Sable antelope on Akabeko Golf Course.

If there is something that gives me so much joy, it’s to have wild antelope walking around on the Golf Course.

One of my favourite would have to be the Sable…

The head-and-body length is typically between 190 and 255 cm (75 and 100 in). Males reach about 117–140 cm (46–55 in) at the shoulder, while females are slightly shorter. Males typically weigh 235 kg (518 lb) and females 220 kg (490 lb).

The sable antelope has a compact and robust build, characterized by a thick neck and tough skin. It has a well-developed and often upright mane on its neck, as well as a short mane on the throat. Its general colouration is rich chestnut to black. Females and juveniles are chestnut to dark brown, while males begin darkening and turn black after three years.

As it can be seen these are all not quite 3 years old yet.

Both sexes have ringed horns which arch backward. In females, these can reach 61–102 cm (24–40 in), while in males they are 81–165 cm (32–65 in) long.

these are still growing…

Yet they remain so regal and tough looking even at this age…

They do make a few impressions on the greens, but I can live with that…

This one seems to be checking the view from the tee box…

I do hope they live long and happily on the course..

Grey Heron on Akabeko Golf Course.

I have taken to riding around with my camera near at hand, and how happy I am that I did this the other day.

I saw this Grey Heron as I past the one dam its attitude told me it was either stalking something or had seen food…

I got this photo just before the strike and then struggled to actually see what it had caught.. a struggle was on the cards.. something of length that could not just be swallow.. I continued to take photos until I could make out what it was… a small grass snake..

This snake was not giving up without a fight…

and even managed to encircle the beak of the bird..

Down the hatch you go… eyes closed…

But with a lot of head shaking and swallowing the snake finally disappeared down its throat… I nearly gagged thinking about that length going down my throat, and then it struck me… the snake was not dead when it went down.. why would it not bite the bird from the inside ? and would it be painful if it did ?

The bird was now disturbed by my proximity and flew off to one of the other dams, closely followed by me…

An odd stance and attitude.. was this bird regretting the meal?.. well it never regurgitated anything, had a drink and settled down to what looked like a further search for food..

This has taught me one lesson… “keep the camera handy!”…

Akabeko Golf Course.

We recently had a drone flying and taking photos for our course signage… and this is one of the overhead photos I received…

and the back of the score card gives a more clearer idea of the layout…

And here is a photo showing an old farm house that the owner is converting into the golf clubhouse as well as conference venue, wedding venue etc…

This conversion will mean the 3rd hole will become the 1st and so on… I love this idea as one will start off with a par 5 and finish the 18th with a par 5..

Here’s a photo of the old house, so old one could almost call it historic…

We are to develope a driving range near the clubhouse, with a jungle gym to keep the kids entertained, this is going to be a special place in the future. Braai facilities and a boma (an area to have a larger fire for people to congregate around for warmth and companionship, an old African custom) will make this a special place for golf days, or conferences.

I look forward to the completion of the facilities as we have many sponsored golf days in early next summer. Also a fun Golf day for Fathers day on the 18th of June.

Akabeko Boutique Hotel and Golf Course.

I have shared about the golf course, and realise I’ve neglected to share anything on the Hotel. This is a five star experience, with secluded lodges that guarantee a quiet restful stay.

The lodges or rooms are set in a black wattle forest with beautiful gardens surrounding each. A river runs below all the rooms, a lovely sound of trickling water can be heard, not loud enough to keep you in the toilet, but enough to ensure a peaceful sleep.

A walkway follows the river … with small dams that attract birds and otters …

The gardens …

The tree ferns, cycads and so many more indigenous plants … with beautiful flowers ,,,

The restaurant, with a top chef that produces plates of food that are to die for..

A well stoked bar and a wine rack that keeps one looking up…

and then to think that outside is a golf course, (9 hole par 35) that will test your golf length and accuracy… and while you’re playing, the others can enjoy the spa or massage or sit and enjoy the quiet of the lounge.

Want to know more about the hotel ?? http://www.akabekohotel.com/ 

Hope to see some of you there and playing the golf course that is open to the public…

Akabeko Golf Course

As the course continues to improve and the rains (when they come) aids the fairways growth, the golf course becomes more and more of a dream come true.

As the photo from the first tee shows the first fairway.

The course wants to welcome all the permanent new arrivals, oh how happy these animals make me…

The sable are young yet already they show the deep chested pride they’re well known for..

I am to stay on at the course and will now be in a position to blog more, to share my golf course with you all. I’m sure that you know it is not really my course and belongs in its entirety to the owner of the Akabeko Boutique Hotel, but my design and build, tweaked to his  satisfaction, still feels as though its mine…

This has been and will always be the most desired “bucket list” happening in my life.