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The Courses
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Durban Country
Club
Africa's
greatest course?
Opened in 1922, The Durban Country Club, which opened in 1922,
is thought to be one of South Africa's finest courses. Having
resided on GOLF Magazine's World 100 list for numerous
years, the lone standout on the African continent.
Located on the shores of the Indian Ocean, the course boasts
dunes, through which the course weaves. Its landscape, including
undulating fairways and dense shrubbery give Durban a unique
appearance.The opening stretch
highlighted by the third, a par five, is the courses' strong
point. The third has been included in the list of finest 18
holes in the world. The centrepiece of our trip, we feel that
any trip to South Africa would be incomplete without a visit to
this famous links.
Architects: George Waterman and Laurie
Waters
Built: 1922 |
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Pinnacle Point
The Pebble Beach of the Southern
hemisphere.
Opening recently, Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Resort, is
perched atop staggering cliffs along the dramatic coastline near
Mossel Bay. Its surge into the golf limelight, can be attributed
not only to its remarkable setting, but its crafty design, which
was that of native South African Peter Matkovich.
George Pepper while writing for Links
Magazine perhaps said it best, when he note: "The only
places I can begin to compare it to are Pebble Beach and
Ireland’s Old Head. But it’s set on more jaw-dropping terrain
than Pebble and is a much better course than Old Head." We are
very excited to make this new destination a focal point on our
itinerary.
Architects: Peter Matkovich and Darren
Clarke
Built: 2006 |
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The Links at Fancourt
Host of the 2003 President's Cup
The Links at Fancourt opened in 2000 and drew rave reviews. Gary
Player's imagination run wild, the links like conditions and
contours were entirely created, to as he says "at The Links we
take golfers back to the roots of golf – and they can play a
‘British Open’ all of their own!” Who needs a British Open when
the course can claim one of the most dramatic finishes in golf
history. Who can forget native son Ernie Els and Tiger Woods
battling as darkness ensued to a draw.
Certainly a far cry from the subtler
links courses at Humewood and Durban, The Links provides a
challenging stop in the middle of our trip. Certainly the
highlight of the Fancourt resort, The Links firmly established
its role as South Africa's preeminent destination.
Architects: Gary Player and Phil
Jacobs
Built: 2000 |
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Leopard Creek
South Africa's answer to Augusta
Considered one of South Africa's best
and certainly most dramatic courses, Leopard Creek is one of the
countries most exclusive private clubs. Located alongside
Crocodile River, the prominence of game at Leopard Creek is
phenomenal. So much so in fact that the half way house has a
log, which members can track the course's eponymous animal's
movement. Animal highlights abound, but the well manicured
fairways and challenging course make it as much of a golfing
highlight.Having long aspired
to be South Africa's Augusta National, the course is kept in
pristine nick year around. Host of the Alfred Dunhill
Championship (whose longtime head Johann Rupert is the man
behind the course) it is well reputed for its challenging
finish. Ernie Els need not be reminded, as his ball found a
watery grave, twice, in last year's tournament costing him the
title. Coupled with a stay at South Africa's finest safari
lodge, Leopard Creek is sure to leave an indelible mark on first
time visitors.
Architect: Gary Player
Built: 1996. |
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Humewood
South Africa's truest links
Just outside of Port Elizabeth is South Africa's truest links,
complete with a windswept site and firm turf. Colonel Hotchkin
(a mere Major at the time of his Humewood design) was the well
respected British architect given the charge of creating the
seaside course. He evidently succeeded, by virtue not only of
its perennial status among South Africa's top ten courses, but
also for being chosen on reputed golf architect (and critic) Tom
Doak as one of his favourite fourteen links courses throughout
the world.Architect: S. V.
Hotchkin
Built: 1929 |
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Pezula
Knysna's jewel perched along the
Indian Ocean
Built high on the cliff tops to the east of Knysna Head, Pezula
was designed by American Ron Fream and David Dale. With some of
the most spectacular vistas found on a golf course, we simply
could not resist its inclusion. The land soars, buffeted by the
cliffs on one side and its famous lagoon on the other. The
Indian Ocean breezes add to the stern test that stretches to
7,000 yards from the championship tees..
Architects: Ronald Fream and David Dale
Built: 2000 |
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