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Special Feature - The Nkonyeni Evolution
Vol. 102 • NOV | DEC 2020 • www.sagolftrader.co.za
The Nkonyeni Evolution- How a cattle farm became a world-class Golf Estate in Eswatini
It all started in 1959 when the late Johan Rudolph, grandfather of Johan Rudolph III, discovered a piece of paradise in the south-western part of what was then known as Swaziland.
To his farmer’s eye, the fertile lands – blessed with an abundance of water from the Great Usuthu River – was the ideal place for cattle farming. It was a wild time and what passed for infrastructure back then where wildlife trails and footpaths.
Johan Rudolph II became so enamored with the land that in 1968 he packed up his family and moved them all to Eswatini to make Nkonyeni their permanent home.
In 1997, after graduating from university, Johan Rudolph III moved to Eswatini to join his family’s farming business and to start a family of his own. His love for his family and the farm, along with his passion for the indigenous bush, inspired Johan to develop a residential golf estate on Nkonyeni Farm.
The cattle farming area was earmarked for the Nkonyeni Bushveld and with the help of golf course designer Phil Jacobs, development started in 2005 and was fully completed in 2008.
Nkonyeni Bushveld Course | Vital Statistics
The Nkonyeni Bushveld course meanders through the private game reserve, providing old and young players with a unique experience at the 18th hole that requires a shot across the Usuthu River onto an island green.
Par 71, Length 5 742 m (Club) | Design: Phil Jacobs – previously associated with the Gary Player Group and responsible for a total of 40 golf courses across France, Hong Kong, China, Philippines, Indonesia and South Africa, including Leopard Creek, The Links at Fancourt and The Lost City at Sun City. The Course was further constructed by Robert Richardson from Tee to Green Projects.
With the success of the Bushveld course and not being one for idle hands, Johan decided on the development of a second golf course, namely the Golden Eagle Links. The land set aside for this new project was previously used for crop farming and very few trees remained.
It differed greatly from the area the bushveld course was built on and presented an opportunity to do something totally different. The lack of trees and rolling plains made the area perfect for a links-style golf course and so The Golden Eagle Links was conceptualised. Construction started in 2018 and is estimated to be completed by 2022. The first 9 holes of the links were officially opened for play in 2020.
The course – the first Matko57 design in Africa – was designed by 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen and Peter Matkovich and is estimated to open in 2022.
9-hole Links | Vital Statistics
The Golden Eagle Links is inspired by Louis’ love for St Andrews Links. The true links experience brings much to the creativity and shotmaking for all levels of golf.
Par 36, Length 3 042 m (Club) | Design Matko57. “We created one of those courses that you can play over and over again as it has many variables of shotmaking.”
AT NKONYENI, PASSION IS A LIFESTYLE
Passion for outdoor living, swimming, game viewing, sport, fishing and golf. It is stress-free living, within a secure estate – complete with nature trails, a health spa and the promise of not one, but two golf courses to equal any in the world.
Situated next to the Usuthu River in Eswatini, Nkonyeni Residential Golf Estate features a 400 hectare game reserve, conferencing facilities, restaurants, a clubhouse, tennis and squash courts, adventure tours, as well as a host of exciting amenities and activities.
Don’t merely dream of visiting. Dream of residing here. Because now, you can.
Only a few opportunities remain at Nkonyeni Golden Eagle Residential. However, Nkonyeni Savannah, Silver Leaf and River Close will be launching soon, with 440 freehold residential properties.
