George Golf Club has suffered catastrophic damage after gale-force winds tore through the Garden Route earlier this week, uprooting 263 trees and permanently altering one of South Africa’s oldest golf courses.
The 120-year-old course, known for its towering tree-lined fairways and historic landscape, was left scarred after massive trees crashed onto greens 1, 4 and 16 during the violent storm.
Century old trees
Some of the fallen trees were believed to be more than a century old and had become defining features of play at the club.
Club officials confirmed that the course has been temporarily closed while extensive cleanup operations continue.
The clubhouse and restaurant, however, remain open to members and the public.
Photos and video footage from the scene show enormous root systems ripped from the ground, with one uprooted giant near the 16th hole dwarfing nearby workers.
The storm damage has been described as unprecedented in the club’s history.
The destruction at the golf course formed part of a broader weather disaster across the Garden Route.
The severe windstorm caused widespread infrastructure damage, uprooted trees across George, triggered power outages and contributed to at least two fatalities in the district.
Local disaster management teams continue clearing roads and restoring services as recovery efforts move into a second week.
