Pecanwood Estate Golf and Country Club ‘adds a new dimension to the concept of rest and relaxation’. It is only after taking in its splendid location first hand that you see why they so rightly claim this.
Estate Living spent the day on the estate with Morne Botha, General Manager, meeting residents and staff to gain a better understanding of what the community offers investors in the new WFH (work from home) culture.
Located on the banks of Hartbeespoort Dam and nestled among the rolling hills of the picturesque Magaliesberg Mountains, this prestigious estate offers a distinctive combination of superb climate, outdoor activities and secure residential excellence that results in a lifestyle experience many only aspire to.
It took time and effort to create this golf estate, but it has been worth the effort.
Building the ultimate golf destination
When Rodney Clare, the developer, purchased almost 180 hectares of undeveloped, neglected tomato farmland in 1993, he had just one aim – to transform it into one of South Africa’s leading golf estates.
At the time, Hartbeespoort didn’t offer golf estate living, and 60 hectares of his land was still underwater. Nonetheless, Clare toured America to get a feel for their golf estates, and during his travels was inspired to model Pecanwood Estate Golf and Country Club on the PGA West development in La Quinta, California. To offer the best golfing experience, Rodney invited American golfer Jack Nicklaus to design the golf course, including constructing the peninsulas, which successfully transformed the submerged land into 2.5 kilometres of viable water frontage.
The golf course, which is one of only five Jack Nicklaus designed signature courses in South Africa, has been given great acclaim over the years, winning numerous accolades. The relatively flat course has carefully crafted water features and strategically placed bunkers set amid the scenic mountains to create a challenging and interesting golf experience.
Creating it was no easy feat. Approximately 1.5 million cubic metres of earth was excavated to shape it, creating generous fairways with immaculate all-year-round Crenshaw bentgrass greens. The signature hole must be the (par 3) 13th that plays alongside the dam to a green, flanked by bunkers on both sides.
The five-star golf facility also includes a driving range, pro shop and three practice greens as well as a clubhouse constructed on a raised mound and boasting commanding views of the course, dam and mountains.
Although golf remains at the heart of the development, Pecanwood’s location on the banks of the Hartbeespoort Dam also opens it up to boating enthusiasts and an outdoor lifestyle. It’s become a family-friendly establishment too. The private boat club includes a family restaurant and play area, and boasts several jetties. Country Club Management oversee the storage of club members’ boats.
Secure family living at its best
Since launching in 1996, Pecanwood has flourished into a multimillion-rand development with only three or four of the 807 stands remaining undeveloped.
Construction work is still taking place, but Morne explains that most of it is renovation to existing properties.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the estate has seen a massive growth in the number of permanent residences, reaching a 70% occupancy rate. The combination of property sizes, fibre infrastructure, estate control utilities management and allowances in the architectural guidelines for solar solution make Pecanwood a very desirable location.
Pecanwood HOA manages its own utility plant on behalf of the residents and has been steadily upgrading and maintaining the estate infrastructure, irrigation systems, roads and security.
The country club is continuously enhancing family lifestyles on the estate and now boasts two floodlit tennis courts, a large outdoor swimming pool, marina and boating club, as well as various restaurants, conference and banqueting facilities. The clubhouse has also grown considerably and now includes an on-site spa, fully equipped gym, training academy and kids’ club.
There are several good schools in the area, with Junior Stars Nursery and Pecanwood College in close proximity.
Security is taken seriously and, thanks to Omega Risk Solutions, is properly managed. There is also a 24-hour paramedic available, and a medical courtesy call service is offered to ensure the wellbeing of residents who may live alone.
Whether you are a family just starting out, a retired couple wanting serenity and beauty, or even a keen golfer looking for a place to unwind, Pecanwood Estate Golf and Country Club offers something for everyone.
