Golf Digest South Africa — January 2018

arys has long been a popular weekend getaway

for Gauteng residents, situated as it is on the Vaal

River, just over 100 kilometres south of

Johannesburg. More than a century ago, it was known as

the Pride of the Vaal to city folk who flocked there by train.

In some people’s eyes today, it is the northern

equivalent of Franschhoek in the Cape. Perhaps not as

chic and stylish – this is the rustic Free State, after all – but

it also has restaurants, pubs, microbreweries and cafes which

attract visitors, plus an arty side to it, with several curio and

antique shops. And there’s the vague French connection

too. Its name derived from a 19th century German

surveyor who said the town’s position next to the broad

river reminded him of Paris on the Seine. 

Golfers probably see more of the Vaal River than visitors

who frequent the main street. Over the last 10 years, Parys

has become a golfing destination with the development

of two golf estates, Parys Golf & Country Estate close to

ISLAND GOLF IN PARYS

68 / JANUARY 2018 / GOLFDIGEST.CO.ZA

by stuart mclean

P

TWO COURSES ON THE VAAL RIVER MAKE PARYS A POPULAR

WEEKEND GETAWAY

PHOTOS BY JAMIE THOM/DEON TERBLANCHE