Richards Bay at Richards Bay Country Club

Richards Bay Country Club occupies a distinctive setting in the industrial port city of Richards Bay on South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal north coast. The course was designed by Gary Player in collaboration with Peter Matkovich, reflecting Player's characteristic design philosophy adapted to the coastal lowland terrain of this region. The layout serves both the local golfing community and visitors to this major harbor city, which developed rapidly in the 1970s as South Africa's largest coal export terminal.

The course navigates relatively flat terrain typical of the coastal plain, with design interest derived from strategic bunkering, water hazards, and the management of prevailing winds from the Indian Ocean. The routing incorporates natural vegetation characteristic of the KwaZulu-Natal coastal belt, with indigenous trees and plantings that provide definition and challenge throughout the round. Water features come into play on several holes, requiring careful course management and club selection.

Richards Bay Country Club functions as the primary golf facility for this industrial city and surrounding communities. The club provides a recreational anchor in a region known more for its commercial port operations and mineral exports than for tourism. The course offers a test of golf suited to the coastal climate, where wind and humidity influence playing conditions year-round. The facility includes standard clubhouse amenities serving both members and visiting golfers traveling through this part of the KwaZulu-Natal coast.