OUR STORY
Clovelly’s history from the 1930’s
Founding 1930’s
Used initially by a group of naval officers stationed at the nearby Simonstown base (who were mainly transitory), and a number of enthusiastic golfers from the area, the Clovelly Golf Links was formed, and was for a start, only a nine hole course. This was around the 1920’s.
It was two years after the Great Depression of the late 1920’s that Clovelly was rescued from closure by two entrepreneurs, Gus Ackerman and Michael Pevsner, who purchased the property and, in 1932 formed the Clovelly Country Club which was officially opened in 1934.
The property was originally the farm “Klein Tuin”, and was purchased for the sum of 3 000 pounds. Gus Ackerman and Michael Pevsner’s stated purpose was “that the aforesaid land shall only be used for sporting and other activities of the Clovelly Country Club from the membership of which no person shall be debarred by reason of nationality or religion.
Fishoek Farm – circa 1905 – the vast Clovelly dune and indigenous landscape clearly different to what exists today.
In these early years, members sometimes played golf with red balls to avoid losing them in the sand and often, after their round, would go out onto the course and plant grass. It was also at this time that a large number of members left to form Westlake Golf Course which was nearer geographically and had a different Constitution.
With a dire need for members, money and amenities, it is amazing that by the end of 1932 an 18 hole golf course and 4 tennis courts had been built. Farmers further up the valley were not keen to release water and already in these early years Clovelly drilled boreholes to ensure a reliable and economically viable source of water. The designer of the course was Dr CM Murray with Mr R Grimsdale, a talented and experienced specialist in this field.
In addition in these early years, many of the Club’s gardens were established with shrubs and plants from members own gardens and two bowling greens were built to commence a new activity.
1 December 1934 Judge Gardner opened the new Clubhouse replacing the tiny dwelling that had served the members as a changing room.
“Fraternitas Ludorum” – Brotherhood of Sport was proudly used on many shirts and blazers as the Club’s motto.
Dr Murray at Royal Cape with the
Greenkeeper – 1929
Picture by permission: Ceri Mackellar, granddaughter of Dr Murray
These photos on the right were taken on the official opening day of Clovelly Country Club on 1 December 1934. The first official drive was made by Judge Gardner (pictured in the top image). In the second image we see a gathering of notables. In the back row wearing a black hat is Dr. Murray, the architect of the course. We also see Mr. Gus Ackerman, Mr. Michael Pevsner and Mr. Harry Solomon – a prominent WP golf player at the time.
From 1903 there had been a 9-hole golf course in Simonstown. Limited space spurred a group of naval officers to lease a stretch of land made up of sand dunes and scant vegetation, formally known Klein Tuin Farm, in order to found a 9-hole golf course in the Fish Hoek Valley. The original membership was made up of, at most, one hundred stationed naval officers and local golf enthusiasts.
By the end of 1932 Michael Pevsner, a Russian immigrant and Chairman of a large tobacco company, and Mr. Gustave “Gus” Ackerman, a local businessman and member of Mowbray Golf Club, also regarded as one of the best-dressed men in Cape Town, had purchased Clovelly with the stated purpose that the land: “…shall only be used for sporting and other activities of the Clovelly Country Club…” On 1 December 1934 Clovelly Country Club was officially opened, with Judge Gardener driving off the first tee.
Pictures below by permission: Ceri Mackellar, granddaughter of Dr Murray
Clovelly Country Club – perhaps of the existing 1st tees and 9th hole -1935
Clovelly Country Club – noted as the 17th – now the 8th – 1935
Clovelly Country Club – unknown – possibly near the existing 13th or 11th – 1935
1940-1980
The 20 Post War years were really difficult with so many members on active service and less golf being played. Gus Ackerman, after being Chairman for years, took on the President’s role (exited by his Founder friend M Pevsner) who died in 1941. Together with many excellent Chairman and Captains, he kept the Club alive. Gus Ackerman died in 1966 and his son Raymond Ackerman became Chairman. In the mid 1970’s he was elected President.
Clovelly, among others, has supported the Blind by having a “Trophy of Light” event held annually since 1937. Our long-standing professional Maurice Bodmer, a great friend of the legendary Bobby Locke, played in Post-War events held at Clovelly with great international stars such as Sam Snead of the US and Norman van Nida of Australia.
Besides the above, a disaster hit the Club in 1956 when an electric fault caused a disastrous fire which severely damaged the Club House. However, we overcame that and had a major rebuilding of the Club later in 1989-90 and more in the later years. In 1976 Raymond Ackerman managed to get the then Prime Minister BJ Vorster to allow all races to join our Club. This was the only South African sports club in any sport to allow the fulfillment of our Founding Principles.
Post 1980
In 1985 it was decided to ask the members to contribute to a massive Water Scheme and this plus the rebuilding was instrumental in setting Clovelly on a continuing growth cycle.
Original Clubhouse, before the fire, with shingled roof
The Great Fire at Clovelly Country Club, 25th July 1955
The Club decided to build a Warm Up Range to complete the Golfing Experience after the turn of the Century. This necessitated closing down the Tennis and Bowling facilities – a very sad decision but one that was critical to our success at present.
The establishment of RAGA (Raymond Ackerman Golf Academy) in the early 2000’s has been extremely successful and established Clovelly as an example to many Clubs in SA. This Golf foundation takes boys and girls in and assists them with their school work, giving them Life-skills training and also teaches them Golf. It was started for Clovelly and then developed by Jonathan Ackerman, Raymond’s youngest son, as a Clovelly and Ackerman Family NGO.
Floreat Clovelly.
The Warm Up Range
Today
There’s every chance you’ll think you’ve taken a wrong turn when visiting Clovelly, even if the signage insists there’s a golf course in the vicinity: a small, suburban road beneath a mountain winds through homes that mask the view of the course. But just as you’re considering turning around, it unfolds before you, one of the most delightful courses the Cape has to offer.
Depending on which nine you start from, you’re veering violently left or right off the tee with two of the more pronounced dog-legs in Cape Town, both holes falling away beneath you from tee boxes just in front of the stately clubhouse. But from there you’re onto a relatively flat course, and one that backtracks on itself, which plays off the wind: from the joy of smashing a drive with a strong breeze at your back, to the more sobering experience of taking three good hits just make the green on a par-four on a particularly windy day, Clovelly offers plenty of highs and lows.
It also has some lovely short holes, and with the overall length of the course modest by modern standards, it’s an ideal layout for the holiday golfer not looking to take on a long brute of a course. It also has a terrific finish, an uphill approach to an elevated green that demands some shrewd wedge management. Take advantage of local knowledge here: Clovelly has a strong team of caddies, celebrated for their golf acumen and charisma in equal measure.
As you finish, keep an eye out for talented kids on the range: Clovelly’s home to the Raymond Ackerman Golf Academy, developing not just golf talent, but also academic and life skills amongst some of the less privileged children in the area. It’s a terrific program, and one that’s already seen a number of success stories.
Fish Hoek beach, arguably the best swimming beach in the Cape, is just minutes away, and ten minutes further down the road is Boulders, with its resident colony of penguins. Clovelly’s thus an ideal centre-point for a day of golfing tourism – keep heading down that road until you find the course, and you won’t regret the trip.
View from the Clubhouse
View of the 17th hole
