Gary Player Designs, is behind some of the most exciting golf courses in the world.

Gary Player has achieved worldwide acclaim that most athletes can only dream of. Despite just turning 82 he remains an incredible business man. His prolific company, Gary Player Designs, is behind some of the most exciting golf courses in the world. While he is most widely known for the masterpieces in his homeland, his influence has spread across the globe.

One of his most recent projects is the design of multi-million dollar 18-holes Rwanda Ultimate Golf Course Ltd, a subsidiary of Rwanda Social Security Board. Construction work was done by a French firm, Gregori International from October, 2019 and completing in August, 2021.

The course, the first of its kind in Rwanda, sitting on 52 hectares, is a shot by Rwanda at the global golf tourism market which is estimated to be valued at $44 billion.The facility features 23 bridges, nine lakes, three rain shelters, a hallway house and an underground tunnel took about 15 months to construct. The main works were completed in December 2020.

The firm executed 380,000 cubic metres of earthworks in three months, built storm drainage canals, set up irrigation systems and oversaw the grow-in period.Fairways are grassed with Kikuyu Zouina, greens with Agrostis Ignite and the course is playable throughout the year.

The course, the first of its kind in Rwanda, sitting on 52 hectares, is a shot by Rwanda at the global golf tourism market.

According to Director General of RSSB, Regis Rugemanshuro, the investment was informed by the opportunity therein given the global demand for quality facilities. He said that Rwanda’s opportunity is partly driven by the fact that while the global golf tourism market is estimated at $44 billion and growing by 11 per cent annually, Africa has less than 1,000 courses, which is about 2 per cent of courses in the world.

“The majority of courses in Africa are in South Africa while a significant percentage of courses in Africa are not at international level.This presented a huge opportunity for Rwanda. Having built it at a high standard, it further makes Rwanda eligible as a tourism and sports destination,” saidRugemanshuro.

RSSB has investedaround Rwf 17.7 billion to develop this course; including about $11 million to develop the golf course as well as additional sums for aspects such as shelters, tunnel, expropriation, buying machines among others. Before investing Rwf17.7 billion, Rugemanshuro said that RSSB took on assets valued at Rwf16.8bn which included land and the clubhouse before this was upgraded.The old course, which was a nine-hole, was run by Kigali Golf Club.

The golf course is only the first phase of the project which is expected to continue for the next five or so years. The second phase includes a resort and apartment complex with initial investment estimates of around Rwf145 billion.

However, RSSB stated that it will not go into phase two alone. They plan to bring on board other investors, some of whom have already submitted their proposals so far.

“This is not an undertaking that RSSB plans to do alone. The most important part was creating the infrastructure which has seen a number of investors express interest in working with us going forward. As we finalize the terms of reference, we are keen on ensuring it will be profitable,” Rugemanshuro said.

The investment in the golf course is estimated to generate returns of an average of 13 per cent for the next 15 years.

Rwanda Ultimate Golf Course Ltd, has brought on board UGOLF, the company that manages about 600 golf courses with over 3,000 registered members around the world, to manage the facility. UGOLF’s main role is to organize tournaments and bring on board professionalism in the running of the facility.

Josue Dushimimana, the General Manager of the Rwanda Ultimate Golf Course Ltd said that they are hoping to have atleast 500 members in the next 5 years.He added that they have also developed an academy that will train interested participants irrespective of age and gender to drive demand.

Rwanda Ultimate Golf Course Ltdis open to members, players and those who want to learn the game. It is open for tournaments and ready for partnerships with corporations to organize tournaments at the same time observing measures against Covid-19.