Edgecombe CC upgrade
NESTLED within the rolling hills of the KwaZulu Natal North Coast, Mount Edgecombe Country Club has for many years been acclaimed as a premier golfing estate in Southern Africa.
Tranquil, safe and enchanting, it has not rested on its laurels and has embarked on an ultra-modern refurbishment of the overall club, including both championship courses and more.
The club’s golf director, Micky Hough, who shared insights into the upgrades, divulged their long-term goals and vision with
Touching on the improvements, Hough expressed the club’s intentions of ensuring they keep up with the times.
“We re-branded both our main courses on the two estates. Course 1 was built in 1936 and only modernised in 1992, while Course 2 was built in 1997. We realised the need to appropriately name these courses, and they are now referred to as The Woods and The Lakes respectively, with the theme of nature in mind,” said Hough.
However, these are not the only upgrades as Hough stressed the importance of providing golfers with a holistic, satisfying experience.
“We also upgraded the ProShop area, bag drop-off zone, welcoming entrance, wooden deck area, reception and function rooms. We installed some new sliding doors, surrounding vegetation and even budgeted for some new tiling. The restaurant and kids facilities area, named The Watershed, have also been given a make-over.”
The average observer will probably relate the club exclusively to golf, but the estate caters for a wider range of sports, activities and memberships.
“We have four tennis courts, lawn bowls, a running track, canoeing facilities, a fishing club and much more.”
The club also has 1 200 private homes situated at the complex and more than 800 non-residential members.
With a view to modernising its initiatives, the club encourages the youth as much as possible and attempts to attract the under 35 markets, females and juniors, with the aim of growing the game.
Coaching lessons are also offered at the full length driving range. Hough added that they strived to offer the ultimate country club experience to both local and international visitors while growing a sustainable business model. On September 16, the club will host its maiden Sports & Lifestyle Festival sponsored by CMH Land Rover uMhlanga.
“The event is open to the public as we hope to showcase exactly what we have to offer. We will be having food stalls, fun and games for the kids, and tournaments for all to partake in. Come and join us.”
The club has come a long way since the days of the old Hullets Country Club on the Sugar Estate and has professional South African golfer Brandon Stone’s mother, Desiree, as the current general manager.