Leopard Creek Country Club

Located on the aptly named Krokodilrivier – aka Crocodile River – bordering the Kruger National Park in South Africa, Leopard Creek Country Club is a private club experience like no other in the world. While private, there are a limited number of Visitor Times available for guests of approved neighboring luxury safari camp accommodations.

The course is built in the middle of an active African wildlife habitat, but clever and innovative architecture ensures players’ safety while giving them an authentic experience of playing in the bush. While protected from the more aggressive wildlife it is not uncommon to see giraffes and antelope on the fairways during a round.

Johann Rupert is the founder of the Club, which opened in 1996 and is also the Chairman of Richemont, owner of the luxury brand Dunhill. The club has been the proud host venue of the Alfred Dunhill Championship since 2004. A favorite stop on the professional Sunshine Tour as a co-sanctioned event with the DP World Tour. Past winners include Ernie Els, Branden Grace, and 4-time winner Charl Schwartzel.

The course was closed in 2017 for renovations including a total redesign of the par 3 12th, a classic Redan. Fairway bunkers were repositioned to assist higher handicappers while maintaining the integrity of the design for the professionals.

On the sustainability issue, the Kikuyu grass was replaced with Bermuda to allow more run and use 30% less water.

The greens were regrassed with Champion Bent and Rupert was so impressed with the results Leopard Creek now owns the South African rights to it.

One of the outstanding vistas on the routing occurs on the 13th green which is positioned 40 meters in the air overlooking the river and wildlife. The 16th is a par 3 where famous resident Harry the Hippo calls home. Gary Player advises players to listen for the hippos playing in the river and watch for lions surrounded by bushvelds.

The facility also boasts a state-of-the-art practice facility and a par 3 course with replica par 3 holes from around the world.