DEVELOPMENTS | GOLF & LIFESTYLE | LATEST NEWS
There’s no stopping us now …
When our new developers came on board last year, they promised us an estate that would be revived, rejuvenated and revamped. And they’ve delivered. One of the biggest changes you’ll have noticed is our Clubhouse’s stunning new look. We’ve updated the premises and refurbished the interiors to create a fresh, exciting space with a host of recreational options.
Next up, the Gym. Not only is this facility being moved to lighter, brighter premises on the western side of the Clubhouse; it’s also being fitted with the most cutting-edge Technogym equipment available. In fact, only one other gym in the country is similarly equipped. We’ve also introduced specifically designed studios for spinning and aerobics. With floor to ceiling windows presenting wonderful views over the lush driving range to keep you energised while you work out, the gym promises to revolutionise your training and wellness experience. That’s just the beginning. Right now, there is massive activity on site, with major earthworks and signs of construction hinting that big things are about to take shape. The first of these this month is, of course, the 18-hole Par 3
Championship Whistling Thorn golf course. We broke ground on this earlier this month, and we have removed existing irrigation. We’re now ready to start the bulk earthworks. You can read more about the team behind the conversion of our former nine-hole course later on in this letter. You’ll also have noticed that the Curro pre-school has plenty of activity as a demolition team is breaking down the internal structures of the building to make way for our exciting new food emporium, The Village. This is set to become one of the estate’s highlights, and is a stunning addition to the Johannesburg food scene. One final development: next month, we’ll start bulk earthworks on the site of our new development, Signature. This magnificent cluster development offers fantastic
views over the golf course’s first, second and tenth holes. It’s an important addition to the estate, allowing us to accommodate homeowners at all life stages and cater to all property requirements.
THE WHISTLING THORN GOLF COURSE
| THE MAKING OF AN ESTATE
Now that we’ve broken ground on our 18-hole Par 3 Championship Golf Course, players can look forward to teeing off in March 2019. This allows for a construction period of four to five months, followed by three to four months of growth. But what, exactly, does a golf course conversion of this nature entail? Our approach hinges on reducing turf grass and irrigation – and, since we can’t remove earth to start the conversion until we’ve removed what’s underneath it, we started by taking out existing irrigation, drainage and valves before cutting the earth, and isolating the water. We’ll begin on bulk earthworks once the earth moving machinery has arrived.
This process is overseen by Dino de Abreu, our design and project manager. Dino’s professional team includes DTE Down to Earth (responsible for civil engineering) and golf course sub-contractor Timeless Golf. Craig Hunter and Willie van Aardt, both permanent members of the Serengeti team, play a role in procurement and supervising the course’s growth. Finally, Canadian Alex Ligowski has been appointed to shape the course.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT | ALEX LIGOWSKI
A South African resident for 13 years, Alex first came to the country to work on the Gary Player-designed golf course, Blair Atholl. Alex trained in landscape architecture and agrinomy in Canada, and has worked on some of the most renowned courses (including projects designed by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player) the world over.
In South Africa, his work includes the establishment of Blair Atholl as well as The Houghton, along with the renovation of the Rand Park Golf Club. At Serengeti, Alex’s role includes translating the vision contained in De Abreu’s drawings, and refining the bulk to create the playing surface. He’s enormously excited about working on an 18-hole Par 3 course, admitting that it has always been his dream to do so.
WELCOMING | MICHELLE SWANEPOEL
Michelle joins Serengeti as our new assistant golf director. It’s no exaggeration to say that she was born for this role: Michelle has been playing golf since her father introduced her to the game when she was just seven years old.
She started working at the Rustenburg Golf Club when she was 16, then moved on to Steenberg in Cape Town and, later, Pecanwood, where she was appointed corporate and golf relations manager. After a stint in Abu Dhabi, where she worked in golf operations at the Jas Links on Jas Marina, she returned to South Africa, and took up her post at Serengeti.
Michelle loves the fact the challenge that comes from working at a golf estate like Serengeti. It’s very different to working at a golf course, and far more interesting. Her ultimate goal is to move into the business side of the golfing industry and, with this in mind, she recently took up studies in business management.
but she’s also completing a PGA so that she can fine tune her knowledge of golf. In the meantime, she’s kept busy overseeing operations in all areas from the Pro Shop to the halfway house. Her hope is to create a more efficient, smooth-running and personal experience for all golfers at Serengeti.
WELCOMING
THE SIGNATURE RESIDENCES
Residents already familiar with our apartments and freestanding homes might be wondering what, exactly, makes these clusters so special. Simply put, they have a unique look and feel unlike anything else on the estate. The Signature Residences has been designed as an island in the middle of our golf course: thus, wherever homeowners look, they are treated to unsurpassed views over the first, second and tenth hole. The architecture of the individual homes is intended to optimise these glorious vistas.
Each cluster is completely open plan, creating a sense of light and space. Huge sliding doors open the space further still, dissolving the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, so that homeowners feel completely at one with nature.
Purchasers are able to choose between four unit types, with single- and double-storey options. All homes measure 218-320m², and in addition to double garages, feature space to park a golf cart.
What excites us most about this development, though, is that we are now able to complete our offering with a range of beautiful lock up and go homes for people who desire a low maintenance lifestyle. We’ll be breaking ground on The Signature Residences in June; do visit our exclusive pre-launch at the Clubhouse on Thursday 14 June from 16:00 to find out more about this one of a kind development.
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