South African professional Louis Oosthuizen has moved into the business of golf course design and has partnered with Africa’s foremost golf course designer Peter Matkovich and the Matkovich Group, one of the world’s leading golf course design, construction and maintenance companies.
The Major champion was identified by renowned designer Matkovich as the perfect partner to build the legacy of the Matkovich Group through a shared vision to continue creating golf courses that are an expression of their natural surroundings.
Since his first design in 1975, Matkovich has established himself as one of the world’s leading golf course designers with a trademark ability to use the natural surroundings in creating timeless layouts that appeal to golfers of all skill levels without changing the character of the land.
He has used his passion for nature and his experience of playing professional golf on the European Tour and Sunshine Tour for just under two decades, including competing in two Open Championships, to create some of Africa’s most spectacular golf courses in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Namibia, Mauritius, Nigeria and Tanzania.
Matkovich’s portfolio of golf courses and redesigns includes Arabella Golf Club, Pinnacle Point, Heritage Golf Club, Woodhill Country Club, Leopard Rock Golf Club, De Zalze Golf Estate, Silver Lakes Golf Club, San Lameer Golf Estate, Simbithi Eco Estate, Ebotse Links, Omeya Golf Club and many others. The Matko Group currently has four new projects under construction in Africa.
‘I’m tremendously excited. When it came to looking for a partner who could continue the legacy of the Matkovich Group, Louis Oosthuizen was a perfect fit. We are extremely proud to welcome him as part of our group,’ said Matkovich.
‘Louis shares our company values, not only in a business sense but also as a humble family man with a passion for what he does and a desire for excellence. He is extremely proud of his South African roots, and as a son of the land through his farming background he shares my love of nature. I’m looking forward to both of us getting our hands dirty and sharing this love of the land.
Matkovich believes Oosthuizen’s global presence will also bring a new element to the Matkovich Group’s designs.
‘Louis plays all over the world and is always seeing something new and different that we could incorporate into our designs. He is a global golfer and this will also give us an opportunity to be more global as a company. We are now looking at the next 10 to 15 years and the future of our brand.’
Oosthuizen is equally excited to be partnering with Matkovich in this new venture.
‘My life has always been about more than just the playing of golf and when I wanted to explore my passion for golf course design I was delighted that Peter and the Matkovich Group were willing to welcome me as they have. I am looking forward to exploring some of my own ideas and learning as much as I can from Peter,’ said Oosthuizen.
‘My first victory as a professional was on a Peter Matkovich golf course, namely Arabella. I love the playability of Peter’s golf courses and the fact that they always seem to reach that balance between being a good test but also fun to play. He has an ability to really read the land and get the best out of it for the pleasure of the golfer.
‘I look forward to helping build on the highly respected brand that Peter has created and to represent yet another South African success on a global stage.’
By Michael Vlismas
