Arabella Golf Club is dramatically set on the edge of Bot River Lagoon, a wetland home to thousands of waterfowl, including the Blue Crane, the club’s emblem. Designed by prolific architect Peter Matkovich, Arabella was constructed on stony farmland that required significant clearing. Matkovich noted that walking next to the lagoon was initially impossible. After substantial earth moving and tree removal, the course opened in 1998 to great acclaim.
Arabella blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings, with each hole fitting comfortably into the landscape. The Bot River Lagoon provides a stunning backdrop, particularly at the 8th hole, a par five that appears to integrate with the lagoon. The course hosted the Nelson Mandela Invitational from 2000 to 2006 and then the Gary Player Invitational until 2008. Measuring 6,381 metres, Arabella was not the most challenging for top professionals, but the charity event created a carnival-like atmosphere.
The course is meticulously designed to harmonise with nature, even incorporating a long bunker along the 18th hole to protect the lagoon’s ecosystem by trapping chemical run-off. Matkovich’s approach to integrating the course with its environment ensures a golf experience that is both environmentally conscious and visually spectacular.
