Amen Corner | Make or break | RASA 2025 | 17 June 2025

The 11th (Par 4), 12th (Par 3) and 13th (Par 5) stretch of holes at Augusta National Golf Course, venue for the US Masters, is known as Amen Corner. The name apparently came from a jazz record titled “Shouting in Amen Corner.” I guess in frustration at the damage this section of the course can do to your scorecard.

Players that come out of Amen Corner without having dropped shots are well positioned to make their run at a famous Green Jacket. Many have seen their backsides, such is the challenge presented by these three infamous holes. 

Amen Corner on the Freedom Trail lies on the section from Kapokkraal to Rossouw. Three infamous portages lie in wait for weary cyclists that have already been battered in the section before Rhodes. Amen Corner, Freedom style is only 34km. measured from the shed with a bicycle sign at Kapokkraal to the farmhouse at the bottom of the Bontehoek descent. 34km that one is unlikely to forget in a hurry.

Kapokkraal, Slaapkrantz exit and Bontehoek will test every rider to the limit. On this section some of the most outrageous squiggles on the live Tracking have entertained dot watchers over the years. 

John Bowen, Steve Johnston and Anthony Gould all made the cut at Rhodes. Today, their ninth day, they all made it to Chesneywold, John having arrived a few minutes ago after a ten hour ride from Rhodes. He and Anthony had to sit a six hour penalty in Rhodes and could only leave at midday.

Minkie  will have embraced them in her arms. They will literally be fattened up around the Agar stove in the kitchen for the delights that await between Chesneywold and Moordenaarspoort. Amen Corner awaits.

Starting the day from Chesneywold means that all three portages are in play for the day that lies ahead. Kapokkraal in daylight should be the easiest of the three, the sting there being navigation on the descent to Spitzkop in the dark. Surely not a problem for tomorrow, although never say never.

After a brief respite at Slaapkrantz support station (Joyce Buys will probably be in Barkly East doing law stuff) the climb up the (very) old and rough wagon trail on the Slaapkrantz exit will be a proper test in what is likely to be very muddy conditions.  Not unheard of to get lost up at the top either. John will know this only too well. Six delightful hours in 2015 should still be etched in his memory. It certainly is in mine.

The last challenge of Amen Corner will be Bontehoek.  Every chance that this will be attempted as the day ends for the three riders setting out tomorrow. The Bontehoek descent in the dark, again in what will probably be slushy conditions, will be interesting.

Successfully navigating Amen Corner in one day is no mean feat. Best of luck to the three riders who are attempting it tomorrow. 34km. That is all.