Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa, located to the south of Kampala in Uganda, has completed a second nine holes on its golf course, designed by Kevin Ramsey of Golfplan.
The resort began working with Golfplan in 2008, with construction of the first nine holes beginning at the end of 2009. Work on the second nine began in 2016 and will officially be opened in October 2018 for the inaugural Serena Johnnie Walker Golf Open Championship.
“The holes that were completed in the first phase were a mix of front and back nine holes,” said Ramsey. “There is no difference in style, we are just pushing on to the far end of the site. The key feature of the entire site is the proximity and view to Lake Victoria. Visible on all holes and in play on three including both finishing holes.
“This is a very unique one-of-a-kind golf facility in the sense that access to the marina is between the ninth and eighteenth holes. I can’t think of anywhere in the world where I have seen anything like this. The course is very natural in its feel and meanders through the site and down to the papyrus groves on the lake.
“There is a good variety of hole length and varying directions so as the wind changes off the lake it will completely change the play of the course. The clubhouse sits on the marina with great views to both the ninth and the island green on eighteen.”
The project at the five-star resort features a marina and approximately 100 villas, with the resort overlooking both the course and Lake Victoria. With the opening of the new Kampala-Entebbe highway, the resort is now easily accessible.
The resort is owned and has been developed by Kenyan-based contracting company Cementers, and of its CEO, Kartick Halai, Ramsey said: “He has a perspective on what he wants and is committed to the highest quality.
“Theodor van Rooyen, project manager, and Joe Smith, the shaper for phase two, were instrumental in staying the course and completing this final phase.”
Along with the course, the resort also has a golf academy with a 78 square metre putting green, short game area, practice bunker and a chipping green.
The resort is attempting to grow golf in East Africa and it hosts bi-annual sports camps for children in April and August, including the recent Serena Junior Open. In an effort to enable youngsters to acquire skills and passion for the sport, they are trained by an U.S. Kids Golf certified coach.
“The Lake Victoria Serena golf course is one of the most beautiful courses in the region, we could not be prouder to have it on our property and simply cannot wait to be positioned as the best golf and spa resort in Africa,” said Anthony Chege, general manager of Serena Hotels Uganda.
“There really is nothing like it. Serene and peaceful,” concluded Ramsey.