Literally right outside the Phalaborwa Gate and adjacent to the Kruger National Park is the Hans Merensky Hotel & Spa. Definitely a WOW factor upon arrival on property and upon entry into your room… of course I headed out at dusk to “golf in the wild,” play a few holes near the clubhouse (to stay safe) and see what wildlife was around. Found Hippo Hollow or from what I could tell it is Hippo Heaven. I guess they stayed in the water until dark (skin sensitive to sunlight) and were spotted by flashlight on the 10th fairway. I was ready for bed! Another magnificent day on the 44-day ‘Golf Journey to South Africa!’ http://www.hansmerensky.com/     (Facebook Post Highlight Video, Andy Reistetter, 12/16/15)

I see my friend Fulton Allem won the Palabora Classic 3 straight years here in 1986, 1987, & 1988!— at Hans Merensky Golf Estate In Phalaborwa, South Africa.   (Facebook Post 8 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/17/15)

Healthy feast for a king tonight (& last night too with GM Louise) at Hans Merensky Hotel & Spa… African night, live braai, chakalaka, & beetroot, all so good! All I can say is a private unnamed owner is in the process of restoring this place beyond its past glory days… very impressive, South African hospitality & golf at its best!   (Facebook Post 10 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/17/15)

Still breathless & in complete ecstacy… drove through Kruger National Park & played Leopard Creek Golf Estate with my new friends Marge & Brian. Something about the beautiful vistas, the exotic wildlife & me being the one in the cage! TROML Plus Plus Day! (-:   (Facebook Post 12 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/15/15)

This was yesterday Monday when I first arrived in Kruger National Park at Skukuza Rest Camp … for a moment I thought I was going to regret not getting the extra rental car insurance… LOL…   (Facebook Post Video, Andy Reistetter 12/15/15)

Still breathless & in complete ecstacy… drove through Kruger National Park & played Leopard Creek Golf Estate with my new friends Marge & Brian. Something about the beautiful vistas, the exotic wildlife & me being the one in the cage! TROML Plus Plus Day! (-:   (Facebook Post 12 Pics, Andy Reistetter 12/15/15)

Saw a leopard and more wildlife yesterday in @Kruger National Park on my way home to Skukuza Rest Camp after playing Leopard Creek Golf Estate… how fitting! Playing Skukuza Golf Club this morning then heading north through the park to Hans Merensky Golf Estate In Phalaborwa… hoping to see a lion today! (-:   (Facebook Post 2 Pics, Andy Reistetter 12/16/15)

Played the 9-hole Skukuza Golf Club this morning near the Skukuza Rest Camp in Kruger National Park… really a nice course that goes around a dammed up lake. 9th tee box is on the rim of the dam with the picturesque green across the water with the thatched roof clubhouse behind. Safari & Bush golf at its finest. You will enjoy this golf course too!   (Facebook Post 8 Pics, Andy Reistetter 12/16/15)

Another beautiful & exciting drive through the Kruger National Park, this time to the north, from Skukuza Rest Camp to the Phalaborwa Gate. Saw 2 lion lovers and another leopard, this time up in a tree! WOW, what an inspiring & magnificent experience! Good to know a cluster of cars blocking the road is not an accident, but a good thing-another wild animal sighting!   (Facebook Post 2 Pics, Andy Reistetter 12/16/15)

Awesome golfing experience at The Bryanston Country Club with a father Rob and son Wayne pairing. Beautiful golf course. Played white tees at 7,000 yards at an elevation of only 2,000 is quite long. They don’t “play it forward” like I so back home! Fun time, great club, the second of the Joburg Gems– Randpark Golf Club, The Bryanston Country Club and Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club, courtesy of Joburg Tourism…   (Facebook Post 2 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/13/15)

Loved my Red Bus tour of Johannesburg today, so informative, so much fun…   (Facebook Post 9 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/12/15)

Another awesome Red Bus Tour, City Sightseeing Red Bus Tour, Johannesburg Cbd, this time to Soweto, Nelson Mandella House, Apartheid Museum. Very inspirational… South Africa has endured & overcome a lot, especially in the last 40 years…grateful to personally experience South Africa… very warm, friendly & inviting people… feel right at home…    (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 1/20/16)

Great first round of golf at newly renovated Randpark Golf Club Firethorn Course with my new South African buddies Michael, & brothers Stuart & Andrew. Retief Goosen won the SA Open here in 2000. Fairway Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, a Guvon Hotels & Spas, is literally adjacent to first Tee and practice putting green. Off to see Johannesburg on the Red Bus tour…   (Facebook Post 12 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/12/15)

