Big plans for Pearl Valley future - South Africa

LEISURECORP, Dubai World’s leisure development and investment company, has outlined its major new investment plans for Pearl Valley Golf Estate at a Members’ Day event to celebrate the official opening of the clubhouse. The company, owner of the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, said it plans to invest heavily to develop Pearl Valley into a major international resort and residential golf community.

The plans follow the recent announcement of long-term investment by Leisurecorp which will see Pearl Valley Golf Estates host the South African Airways Open for the next three years. David Spencer, chief executive of Leisurecorp, outlined the new proposals to members at a specially-planned event to celebrate the official opening of Pearl Valley’s clubhouse. Said Spencer: “We want to create a facility that is not just the best golf development in South Africa, but one of the best in the world. “South Africa has the opportunity to become one of the new generation of golfing superpowers. It has the climate, it has the tourism infrastructure and it has the most amazingly beautiful landscape. All it needs now is the investment to create truly world-class facilities. At Pearl Valley, that is where we come in.

“Our initial plans include an additional 18-hole Championship course, further homes and residences and luxury hotel facilities.

“All our plans will take due account of the beautiful environment in which Pearl Valley sits, and of the views of the members.”

Currently, Pearl Valley Golf Estate has one 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature championship golf course, a 4 500 square metre clubhouse and a 500-home gated residential community surrounding the course.

Leisurecorp purchased Pearl Valley in May and announced at the time it would look to expand and upgrade the facilities at the development. Since May, it has invested in a range of improvements including 1 600 new trees and plants, the lengthening of 13 of the holes, a new irrigation system, new maintenance equipment and a fleet of Club Car carts. On top of this it has secured Troon Golf, the world leader in luxury golf management, to manage the club. In addition, it has extended the opening times of the course and of facilities in the club house. The company emphasised that any further development would be managed sensitively, in keeping with the beauty of the surroundings, and would be carried out in consultation with the current residents and all the relevant local authorities.

It is hoped that the expanded resort will be ready for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2010 as Pearl Valley has already had several approaches from leading international football federations looking to accommodate their players. The clubhouse, overlooking the new 18th green, is equipped with everything expected of a superior international golf club.