Named after the seventh Earl of Mount Edgecombe, Edward Piers Edgecombe, the history of the area that went on to become the Mount Edgecombe Country Club began in 1876 when Captain William Smerdon sold his sugar estate to a Mauritian by the name of Jules Langlois who then sold the property on to a group of Natal businessmen two years later in 1878.
Weary of the long and someone treacherous trek into Durban on dirt roads through sugar cane fields, a group of golfing enthusiasts who worked on the sugar estate started laying the foundations of a new nine-hole golf course in 1924. This was extended to 18 holes in 1935 and the Natal Estates Sport’s Club extended its membership to include ‘town members’ some 22 years later and a new clubhouse was built to accommodate the growing number of members.
The club quickly gained a solid reputation as being one of the top golf courses to play in KwaZulu-Natal. However, tragedy struck in 1987 when the course and clubhouse were flooded. The following year, in 1988, the clubhouse was razed to the ground by fire in under an hour. It was from this tragedy that the present day Mount Edgecombe Country Club was born.
Today, the Mount Edgecombe Country Club consists of two championship courses, each with their own clubhouse and in addition to a good round of golf, the venue provides world-class conference rooms, restaurants, expert golf tuition, practice facilities, tennis, squash and bowling clubs. Situated inland of Umhlanga Rocks, the estate also offers the Fairways Lodge, an exclusive boutique hotel with full conference facilities, restaurants and spectacular views of the 10th fairway.
The residential sector of the estate was designed around the natural contours of the land and habitat and comprises a total of 299 hectares, which is split into two residential estates, each with their own golf course. There are over 1000 stands on the estate, most of which are freehold property. Some, however, have been developed into sectional title developments.
The estate has proved to be immensely popular with people from all walks of life. It’s not only those who enjoy the odd round of golf that have been catered for and, in addition to the various sporting activities available, the estate offers a secure lifestyle set in exquisite surroundings.
Sales within the estate have fared well over the years and recent statistics released by Lightstone reveal that there have been a total of 182 transactions in the last 12 months. The price of property outside the estate averages around R1 160-million for a freehold property and the sectional title average came in at R914 000. Sales on the estate, on the other hand, average around the R3 532-million mark.
With its location close to the King Shaka airport, La Lucia Ridge and business parks, shopping centres and both private and government schools in the greater Durban region, life for those living at Mount Edgecombe is both relaxed and convenient. This estate offers those who can afford it, a safe environment away from the hustle and bustle of city living.