The Walmer Country Club unveiled plans for a R250-million development on Wednesday after finally taking ownership of its land last week.

After protracted negotiations, spread over 10 years, the ownership of the land has now been transferred from the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality to the Walmer Country Club.

President Winston Sagar confirmed the move on Wednesday, saying: "After four years of my involvement I can finally get a good night's sleep. Walmer Country Club belongs to its members."

The club will now proceed with a multi-million-rand project and the development is expected to begin within the next few weeks.

"It's a tremendous boost for the area as far as tourism goes. This development will be a future attraction for generations to come," said Sagar.

"Port Elizabeth needs top-quality golf courses to compete with the area between Plett and Mossel Bay."

The development, which Sagar says will create numerous job opportunities for the Walmer township, will include a new R8-million clubhouse, new greens and tees and re-grassed fairways, and a R3,5-million irrigation system. There will be a 2,4m-high, 4km-long electrified boundary wall and a guardhouse, with a new entrance to the club on Buffelsfontein Road. There will also be 40ha of housing.

The members are hoping to move into their new clubhouse by early 2008, after which upgrading of the golf course will begin. The course will not close during the revamping process.

A total of R36-million will be spent on the clubhouse, course, machinery and practice facilities. The clubhouse will also include a restaurant, a pro shop and conference facilities.

The club has approached a design company to advise it on slight changes that should be made to the existing course. The next step is for the developers to request a rezoning of the land earmarked for housing development.

Once the rezoning is approved, construction of the houses will begin and the developers are hoping to have the project completed within two years.

Sagar was unable to confirm how many units would be built and what the pricing would be.

As part of its social awareness programme, the club will place R1-million in a trust fund for the development of disadvantaged golfers.

Eastern Province Herald