Black 7363 metres, CR77.5/145
Yellow 6681 metres, CR73.6/139
White 6305 metres, CR71.3/134
Blue 5594 metres, CR68.2/123
Red 5117 metres, CR65.8/105
Women’s yellow, CR81.2/152
Women’s white, CR78.3/144
Women’s blue, CR73.5/133
Women’s red, CR70.2/128
R500 weekdays,
R800 weekends,
includes golf cart
Ernie Els 2007
012 668 8900
www.copper-leaf.co.za
56 (2022) & 56 (2021)
This modern golf estate of 1100 homes in the Gauteng countryside, with its strong family lifestyle theme, has flourished in recent years with the increased expansion out west. Being close to the N14 highway means its residents can easily commute to divergent areas of Gauteng. It is 20 minutes from Lanseria Airport.
It is the only Els Club in South Africa, where the promise is of a “supreme golfing and leisure experience reflecting Ernie’s personal tastes, a stylish place for the whole family to relax and unwind.”
Built on grassland plains, the Copperleaf layout conveys a sense of wide open space, where the length of holes and distinctive Els bunkering is the main challenge. It is regarded as one of Gauteng’s championship layouts, and hosted two European Tour events, the Tshwane Open, in 2013 and 2014. Golf carts are compulsory.
At the time it was the longest course in European Tour history, playing to a maximum length of 7680 metres (8399 yards), although it was reduced to 7360 metres in 2013 and 7281 in 2014. However, the extreme length did not intimidate the pros, who adored the flawless greens. Dawie van der Walt won in 2013 with a 21-under total of 267, and Ross Fisher in 2014 with 20-under 268.
Notwithstanding the long holes, Els has designed a members course with wide fairways which golfers of all levels can enjoy from multiple teeing areas, particularly those who drive the ball well. Challenges lie in strategically placed bunkers, water hazards and superbly designed greens.
62 by Brandon Stone in 2009;
Jean Hugo, 2010 Vodacom Origins
The par-4 sixth is considered the signature hole. The longer the tee shot the less club you have for a demanding approach shot angled across a water hazard to an elevated green. The third is the longest par 3 in South Africa, 256m from the back, and that is followed by a 626m par-5. The 11th is 602m from the back. Each nine ends with a particularly strong par 4.
The Els Club has one of the premier practice facilities in South Africa, a vast expanse of land where golfers can work on their game in their own space. There is a teaching academy and custom-fitting centre on site.
2022 Vian Jansen van Vuuren & Gizelle vd Westhuizen
2021 Roelof Nel & Michelle Labuschagne
2020 Luka Stanisavljevic & Ella Cole
2019 Francois van Staden & Ella Cole
1/ The estate was built on a farm once owned by Ernie Els’s grandfather, Ernie Vermaak. The golf course is owned by the Home Owners Association.
2/ Brandon Stone, 14, caddied for Ernie Els at the course opening in November 2007, when it was known as Gardener Ross, and won the first club championship in 2008. His father Kevin, a former Sunshine Tour pro, was the club’s first golf director.
3/ At the end of August each year the club presents a unique event for its members called the King of the Tips, which is played from the very back tees on each hole – a formidable challenge.
4/ There are four Els Clubs in the world, the others being in Dubai, Langkawi Island in Malaysia, and the Desaru Coast near Singapore.
5/ Louis Albertse shot 27 on the back nine in a 2018 IGT Tour event. He had seven birdies and an eagle at 15 in a round of 64.
Conditioning Ratings
Facility Ratings
What a test of your golfing skills! A magnificent modern layout well thought out.
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