South Africas golf courses, set in magnificent landscapes and often offering unique interactions with wildlife, can compete with the best in the world. With this vast potential under-recognised, South Africas inbound industry is upping its coordinated efforts to feature the country as a leading golf tourism destination.
According to SA Top 100 Courses, South Africa is home to at least 414 courses. But only a select few (the likes of Gary Player Country Club at Sun City, Leopard Creek in Mpumalanga and Fancourt Links on the Garden Route) feature on the world stage.
Inbound industry association SATSA is leading the efforts to drive the niche sector into the mainstream tourism conversation at national government level. Launched in February, the associations Golf Chapter comprises a broad spectrum of 41 members working within the golf tourism sector and the hospitality, safari and tourism development spaces.
Led by Chapter Chair and ProGolf Africa Safaris owner Carl Reinders , in close cooperation with SATSA CEO David Frost , the chapter is making strides in its goal of promoting golf tourism as a catalyst for sustainable and high-value experiences. This progress was highlighted in the chapters AGM on July 30.
Through engagements with SA Tourism, the chapter has secured 12 spaces for golf-specific DMCs and products (including leading golf courses such as De Zalze, Arabella and Sun City) to attend the International Golf Travel Market in Lisbon from October 14 to 17.
