Destination Golf Global (Summer 2020) | Page 48

Gauteng Province Gauteng Gauteng is Southern Africa’s economic engine room and although it takes up only 1.4% of South Africa’s total land mass, it generates ZAR 275 billion per annum, which represents almost 34% of South Africa’s total GDP. It is the ‘California’ of Southern Africa, as its economic output matches or betters every other province and neighbouring country in the region. Johannesburg is a new city and recognised as the World’s largest man made suburban forest. But it is also one that is steeped in a rich history that belies its youth: from being the ‘City of Gold’ so named from the fabulous riches mined from the region in the 19th and 20th centuries, to its role as the adopted home of the late and legendary Nelson Mandela during the latter years of his life, it is surrounded by a wealth of natural features. The city might be young, but man’s presence in the region is not, as the Cradle of Humankind, just to the West, will attest. It has world class hotels, superb shopping centres and restaurants, the latter offering a bewildering array of food styles which are representative of the multicultural mix that comprises the city’s population. The non-golfer is well catered for with a range of activities that encompass the province’s rich cultural heritage, historical and political past and must see places such as the Apartheid Museum, which takes its visitors on an objective and unvarnished journey through the history of one of the World’s most vilified political systems….and yet despite these types of attractions and its modernity and sophistication, the great outdoors of Africa is only ever a stone’s throw away. The variety and quality on offer is possibly the best in Africa and perhaps the contrasting West and East courses at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club, (affectionately known as Royal) which was voted both ‘best course in Africa’ and South Africa by the prestigious World Golf Awards in 2018, is the clearest testament to this. The clubs offer a broad spectrum of challenges and range from the Jack Nicklaus signature course at Serengeti to Blair Atholl a Gary Player signature course which was built on a farm which was Gary Player’s former home in Gauteng. Eagle Canyon and Ebotse golf estate’s layouts were fashioned from disused quarries and slimes dams (an unfortunate by-product of mining for gold) which have now been completely rehabilitated – definitely one up for golf in the battle to prove golf’s environmental awareness and sensitivity. Ruimsig Golf Club and Dainfern are also Player designed courses. The former is an inland links, while Dainfern’s layout winds its way through a valley and along the banks of the Jukskei River which comes directly into play on 5 holes. In total there are over 70 golf courses in this small area and it provides a great base for golfers as it also offers the perfect hub to cross into four more provinces – Mpumulanga – Gateway to the Kruger National Park, the Free State, Limpopo which is home to the marvellously diverse Waterberg biosphere and the Northwest Province – all accessible by either by road or internal flights. Its position and infrastructure make the region both a wonderful golf destination and the perfect gateway to golf in the rest of the region. The golfer is particularly blessed as the region is home to dozens of beautifully designed courses all of which are magnificently conditioned. 48 Destination Golf .TRAVEL