100 since 2021, designed by local man Algy Kietzmann, a former Sunshine Tour pro and teacher, and opened in 2016. It’s a course I personally enjoy, but it’s not ev- eryone’s cup of tea because it is quirky, testing, and rugged due to the nature of the terrain. It demands strong and straight tee shots, some over forced carries. One of the most exciting drives is at the par-5 eighth where from an elevated tee you need to carry a wooded ravine to an angled and sloping fairway. It’s an anxious wait to see whether your ball has landed safely. Guests at Olivewood stay in 24 spacious rooms separate from the other facilities, each with their private patio and garden, and what I like most about them is being able to park my car outside the front door. Trust me, that is so convenient for luggage. Gentle nyala stroll around this area. Each room has an outdoor shower (and one inside too). All the buildings are ground floor only, which adds to the tranquil ambi- ence, and is modelled on the original 1920 Schafli farmhouse, preserving its character, particularly the long outdoor covered verandah where golfers con- gregate after their rounds. The resort and its spa has recently grown to include The Residence Club, for estate residents and hotel guests. There’s a private lounge and work- space, a gym and swimming pool. And for golfers there’s a range a short cart ride from the clubhouse. Some guests have enjoyed the Olive- wood lifestyle so much that they have become property owners on the resi- dential estate.
It’s being able to piggy-back a trip with golf at ELGC that makes Olivewood a great destination for golfing couples or groups. They are just 34 kilometres apart. Olivewood is on the Sunshine Coast north-east of the city of East London, close to Cintsa, and this stretch of coastline from East London to the Kei River mouth is becoming a desirable outdoor living place to which to retire. New developments have access to endless beaches, rocky coves, and great fishing opportunities. Olivewood is a few kilometres inland, on a large undulating property of beautiful bushveld that has evolved into a nature reserve, an oasis of biodiversity. The overseas owners and inves- tors have added a variety of dif- ferent wildlife species, more recently giraffe, although they quickly disappear into the in-
A private home on the estate.
hitters an immediate risk-reward op- portunity for a brave second over water to a raised green. All my attention was focused on a herd of a dozen wildebeest which were acting skittish in our presence. They were close to the green, and Matt was acutely aware they could be startled into stampeding over the green and leaving hundreds of hoof prints. Ef- fectively turning it into mush. He went into game ranger mode and managed to steer them away to the second hole, at a gallop too. They are clearly still coming to terms with having golfers around. Olivewood has only been in the Top
digenous coastal forest and bush. For guests there is a five-kilometre wood- lands walk. Matt Thompson is the affable golf director at Olivewood, and we played 18 together. A golf cart is essential, be- cause this is an unusually hilly layout which plunges downhill to the Cintsa River, and then climbs back up again to the clubhouse. I’ve never given walking it a thought, it’s that steep. The course was busy, so we began our round on the fourth tee – which is in front of the clubhouse. Later, we reached the first hole, teeing off beside the clubhouse. It’s a downhill par 5 which gives longer
Olivewood’s villas for hotel guests.
STAY & PLAY PACKAGES Including two nights’
accommodation (plus breakfast), two rounds of golf with shared cart, and dinner to the value of R250 per person per night. R3 300 per person Monday to Thursday, R3 600 per person Friday to Sunday.
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 71
JUNE 2025
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