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Fancourt (Links), South Africa |
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Fancourt Hotel & Country Club
George
Western Cape
South Africa |  | Gary Player |  | Mark Wiltshire |
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The Links course at Fancourt opened for play in November 2000 and it represents a unique and very tough South African golfing experience. The course was designed by Gary Player but only after the Black Knight’s team had studied in great detail the characteristics of classic Scottish links courses. The Links at Fancourt does indeed resemble a traditional seaside links course but so far they have failed to recreate the changeable British weather.
It’s hard to believe that the host venue for the 2003 Presidents Cup, which resulted in an historic tie between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, was once an airfield. The earth certainly moved at Fancourt and the result is a jaunty ramble through gigantic dunes with the majestic Outeniqua Mountains providing a stunning backdrop. Surely this is South Africa’s most unusual and remarkable golf course?
The Links at Fancourt is a private club but a few tee times are available to guests staying at the Fancourt Hotel. So if you can’t befriend a member but fancy a real treat we recommend an overnight stay. | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | | Very exclusive - The best course I have played in SA and probably ever - this bearing in mind I play 70 courses a year. This is without doubt the most expensive round of golf I have ever played which totalled in cost around £400 - the green fee is £160 and you have to be a Fancourt resident to play £200 per person plus compulsory caddies.
That said it was an excellent day - the staff take you clubs and look after you all day. The caddies were all very helpful considering we had 2 higher handicap golfer (ladies over 30 handicap).
The course condition was excellent and the layout and views fantastic. Considering the course is inland by 10 miles it plays and feels like a true Scottish Links course - but warmer. |
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| 14 November 2010
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| | Without a doubt one of the best courses in South Africa, and maybe the best of them all. It is unfortunately one of only a handful of courses in SA that are not easily accessible (you have to be a guest of a member or stay in the hotel to be allowed to play there). The green fee is also quite high by South African standards. That being said, the course and facilities are world class. Gary Player rates it as one of his favourite three golf courses in the world, and he has really created something special. He basically fashioned a man-made links out of an old airstrip, and even though it is a few miles from the coast, it looks and plays like some of the top UK links courses, and the dunes seem completely natural. A slight negative is the difficulty. In any kind of wind it is easily as difficult as Carnoustie (which I have played) or even more so. I played the course on a reasonably calm day, and still managed to lose a few balls. But the experience is fantastic, regardless of your score. The 2nd hole ("Long drop") and 15th ("Roon the Bend") were my favourite holes, but there is not really a weak hole on the course. |
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| 14 August 2009
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| | this course is amazing. A great challenge and probably one of the best conditioned and most scenic courses you'll play. I've played many great ranked courses and this course deserves a better ranking. Great service, very helpful caddies |
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| 11 July 2007
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| | Great layout, good caddies and a real challange!
Go there! |
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| 18 March 2007
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