our history

30 years of golf data

We are the premier golf course and landscaping service provider in Southern Africa supplying everything from design, construction through to maintenance. We have been in the industry for 30 years with design, construction, and renovations on over 35 golf courses. We are known in the region as the go-to brand for world class golf and landscaping requirements.

1989
Golf Data started their first project - a renovation project for Sabi Golf Club
1990
Golf Data renovated Glendower Golf Course
1991
Golf Data renovated Parkview Golf Course
1992
Golf Data started their first big golf course construction project for Strand Golf Course
1993
1994
Gary's first company bakkie
1995
Simola Golf Course Construction started in 1995
1996
Pecanwood Golf Course Construction started
1997
Golf Data forms an association with the Nicklaus Design firm as the only South African representative for Jack Nicklaus golf courses
1998
Copperleaf Golf Course Pecanwood Golf and Country Club: Awarded “Best new course”
1999
Robbie Marshall teeing off at Country Club Johannesburg - 20 years ago
2000
Pezula Estate: Awarded “Best new course” in 2000 Ranked #17 by Golf Digest Incorporation of Golf Data Maintenance Gauteng
2002

2004
Pearl Valley: Awarded “Best new course” in 2004. Ranked #5 by Golf Digest Leopard Creek: Ranked #1 and 2 in SA since 2004 by Golf Digest
2005
Simola Golf and Country Estate: Awarded “Best new course” in 2005. Ranked #20 by Golf Digest Golf Data Head Office
2006
St. Francis Links 2006
2007(1)
Wedgewood 2007
2007 (2)
”St Francis Links: Awarded “Best new course.in 2007. Ranked #6 by Golf Digest
2007(3)
Robbie receives “Lifetime contribution to South African Golf”
2008
Country Club Johannesburg
2010(1)
Golf Data started with Steyn City Golf Course Construction
2010(2)
Houghton Golf Estate: “Best new course” in 2010. Ranked #56 by Golf Digest. Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate: “Best new course” in 2010. Ranked #28 by Golf Digest
2011
Leopard Creek 2011
2012
Incorporation of a Landscaping Division
2013(1)
Community outreach
2013(2)
Launch of a fully operational Design Office enabling Golf Data to design entire golf courses, hard and soft landscaping and alterations to existing landscapes.
2015
Randpark Golf Course
2016

2018(1)
Working on the vision proposal for Country Club Johannesburg
2018(2)
Opening of Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Club after the Golf Data revamp
2018(3)
44 golf course construction/renovation projects completed since 1989. 6 of the top 10 golf courses in South Africa have been constructed by Golf Data
2019(1)
Gof Data begins the construction of the Hazendal Golf Course
2019(2)
Working on the vision proposal for Zimbali Country Club

1989
Golf Data started their first project - a renovation project for Sabi Golf Club
1990
Golf Data renovated Glendower Golf Course
1991
Golf Data renovated Parkview Golf Course
1992
Golf Data started their first big golf course construction project for Strand Golf Course
1993
1994
Gary's first company bakkie
1995
Simola Golf Course Construction started in 1995
1996
Pecanwood Golf Course Construction started
1997
Golf Data forms an association with the Nicklaus Design firm as the only South African representative for Jack Nicklaus golf courses
1998
Copperleaf Golf Course Pecanwood Golf and Country Club: Awarded “Best new course”
1999
Robbie Marshall teeing off at Country Club Johannesburg - 20 years ago
2000
Pezula Estate: Awarded “Best new course” in 2000 Ranked #17 by Golf Digest Incorporation of Golf Data Maintenance Gauteng
2002
2004
Pearl Valley: Awarded “Best new course” in 2004. Ranked #5 by Golf Digest Leopard Creek: Ranked #1 and 2 in SA since 2004 by Golf Digest
2005
Simola Golf and Country Estate: Awarded “Best new course” in 2005. Ranked #20 by Golf Digest Golf Data Head Office
2006
St. Francis Links 2006
2007(1)
Wedgewood 2007
2007 (2)
”St Francis Links: Awarded “Best new course.in 2007. Ranked #6 by Golf Digest
2007(3)
Robbie receives “Lifetime contribution to South African Golf”
2008
Country Club Johannesburg
2010(1)
Golf Data started with Steyn City Golf Course Construction
2010(2)
Houghton Golf Estate: “Best new course” in 2010. Ranked #56 by Golf Digest. Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate: “Best new course” in 2010. Ranked #28 by Golf Digest
2011
Leopard Creek 2011
2012
Incorporation of a Landscaping Division
2013(1)
Community outreach
2013(2)
Launch of a fully operational Design Office enabling Golf Data to design entire golf courses, hard and soft landscaping and alterations to existing landscapes.
2015
Randpark Golf Course
2016
2018(1)
Working on the vision proposal for Country Club Johannesburg
2018(2)
Opening of Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Club after the Golf Data revamp
2018(3)
44 golf course construction/renovation projects completed since 1989. 6 of the top 10 golf courses in South Africa have been constructed by Golf Data
2019(1)
Gof Data begins the construction of the Hazendal Golf Course
2019(2)
Working on the vision proposal for Zimbali Country Club

