Malelane Gate,
Malelane, Mpumalanga 1320
The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb, especially on the back-nine.
Surroundings:
Woodland and bushveld
Designer:
Gary Player
-25.441898
31.533122
65km E of Mbombela (Nelspruit).
From Mbombela (Nelspruit) take the N4 heading east. After 60 km take the Malelane Gate turn-off, and follow signs to Leopard Creek.
Leopard Creek
Leopard Creek Country Club: Located alongside the Crocodile River, with the southern edge of the vast Kruger National Park stretching away on the opposite bank, Leopard Creek is both spectacular and wonderfully scenic. Playing the course is one of the best golfing experiences in South Africa.
Elevation changes, excellent bunkering, fast and true greens and no end of water hazards all contribute to the golfing challenges of this Gary Player-designed masterpiece. At the downhill par-5 9th all the essential elements of a great golf hole come together, with an island green spicing up the risk-reward character of the hole. The parallel par-4 18th, also played downhill to a water-protected green, is another absolute belter. Here the final outcome of a match or tournament can hang in the balance all the way down to the final putt.
The relatively open aspect of the front-nine, gives way to some hillier climbs on the back-nine that provide the opportunity to take-in many stunning views. Perhaps the best vista of all comes at the 13th green. Here you look down onto a wide sweep of the Crocodile River, where crocs and hippos provide an always engaging and dramatic scene.
With its magnificent thatched clubhouse and a leopard statue at every tee-box, Leopard Creek guarantees a sumptuous and unforgettably African golf experience. Even more so if you are one of the lucky few (in fact, very few) to catch a glimpse of the resident leopard.
Private club - Lodge guests (staying at selected local lodges; see Leopard Creek website for listing) can book to play on weekdays and weekends.
Must book through Lodge at which resident. No outside visitor play available. Handicap required
Credit cards accepted. Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2022].
Non-metal spike facility. Predominantly white socks must be worn to accompany shorts.
Good
Leopard Creek is the creation of Johann Peter Rupert, one of South Africa's most successful business tycoons and committed conservationists. Since its opening, Leopard Creek has become a revered and established name throughout the golfing world. It has already hosted many top level tournaments, attracting the world's best players (see our Tournaments section >by Venue >Leopard Creek).
The sculptures at each tee box are the work of Dillon Lewis and stunningly depict "A Day in the Life of a Leopard". In addition to a course map, it would be more than a little interesting if you also had access to a Hollywood style star-map, to spot who owns the relatively small number of fabulous course-side properties.
2nd best course in South Africa (SA Top 100 website, 2022).
off the N4, Malelane, 1320 Mpumalanga.
+27 (0)82 909 5941
Visit websiteLocated on the banks of the Crocodile River and bordering Kruger National Park, Buhala Lodge features elegant rooms, an outdoor pool and open deck spa. Many of the elegantly decorated rooms and suites feature verandahs offering views out onto the Crocodile River and across to Kruger National Park.
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Leopard Creek
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PO Box 192, Hectorspruit, Mpumalanga
+27 (0)13 792 6700
Visit websiteMeaning "place of the rock" in the local Swazi tongue, Kwa Madwala, a 4000 hectare private game reserve, lies on the southern side of Kruger National Park and is home to the fabulous Manyatta Rock Camp. Comfort comes as standard along with elegant African touches and commanding views over the surrounding bush from this stunning hilltop location. A place to enjoy "big five" game viewing experiences and soak up the tranquility of this unique hilltop camp.
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Leopard Creek
Tournament of Champions: the PGA Tour’s calendar-year starts, as it has done since 1999, with this iconic event in Hawaii. The field is drawn from players who won a PGA Tour event in 2022, or were amongst the top 30 in last year’s FedEx Cup final standings (Jan 6-9).
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Kathy Whitworth: the end of 2022 saw the passing of LPGA Tour legend Kathy Whitworth. Her 88 LPGA Tour victories is more than achieved by any other golfer on either the LPGA or PGA Tours. Amongst her victories were six major championship titles.
Barry Lane: the golfing world was also saddened by the passing of Barry Lane, one of the European Tour and European Senior Tours most popular players. Enjoying success on both Tours, Lane was know for his excellent ball-striking and amiable personality.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Costa’s "Cruise & Golf" allows golfers and their families to combine a unique golfing experience with the relaxation and fun of a cruise on board Costa Smeralda. Golf enthusiasts are offered a choice from 23 top-quality golf clubs; their chosen courses are played during the ship’s port calls in Italy, France and Spain. While the golfers are driving the fairways, accompanying non-golfers are able to enjoy the amenities and activities on-board, or explore wonderful places on day excursions organised by Costa. Read more ...
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