Kingswood Achievements And Investments

Marilyn Kamp, one of four Homeowners Association (HOA) trustees – along with fellow newbies Chris Horsley and Fielies Nieuwoudt, and old hand Gerrit Botha – provided the meat for this summary of the year that was at Kingswood Golf Estate, and some exciting future bytes. We also thank former trustee and numbers man par excellence, Roy Edge, for contributing to the facts and figures below.

As is the case with many a Kingswood resident, Marilyn Kamp says owning a home here is a privilege, and that, along with husband Allan, she feels most fortunate to live on one of the most prestigious and sought-after golf estates in South Africa.

‘Although Kingswood Golf Estate (KGE) was established in 2003, real and rapid growth was conspicuously recorded from 2017 onwards. Our intention as HOA trustees, along with the homeowners, Kingswood staff and management, is to maintain and continue to improve the status of the estate.’

Marilyn says that much work is being done behind the scenes, and many projects were concluded and some further ones will be initiated, all with the intention of maintaining and enhancing the estate, but at the same time providing a safe and scenic place to stay and visit.

Projects Completed and Envisaged

At the beginning of 2020, the trustees began negotiations to acquire the golf course. Following protracted negotiations with the sellers, agreement was reached for the purchase thereof, and transfer took place in October 2020. A number of agreements were also simultaneously put in place, not least being service level agreements between the golf course operator and ourselves.

Overwhelming recognition and appreciation of the excellent condition of the golf course has been received from both homeowners and visitors. This is in part due to the fact that dams have been rehabilitated, along with other improvements, since acquiring the course.

Early in 2021, having successfully acquired the golf course, the trustees then had to turn their attention to the option given by the developer for the HOA to buy the gatehouse from them. The trustees were very mindful at that time of homeowners wanting a new clubhouse to be constructed, but after much consideration of the prevailing circumstances, it was decided to first pursue the acquisition of the gatehouse.

Again, further protracted negotiations finally resulted in agreement being reached, enabling the HOA to acquire the gatehouse for an amount of R7.6 million.

Simultaneously, the trustees negotiated a settlement with the developer, whereby they paid us R500,000 to finally put an end to the stormwater and roads dispute we had had with them for many years.

All these details were presented to homeowners in September 2021, whereafter they gave their overwhelming support for the motions put before them.

Notwithstanding the acquisition of the gatehouse, trustees remain focused on the next major project envisaged, which is that of constructing a new clubhouse on the designated property above the 10th tee.

A strategic planning meeting early in 2022 will prioritise the planning and possible construction of this new clubhouse, to serve not only the interests of golfers but also to add to the community facilities available to all. This will be by far the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the estate, and will necessarily involve much input from various experts and professionals.

Smaller projects were also undertaken and finished during the year:

• The gatehouse was painted and the surrounding gardens spruced up to bolster the image of the estate.
• The gatehouse interior was redecorated by interior guru Idonia Chandler, and this too was recognised and applauded by both visitors and homeowners.
• The quarter houses on the course were renovated and painted, and the surrounding gardens also greatly improved.

Money matters

Lavish praise should be bestowed upon the Kingswood office team, with special credit to the financially astute business acumen of CEO Willem Jacobs, according to Marilyn.

Roy elaborates further. ‘As a result of our healthy financial position, we have successfully been able to acquire the following major assets for the estate over the past year:

• The golf course land was bought for an amount of R715,000, and new course machinery and equipment to the value of R3.27 million was acquired towards the end of 2020.
• In December 2021, additional machinery amounting to R1.75 million was acquired to replace equipment previously leased, with a further amount of approximately R1 million to be paid out in January 2022, ultimately completing the replacement of most of the old equipment.
• Acquisition of the gatehouse, recently negotiated for R7.6 million, will also be paid for early in 2022, upon registration of the property in our name.

‘These amounts have all been paid out of cash reserves. It is conservatively estimated that in the next year alone, we will save approximately R600,000 in interest by utilising our own cash resources instead of borrowing from financial institutions at punitive interest rates.’

Into the future

Says Marilyn: ‘After all these excellent initiatives and astute financial planning, we still have cash reserves – a fantastic achievement in anyone’s business books.

‘We are excited to share with you that the 2022 budget contains an amount of R2.5 million for an upgrade of infrastructure on the estate, predominantly for security but also a substantial amount for commencement of the planning of a new clubhouse on the designated site just above the 10th tee box.’

Levies vs. inflation

Quality management and tight control over finances have enabled trustees to keep levy increases for 2022 to slightly below inflation. This has been a priority for trustees, who have a profound understanding of the difficult and uncertain times many homeowners are facing.

In next year’s editions of The BUZZard, the HOA hopes to expand on several initiatives in and around the estate. So if you’re reading here and like the taste of an appetiser or two, read on …

Titillating teasers

• A Mediclinic development is under construction adjacent to KGE … what’s not to rave about?
• Development on the estate will be updated in terms of number of stands, those sold and yet to be sold (depending on the developer), and stats on homes built.
• Data on dams, fauna and flora currently calling KGE home.
• What procedures to follow in case of an emergency.
• In the Local n’ Lekker feature we will continue to hightlight service providers who call the estate home (and are deserving of your support).
• Figures and interesting facts about our estate, i.e. the 14km boundary of KGE, the 10km walking trail, the current buck count … watch this space.