The exclusive South African lifestyle estate built on the vision of a golfing legend

The exclusive Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate is home to a collection of some of Johannesburg’s most expansive properties and the third-longest golf course in the world. 

The estate was developed by South African professional golfer Gary Player, considered one of the best golfers in the world before his retirement. 

The land, 600-hectares near Lanseria Airport just outside of Johannesburg, was originally owned by Jersey Cow farmer Sir Rod Douglas. 

The estate still carries the name given by Douglas: Blair Athol farm.

In 1947, King George the Fifth of England tasted cream from the Douglas Farm. He was so impressed by the taste that he visited Sir Douglas on the farm and planted an oak tree outside the main farmhouse that still stands today. 

The Goodman family then took over the farm in the 1960s. The family had a great love of horses, and their legacy lives on in the equestrian facilities available at the estate today.

The Goodman family sold the land to Player in the 1980s. The golfer demolished the old farmhouse, but kept the oak tree standing, which is now a national monument.

Player used the rubble of the house as a practice tee for a while, as he considered what to do with the vast expanse of land. 

The farm was home to Player and his family for 30 years prior to the estate being built, along with the golf star’s horses. Player bred many thoroughbred champions in the South African horse racing industry.

The golfer always wanted to develop the land into luxury housing, with a focus on large stands and exclusivity. 

The estate has now been divided into 600 stands with an average of 3,000 square metres each. Residents have access to the Gary Player championship golf course and a full-sized equestrian arena. 

The golf course is over 7,500 metres, making it the third longest course in the world and was designed by Player himself.

Golf course, helipads and an equestrian estate

Player developed the course over 20 years. Eleven water features are dotted around the looped golf course’s rolling greens. The course is challenging, and guest tee-off times are limited, available on request from the Proshop.

The golfer has since sold the estate to live in Florida in the United States, but his vision of a luxury lifestyle estate in the abundant natural setting of the land has been fulfilled.

Player never developed his vision for the estate, but Developer Robby Wray acquired the land, as well as neighbouring farmlands, and took on the task.

Horse owners can stable their horses within the walls of the estate in its state-of-the-art equestrian centre.

The equestrian centre was originally a school, built by Player as a safe place for children to learn, complete with classrooms, a clubhouse, and a sports field. 

The classrooms have now become stables, the sports field the arena. 

However, the estate still boasts its own pre-primary school. A public-private partnership supports the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary, which caters to single-parent households from nearby informal settlements, farms, and smallholdings. 

The Crocodile River meanders through the golf course and past the estate’s various mansions.

There are over seven fishing dams and over fifty kilometres of mountain biking, running, and hiking trails available within the estate’s protected walls.

In addition to this, residents have access to tennis courts, a gym, a spa, helipads, and swimming pools. 

Roaming wildlife, including kudu, nyala, springbok, and worthog also call the estate home and are free to wander amongst the unfenced properties. 

The price of properties in this estate ranges from R6.5 million to an impressive R67 million. Each house is secluded, with at least 15 metres between neighbouring property lines. 

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Video and photos of the Blair Atholl Estate