Located on the northern slopes of the Magaliesberg Mountains, Seasons Eco Golf Estate is the closest ‘bushveld’ golf course to Johannesburg, writes Michelle Swart.

Seasons Eco Golf Estate is situated a mere 45 minutes from Sandton or Pretoria and the entire development plan is themed around complementing and enhancing the natural and very sensitive bushveld environment.

Many golf courses have negatively impacted on their natural surroundings, as historically, priority was given to design only which all too often meant competing with and compromising the environment. Inevitably, this led to the destruction or de-stabilisation of the habitats of birds, insects and other fauna and flora due to the expanses of wide short-cut grass, often bordered by homes.

There is now a world-wide trend for golf courses to ‘green’, and in time courses will be graded in terms of their relationship to nature.

The developers of Seasons have established a reputation of standing for their eco-developments and are committed to upholding environmental standards in golf course development in the future. The team of professionals selected for Seasons all have the skills, ability and a shared passion for nature and include golf course architects Matkovich & Hayes, estate architects Nico van der Meulen, Mathews & Associates, Studio3 and Craig Nel Architects, Vincent Caruthers (environmental affairs) and Douw van der Merwe (landscape architects).

The re-design of the existing course by Peter Matkovich will incorporate ‘islands’ and pockets of wilderness zones on and around the course, with a buffer strip of natural vegetation between the fairways and the housing estate.

More lakes and water features will be added and natural habitat for fauna will be improved. Additional species will be introduced, and indigenous vegetation will be preserved and increased.

Seasons estate architects have adopted a philosophy of ‘simplicity has its strength’ which they believe will stand the test of time.

Although there is no prescribed building style, the architectural and aesthetics guidelines describe the design and vision for the development as sophisticated modern Africa — honest, crisp, warm, modern architecture with strong graphic qualities, celebrating our own landscape, spirit of place, materials and climate.

Stands are sold on full title, ranging in size from 900m² to 1200 m² and are priced between R280000 and R750000.

The total number of stands on the estate will be in the region of 520.

During the pre-launch, 150 out of the 350 stands released were sold. Seasons says it offers an incomparable experience in country club living — the charm and atmosphere of the country combined with all the conveniences and amenities of city life and state-of-the-art security.

Recreation and entertainment facilities will include a clubhouse, restaurant, sports bar, pro shop, banqueting and conference rooms, equestrian centre, farmyard and children’s play centre, tennis, swimming, squash, gymnasium, health and beauty centre and fishing.

A feature of Seasons is the strong empowerment connection and social responsibility programmes which will contribute to golf development within previously disadvantaged local communities and the upliftment of these communities through training and job creation.

The developers are well-known soccer personality Jomo Sono and businessman and entrepreneur Willie Joubert.

Joubert has a proven track record in the eco-tourism and property development arena with previous projects such as Mabula Game Reserve, Westlake Country & Safari Estates on the shores of Hartbeespoort Dam, Doornkop Fish and Wildlife Reserve between Carolina and Machadodorp in Mpumalanga and Mount Savannah Game Reserve in the World Heritage Site near Krugersdorp.

Apart from Seasons, he has developed Black Rhino in the Pilansberg in the North West Province, as well as Mjejane Private Game Reserve at the Kruger National Park.