Defining extraordinary bespoke estate living within South Africa, Zimbali Lakes Resort is living the Zimbali Legacy. Pioneered by the same development team, IFA Hotels and Resort, Zimbali Lakes Resort fuses lifestyle amenities, natural beauty and distinct architectural design, sprawled over 300 hectares, offering residents a world of choice when it comes to dining, entertainment, sports, recreation and leisure.
Zimbali Lakes hosted an exclusive “Only One Experience” from 11 - 17 September 2023, where guests were invited to participate in the inaugural and unique event and to attempt a Hole-in-One on the spectacular 4th Hole of the Zimbali Lakes golf course.
The week-long event presented an opportunity for golfers to be the first to experience the Zimbali Lakes golf course and to win great prizes sponsored by Callaway, IBV and Zimbali Lakes. During the final Hole-In-One session on Sunday 17 September, the top 24 golfers from the week- long experience competed for the chance to win a R3 million plot at Zimbali Lakes.
Neerajh Ramnarain managed to get closest to the pin over the course of the event, landing a mere 0.53cm from the hole which may not have won him the incredible Zimbali Lakes plot, but it did win him an IBV 1oz Gold Krugerrand coin valued at R39 400!
The second Only One Experience event is due to take place in 2024 and it will undoubtedly be an even bigger and better event with some exciting changes planned as there will also be more holes available.
The Zimbali Lakes golf course is set to redefine the golfing experience on the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. This golf course is currently the only new golf course under construction in South Africa, and every effort is being made to ensure that this development offers golfers a truly extraordinary experience at a premier destination.
Construction of the Zimbali Lakes golf course is well underway, with a dedicated focus on sustainability and preserving the unique landscape. With a stellar track record of building courses across the African continent and collaborating with the Jack Nicklaus Group, Golf Data has been selected as the trusted partner for this premier project. The company is renowned for their expertise in golf course construction and maintenance.
“What sets Zimbali Lakes apart, especially the new golf course, is its breathtaking landscape - featuring stunning views of the sea, lakes, and inland scenery,” highlights Wayne Krambeck, Senior Vice President of Operations at Zimbali Lakes. “We've seeded the greens with 100% bent grass, a rarity on the KZN coastline, ensuring golfers enjoy a high-quality putting surface. Our golf course design also offers diversity, with various tee boxes catering to golfers of all skill levels, allowing players to adapt their game to changing weather conditions, particularly the coastal winds, creating an all round exciting and dynamic golfing experience.”
The construction process typically takes approximately one month per hole, followed by a grow-in period spanning four to six months, dependent upon soil and weather conditions. “The process that we will be using will ensure that each hole is crafted with precision, following a strategic sequence that aligns with irrigation lines, cart paths, and landscaping to create a well-balanced and playable course,” adds Krambeck. The brand-new golf course at Zimbali Lakes will proudly feature several standout holes, including the spectacular 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 17th, and 18th.
According to Krambeck, although the course is due to be completed in October 2024 - an additional period will be dedicated to ensuring the course is fully grown-in, with plans to open to the public for full-time play by the end of 2024 to offer golf enthusiasts a world-class golfing experience.
