Player brothers take on Waterberg
Published in Complete Golfer, October 2008 edition
TWO LEGENDARY brothers one brand-new golf estate. Gary and Dr Ian Player will be working together professionally for the very first time when they collaborate on Waterberg Estate in Bela-Bela - with Gary bringing his obvious golf course design skills and Ian contributing his incredible conservation experience to create a true African golfing and lifestyle experience.
"I've always wanted to work closely with my brother Ian on a project where we could both contribute our respective skills and passion and Waterberg offers us our first opportunity to do so," said an enthusiastic Gary Player at the project launch in September.
Ian Player was also excited about the project and the chance to work with his younger brother, although less 50 about the golf course, where he joked that he hoped that the fairways would offer good grazing for the area's wild animals. He was delighted to announce that the estate would feature a large wilderness area, which would have no roads and would only be accessible by foot, horse or canoe.
"I too look forward to working with my brother who has not only been one of the world's most phenomenal golfers but also a remarkable human being, with a passion not only for golf but also for the spirit of South Africa."
"The project has taken time to put together and there is no doubt that the concept of the world-first Player brothers' collaboration brings an added dimension to Waterberg, a place which is truly special and, once visited, leaves a mark on your soul," said development consortium director Tony Geor-giou. "The passion for the land of both Gary and Ian Player will further enhance this unique development."
It's not the first time the Waterberg Estate has been in the headlines, as the project has been on ice for the last few years while the developers worked out the best way to use what is regarded as a magnificent piece of land. Here's how the story has unfolded: a few years back we broke the news about the golf course collaboration between Jack Nicklaus and Ernie Els in the malaria-free area of Bela-Bela (formerly Warmbaths). The Waterberg course, located adjacent to Elements, was all set for lift-off whenenvironmentalists decreed that there was simply not enough water to sustain two championship golf courses.
The developers then set about working on a unigue concept - that of building an 18-hole par-three 'biosphere' golf course and estate. Peter Matkovich was enlisted to do thedesign and started work on four of the holes before construction was once again called to a halt. With the consortium having bought some of the neighbouring farms and therefore having more water to work with, the developers realised that they could not only return to the idea of an 18-hole championship course, but could also relook the entire concept.
The Player brothers were an obvious choice for guardianship of the design of the Waterberg course and the surrounding wildlife areas, each bringing amazing expertise to the concept of combining the great game of golf with the untamed wilderness of Africa. "Waterberg will benefit directly from the passion and personal input of two of South Africa's greatest brothers, whose partnership will redefine the environmental standard for development in Southern Africa," said Georgiou.
For more information and to experience the sense of place offered by Waterberg, visit www.waterbergestate.com.
