A Great White golf estate for SA
26 February 2004
One of the most recognisable faces in the world of golf, Greg Norman, owner of one of the most recognisable nicknames in all of sport, the Great White Shark, is all set to put his stamp on South African golf.
The Australian golfing legend has been designing courses for 17 years; now he's designing one for South Africa, located adjacent to Ernie Els' signature Oubaai golf course near George on the southern Cape coast.
Norman's Great White Shark Enterprises will be teaming up with South African pharmaceutical and property big gun Solly Krok and Hekkie van Rensburg to build the R550-million rand estate.
Four hundred stands have been placed on the market, and they're selling fast. The 600 to 850 square metre stands are going for between R680 000 and R1.4-million.
Le Grand George is located on a pristine natural peninsula between the Indian Ocean and the Gwaing River near George. Norman believes it offers the perfect mix of natural
elements to lay a world class 18-hole golf course. Being next to South African superstar Ernie Els' Oubaai layout won't hurt, either.
"Le Grand George Golf Estate offers a wonderful location for us to showcase our design work", Norman reckons. "I'm a firm believer in using what Mother Nature gives us on a particular site, and she was very generous at Le Grand George.
"The estate's nature reserve, which includes natural bush and fynbos, perfectly coincides with my 'least-disturbance to the environment' design approach. Our goal is to preserve a natural, stand-alone rural atmosphere that will deliver a unique golfing experience at Le Grand George."
Van Rensburg, managing director of the Le Grand Golfe George Estate, says: "We will focus on achieving a perfect balance between maximising the value of the residential component of the estate and creating a plan that is conducive to the protection of the surrounding environment.
"Due to the paramount importance we
place upon environmental planning, our team will spend considerable time in the design process to evaluate all of the natural features of the site."
Over the course of his 25-year professional career, Norman has won 86 international titles, including 20 on the US PGA Tour, and two majors, the British Open in 1986 and 1993. He also topped the world golf rankings for an astounding 331 weeks – over six years in total.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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