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Peter Matkovich

 

Arabella Golf Club

Peter Matkovich (b. 1952) is a South African golf course architect and former tour professional who has designed many of Africa’s most admired courses. After a respectable playing career on the Sunshine Tour in the 1970s, Matkovich turned to course design in the 1980s. He quickly became South Africa’s preeminent home-grown architect, blending a keen golfer’s eye with a deep understanding of African landscapes. Matkovich’s design portfolio spans over 20 courses in Southern Africa – from coastal links to bushveld parklands. His philosophy emphasizes working with nature: “least disturbance” earthmoving and highlighting indigenous flora. Notable designs include Leopard Creek (1996, co-designed with Gary Player) perched on the border of Kruger Park, where water features and wild animal sightings define the experience; Arabella Golf Estate (Western Cape, 1999) with its dramatic fynbos surroundings; Elements Private Reserve (2006) in the Waterberg’s savannah; and Heritage Golf Club (Mauritius, 2004). Each Matkovich course showcases variety and a strong sense of place – for instance, Heritage’s holes weave between volcanic outcrops and tropical jungle.

Matkovich is also known for modernizing older courses. He’s renovated or redesigned classics like Durban Country Club and Royal Harare, upgrading them for contemporary play while respecting their heritage. As a mentor, he trained and partnered with younger designers; for example, his firm Matkovich & Hayes (with golf writer Dale Hayes) in the 90s produced several courses and gave a start to new talent. In Zimbabwe, he designed Elephant Hills (Victoria Falls, 1994) – navigating around wartime minefields and incorporating elephant-proof fences – a testament to his creative problem-solving in African contexts. Matkovich’s influence extends beyond just design; he’s been an ambassador for African golf, encouraging environmental sustainability and local community involvement at the resorts he’s developed. Many African professional tournaments (Sunshine Tour and European Tour events) have been held on Matkovich courses, a sign of their strategic quality. Still active, Peter Matkovich continues to leave a unique stamp: courses that are challenging yet enjoyable, rooted in the African soil and scenery. Through his passionate work, he has helped elevate golf across Africa and introduced the world to the continent’s spectacular golfing landscapes.