IT’S been one of the world’s most eagerly anticipated golf and safari resort openings.

Now Africa’s most talked about leisure venue has unlocked the gates to its majestic Monomotapa-style Great Enclosure and is inviting golf and safari enthusiasts to take the recreational experience of a lifetime.

Legend Golf & Safari Resort at the 22,000 hectare malaria-free Entabeni Safari Conservancy in the Waterberg, Limpopo, South Africa, has already scooped major international awards and is welcoming guests, celebrities and sports stars, tour operators and conferences from across the world.

It has been crowned Africa’s Leading Tourism Development Project at the World Travel Awards, and is the recipient of a CNBC Property Award in the category of Best Golf Resort.The resort is a spectacular example of a 21st century leisure complex set in the heart of the African bush – a truly modern amenity in an ancient and awe-inspiring landscape.

At the heart of the resort is the world’s first championship Signature Course – designed by 18 of the world’s top golfers including Trevor Immelman, Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen and Sergio Garcia.

Golfing stars from all corners of the globe have come together to design a unique course – KJ Choi, V J Singh, Jim Furyk, Justin Rose, Camilo Villegas, Robert Allenby and Mike Weir among the other star names involved in this unique project.

In addition to the magnificent Signature Course, golfers can also now take the challenge of the world’s most talked about extreme Par 3, the Extreme 19th. Set high up on the majestic Hanglip Mountain, the hole is accessible only by helicopter and played to a green the shape of Africa some 400m below - perhaps the most talked about golf hole in the world following an online campaign which saw more than three million people watching Padraig Harrington make the first par 3.

Comments from those who have taken on this challenge sum up the uniqueness of the Extreme 19th experience:

“The most epic experience of my golfing life.”
“I was sceptical but what a fantastic fun experience.”
“A million dollar experience even if you don’t get a hole in one.”
“A must for any true golfer. This only happens once in a lifetime.”
Mr Eugene Louw, who penned the last comment, joins a list of those who have been mesmerised by the whole drama of the Extreme 19th and Legend Golf & Safari Resort.
Following a visit Sergio Garcia said: “This is truly unique. I have never seen a hole like this and it’s a great challenge. What a hole…what a view…what a resort.”

What a resort indeed.

In addition to the 18-hole Signature Course, a Tribute Course pays homage to nine of the world’s most famous par 3s, recreated here in all their glory and joined by one of the resort’s own design to form an amazing 10-hole journey round the best short golf holes in the world.

The resort’s academy and driving range have been built with amateur and professionals alike in mind – those who want the very best facilities to help perfect their game. Three different grass types allow every detail of game play to be addressed while specially built slopes on teeing areas replicate authentic on-course golf experiences.
The social amenities replicate the attention to detail of the golf facilities.

A new clubhouse has been specially constructed with all the facilities you would expect at a world class resort – despite it being under canvas – and offers magnificent views of the golf course and spectacular Waterberg scenery.

This facility will be moved to another area of the resort when the mighty Monomotapa-style main clubhouse construction is completed during 2010. The main clubhouse is another example of the resort’s unique architectural style, heavily influence by the ancient kingdom of Monomotapa which for hundreds of years linked this part of Africa with the rest of the world via trade routes to the east and west.

Those trade routes are now being reborn as travelers again visit Limpopo and Legend Golf & Safari Resort for their modern African adventure.

That adventure at Legend Golf & Safari Resort includes visiting the Wildlife and Cultural Centre, home to the once only mythical white lions. The centre also boasts the Pedi Village African Cultural Centre where visitors can experience traditional African life under African skies, entertained by the rhythms of African drums and voices.

At the Entabeni Safari Conservancy, where the Big 5 roam free on the stunning 22,000 malaria-free hectares of bushveld, forests, mountains and river beds, game drives are hosted by highly trained game rangers, whose tracking skills lead guests to see lions, rhino, buffalo, leopard, elephants, cheetah, hippo, giraffes, zebra, and all manner of Africa’s bountiful wildlife.

Add to that the other leisure facilities, including the swimming pools, the tennis, football, basketball and other sporting activities, plus horse riding, quad-biking, ballooning, helicopter flights, curio shops, special children’s activity and play areas plus self-guided bird and tree walks through the botanical gardens, and Legend Golf & Safari Resort really is driving golf and safari resort experiences to a new level of excellence.

Accommodation is another unique aspect of the resort with 450 plots each holding four en-suite double resort suites plus a master suite.
With 160 of these rooms available by January 2010 and more coming online each month, the resort is gearing up to be one Africa’s principle venues for not only independent travelers and groups but major national and international conferences.

Golf groups are already enjoying the resort and its unique setting and facilities.

So whether it’s a social golfing holiday, a serious sports training squad, a tournament needing a dynamic new venue, or that special place for a couple to enjoy their golf together, consider Legend Golf & Safari Resort. The Legend really has awakened.

To make a golf booking please call the golf reservations team on 00 27 (0) 14 743 6278 or email golfadmin1@legendlodges.co.za

For more information, latest news, pictures, video, and more about Legend Golf & Safari Resort please visit www.legendgolfsafari.com

For further information and general inquiries or to arrange a site inspection contact Pete Richardson on 00 27 (0) 767 835 173 or email pete@theazaleagroup.com

Tags: Golf Courses //