Golf | 18 May 2017 | By The Mail Room
Sun City ranks amongst the world’s best golfing destinations
Sun International’s iconic Sun City Resort in the North West Province continues to rank amongst the world’s top golfing destinations. The resort, which boasts two championship golf courses, has received the prestigious 2017 Golf Digest Editor’s Choice Award for Best Golf Resort in the Best of South Africa category. Sun City was one of only three South African destinations, and the only inland resort, to receive an accolade in this year’s awards programme.
“We are thrilled that Sun City has been rated amongst the world’s premier golfing destinations. South Africa is internationally renowned for its world class golf courses and it is indeed a significant source of pride that Sun City continues to come up trumps, specifically as it is an inland destination,” says Raul de Lima, General Manager at Sun City.
Sun City is home to the multiple award winning Gary Player Country Club golf course and the Lost City Golf Course. Both courses were designed by South African golfing legend, Gary Player. These two championship golf courses offer visitors to southern Africa’s premier destination an exciting and challenging golfing experience.
Gary Player Country Club
The 7,747 yards, par-72 championship Gary Player Golf Course is one of the most difficult and demanding courses in southern Africa. When first laid out in 1979 by American Ron Kirby and his then-design partner Gary Player, the course occupied a mountain valley in the independent state of Bophuthatswana, which has since reunited with South Africa. The course features huge flowery bunkers and massive greens, as well as an island green on the par-4 ninth, making for an exciting and challenging golfing experience.
The Gary Player Country Club golf course has played host to the prestigious Nedbank Golf Challenge, previously the Million Dollar Golf Challenge, since 1981. The tournament, now part of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, is one of golf’s most recognisable and richest events and has become one of the most admired tournaments by leading players around the world.
Lost City Golf Course
The Lost City Golf Course also an award winning course bordering the Pilanesberg National Park, is without a doubt one of the most unforgettable courses in South Africa. A desert course, The Lost City Golf Course is a favoured winter golfing destination for South Africans and international golfers alike.
The Par-72 18-hole course covers more than 100 hectares with various themes, from desert to mountains and parkland. It incorporates an impressive 28 000m² (about 92 000ft²) of water features, with perhaps its most famous feature being the water hazard on the 13th hole, which is home to Nile crocodiles. The course has a state-of-the-art clubhouse with a restaurant and pro shop, with a driving range and putting green completing the offering.
Aside from its world class golf courses, Sun City boasts an array of riveting leisure experiences. Sun City’s accommodation options include the island-style Cabanas hotel, ‘always-on’ Soho hotel, the seclusion of the Cascades hotel as well as grandeur of The Palace. Families can enjoy superb self catering accommodation at the newly upgraded timeshare option, Sun Vacation Club.
Sun City boasts over 30 restaurants and a super choice of activities, from thrilling water rides at the Valley of Waves and water sports at Waterworld, to supervised children’s workshops, adrenalin pumping activities at Adrenalin Extreme and a host of entertainment at the newly upgraded entertainment hub, Sun Central.
Sun City borders the game-rich and malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park where people can spot the Big Five on magnificent game drives and experience spectacular views of the reserve in hot air balloons.