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Golf Estates
Pinnacle Point to Rehabilitate 9th Hole
Pinnacle Point Group, developers of the Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Resort near Mossel Bay, has announced plans to rehabilitate a portion of the development’s award-winning golf course following a long process to assess the alleged impact of irrigation on priceless archeological artifacts contained in caves below the course.
The estimated R6 million project is expected to be completed within four months and will necessitate the temporary re-assignment of the signature 9th hole on the course.
Wayne Krambeck, Pinnacle Point Group Executive responsible for Golf, explains that the project will entail the installation of a self-contained drainage system that will prevent water used for irrigation from permeating the green and its surrounds thereby ensuring that there can be no impact whatsoever on the underlying caves with their priceless deposits.
In addition, the company has undertaken to re-vegetate the areas surrounding the ninth hole - currently used as chipping and putting practice greens - with natural indigenous fynbos. Such natural vegetation will require no artificial irrigation following controlled irrigation during the initial growth period.
Commenting on the decision to rehabilitate the hole, Krambeck said that it was the policy of the Pinnacle Point Group to create and maintain its first class lifestyle estates in a manner that was sensitive to the environment.
“The beauty of the course at Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Resort, and indeed one of the reasons why it has been voted one of the ten best new courses in the world, is that a number of the holes are situated on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Obviously the location of this magnificent course was an important consideration for the many investors in the Resort.
“The caves, however, contain items of significant historical value and we need to protect them. Right from the start, the Pinnacle Point Group was mindful of the need to limit the environmental impact and we did everything in our power to ensure that this was indeed the case. Following submissions from environmental groups, we conducted extensive studies which indicated that there may still be some possibility of impact arising from irrigation. Hence our decision to rehabilitate the affected areas,” he said.
Krambeck noted that the Group’s policy on environmental protection had already significantly enhanced the area where the Beach and Golf Resort is situated.
“When we first arrived here, the area was used as a 4x4 and quad-biking trail. Pinnacle Point Group removed scores of invasive plants, removed an unsightly and potentially hazardous sewerage plant and has been at great pains to clean up the area. While all development has an impact, we believe that responsible environmental management can not only limit such impact, but even serve to improve the environment,” he said.
Noting that the course was used to host several major golf tournaments, including the forthcoming Pilsner Urquell Supersport Shootout, Krambeck advised that the existing 16th hole had been converted to allow it to be played as two holes during the rehabilitation of the 9th hole – one a par 3 (with a new temporary green) and the other a par 5 (played as normal). Krambeck said that there would be no interference between the two holes and that golfers would find the unique design appealing.
Once rehabilitation has taken place, the 9th hole will be re-designed with a new and improved shape and style that will ensure an enhanced play, adding additional interest to what is already regarded as one of the world’s best courses.
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