There have been significant improvements to the golf course at the Sardinia Bay Golf & Wildlife Estate since its origins as an enjoyable par three mashie course laid out between the pastures of a working dairy farm.
Starting in 2013, the original course was first condensed into six holes, after which an additional three holes were added on the northern side of the clubhouse.
Golf club general manager Stephen Volker said substantial investment had gone into improving the overall quality of the course, which is situated on the estate alongside a scenic country road on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth.
“We’ve put in new greens and new tee boxes, as well as a new chipping and putting green.”
Photo: Full Stop Communications
He said the estate was now recognised as having a full-length nine-hole golf course, affiliated to the South African Golf Association, Eastern Province Golf Union and Handicaps Network Africa.
Volker said residents at the estate automatically qualified for two adult and two junior memberships per household, excluding affiliation and handicap fees.
Aside from the usual hazards, the course boasted four-legged obstacles such as zebra, eland and wildebeest, which, he said, were more plentiful at sunrise and sunset.
Managing director James Blyth explained that a number of steps had been taken to ensure the course remained ecologically friendly.
“The greens are watered using borehole and reclaimed water and we have recently upgraded all our golf carts to electric E-Z-Go ones.”
Blyth said they had also upgraded the machinery used in maintaining the course, including the purchase of a fairway mower.
“We have also revamped the clubhouse, which has now moved into the old farmhouse, and are in the process of securing a restaurant that can cater to our patrons and residents.”
Blyth said the idea was to have a restaurant that focused on simple food done really well and they were looking at including pizza that could be delivered to residents.