Leopard Rock golf course in the Bvumba Mountains has been named one of Africa's top 10 courses in a listing released by CNN Travel.
In a report written by Tony Smart, the Leopard Rock course is the only Zimbabwean golf course to feature in the list, which is topped by the Cascades course in Soma Bay, Hurghada, Egypt. The highest-placed South African course is Fancourt Links in the Western Cape, which is listed at seventh place.
The 18-hole Leopard Rock golf course was designed by Peter Matkovich and opened in 1994, although a nine-hole course had been created and run for many years before, though not a championship-rated course. The course is run as part of the Leopard Rock Resort, which also includes a hotel, casino and game park within its offering to visitors.
ByranRocher, resident professional at Leopard Rock, was pleased with the CNN listing and said: “We are pleased and proud and this comes as further acknowledgement of the course’s very high standing within the international golfing community. Over the years the course has won various awards and accolades and all these serve to reinforce our efforts to maintain it as one of the great sporting attractions of Zimbabwe, not only for foreign visitors but also for people from within the country who wish to play on a course that is challenging and enjoyable and at the same time offers unique scenic splendours.”
The CNN report says of Leopard Rock: “One of 30 courses in Zimbabwe, this 1993 Peter Matkovich design is regularly voted number one in the country by Golf Digest. Measuring 6,724 yards, par 72 Leopard Rock is located in lush subtropical surroundings about 180 miles southeast of the Zimbabwean capital Harare and has superb bent grass USGA-standard greens. The course has been carved out of dense woodland in the shadow of the Leopard Rock mountain, though many of the trees still line the fairways. As befits a course lying in the foothills there are some serious elevation changes on many holes. Other hazards include picturesque water features that protect several greens, rocks lining some fairways and ravines that must be carried if you're to finish a hole. All over the course wild orchids, tree ferns and other flora species indigenous to the area thrive, while the bush teems with birdlife. Green fees are $30 a round for resort guests and $40 a round for day visitors.”
Leopard Rock recently hosted the RM Insurance Manicaland Amateur championships, won by Ray Badenhorst, a first-year student on a golf scholarship at Florida Tech University in the USA. He claimed the title by three shots from TabalaniVundla and Grant Hudson.
A number of other important golfing events are planned for the remainder of 2013, including the Leopard Rock and Hillside Ryder Cup and the Navistar Leopard Rock Open, both scheduled for November.
“The Leopard Rock golf club is suitable for company executives and golfing society tournaments, corporate golf days and for events such as fun birthday golfing weekends, so it is not just for professional and people taking part in special championship events,” said Mr Rocher.
More information about golf at Leopard Rock from ByranRocher, at golf@theleopardrock.com.