Tristan da Cunha Golf Club ☆ Follow

The Tristan da Cunha Golf Club is a nine-hole course located at Hottentot Fence, a site that serves multiple functions as a cattle pasture and the location for the island's scientific monitoring station buildings. The layout is defined by its rugged, natural terrain rather than traditional landscaping, with no constructed greens. Instead, players navigate across rough pasture scattered with numerous rounded volcanic boulders that serve as significant hazards. The course presents a unique challenge due to its exposure to the elements and the unpredictable nature of its features. Local hazards include strong gales and the volcanic rocks, which can deflect balls randomly, often into the sea. The presence of grazing cattle on the course adds another layer of difficulty, requiring players to navigate around livestock during play. The course is managed by Robin Repetto on behalf of the Tourism Department, and visitors can arrange golf packages that include a round of play, a scorecard, and a certificate. The club has a history of hosting competitive events, most notably the Tristan Open Golf Championship. The 2014 championship was held on September 25th, allowing visitors from the Agulhas ship to compete against local enthusiasts, with Mickey Trauernicht taking the title. The following year, the 2015 Open saw Erik MacKenzie, the Factory Manager, win with a score of 48 for the nine-hole course. Earlier international matches, such as the 2013 Tristan Open won by Sege Le Maillot, have also been staged on this distinctive course, often involving crews from visiting ships like the RMS St Helena and the SA Agulhas II.