Golfing legend is preparing to bunker down on a new golf resort with his family
By SUTHENTIRA GOVENDER
● Four-time major champion Ernie Els is bunkeringdownat aposhnewresidential estate on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast.
The54-year-oldgolfing legendhasearmarked Zimbali Lakes, a new residential golf estate, to add to hisglobal portfolio of properties which include homesin the UK, the Western Cape and Florida in the US.
Els, a World Golf Hall of Famer, concluded a deal with IFAHotels & Resorts, developers of Zimbali Lakes, to bringhis brands to the high-end estate,which willinclude aR90m signaturegolf course,The BigEasy Puband Grill,The ElsPerformance GolfAcademy (EPGA) and The Ernie Els Suites, valued at about R125m.
IFA, a Kuwait-basedproperty giant, also developed the adjacentZimbali Coastal Resort and homes at Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah thepalm-shaped islandknown forits luxurious properties.
Elsnow liveswith hisfamilyin thetown of Jupiter,Florida hometo someof the world s greatest golferslike Jack Nicklaus, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.
While in discussions with IFA, Els realised Zimbali Lakes was the idealspot to build a home.
He toldthe SundayTimes thisweek he expectsto spendmoretimein SouthAfrica over the next few years.
“Themild weatherconditions onthe north coast during the winter months will be perfect to spend time with my family and friends at our house at Zimbali Lakes.
“Many people will know my primary home is in Jupiter, Florida, due to my tour obligations and the Els Centre for Excellence, however my family willalways call South Africa home.
“Beingable tospendsometime inaquality locationwhere security,privacy andlife-
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someof thebestschoolsin SouthAfricain close proximity.”
Elssaidhis decisiontobecomeinvolved withthe estatewas promptedby thereputation ofthe Zimbali brandlocally and overseas.
“Ihad initialdiscussions withWerner Burger, CEOof IFA Hotels andResorts, in Dubaiaround20years agoaboutdoinga project togetherand waspleased whenhe approachedme aboutthe opportunityat Zimbali Lakes.”
Hebelieves thesuccessof otherresidential golfestate developmentsin SouthAfrica, Mauritius andthe UnitedArab Emiratesthat hehas associatedwithwillattract localand international buyers to Zimbali Lakes.
“Ballitohas moregated communitiesper squaremetre thananyotherarea inSouth Africa,whichboasts manyhigh-endproperties that others around the world would love to call home.
“Club Med choosing todevelop just north of Ballito indicates that this will now become aninternational destination,and withthat comes huge international investment opportunities and exposure,” said Els.
WayneKrambeck, ZimbaliLakessenior vice-president of operations,confirmed Els will be buying a plotin Tatali Arabic for “cascades” — an exclusivedevelopment within Zimbali Lakes.
Tatali is offering a limited number of plots rangingfrom R4.5mtoR22m.One ofTatali’s mostextravagant featureswillbe anoculus, an eye-like opening to the sky from the access corridor to the underground parking.
“Erniebuildingatthe estateisoneofthe mostexciting aspectsof ourrelationship withhim. Tohave somebodyof hisstature havearesidencein theTataliprecinctisa major coup,” said Krambeck.
“For him it’s averysecureenvironment. He canenjoy a greatlifestyle withhis family in privacy. He knows this is one of the hottest property marketsin SouthAfrica atthe moment ”
Krambecksaid Elswillbe choosinghis plot “fairly shortly”
Rainmaker Marketing, which studies property trends,compiled aProperty Market Report in 2023, focusing on the north coast.
“While it’s no secret that the Western Capecurrently enjoysthe lion sshare ofthe semigration trend with 46% and KwaZuluNatal only9%, thereare statisticsand trends contributing tothe ever-growingmove towards KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast.
“Interestingly, since 2019,77% of people relocating to the northcoast are from other parts of KwaZulu-Natal,” the report states.
“The pullfactor liesin exceptionaleducational facilities, robust security measures, quality healthcareservices, diverseretail options, andthe efficientmanagement of water and urban precincts.”
According to the report,Ballito and Salt Rockspecifically haveexperienced themost activity, witnessing a doublingof the adult population injust over12 years,indicating significant growth.During thecourse of 2023, the 36-49 age group formed the majorityofbuyersin Ballito(36%)andSaltRock (45%).
Cobus Oelofse, CEO of the iLembe ChamberofCommerce, IndustryandTourism, said Els’s association with Zimbali Lakes “will bring about increased visibility of, and interest in,the offering of thewider north coast to a broader audience” .
“With bigbrands committingto ourarea, likeTheBigEasy andClubMed,large, privateinvestors aretaking note.These investmentsare thecatalysts anddriving forces for our region’s growth.
“Our regionis experiencingmore diverse investment interest from a development perspective ranging fromresidential, estates andmega-resort development,toother industries, including manufacturing,” said Oelofse
SUNDAY TIMES - April 14 2024 5 Sunday Times
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The view from the patio onto the green and lake of the of the signature golf course at Zimbali Lakes. Picture: Supplied
Ernie Els with son Ben. Picture: Supplied