about our founder / chairman

Robert Douglas Marshall (“Robbie”) has been involved in the business of golf courses for more than 40 years starting a close corporation called Lawn Doctor in 1981, and ultimately Golf Data CC was formed in 1989. Robbie’s early education in turf management started around 1980 when he was selected to attend a turf study course in America, visiting Texas A&M University.

Early in 1995 Robbie visited Augusta National for the Masters (which was ultimately won by Ben Crenshaw) to sign an agreement to represent Jack Nicklaus & Nicklaus Design. This was the start of an enduring friendship between Jack & Robbie that continues to this day.

Robbie has developed Golf Data into one of the most respected brands in the golf industry having been involved in more than 50 courses in South Africa either from a construction or maintenance aspect and built 7 Jack Nicklaus and 2 Ernie Els Courses in South Africa.

notable achievements

Worked on more than 50 golf courses.

Involved in more than a third of the top 100 South African courses.

Won the coveted Golf Digest “Best New Course” award on 6 occasions.

Golf Data courses have hosted the South African Open on more than 15 occasions.

Robbie has worked closely with numerous famous designers including Jack Nicklaus, Ernie Els, Greg Letsche, David Dale and Ronald Fream.

Robbie has also been involved in golf proposals with various golf professionals including Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Sergio Garcia and Trevor Immelman.

about our Managing director

gary waage

Golf Data Managing Director

Gary has been a member of the Golf Data team since 1994 and he was appointed the Managing Director of Golf Data in 2012. Gary assumes responsibility for Golf Data Holdings and Golf Data Maintenance and oversees the design, construction, and maintenance divisions.

Gary holds extensive experience working on projects across South Africa’s best golf courses and top estates. For 12 years, he held the position as the head superintendent at Pecanwood in North-West while also heading up the Gauteng Maintenance division, gaining significant hands-on experience and knowledge into the turf industry.

Gary plays a critical role in business development for the Golf Data Group. Simultaneously he ensures that relationships with clients and developers are maintained, while also staying closely connected to operational matters across sites and projects. Through staying in touch with the various stakeholders that the company interacts with, Gary is able to continue building onto the Golf Data legacy, and guide the future growth of the business.

Gary pictured with his first company bakkie in 1995.

Gary (left) and Robbie (right) pictured at Simola Golf and Country Estate in 1995 at the start of the golf course construction.

Gary (bottom right) picture with Robbie (top right), Jack Nicklaus (top left) and Jacques Moukarzel (Golf Data Head of Construction).

The golf data way

With a heritage of over 30 years in the Golf and Landscaping industry, Golf Data has become an industry leader backed by a wealth of experience, skilled expertise, and strong references. We focus on creating and nurturing relationships to ensure we always deliver quality based projects. We take pride in our brand, as well as the brands we associate with and strive to constantly improve our image. Golf Data offers a wide range of services, which means we are positioned to reduce your risk and act as a single point of contact to meet all your green area needs.

transformation

Having undertaken business in South Africa over the past 30 years, we remain highly committed to achieving transformation across our company and empowering our staff. We believe this is a significant value-add to our clients as we provide staff that are empowered, resulting in improved outcomes on site. Our commitment to transformation is guided very closely by a shared-value approach for both our clients and staff, as both parties receive significant benefit when our staff are empowered and enthusiastic.