General Information

Tucked between the world famous Boulders Penguin Reserve and the picturesque Fisherman's Beach lies the historic Simon's Town Country Club. The unique 9-hole golf links is situated where a century ago, Boer War P.O.W's awaited shipment from the naval base to Ceylon. At the second Tee there is a plaque, which not only states that the site was a Prisoner of war camp, but also demarcates the spot where the prisoners collected their post. Facilities include a Nine Hole Golf course, squash courts, bowls, full bar, lounge, dedicated smokers patio, kitchen, function annex, braai area, practise putting green and chipping area. Our clubhouse offers a bar, lounge, pool and snooker table, dual view DSTV with TV's for sport, kitchen and separate changing rooms for Men and Ladies.

History

In 1900 the whole area below the main road was turned into a Prisoners-of-War Camp for Burghers captured during the South African War. Old Fencing Poles on the Windmill Beach rocks and a Wood-and-Iron Cottage in Grant Avenue which had been built by the Royal Engineers for the Office and Guard-room of the Prisoners-of-War Camp still stand today.

The Post Stone with its Plaque which can be seen on the 2nd / 11th Tee Box is the original stone on which the Postman stood whilst the men of the Prisoners-of-War Camp stood in line in front of him and passed letters over their heads. With the building of the new Docks at the East end of Simon's Town. The old Camp was transformed into a Temporary Housing Area for Artisans and Workmen in the new build up. Pre-fab Houses brought from Norway were quickly erected. Simon's Town Municipal 6 hole Golf Links was established in 1913, as a result of the shortage of funds in the Municipality to maintain and further develop the Links the members proposed the establishment of the Simon's Town Golf Club.

In December 1915 an agreement between the Simon's Town Municipality and the Fleet Surgeon A.W.B Livesay, R.N. (Royal Navy) Chairman, and Mr. R. Miller, (Hon. Secretary and Treasurer) acting on behalf of the MEMBERS of a club to be named the SIMON'S TOWN GOLF CLUB, in respect of taking over and the Maintenance of THE MUNICIPAL GOLF LINKS by the club.

When World War One broke out the top area of the Groot Tuin and the Golf Course above Main Road and the top area of Klein Tuin were used to house Troops under canvas. It was here that the original 1st Cape Corps Regiment was born and where the men who went to the Middle East and fought at Square Hill had been put through their paces and equipment.

In 1978 the Grounds man Jock Smith uncovered shell midden whilst preparing a waist bunker. During the "dig" organized by the Simon's Town Museum Des van Blerk (current President of the Simon's Town Country Club) found a skull whilst looking for a lost golf ball. The archaeological excavations established that the site was a grave of a child. A Dental Surgeon confirmed that the age of the child was between 6 and 12 years old at the time of death. The site has been dated as late 17th or early 18th Century and is recorded as the first known Burial in the area.