It’s the only weekend away I know of that combines beer, golf, art and culture . . . with heaps of fun thrown in. Garth Johnstone visited the George Hotel in Eshowe
When I was invited to Eshowe to try out a Golf and Beer Weekend, the last thing I expected was to be admiring artwork by KZN photographer/artist Peter Engblom, but that’s exactly what happened.
The idea was we would shoot up to Eshowe (an hour and 15 minutes from Umhlanga), play a round of golf and then head to the George Hotel to sample proprieter and brewer Richard Chennels’ super Zulu Blonde beer.
Well, the golf was a happy trek up and down Eshowe Hills’ very tidy 18 holes, with some fairly average golf and loads of liquid fun on the way. We were entered in the Round Table golf day, which was a chance to meet the locals and win a modest prize for our efforts. This is the only round of golf I’ve played where you could stand on the tee with driver in hand aiming at a human target with substantial cash prize on offer. On another hole a bakkie was parked in front of the tee box, the owner urging all to give it a crack . . . high spirited stuff indeed.
Before hitting the George with force we had a quick peek at local attractions Signal Hill (from where the British could signal by heliograph as far away as the Tugela River during the Anglo Zulu War) and the Dlinza Forest reserve, a birder’s paradise.
When we arrived at the George, I anticipated the usual small town hotel, with old wraparound veranda and tin roof, but was astounded at what Richard has done with the venue. I asked him how he managed to turn the establishment into a tribute to Zulu culture, but with a funky modern twist: “I was thinking of something dynamic, which would tie in with our Zulu Blonde brand of beer,” he said. “That’s when I got in touch with Peter Engblom and we threw some ideas around.”
What followed was a few epic brainstorming sessions (and a pint or two) and then the two got cracking, with Peter working frenetically to achieve their vision. Some incredible metres-wide prints of historical photographs depicting central characters in the Zulu story like Dinuzulu and Bhambatha, and a serious collection of Zulu pots help complete the picture. While the whole project is underpinned by a genuine admiration for Zulu culture, the bar decor and design is slick and contemporary, providing the perfect setting for a late night soiree.
“This whole thing, beer and golf, started out as a way for us locals to have some fun,” said Simon Gardner, who sells properties on the golf estate and works with Richard on the Golf and Beer weekends.
“We went to Jo’burg to get our first clients, advertising at golf days, but the whole idea was to create some entertainment and bring people to Eshowe.”
“It’s grown a bit from there,” added Richard, “but it’s still driven by a passion for brewing beer and having a jol.”
Before we head back to Umhlanga, Richard takes me through the brewing process, and as he stands there in front of various tanks and gauges, rattling off steps in the brewing process, he strikes me as the epitome of the nutty professor . . . with a whole lot of ambition and zest for life. R
Useful info: Golf and Beer Weekends contact Richard 035 474 4919 or 082 775 9998.
E-mail Richard@eshowe.com
www.zulublonde.com