mind is farms, rolling hills and, of course, Notties Pub.
But, just down the road from the legendary drinking hole is a different kind of farm, one that is becoming a little legend in its own right.
Perched on an old potato patch, Gowrie Farm has steadily built a reputation as a very well-hidden gem in the Midlands. What has caught the eye of many admirers is the golf course.
Designed in the old-school form of a Scottish links, the cleverly designed nine-hole course has twelve different greens, and you certainly don’t feel as though you are playing the same hole again. It is a true test for golfers at all levels.
From the very tips, it is long and demanding, especially with lush fairways that are always in fantastic condition. Gowrie Farm is often in the upper echelons of any list that comprises quality and enjoyability because it is a quirky mix of testing par-five holes, often with water involved.
The fourth hole, for example, has broken many a heart, even though it requires little more than a wedge on most days. The thrill of a round of golf at Gowrie is that it is nothing you would expect in KwaZulu-Natal. The weather varies, and there is almost always a bit of wind, and many a golfer has seen four seasons in one round.
When the sun is out, it lulls one into a false sense of security, but the subtle slopes on the carpet-like greens soon bring you back to reality. In winter, when the course takes on a different hue, with orange, red and shades of khaki surrounding the ever-green putting surfaces, you could believe that you were in Scotland itself – and the chilly weather certainly helps the illusion.
To finish, the par-five 18th hole at Gowrie Farm is a true risk or reward affair. The brave – or foolish – will attempt to clear nearly 200m of dam water with their second shot, which often ends up in the drink, contributing to the club’s healthy second-hand ball stock.
Once the golf is done, though, the rustic farmhouse is one of the best places to be on the course. Often, the fire is roaring, and the kitchen serves up hearty country fare for lunch and supper.
Staying over at Gowrie is a must, especially when the mist rolls in, and encourages you to get one more bottle of red for the table.
The accommodation is plentiful and luxurious, with five lodge rooms above the clubhouse, and six new suites overlooking the 18th hole. Two of these are big enough to host a family of four, with plush sleeper couches for the rascals.
For those wanting a more intimate dwelling, Gowrie Farm’s selection of cottages is world class.
For those who must mix business with pleasure, the Charles Smythe Cottage includes a 24-seater conference table, to go with four cavernous self-catering bedrooms.
The Old Tom Morris Cottage, nestled near the 9th green, is a little more intimate, but also sleeps eight in country splendour, with plasma screen TVs in each room. But, the cream of the Gowrie crop is perched on a crest with majestic views over the course to the clubhouse, and beyond to the mystery of the hills that surround the area.
Thanks to its country charm and hospitality, its attention to detail and exquisite golf course, Gowrie Farm has become a firm favourite for romantic getaways and the estate is surrounded by many other jewels and attractions.
That is, of course, if you can drag yourself off the property itself. With several dams full of trout, and plenty of space to run, cycle or simply soak in the serenity of the Midlands, Gowrie Farm already has everything you need and more.
l Call 033 266 6294 or visit www.gowrie.co.za
Adrian Rorvik, Sunday Tribune