First South African black golf club gets a major R2,2 million facelift

The Soweto Country Club in Pimville has undergone a major facelift worth R2.2 million.

The Soweto Country Club in Pimville and adjoining the Kliptown redevelopment has undergone a major facelift, with its 18-hole golf course being remodelled by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA).

The remodelling was needed because of the need for additional housing in the Kliptown redevelopment project. Seven new holes had to be created. Two greens have been reconstructed and two water features completely rebuilt.

"Our budget was only R2,2 million. However, we were fortunate that surplus top soil from the Kliptown redevelopment project became available as we commenced construction," says Aubrey Manganye, JDA project manager for Kliptown.

Manganye says they were also able to construct 18 new ladies' tees to satisfy the growing demand for golf among women.

"We have also transplanted 190 mature trees, which have added enormously to the quality of the environment."

The development was coordinated by Amtrad Properties, whose MD Grahame Lindop was previously involved in the development of Silver Lakes Golf Course in Pretoria.

Lindop is involved in the planned Moruleng Golf Estate in the Pilanesberg.

(Source: Business Day / 17 August 2005)