Coming to The Club
We’re always working to improve our offering – whether that’s for guests or members of The Club at Steyn City. With this in mind, we’re embarking on a project to refurbish all 75 bunkers on our golf course over a two-year period. We’re replacing all old sand, overhauling drainage and stabilising the base of all bunkers and bunker faces, while also reinstating the original grass lines. This will make an enormous difference to bunkers that are no longer looking their best after years of constant cutting and edging, leaving soil substructures exposed as grass lines move higher. This should also lessen the instances of loose stones in bunkers.
On the greens
Back in 2020, we decided to replace all cool-season grass on the fairways and rough with Kikuyu. Cool-season grass remains fresh and lush during our dry winters but struggles in our harsh summers, requiring excessive watering and becoming susceptible to disease. This contradicts our sustainability goals, as it increases our need for irrigation and chemicals. Although our decision to introduce Kikuyu was not made lightly, we believe it was the right choice.
In the meantime, you’ll probably have noticed lighter green patches on our greens as with most of Gauteng’s golf courses during these winter months. Those patches are POA grass, which dies off as it gets warmer. Sadly, there is little we can do to prevent this, although our greenkeeping staff is working closely with our external agronomy consultant to monitor the situation.
Golf Academy
We’re excited to announce the launch of our Golf Academy at The Club. This new facility will be located on the far side of the driving range, and we aim to have this completed by the end of the year. Although an understated structure, it promises to be one of the best in the country, fitted with cutting edge tech to offer each client a tailored, holistic coaching experience. Features include three enclosed hitting bays, a golf simulator, top of the range cameras, GCQuad ball tracking units, a pressure plate, K-Vest technology and analysis software to help analyse your swing. A warm-up area, basic gym equipment, a workshop/club fitting centre and restrooms are also included. The Academy will offer individual lessons for players at all levels, from beginner to professional, lesson packages, a junior programme, group lessons and clinics, playing lessons, club fitting, club gapping and repairs. Three full time coaches will be appointed, including Neal Hauptfleisch, who currently works as a part- time coach. Golf Operations Manager, Tumo Motaung, will continue to offer lessons for existing clients.
Clubhouse enhancements
Construction of extensions to The Clubhouse kitchen will kick off soon. The renovation will provide additional space and much needed equipment for the chefs and kitchen staff of ‘19 by Michael’ to operate more efficiently, so that you can enjoy speedier service and a greater variety of delicious dishes.
We’re also looking forward to installing a new awning alongside The Clubhouse in the next few months. This fantastic addition to the terrace area comes with an automated louvre system, automatic blinds, heating and lighting and will create an exceptional area to enjoy a beverage or snack after a golf round or at your leisure. The large Clubhouse doors will also be repaired, allowing us to create an indoor/outdoor feeling throughout.
The Lagoon precinct
Our lagoon lining is currently undergoing underwater chemical cleaning with a specialised solution. We will assess the effectiveness of this process over the next few weeks. The solution does not affect water quality – this much-loved facility remains as safe as ever.
Meanwhile, Richard Mitchell, head of the Steyn City Management Association, has been working with technology and innovation leaders Desert Wolf to develop a cleaner that will make cleaning the lagoon a more efficient process. The final production model is in progress after extensive testing and evaluation of the engineering prototype.
Another improvement you are certain to notice is the creation of a new shaded area by the Lagoon turnstile. This will protect our staff during our sizzling summers. Additionally, we are planning to install fixed shade structures over the braai pods for greater coverage.
You can now enjoy the special ambience of The Family Table restaurant all year round, even on chilly, rainy days, thanks to the installation of new glass facades that make the seating area even more comfortable, protecting you from the elements.
Our youngest residents will be excited to see the upgrades to the children’s play area adjacent to The Family Table, which now includes a kiddies scooter track.
With spring just around the corner, we’re looking forward to spending loads of sunny days with The Family Table team. Look out for details of the exciting Spring Festival planned for the end of September, in our next newsletter.
Padel courts
Did you know that there are over 300 registered residents playing on our courts with a total 1,584 matches played sinch launching. We’d love to have more of our residents participate in this fast growing sport.
New to the game? Ask one of our coaches to help you get to grips with the rules of the game and sharpen your racquet skills. Please contact the Padel pro shop to register and book lessons.
New play nodes
We’re staying true to our aim of getting your children outdoors with the establishment of two new play nodes in The Village. These provide new space for children to explore our beautiful parkland, in addition to the Dino Park, Pirate Ship, Skate Park and other play nodes already dotted around. You’ll notice the new equipment we have selected especially for these spaces: after much consideration, we chose to install jungle gyms that are made from recycled materials which require much less frequent maintenance than traditional equipment. These also make for safer play; firstly, because they absorb less heat and are therefore less harsh on tender skin, and secondly because they do not give splinters – making for a more enjoyable playtime experience!
New basketball courts coming soon!
You can now look forward to another way to spend your downtime and get fit: our new basketball court will soon be under construction below the soccer field, along Douw Steyn Drive. It will be ready for play by summer, while a second facility (a half court) is planned for the Lagoon precinct, if we are able to find a suitable space.
A warm Steyn City welcome to Temba Bavuma
We’re pleased to welcome Temba Bavuma, captain of South Africa’s national Test and ODI cricket teams, to Steyn City.
Through our partnership, Temba, his wife Phila and baby son Hlela will be joining our community as they take up residence at City Centre and membership at The Club at Steyn City. While Temba’s skills on the cricket pitch are well known, you may not be aware that he is also a single figure golfer.
We’re especially pleased to be able to work with the Temba Bavuma Foundation, which Temba established to leverage sport and education to create opportunities for underprivileged youth. The Club will play host to the Foundation’s annual golf day in September, while Steyn City School is collaborating with Temba to provide educational support for beneficiaries and bolster the Foundation’s cricket development programmes.
Dylan Naidoo: Doing us proud in Europe
All eyes are on our touring professional ambassador, Dylan Naidoo, who continues to make us proud on the Sunshine Tour. Dylan is set to take on the golf courses of Europe for the remainder of the Challenge Tour Season. In the recently concluded 2023/2024 Sunshine Tour order of merit, Dylan placed sixteenth overall. While he has yet to start his season in the new campaign on the Sunshine Tour, his focus remains on Europe. We wish him well.
