Avalon

Designed by Peter Matkovich, currently the most prolific and most prominent golf architect on the African continent, the Avalon course occupies almost half the 544 acres of the Avalon Golf Estate which lies in the central highlands of the island, close to the Black River Gorges National Park.

The 18-hole layout has been described as something of a “golfing garden of Eden” and there are tea plantations clearly visible on the surrounding mountain slopes. Lush fairways weave their way up and down across ridge lines and ravines, with streams coming into play on several occasions.

The southeast trade-winds were kept in mind when routing the par threes and par fives, which all face different directions, but two of the most memorable holes are the short par fours at the 273-metre 4th (played downhill with a ravine on the left) and the 292-metre 17th (where a stream threatens on the right side of the fairway).

Ryan Dodds, the Avalon General Manager, was kind enough to supply the following:

Measuring 380 yards from the club tees, the par four 13th hole at Avalon Golf Estate is by no means intimidating in terms of length and offers a generous landing area for your tee shot. A riverine flanks the right side of the fairway, crossing just in front of the green, and the views are simply spectacular.

The challenge on this hole is your approach shot to the green which, from a perfect drive, will leave you with a mid to short iron into an elevated, well-bunkered green which drops off steeply to the meandering stream below. Make sure to take your time and select the right club!