MIMEMA LODGE (
"mimema", greek for meme)
My buddies and I were looking at a long weekend of golf. Just the boys, 4 days of golf and beer. We wanted something close with 4 courses and our research lead us to Mimema Lodge. A newly open hotel complex with 4 challenging, but different courses caught our eye with it opening special.
Looking through their website it had the history of the property and how it developed over the years until it's recent opening. The brainchild of like minded group of guys looking for a golf paradise they stumbled across this vacant land that had been held by a local family for years. A deal was done and the lads took possession of this prime ocean front property. The first thing they did was clear the land to see what they had to start with.
What that revealed was an interesting geological phenomena that screamed at them 4 courses! A plan was hatched and golf architects engaged to see what the possibilities were. A survey was done to check heights.
Then it was decided that the land called for 4 courses.
With the now newly opened "Mimema Lodge" shown off in all it's glory!
The drive up the coast on Thursday morning was uneventful and as we turned off the highway and crested the last hill to see the Mimema Lodge sign carved into the hillside, we knew we were close!
We pulled up to the gates, filled with anticipation. Clearing the security checkpoint, the entrance driveway takes you past the resort course on the left and swings around up towards the lodge. Pulling into the undercroft we were greeted by the bellhop who ushered us into the foyer and unloaded our luggage and clubs.
Upon check-in we were pleasantly surprised to find out that we had been upgraded from the hotel to the luxury chalets overlooking the enormous swimming pool and resort course.
The excellent front desk staff gave us a resort map with directions to the driving range, the four courses, aptly named Hills, Ocean, Resort and Championship and gave us our pool towels. Awaiting outside the hotel were our two golf buggies that we had for the three night stay. Once we had decided which rooms we picked there was a knock on the door and our suitcases and clubs were delivered.
The excellently equipped driving range.
Ten minutes later we're in the buggies on our way to the Resort course for our warm up round. We chose the Resort course as our first hit out due to it being a shorter par 70 course with a very interesting layout.
Mimema Resort - The layout is basically a 9 hole course with separate greens for the front and back 9. Each tee box has 6 mixed sets of tees and a shared fairway. The secret is knowing which of the greens to hit to. Luckily for us, the GPS course overlay shows you exactly the right avenue to take. With only 1 par 5 on each side the course can put up quite a challenge. With small gatherings of trees to contend with you can pull out the driver on many of the holes and have a variety of wedge shots into the undulating greens. Astute golfers will be looking for flat lies to lay up to, where blasters will be looking to gain maximum distance leaving pitch shots in.
Distance: 6,747 yards, Par 70
Tees: 3, Pins: 4
Interesting holes: 5th is under 100 yards. 11th punch bowl green.
We woke early the next morning to another clear, perfect golf day. A long buffet breakfast in the hotel and we tell a few stories of the previous days golf. With an afternoon tee time at the Ocean course we go back to lay by the pool and catch some rays.
Mimema Ocean - The Ocean Course is a must play at the Mimema Lodge. Tipping out at just over 7,000 yards, however strategically placed bunkers and natural water hazards will keep the course challenging enough to the player. The course is well known for its closing stretch of holes, with 17 being a true island green off the coast. There are many other holes along the coast, hole 7 and hole 11 being a golfers favourite with spectacular sightlines off the tee for both holes. When playing The Ocean Course, pack plenty of golf balls and more importantly enjoy your round of golf at one of the worlds most beautiful courses.
Distance: 7,068 yards, Par 71
Tees: 5, Pins: 4
Interesting holes: 17th, Island Green
Day 3 is another glorious day in paradise if not a little overcast. We checked out a few of the local sights before our early afternoon tee time at the Hills course.
Mimema Hills - The hills course at Mimema is the wildest of the 4 courses. Climbing into the sandy hills above the coast, the course is a strenuous and stern challenge for the serious golfer. There are two tee sets of similar length; there are no “forward” tees. There are cart paths for players not at peak fitness. Fairways are wide but require placement of tee shots to get the right approach shot. The signature hole is the bunkerless 13th, on the highest point of the course, with a fabulous view over the rest of the resort from the green.
Distance: yards, Par 73
Tees: 2, Pins: 4
Interesting holes: 13th bunkerless
The final day of our epic long golfing weekend culminates in the "winner take all" event aptly played at the challenging Championship course. This is the one we've been working ourselves up for all weekend.
Mimema Championship - The longest of the Mimema courses at 7,637 yards from the back tees, is a test for all standard of golfer. With views overlooking the Ocean Course, it would be easy to be distracted by the scenery, however with water, elevation changes, fast greens and the many bunkers in play to contend with, high scores are always possible.
Distance: 7,637 yards, Par 72
Tees: 3, Pins: 4
Interesting holes: 8th, par 5 at 730 yards, 17th at 117 yards overlooking the Ocean Course.
Well, what a day and what a wonderful place to relax for 4 rounds of epic golf. After a few refreshing sherbets in the sprig bar of the Championship course we head back to our rooms to freshen up and change into our chinos and jackets for the gala dinner held in the spectacular rooftop Steakhouse at the hotel.
Do yourselves a favour and find 4 fiends to spend the best golfing weekend of your lives that money can buy at Mimema Lodge.
