Leopard Creek has no equal in golf – says Ernie Els

Ernie Els has expressed his deep regret at not being able to make it back to South Africa to play in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at a Leopard Creek golf course he says has no equal in the world of golf.

“There is just nothing like Leopard Creek in the whole world of golf,” said Els, a former winner of the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

The four-time Major champion said the challenges around international travel at present and his playing commitments in the United States have made it difficult for him to return to South Africa for this year’s tournament from November 26-29.

“I wish I could be there, but my next event on the PGA Tour Champions and on the PGA Tour will be in Hawaii and if I can’t get back to America I’ll be stuck for some time,” Els said.

“I’m really going to miss the Alfred Dunhill Championship, especially having been a member at Leopard Creek for so many years. Everything about that place is just so special."

“We’ve got unbelievable scenery in the game of golf worldwide. You can go to Pebble Beach and Cypress Point, Long Island, Montana, St Andrews in Scotland, England and the Dover coast, you can go anywhere in the world and find beautiful golf scenery. But there’s only one Africa.

“Leopard Creek on the banks of the Crocodile River and overlooking the Kruger National Park – just thinking about it I get this image in my mind of how beautiful it is with the views and the animals. The golf course, the practice facilities and everything about the place is world class. Then you go to the Recreation Centre there and you don’t want to leave. You just want to sit there all day and watch the river and the animals. It’s just a phenomenal place.”