ZIMBABWE’S bid to reclaim its place on the global golfing map gathered pace last week with the opening of a state-of-the-art driving range at The Hills Luxury Estate — a first glimpse of a project its designer, Peter Matkovich, believes will be “special” by any standard.
For Matkovich, the award-winning golf course architect behind the development, the facility is more than a standalone attraction. It is an early signal of the quality to come as work continues on a Professional Golfers Association (PGA) standard course taking shape on the site.
Recently named Architect of the Year at the World Golf Awards 2024, Matkovich brings a formidable pedigree, with more than 30 acclaimed designs including Leopard Rock in Zimbabwe, Arabella in South Africa and La Reserve in Mauritius. He is confident The Hills will raise the bar locally and across the region.
The course sits at the heart of WestProp Holdings’ ambitious US$280 million mixed-use development, which will include 862 residential stands within a luxury estate. Matkovich has spent close to three years refining a layout designed to marry visual appeal with playability.
“So the driving range is still very new, but it kind of shows you the standard we're going to work at,” Matkovich said at the launch.
“As I have been here for nearly three years, I have grown to love it more and more and more. I really think it's going to be special, I do.”
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While the course is being built to championship specifications capable of hosting the DP World Tour or Sunshine Tour, Matkovich stressed that accessibility remains central to the design.
“Now, you know, in golf, you must have fun. You must enjoy the walk and the trees and the flowers. And that’s what we hope for members. You know, this is not just for pros, this is for our members. So that’s what we are going to try and do here. But I think it's got the right balance and the right variety for a golf course,” he said.
WestProp Holdings chief executive officer Ken Sharpe framed the development as a strategic play to reposition Zimbabwe as a serious golfing destination.
“This is the kind of standard we want, we are raising the bar. This is the first really international quality course in Zimbabwe, the USGA championship course,” Sharpe said.
“I think this is one of the jewels that we'll add into the crown of Zimbabwe's heritage, that we’ll be able to put Zimbabwe back on the golfing destination world map. International golfers will really come to Zimbabwe to play this course specifically. They will choose to come to Zimbabwe because this course is here.”
Construction is advancing quickly, with the project targeting an official opening on January 15, 2027.
“The course is already almost nine holes — half of this course is already in advanced stages of being finished. And the grass is now growing into many of those nine holes. So certainly by halfway through this year, by July, almost all 18 holes will have been established,” Sharpe said.
“Of course, it is in winter so they will grow slower, but I'm told as soon as we come out of winter, September or October, it will catch up. By November or December, you will see a finished course.”
The newly-opened driving range is already attracting attention, notably for its US$20 “bottomless” practice model, which replaces the traditional bucket system with unlimited daily access — a move aimed at encouraging longer, uninterrupted practice sessions.
Among those to test the facility was 2023 World Long Drive Champion Campbell Macmillan, who praised the set-up while urging further expansion.
“I am very impressed with this top-class driving range,” Macmillan said.
“I hope they extend it further, as I enjoy hitting balls well over 400 metres. Most ranges worldwide are too short, so a longer facility would give golfers the freedom to fully unleash their drivers.”
Beyond golf, The Hills is being developed as a broader sporting and lifestyle hub.
WestProp has partnered with tennis players Benjamin and Courtney Lock to establish a tennis academy, while additional facilities will include swimming, tennis and five-a-side football — positioning the estate as a year-round destination for Harare’s sporting community.