Gary Player - The Legend

Royal Northland to Add a New Golfing Dimension to the Waterberg

Mar 15, 2005 | Filed Under: Golf Course Design | Comments: 1   

In early May, Royal Northland Golf Estate in the town of Warmbaths, South Africa, will celebrate the launch of a brand new 18-hole Gary Player Signature-designed golf course. The exquisite 134-hectare property is located at the heart of the African Bushveld, close to shopping and entertainment, but remote enough to emanate the tranquility of nature.

Royal Northland Golf Estate, which is just a short drive from Johannesburg, currently operates an existing nine-hole golf course and small clubhouse. The new development plan calls for a complete redesign of the course and country club complex, with the addition of spacious villas overlooking the golf course and a retirement village. The retirement village will be constructed at a later phase. One of the main attractions of the estate will be the variety of luxurious sports facilities offered above and beyond golf. The clubhouse component will include a full-service gymnasium, squash & tennis courts, bowling green and walking trails ideal for bird-watching.

The tranquility of the bushveld is kept with only 330 stands spread across this land, with each stand at approximately average size of 1100m/2 each. Almost 80% of the stands overlook the golf course.

“The site at Royal Northland gives us the chance to become really creative in the design process, but the developers of Royal Northland are creating something more than just golf. They are offering a lifestyle for those who have a passion for both nature and fitness as I do,” Gary Player commented.

One of the unique features of the golf course will be the elevation changes on what is now flat topography scattered with hardwood trees. Player and the design team plan to not only preserve the trees by transporting them to the new course, but to also create a ‘rolling hill’ effect that will add character to the golfer�s experience and provide more dramatic views from the villas.

Warmbaths, or as it’s now known as Bela-Bela, has a climate famous for being fair and warm year-round, which is ideal for the passionate golfer. Its mineral spring water bath resorts and game lodges have also contributed to the success of tourism for Bela-Bela. Located in South Africa’s mountainous Waterberg Region, the appeal of this town is that it is both ‘near’ and ‘far’ from big city life.

Design plans are well on track and construction of the golf course is scheduled to begin mid-year. For additional information, contact Scott Ferrell, Gary Player Design, USA at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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