Estate Living Digital Publication Issue 7 July 2015 | 页面 12

Great design comes from great experiences and
Sally was able to draw on a wealth of these, having
spent over twenty years outside South Africa. “At the
end of the day, we are a result of our experiences,
and I think that designing golf courses comes from
golfers’ intrinsic experiences as a player and amazing
memories of golf holes. My journey has been amazing
- a fantastic experience that has made me what I am
today” she rejoices.
With the invaluable assistance of designer Danie
Obermeyer, Sally was able to create a course catering
for higher handicaps and competitive players alike
through the use of varying tee boxes. “I was very
influential in creating more teeing ground, not just to
help women and children, but to harness any player’s
ability.”

WHAT’S PUTTING

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For the estate, the collaboration has been priceless
and they were honoured to have been able to work
with Sally. “Her input in the design of our course
has been invaluable because she added some
unique features that have attracted new and young
players who have made Kingswood their preferred
training course” says Marc Stuyck, project director at
Kingswood Golf Estate.
The task was not exactly plain sailing though as most
people in the industry still struggle to understand how

a female could ever design a golf course where a top
male golfer will essentially play. “But I am certainly
not the first,” says Sally.
Take like Alice Dye for example, who had the idea
to include the island green, the signature 17th hole
at Sawgrass’ Stadium Course in Florida, and is often
referred to as the ‘First Lady’ of golf architecture.
Aside of the course, a warm and welcoming
atmosphere, family focussed events and great
amenities all help make women players feel like they
are wanted. “Most golf courses don’t have any rest
areas like toilets, for a start.” Sally laughs.
“The most important rule I ever learnt is that, if
you have a residential golf course, you have to have
a facility that caters to the entire family, not just to
the daddies. It makes for a healthy family friendly
environment and this leads to greater female
participation.”
Still fresh with the designing bug, Sally has a unique
design planned that she’d like to introduce in South
Africa called the ‘Little Course’ so we better watch
this space.
www.sallylittlegolf.com

Kingswood Golf Estate