Coaching Facilities
Kurland
In 1941 the Baron and Baroness Behr bought the farm on which this Estate is currently situated and renamed it “Kurland” after the Baltic province where they were born.
Kurland is an absolute gem in a majestic setting and was devastated in 1998 by a fire, which laid waste to vast areas of forestland, the scars of which are still evident in certain parts of the region.
Yet, the disaster had one extremely positive result for the hospitality industry in this popular holiday region. The Kurland Polo Estate emerged under the vision and leadership of Clifford Elphick to become one of the most magnificent polo facilities in the world.
Kurland boasts four international standard polo fields, three of which have specialized drainage to cope with the high summer precipitation in the area. In addition there is a “stick and ball” field together with an all weather sand track for pony exercise. All the fields are under irrigation and planted to Bermuda grass. The main Pavilion field is the venue of the annual Kurland International where guests and spectators can enjoy the match from the spectacular viewing deck. Bar and restaurant facilities are available in the Pavilion.
The Estate has stables and paddocks to accommodate 80 ponies, under the management of Polo Manager Aaron Zuma, and his team of approximately 30 highly trained and skilled grooms.
The conversion of the 120-year-old farm homestead into the Kurland boutique hotel enables players and guests to languish in comfort in between polo fixtures. Kurland is a short drive from the superb beaches of Nature’s Valley and a mere 19 km from Plettenberg Bay.
Clifford Elphick, as a member of Plett Polo very kindly and unselfishly makes these facilities available for the Summer and Easter circuit as well as the Kurland International.