SOUTH AFRICA
There’s good reason to believe this is the most under-rated country in the world
When Golf World released its Top 100 Courses in the World at the end of last year, a lot of the attention centred around the number of courses from Britain & Ireland and America in it.
Canada and Australia were also well represented, but it may have escaped some people’s notice that South Africa had two of its courses in the list and several others noted as strong contenders.
The Links at Fancourt was at No.90 and Humewood at 98. Other contenders for the ranking included Leopard Creek, Durban, Pearl Valley and St Francis Links – altogether, proof that this is a country with strength in depth as well as great variety.
Fancourt’s Links – built at the same time as Leopard Creek was being constructed in the mid-’90s – is now established as South Africa’s No.1 after a transformation in the mid 2000s that enabled it to fulfil its immense potential.
Greens were replanted with a new variety of bent grass mix and each of the 90-odd bunkers was inspected, and changes made to more than 20 of them. Some were closed up, new ones were added, and many were re-faced. Most importantly, all the bunker sand was replaced with a new variety of sand that today provides a much firmer feel.
The Links is an incredible architectural achievement, created out of flat farmland by Gary Player. An argument directed against his creation being a contender for
the No.1 position over the last decade has been its playability for average golfers. This was often cited by as a weakness – it considered too difficult to enjoy as a golfing experience unless you were expert enough to rifle pinpoint shots at elusive targets.
That has been softened now and it’s playable for all, while remaining a test for the strongest players.
Opened in November 2000 and host to the Presidents Cup in 2003, the Black Knight created undulating fairways and dune-style terrain that mimic a Scottish links. The scenery that backdrops it is gorgeous. Featuring an undulating, windswept terrain and dune-style landscape, it was clearly inspired by the great courses in the Home of Golf.
Beyond The Links is the Montagu course, which has developed into one of the country’s finest 18-hole parklands. Immaculately conditioned, this tree-lined course rumbles over varying terrain on rolling land.
The Outeniqua – named after the mountain range that provides its backdrop – offers a more forgiving experience despite having water hazards on as many as 11 of the holes.
Humewood is South Africa’s other World Top 100 entry and one of the best examples of a links as we would expect to find outside GB&I. It is now presented well and is laid out among dunes on the shores of Algoa Bay.
Its undulating, wide fairways are well protected by steep-faced bunkers and it edged into Golf World’s Top 100 in the World ahead of Durban.
You can also play East London to the north and especially St Francis Links to the south when visiting it.
Durban is a classic links with some less high-octane moments and is an intimate, charming, traditional course.
Leopard Creek is a magnificent venue overlooking the Kruger National Park and for many remains the benchmark when evaluating other courses in terms of its memorability, aesthetics and conditioning.
Gary Player CC and the spectacular Pinnacle Point are other fabulous courses worthy of your attention, as is new kid on the block, Blair Atholl.
Another design in an exclusive, private estate near Lanseria Airport in Gauteng, Blair Atholl is a big, bold layout on rolling hills and is increasingly acclaimed.
Throw in Arabella, Royal Johannesburg & Kensington (East), Wild Coast, Glendower, Elements and River Club and it is clear to see why this country of outstanding and varied natural beauty has so much to offer golfers.