Why golf in Kwazulu Natal?
So here we are. The launch of a new Golf Destination Marketing Company, specifically for Kwazulu Natal. Why, you ask? Well, because golf in KZN is probably the best kept secret since the Proteas won the cricket world cup in 1994. See, you didn't know about that, either. I rest my case. Let's have a look at what you need to have a really good golf holiday.....well , obviously good golf courses to start with. OK, so what have we got in Kwazulu Natal that fits the bill? To start with, there is the old lady of KZN golf, the charming and beautiful Durban Country Club. Opened in 1922, this gem has hosted 17 SA opens, and more recently was the venue for the European Tour Volvo Champions Trophy. Not too shabby as a starting venue. And the beers are ice cold.
Then we have Zimbali, an immaculately groomed course with spectacular scenery in the coastal forests overlooking the Indian Ocean. Coupled with a luxury hotel, or various stay and play self catering options, it offers a fantastic championship quality golf course, as well as easy access to the shopping and golden beaches of Ballito.
Then if you head 5km down the road we get to the Umhlali Country Club. This beautiful course is in the mould of the traditional country club,- golf, tennis, bowls, and a fantastic easy social atmosphere.
20 minutes north and we have the spectacular ocean views and stunning architecture of the Prince's Grant Golf Estate- voted the Best Golf Estate in South Africa by the World Property Awards. Or if you're pressed for time with only an afternoon to spare, try the executive course at Simbithi- one of the best 9 hole short courses around.
Head up into the Drakensberg mountains for some of the most jaw dropping golf course scenery around, and play Champagne Castle, Cathedral Peak, or Drakensberg Gardens.
Now you're getting the hang of it. A couple of hours south down the coast, and there are a cluster of wonderful courses around the Pennington area. Take a few days, and make sure you play Selborne and Umdoni, and the immaculate fairways and greens of the Wild Coast Sun Country Club.
We haven't begun to touch the surface of the quality of golf in Kwazulu Natal. But it's not all just about golf, is it? What about nightlife (mmmm, Durban, or maybe a casino at the Wild Coast), or golden beaches (pick a spot, anywhere, seriously). And there are beautiful golf courses all over the world, so why here specifically? Well, there are a couple of other things. The weather is nice. And I mean that- the weather is NICE! Think endless summer. Blue skies all year. The average sea temperature is warmer than the average air temperature in most of Europe. And of course, this is Africa, so we have one thing that other golfing countries don't have. Our unique wildlife. Two hours north of the international airport there are a series of parks that are filled with elephant, rhino, zebra, giraffe, lion, buffalo, leopard and a huge list of wonderful African birds and animals. And no, you can't find that anywhere else in the world AND have world class golf.
Golf Kwazulu Natal is a destination marketing company whose aim is to tell YOU, the golfer and traveller, all the stuff you didn't know about our brilliant golfing destination. Contact me at mike@golfkzn.co.za for more detailed info, so that I can put you in touch with golf courses and accommodation, or just nudge you towards a tour operator who knows their way around. Maybe a house on a golf estate, overlooking the ocean.....go on, dream a bit.