Confirmed for my first three nights, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday at Fairway Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort in Johannesburg! The Fairway Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is a member of the Guvon Hotels and was awarded with ‘Best New Hotel Africa and Indian Ocean’ at the World Travel Awards 2010. Plus they have golf as a leisure option! Randpark Golf Club boasts two outstanding golf courses, the Firethorn and Bushwillow courses. Firethorn hosted the 1995 & 2000 South Africa Open… sounds like my kind of place to begin the Golf Journey to South Africa! (-:   (Facebook Post 1 Pic, Andy Reistetter, 12/7/15)

It’s GO time… here’s the plan so far in South Africa… excited to arrive Friday morning and enjoy the first 3 nights in Johannesburg at the Fairway Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort and play Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club… feeling very fortunate to have this golf & life opportunity! (-:   (Facebook Post AGTD Article Link: GJSA; It’s GO Time, USA to Johannesburg, Andy Reistetter, 12/9/15)

Can’t tell u how beautiful the Fairway Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, a Guvon Hotels & Spas, is or how good a shower felt after two days & nights of travel. Cell phone with GPS & rental car all set. Playing the Joburg Gems, courtesy of Joburg Tourism, the next 3 days: Randpark Golf Club, The Bryanston Country Club, & Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club Club. Thinking this is the best way to start a South Africa golf & safari trip.   (Facebook Post 9 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/11/15)

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Great first round of golf at newly renovated Randpark Golf Club Firethorn Course with my new South African buddies Michael, & brothers Stuart & Andrew. Retief Goosen won the SA Open here in 2000. Fairway Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, a Guvon Hotels & Spas, is literally adjacent to first Tee and practice putting green. Off to see Johannesburg on the Red Bus tour…   (Facebook Post 12 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/12/15)

I am eating ostrich for the first time. Actually quite tasty. Women would love South Africa, wine is 2-3 $US a glass…   (Facebook Post 4 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/12/15)

Awesome golfing experience at The Bryanston Country Club with a father Rob and son Wayne pairing. Beautiful golf course. Played white tees at 7,000 yards at an elevation of only 2,000 is quite long. They don’t “play it forward” like I so back home! Fun time, great club, the second of the Joburg Gems– Randpark Golf Club, The Bryanston Country Club and Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club, courtesy of Joburg Tourism…   (Facebook Post 2 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/13/15)

Sad to leave the Fairway Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, A Guvon Hotels & Spas property! GREAT start to the “Golf Journey to South Africa.” Thank you Joburg Gems for the 3 nights and the 3 world class golf courses- Randpark Golf Club Firethorn, The Bryanston Country Club and today’s play at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club… if you are thinking about a golf or safari trip to South Africa this is where you want to start, great away to adjust to the time zone in comfort, relaxation & fun!  (Facebook Post 3 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/14/15)

Fantastic day playing Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club with all my new friends! Set to host the Joburg Open in one month on South Africa’s Sunshine Tour. I hope to be back with a media credential and play here again and participate in ‘Beat the Beast’ the Monday after the tournamment! Unbelievable golfing opportunity with @Joburg Gems– stay at the Fairway Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort and play the @Joburg Gems trifecta- Randpark Golf Club, The Bryanston Country Club & Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club…   (Facebook Post 4 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/14/15)

Landed in Johannesburg 6 weeks ago today on Friday, December 11th… Golf Journey to South Africa coming to a close… two more days to enjoy this beautiful country and all the wonderful folks here… no memory more precious than being at Fairway Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort the first 3 nights with the Joburg Gems playing Randpark Golf Club’s newly renovated Firethorn Course… can’t get enough of Joburg or South Africa… so many memories to post… stay tuned… 8 hours to Dubai then 16 hours to Orlando… c u at the PGA Show! Safety for all travelers, including me! (-:   (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 1/22/16)

Went into London Paddington Station & took a 3 hour walk to Kensington Palace & through the Marble Arch neighborhood. Holiday lights are beautiful! One 13-hour redeye and I am in Johannesburg! Safety for all travelers, including me, this holiday season! (-:   (Facebook Post 4 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/10/15)

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Golf Journey to South Africa in progress soon… Orlando-DFW-London Hearthrow-Johannesburg… leave Wednesday 7 pm, arrive Johannesburg Friday 10 am (3 am EST), back-to-back redeyes, 23 hours flying time… then 44 days in South Africa… TROML Baby!   (Facebook Post 5 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/9/15)

Nice flight over to Heathrow, had whole row to myself & slept like a baby. Went into London Paddington Station & took a 3 hour walk to Kensington Palace & through the Marble Arch neighborhood. Holiday lights are beautiful! One 13-hour redeye and I am in Johannesburg! Safety for all travelers, including me, this holiday season! (-:   (Facebook Post 4 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/10/15)

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