Check-out the premier place to swing your clubs
Nestled within a tumbling mound of lush vegetation, just 25km outside the city of Mutare, is the Leopard Rock Hotel. Enshrouded amongst abundant flora and fauna, wild birdlife and a breathtaking landscape of rolling hills, this luxurious resort attracts a wealth of sporting and outdoor enthusiasts each year. Amongst these sporting activities is swimming, tennis, squash, game viewing and horse-riding. However, undoubtedly the biggest draw to Leopard Rock is the astounding resident golf course. With views overlooking the Vumba Mountains (known as the ‘mountains of the mist’), swirling lakes, and the Burma Valley, Leopard Rock’s unique and idyllic location makes it one of the premiere places to swing your clubs in Zimbabwe.
Designed by Peter Matkovich, every hole of the course has been carefully considered as a separate feature. The eighth green, for example, is a scenic setting surrounded by fern trees with a cascading water fountain. However, this is just one such case, as all across the 18 holes are wild orchids, fern trees and tropical plant species, complementing the course’s lush green grass.
Time to Tee-Off in Zimbabwe
Highlights of the first nine holes include the first hole, known as ‘Kilcullen’, and the momentous 9th Tee, entitled ‘The Leopard Rock’. Challenging golfers to hit from a tee box overlooking a dam onto the green below, this tricky hole is one to watch-out for (Par 3, 160m).
After breezing through the first nine holes, it is likely that some food and drink will be required. Luckily, the Golf Clubhouse is on hand nearby to serve ice cold refreshments and light lunches on the patio, building players’ strength for the next nine holes. This is where the all real trials begin. ‘Vumba’, the 13th hole (Par 4, 412m), is a classic example of this. Here, the tee shot must be skillfully navigated along a narrow pathway between rocks and forest before meandering over a severely sloped ravine. And, all this has to be completed in one single stroke. Not an easy feat!
By the fourteenth hole, golfers come face to face with an elevated perch overlooking the mountainous Burma Valley. Named after the course designer himself, the ‘Matkovich’ hole is the pièce de résistance of the course with its elevated drop of 30 meters, surrounding dams, bunkers and rough terrain.
Hole No 1 'Kilcullen'
Drawing to a close, the 17th hole boasts the most beautiful view of the whole course (Par 3). Aptly named ‘World’s View’, this picturesque point makes the challenging twists and turns of Leopard Rock all worthwhile. Finishing with a bang, the last hole known as the ‘Tony Taberer’ (Par 3) leaves you with one final trial- directing the ball alongside the dam. Making sure you don’t lose your ball is all part of the added fun.
When all is said and done, golfers can unwind at the end of the day with a drink in hand as the sun sets over the Vumba Mountains. Bliss!
And, that’s why they call it the premier place to swing your clubs…
Hole No 9 'The Leopard Rock'
