The last round has been called at a mashie golf course which has found itself in the rough because its popular pub and clubhouse were under par.
Mashie golf typically involves nine holes, but it was the Kragga Kamma Road course’s “10th hole” that scored a bogey after noise complaints prompted a municipal inspection which revealed structures of the clubhouse were illegal.
The Creek Mashee pub was demolished earlier this month after co-owners Francois Roux and Savvas Koushis failed to comply with demolition instructions from the municipality regarding structures in the wooden clubhouse.Nelson Mandela Bay municipal spokesman Kupido Baron said while the municipality had received several complaints about noise emanating from the pub and club, it had still been willing to renew the owners’ lease.
However, the continuous complaints also prompted an inspection by the municipal chief building inspector and executive director of fire and emergency services who found that some structures did not comply with national building regulations.
“The nature of the structures is such that they cannot comply with the national building regulations and fire and safety bylaws.
“Some had to be demolished to prevent the council from being held liable for any damages or injuries that might happen,” Baron said.
He said while the complaints emanated from “noise and behaviour of patrons during activities”, it was the noncompliance of the structures which prevented the lease from being renewed.
“It can be confirmed that the lessee has co-operated at all times to assist in this regard [noise and behaviour complaints]. However, the complaints kept on being received.
“It was during the course of these events that the inspectorate found the structures that constitute the clubhouse do not comply – notwithstanding all the attempts made herein to assist the lessee.
“Non-compliance still existed,” Baron said.
The clubhouse has now been reduced to a pile of wooden debris scattered across the once lively erf, with liquor bottles, driver’s licences, CVs and toilets lying between the wooden support struts.
On Monday, Roux placed the blame for the pub’s demise on what he said was the incessant nagging of Framesby Gardens resident Gabrie van der Westhuizen which led to the closure of the establishment which was started in 2002.
“It is because of one person, Gabrie, who lives directly opposite the pub on the other side of the river.
“We have only been leasing the establishment since September, but we were warned about his constant complaints,” Roux said.
“We were willing to compromise and do what is required, whether that be breaking the structure in question – a Wendy house – closing earlier, and soundproofing his house.
“But he was not willing to compromise and that has now resulted in the closure of an ‘institution’ in that area.”
Van der Westhuizen denied the claims of any attempt at compromise between himself and the pub owners, adding that he had made numerous complaints – predominantly pertaining to noise – over a period of about eight years.
“Every week from Thursday to Sunday, sometimes until 3am, the music can be heard blaring from the place. The people party, swearing and screaming at all hours – it just became too much.”
Norland Crescent residents were in two minds about the noise. Several agreed with Van der Westhuizen while others said that the noise was manageable.
Koushis said Van der Westhuizen was inconsiderate in his opposition to the pub, which employed about 40 waitrons, barmen and kitchen staff.
Asked about the driver’s licences and CVs left among the debris, Roux said he was unaware of the documentation left behind and would send someone to collect it.
Baron said the golf course site now formed part of the Nelson Mandela Bay open space system and the regrowth of the vegetation would be allowed.