Golf's leading name adds another trophy to his collection

As the early leaders in the US Open prepare themselves for their final two rounds on the weekend, Jack Nicklaus will unveil his latest creation, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses at Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate.

Nicklaus is the name against which all others in golf are measured, with a tally of 18 major championships that includes four US Open victories. He has translated his legacy as a champion golfer into a golf course design empire that spans the globe and stands unchallenged on all counts.

Serengeti will join an elite group of more than 300 courses that carry the Nicklaus name, and as such is set to become a new benchmark in South African golf. There are two layouts at Serengeti. An 18-hole course named the Masai Mara, which has a rugged grassland and dunescape look and feel, and a 9-hole course named the Whistling Thorn, which features classic design elements and a plainslike feel.

The two golf courses will be harnessed by a multi-faceted clubhouse of over 6 500 square metres with several lounges; bars; two restaurants; and banqueting facilities that will be able to host events of up to 1 500 people. In combination, the golf courses and the clubhouse represent an investment of more than R200-million by the owners of Serengeti. The estate is being developed by brothers, Leon and Gideon van der Vyver, and their partne,r Graham Power, the founder of the Power Group of Companies, leaders in the field of property development and construction. The Van der Vyvers were the founders of the Acugroup of companies, property development and township creation specialists, which merged with Power in early 2009.

“In the four years that we have had the privilege to work with Jack in the creation of these courses, we have come to admire his exceptional focus and attention to detail. We are proud that the end product reflects the hard work of many people, harnessed by Jack's design skills and leadership,” said Leon van der Vyver.

Serengeti is the first Jack Nicklaus Signature Facility to open in Gauteng, and the first full-scale cool season grass golf course in the golf-rich province. Cool season grasses are evergreen, creating a lush and finely manicured playing surface all year round. Serengeti is the fifth Nicklaus signature course to open in South Africa after Pecanwood (Northwest Province); Pearl Valley (Western Cape); Simola (Southern Cape); and St Francis Links (Eastern Cape). These courses have won several awards in the South African golf industry over the last decade and thus the expectations of Serengeti's future successes are high.

Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate is a new private suburb situated to the east of the R21 highway, 12 kilometres from OR Tambo International Airport. Of the 800 properties brought to market, 680 have been transferred to their new owners, many of whom are already resident on the estate with several others currently constructing homes.

Once fully developed, Serengeti will boast 1 700 private residences; a retail village square; a private school; an office park; and a hotel and spa. Real estate marketing on the estate is ongoing and the golf club membership programme was launched in March.

For more information, visit www.serengeti.co.za, or contact Serengeti Golf Club Marketing Executive, Jessica Quinn on 082 929 9999 7.