50 Years of Golf
Established in 1966 by Punch Barlow.
The River Club Limited was incorporated in 1966 under the chairmanship of Charles Sydney “Punch” Barlow, a well-known South African businessman. His aim was to establish a small private golf club. Punch was an outstanding all round sportsman and successful businessman. Once the idea took root, his positive experiences at two famous courses in the United States, Somerset Hills and Cypress Point, provided him with additional inspiration.
1970 Aerial view of The River Club course
The first Annual General Meeting was held in August 1968, attended by 28 shareholders.
In realising his dream, Punch was supported and assisted by a number of his friends and contemporaries, including another well-known and respected businessman Harry Oppenheimer. Whilst Harry was not a regular golfer, he and Punch together provided the initial capital for the club. In addition, a number of other keen golfers and friends of Punch played a significant role in the establishment of the club and course. Punch's vision and the founding ethos of The River Club has been preserved and nurtured under the stewardship of the six Presidents that succeeded him.
The course and the original clubhouse duly opened for business in 1968, after total capital expenditure of approximately R500 000. The first Annual General Meeting was held in August 1968, attended by 28 shareholders, and the first Members Open Golf day was played in December of that year. In the intervening period, Punch had canvassed a select number of Johannesburg-based friends and business associates, inviting them to become part of the original founding membership.
Par 4 9th
