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 golfer is particularly blessed as the region is home
to dozens of beautifully designed courses all of which
are magnificently conditioned. 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.
Golden Impala jump in a fountain
in Johannesburg Gold Reef City
Its position and infrastructure make the region both a
wonderful golf destination and the perfect gateway to golf
in the rest of the region.
DG
DG
SAIO
SAIO
2020
2020
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