The Wild Coast Sun Country Club’s new Golf Operations Manager, JC Coetzer, recruited from the prestigious Gary Player Country Club at Sun City, has big plans for the renowned country club.
At 12, Coetzer hit his first hole-in-one and fell in love with the grand game. Over the coming years, he began honing his craft, competing in various tourneys, joining the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of South Africa in 2014, and eventually receiving Class AA status in 2021.
“Under the guidance of Ken, I had the privilege of assisting with the management and operations of the Nedbank Golf Challenge for five years,” Coetzer said. Ken Payet is the Golf Director at Sun City as well as the Tournament director for the Nedbank Golf Challenge (NGC).
Coetzer successfully ran two on-course pro shops and hosted numerous golf events, including the SA Open and SunBet Golf Tournament and leading South African corporates.
“During last year’s NGC, Graham Wood (Sun International’s Chief Operating Officer) said that he had noticed my hard work. Being noticed by that level of management was extremely special,” he said. Coetzer was put forward for the Wild Coast Sun’s Golf Operations Manager position and was interviewed by Payet, General Manager, Peter Tshidi, and Wild Coast Sun HR Manager Babalwa Jaji.
“JC is a seasoned professional whose dedication to excellence and passion for the sport will elevate our golf experience to new heights,” Tshidi said. “His innovative approach and commitment to providing an exceptional experience for our members and guests align with our values at the Resort. We are confident that our golf operations will continue to thrive under his leadership, further solidifying Wild Coast Sun’s reputation as a premier golfing destination.”
The PGA’s slogan is ‘touching lives through the game of golf’ and the Association creates qualified professionals in all aspects of the game. “From the rules, club fitting, course management, and even how the angle of the grass would affect your game, encouraging golfers to improve and thereby adding enjoyment to the game. JC’s goal at Wild Coast Sun is to improve the all-round golfing experience, which he already started implementing from his first day on the job on July 1,” Tshidi said.
Coetzer explained that he and the team had already improved many systems, from a newly-implemented online reservation system, a new menu at the clubhouse, a fully-automated irrigation system and a brand-new fleet of golf carts.
“We have an ongoing tender process, looking for new landscaping and course management services. Hoping to find the best suitable candidates on the market,” Coetzer said, explaining that the Robert Trent Jones Jnr-designed course required special care.
Jones used the natural topography and geography of the region to its fullest, resulting in a course that blends in with its natural surroundings to add to its enjoyment.
“The 18th hole goes over the Mtentwana lagoon and sometimes if you’re hitting into the wind, it is a difficult tee shot to get over. If a golfer hits the ball into the water, someone in the clubhouse high above rings the bell to tell you that people witnessed your shot, which brings in an element of fun,” Coetzer said.
The online portal has already proven popular with golfers, and is available for guests as well as visitors to use.
