The Bells® Experience Golf Day
A Better Ball Stableford Event

108 golfers - including famous rugby legends Breyton Paulse and Chester Williams - descended upon our wonderful Gary Player Black Knight Designed golf course on 23 October, for what proved to be a memorable experience from start to finish. As usual, Klasie van Eyssen and his team ensured that the course was in pristine condition for the event, and the proceedings were further enhanced by a perfectly calm and sunny Langebaan day.

The event commenced with welcome drinks - Bells® Extra Special Scotch Whisky, of course, served by two charming Scottish lasses.

The official opening of our revamped driving range was held on Wednesday 2nd December and saw 45 golfers admiring new facilities including a ball dispenser, drinks dispenser, bay dividers and the recently relayed chipping green. We are very proud of these new facilities, and hope that avid golfers will make use of them this summer.

The Driving Range is open until sunset, so there are plenty of hours to enjoy the experience at this time of year! Tokens for the ball dispenser can be purchased at the Professional’s Shop, or alternatively at the bar at the Clubhouse. Remember, if you need to improve your game a bit, the driving range is the perfect place to take a lesson from Bob Parry, our resident PGA Professional.

Please click here for images of the new driving range

French Touch for Langebaan’s animals - La Petite Piaf Edith Piaf Tribute Show 9 & 10 October 2009

In October, Horizon Restaurant at Langebaan Country Estate played host to a charming charity event designed to benefit Langebaan Animal Care. Langebaan Country Estate’s Keep The Dream Section 21 Company helped with sponsorship for the event. La Petite Piaf, a homage show in respect of Edith Piaf, was staged with particularly French flair, and the support was exceptional. By the close of the event, over R4 000 had been raised to help our animal friends on the West Coast. The show featured extracts from Piaf’s life and songs.

Singer Lizelle van der Vyver delighted guests with her spot-on interpretation of Piaf, and she was joined by Sonja van Zyl on piano and Wim van Schalkwyk on cello. Langebaan Animal Care is registered as a non-profit welfare organisation, and is managed by a small team of dedicated volunteers.  They appreciate any kind assistance or donations. Readers who would like to help can contact Lynn Mills on 022 772 2407 for more information.

Join the action at Langebaan Country Estate this December

La Petite Piaf is just one example of the special events regularly held at Langebaan Country Estate, but we are planning a truly exciting festive season sports program.To kick-start the festive season, we will be hosting a fun golfing event; the Xmas Turkey Classic on 16 December, with the winners taking home …yes, a prize turkey! Runner-up prizes will include other delicacies for the Christmas table. There will also be a number of 18-hole Sundowner Events during December before we kick off 2010 with The Greenkeeper’s Revenge on 1 January. As the name suggests, Klasie van Eyssen and his mischievous associates will be scheming up some nasty surprises for those party-weary golfers…

For cyclists and joggers, we will be holding two Twilight Run & Cycle Events on 16 and 30 December. Why not dust off your mountain bike or running shoes, and come and enjoy the scenic routes we’ve mapped out for the spectacular time of day. These routes aren’t at all taxing, so the whole family can participate.

Please remember that even if you’re not competing in any of the events, you and your family and friends are more than welcome to utilise all of our amenities, which include the bowling green, tennis courts, kids’ play area and swimming pool, not to mention our fantastic dining and socialising venues.

Treat yourself at the Zest Health & Beauty Spa - Now Open!

The elegant new Zest Spa is located in Ellefsen Village next to the Golf Suites’ reception area. Here, visitors and residents can enjoy a luxurious and rejuvenating experience in the O-zone bath or spa bath; or benefit from professional massages and beauty treatments under the guidance of owner Carine van Eyssen and manageress Marijke West (internationally qualified beauty therapist). Zest is proving highly popular with the ladies – but gentleman, don’t feel you aren’t welcome too - sports massages are our specialty! There is also gym equipment on-site, and transport is available for residents and day visitors from the Estate Clubhouse to the Spa. Booking in advance is always recommended.

LCE wows the Wedding Expo

What a magical experience. No, not the latest romantic wedding gracing our fabulous Estate; we mean our first Expo excursion! The Estate’s eventing staff took their offering to October’s Wedding Expo for the first time this year. At the Cape Town International Convention Centre, they rubbed shoulders with other industry partners, networked and introduced our stunning wedding venue on the West Coast. There was a great deal of interest from brides-to-be (and even one or two future grooms), while two lucky visitors won luxury weekend getaways at the Estate, perfect for sampling our 4-star accommodation and romantic setting.

What makes the Estate so well - suited for weddings is that ceremonies can be arranged in various idyllic spots on the Estate, all of which capture the true essence of the majestic West Coast.

There are no rules as to how to host a wedding ceremony here. Rather it is up to the bridal party to create, with our help, the very best day of their lives. We’re expecting a lot of “I do’s” on the Estate in 2010!

Our Golf Lodges have received official 4-star grading!

We’re proud and excited to announce that the Golf Lodges at Langebaan Country Estate have received their 4-star rating from the Tourism Grading council of South Africa. This is a further guarantee of a top quality accommodation experience for those visiting the Estate for golf, business, weddings or other reasons. The Lodges are self-catering units, ranging in size from two large double-storey units, comprising four en-suite bedrooms, to the comfortably appointed 3, 2 or 1 - bedroom units. All units come fully equipped and serviced, and are situated next to the Clubhouse overlooking the 9th hole.

Visitors can also book into the already 4-star graded Golf Suites at Ellefsen Village. Situated between the 9th and 18th fairways of the golf course, the Golf Suites consist of 40 brand new luxurious two-bedroom apartments that offer guests all the freshness of country living, great views and the comforts of a secure, fully serviced stay. Book your getaway break at Langebaan Country Estate, and experience the four-star difference!

Please click here to view our accommodation rates

Kids love Langebaan Country Estate all year round

So Dad and his friends are enjoying their third round on the hard-to-leave golf course, while Mom’s trying to decide between Zest Spa’s professional massage options – but where are the kids?

With so many things for children to do at Langebaan Country Estate, don’t expect them to just sit still! They can hop onto our brand new jumping castle, burn off energy on the jogging trails, or bring their bikes along and ride around the Estate. Parents can relax and enjoy themselves, knowing the kids are safe on our secure grounds.

A 20-strong herd of Springbok has been introduced into the Estate

In July 2009, 20 Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), South Africa’s national animal, were re-introduced to the West Coast after the species’ long absence from this area. The Estate’s new herd arrived from a Karoo farm near Richmond in the Northern Cape. Now, by grazing the Estate’s Saldanha granite strandveld vegetation, the herd is more than just an attractive feature; they are actually helping to increase biodiversity on the Estate.

The Springbok is known for its ability to leap up to 2m high when alarmed (or sometimes just for fun). This action, called ‘stotting’ or to ‘pronk’ in Afrikaans, is used whenever Springbok are being chased, or to display strength and agility. Luckily, there are no lions on the Estate, so our herd should feel quite safe.