The Heroes

The courses at Fancourt are justifiably famed around the world.

The Links at Fancourt is currently ranked the top course in the country, and, although it's hardly easy to get a game there, it should remain on every golfer's bucket list. While it's not a 'true links', it's easy to believe you're on one as you play the wonderland Gary Player created from a barren piece of real estate that was once an airfield.

'It has been designed to make golfers feel as though they were at Ballybunion, Royal Dornoch, or St Andrews, with rolling fairways, pot bunkers, big greens, high rough, and a seascape appearance,' says Player of a course that is arguably his masterpiece.

Golf Digest ranks it among the Top 100 Courses in the World outside the United States, and The Links achieved its highest ever ranking of 28 in their 2022-23 list of the World's 100 Greatest Courses.

The Outeniqua (pictured) and Montagu courses at Fancourt are beautifully designed and manicured championship layouts that provide both an intriguing test and a wonderful round of golf.

Outeniqua (which means 'land of milk and honey') is the shorter of the two courses from the men's back tees, and most golfers tend to find scoring easier there. The terrain is constantly changing, with notable elevation changes in places, particularly along the tree-lined boundary of the property. The 5th is a fabulous short par-four, with water running along the entire right side of the hole from tee to green.

Montagu (main image) is a visual treat from first tee to 18th green, its broad holes framed by attractive vegetation, trees and gardens, set against a backdrop of the Outeniqua mountain range. It's a strong championship course, famed for superb conditioning and fast-paced firm greens. The first nine has some of the most challenging par-fours – the 3rd, 6th and 7th are all in excess of 400 metres from the back tees. A feature of the front nine is the river which flows sinuously through the property, arriving in front of the 9th green and departing at the 5th tee, where it enters the main Fancourt storage dam. It's particularly in play on the 6th and 7th, two of the resort's most memorable par-fours.

The other 'big-name' courses in the area, Oubaai, Simola, Pezula and Pinnacle Point (pictured), are all, of course, wonderful representatives of the coastal and forest courses that make the Garden Route such a compelling golf destination. None of them easy, but they are all golfing experiences that are amongst the best you could wish for, set amongst tourist attractions which attract people from around the world.

The Captivating Collection

It seems scarcely believable that George Golf Club and Kingswood Golf Estate are just two more great courses in the Southern Cape hub. And even less so that up and down the coast from George, just a few kilometres away in Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay and Knysna, you'll find more.

In Plettenberg Bay, you'll find Plettenberg Bay Country Club and Goose Valley (pictured), and they both take advantage of the scenery that has made the area famous around the world.

In Plettenberg Bay, the golf club moved to its current location within a nature reserve in 1977 when its old nine-hole layout became swallowed up by a residential development. Mercifully, the modern day 18-hole course has no intensive housing to spoil the surroundings. The signature hole comes late in the round at the 365-metre, par-four, 16th where the drive is played from an elevated tee with the Piesang River running down the left of the fairway, then cutting across the front of the green – it's a tough (stroke index 2) hole to play so near to home.

Goose Valley began as a nine-hole course and increased to 18 in 2002 with the development of the Turtle Creek residential estate on the property. The seven holes on that side have a distinctly different look to them than the older section. While there are only a few water hazards, the course is well bunkered and fynbos borders some fairways.

Mossel Bay Golf Club doesn't provide the dramatic cliff-top views of Pinnacle Point, but it's a gem in its own right – and if you don't call the views breathtaking, then perhaps your appreciation for beauty has gone astray.

The Mossel Bay (pictured) course lies on pleasantly undulating cliff tops with fairly open fairways which – as the club are proud to tell you – have ocean views from each and every hole, especially at the 4th and 10th. The original course at Mossel Bay was located at the local aerodrome but moved to the present site in the 1920s when Robert Grimsdell routed the 18-hole cliff-top course.

And Knysna Golf Club, set below the majestic Heads next to the lagoon, is an entrancing challenge with its seemingly endless channels and pools of water.

Founded in 1909, Knysna Golf Club moved to its current location in 1951 and the club's original nine-hole course was expanded to a full 18-hole layout 20 years later. An extensive upgrade program was started in the mid-1990s when the greens were reconstructed to USGA standard. Soon after, new water features were introduced and extra bunkers installed to augment the golfing challenge.

Riversdale Golf Club, founded in 1911, is one of the oldest clubs in the Southern Cape. Set in a quiet valley away from the town, it's a very flat, compact, and challenging 1950s course with 11 greens. Two holes, including the long 7th, border the Goukou River flowing past. Remnants of an old stone bridge from an earlier era have been converted into a tee for the par-three 8th.

Stilbaai Golf Club is a stunning par-72, nine-hole course featuring cynodon greens, with views of the ocean throughout.

The Inland Gems

If you want to find out where the talent of 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuzen started to show, you'd have to go past Mossel Bay Golf Club where he once shot a 57, and head to Albertinia, just up the N2 towards Cape Town.

Nestled below the Langeberg mountain range, the course invites golfers to experience its historic 18-hole course. 'This might sound a little crazy, but Albertinia Golf Club (pictured) is my favourite course,' writes Oosthuizen in a review of the course. 'It has sand and oil greens, and it's the place where I spent many hours every day practicing and honing my golf skills.'

Established in 1929, this is one of the country's last remaining sand courses, offering a unique challenge for players of all skill levels. With a rich history that includes local legends like Tyn Sauerman and the occasional visit from the world-renowned Oosthuizen, this course blends tradition with natural beauty. The surrounding scenery provides a tranquil backdrop, while the well-maintained practice facilities make it ideal for sharpening your game. After your round, relax in the welcoming clubhouse, where you can enjoy refreshments and soak in the friendly atmosphere.

Uniondale Golf Club, nestled in a charming valley, offers an unforgettable golfing experience for players of all levels. This nine-hole gem is perfect for those seeking a relaxed yet challenging round of golf amidst stunning natural surroundings. Renowned for its well-maintained fairways and undulating greens, it seamlessly blends the beauty of the countryside with an engaging course layout.

Golfers will appreciate the course's thoughtful design, which caters to both seasoned players and beginners looking to improve their game. The club also features practice facilities, allowing players to fine-tune their skills before heading out onto the course. After your round, unwind at the clubhouse, where you'll find a welcoming atmosphere and refreshments to complete your visit.

Willowmore Golf Club boasts one of the few Karoo golf courses with nine grass greens. The greens might be grass but the fairways are ground, which is a challenge in itself. Situated on the eastern side of Willowmore, there are 18 tee boxes and 11 bunkers, strategically placed around the greens.

EJ LANGNER | TYRONE WINFIELD | SUNSHINE TOUR | MOSSEL BAY GOLF CLUB | GOOSE VALLEY | ALBERTINIA GOLF CLUB | FACEBOOK.COM