The 2024-25 Sunshine Tour season will finish on a high with the first of its play-off series, the exclusive R2.5-million Serengeti Playoffs at the magnificent Serengeti Estates.

The top 72 available professionals on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by the Courier Guy will battle it out on this Jack Nicklaus Signature course which was opened in 2009. Situated in the heart of a popular residential estate in the Johannesburg region, Serengeti Estates boasts a rugged, grassland look and feel.

The development of the 780-hectare estate has transformed a flat and featureless plain into an attractive golfing venue, famed for its outstanding conditioning. Nicklaus takes painstaking care in the look, feel and positioning of his bunkers, and at Serengeti he cultivated a naturally rugged and ragged wasteland look to balance softly undulating playing surfaces. Water hazards are a feature, although they only come into play on eight holes.

The short par-five eighth, with water running all the way down the right-hand side of the fairway, and an island green, is the much talked-about signature hole. Another notable hole is the opening par-five third, which is one of the longest in Gauteng at 619 metres.

Serengeti is certainly a worthy host of a prestigious end-of-season Sunshine Tour event and players will also be spoilt for choice at the multi-faceted clubhouse which boasts several lounges, bars and two restaurants.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Course record: 61 by Kyle McClatchie in January 2015 (29-32); 63 by Caitlyn Macnab (women’s record) in 2019
• The course hosted the SA Open in 2011, won by Hennie Otto, and in 2012 when Henrik Stenson lifted the trophy. Otto equalled the SA Open scoring record with a 62 (one eagle, 8 birdies) in the 2012 final round
• Serengeti was the fifth golf course designed by the Jack Nicklaus in South Africa; it is conveniently situated to OR Tambo International Airport and it will soon have a five-star hotel