M
MIND / NEW COURSES
The par-3 fourth hole at Zimbali Lakes has been completed as a “show hole.” Below: Ernie Els and Robbie Marshall.
Ernie Els adds greater stature to Zimbali Lakes KZN North Coast project stresses playability.
By Stuart McLean
T he KZN North Coast has po- sitioned itself as a major rival to the Western Cape as a pre- mier golf tourism destination with the announcement that Ernie Els is bringing his international brands to the Zimbali Lakes residential estate project. Zimbali Lakes will become an Ernie Els Signature Course in a deft move by the developers following the initial design and construction of the 18 holes by Golf Data. The collaboration was
only confirmed in April. Thanks to IFA Hotels & Resorts, master developers of Zimbali Lakes Resort, the link will cre- ate worldwide golfing interest in the re- gion, which has already been boosted by Golf Data’s renovation of World Top 100 course Durban Country Club. The quality and variety of courses can easily go head-to-head with what the Garden Route is offering. And the announcement follows closely on the news of Club Med’s first beach and
bush resort planned for South Africa, at Tinley Manor 25 kilometres further north of Zimbali Lakes. Zimbali Lakes is less than a year away from opening, in April 2025, and will be a spectacularly exciting course to play due to the rolling terrain on which it has been sited. “The Lakes, being tropical and by the ocean, with stun- ning viewpoints, instantly reminded me of Hawaii, and the Kapalua resort where I competed on the PGA Tour at
10 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
MAY 2024
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