Simbithi Eco-Estate's brand-new Country Club clubhouse offers more than just a gathering place for members after a round of golf The magnificent, R35 million facility offers residents and visitors elegance and style in a luxurious, open-air setting.
The clubhouse was built around a beautiful fig tree with sweeping views of the 18th and 19th holes. Wooden decks surround the massive tree and allow patrons to relax in the cool of its huge branches on a hot day.
The facility boasts a Pro shop, lounges, a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, tennis courts and a conference centre. A signature wine collection by John Platter is available, with visitors being able to choose the perfect wine for their meals.
Well-known local golf course designer Peter Matkovitch created the club's 18-hole executive course. It incorporates dams, bunkers and water features and is abundant with wildlife.
It is also the only par 60 course on the North Coast and was rated 32nd in South Africa by Compleat Golfer magazine.
The North Coast Courier visited the Simbithi Country Club recently and got acquainted with the team who make things happen.
Warren Johansson is the food and beverage manager for the new clubhouse and Fig Tree Restaurant.
He is a qualified chef from Margate and has over 22 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. His favourite meal is spaghetti bolognaise.
Darren Coull is the greens keeper of the golf course. He loves his job because he is outdoors all the time. Darren is staying in Stanger. He farmed for 25 years and has used this experience to become a greens keeper.
"I don't use cows, I use lawnmowers now," said Darren.
In over 30 years of playing golf, Darren has only come close to scoring a hole-in-one.
Elbert du Plessis is the passionate, new golf manager for the Simbithi Country Club. In his 20 years of playing golf, he regrets never having achieved a hole-in-one but he has come close with two albatrosses.
"This is a dream position for me as the golf course is well established but still slightly on the new side. I am looking forward to growing the membership and getting to know the vibrant Simbithi community," he said.
Heather de Lima is the administrative manager and keeps things running smoothly. She has been working at Simbithi for two years and loves her job because she gets to interact with all the members and because she enjoys the open, outdoor atmosphere of her workplace.
Steve is the general manager. He joined the Simbithi team a year ago. Previously he was GM for Riverside Hotel & Spa for six years and is a hotelier by trade.
"It's very exciting that this project brings the whole concept of community living to fruition," said Steve.
Something you may not know about Steve is that he was runner-up in the office version of Idols and that he has been one of the lucky few who have scored a hole-in-one, at the Kloof Country Club on the 11th hole.
The executive 18-hole golf course has a total yardage of 3,902m and is a par 60 course.