The Links at Fancourt

Last updated: 16th January 2012

Fancourt, which this week is hosting the Volvo Golf Champions, is widely regarded as South Africa's premier golf resort with all three of it's courses ranked in the country's top 20.

The Links, a private, members-only course, is currently ranked No 1 in South Africa with the resort's two beautiful parkland courses, the Montagu at No 7 and the Outeniqua, the easiest of the three, at No 18 (2011 Golf Digest rankings).

Since opening in the early 1990's with just 27 Gary Player-designed holes, Fancourt's Outeniqua and Montagu golf courses, both available to the public, have matured and developed into two of the finest 18-hole parkland layouts in the country.

A round on either is a special experience, sculpted and finished as they are, with rare attention to detail and their designers having taken into account the southern Cape coastal winds that blow on and off in George for much of the year.

But clearly Fancourt's star of the show is The Links, where most of the European Tour's champions of last year will do battle later this week at the Volvo Champions and where it's noted designer, Gary Player, led the Internationals to a tie with the Jack Nicklaus-led USA team in the 2003 Presidents Cup.

It also hosted the South African Open in 2005 and the first Women's World Cup of Golf in the same year..

THE LINKS

This gem of course was added to Fancourt in 2000 and is today an awe-inspiring man-made links layout that is an outstanding example of what magnificent design and high-quality golf-course construction can do.

Player, the proud designer of all three courses at Fancourt, has said of the estate , "I feel a genuine affinity for Fancourt having been involved from day one as a designer of the original golf courses and I have to say I experienced one of the greatest thrills of my golf career here at The Links when captaining the International Presidents Cup team against Jack Nicklaus's Americans

"This especially as I see Fancourt as the home of perhaps my greatest achievement as a golf course designer - The Links."

This exceptional course is to date the most impressive piece of golf design and construction ever undertaken in South Africa.

Fancourt's billionaire owner Dr Hasso Plattner, who took a very hands-on approach in its creation, commissioned a golf course, which would not only be a thorough test for every golfer, but would also rank among the top courses in the world.

The resort's website reports that the 'Player's design team spent months studying the classic links courses of Scotland and Ireland and then, armed with inspiration from the best that those countries had to offer, embarked on the ambitious task of recreating some of their finest holes to make a genuine links test on what was once an airfield.

The result has elicited global praise from some of the world's finest golfers.

The Links is a private Club, but limited tee times are available for guests staying in the Hotel at Fancourt.

CARD OF THE COURSE

(See under Hole No, par and distance):

1 4 396
2 3 214
3 4 435
4 4 494
5 5 549
6 4 341
7 4 439
8 3 202
Out 36 3638

Back nine

10 4 408
11 3 161
12 4 481
13 5 532
14 4 361
15 4 394
16 5 584
17 3 163
18 5 549
In 37 3633

18 holes 73 7271

GREEN FEES AND RATES:

For Montagu and Outeniqua courses which are open to the public (01 April 2011 to 30 September 2012):

- 18 Holes per person R500
- Twilight Rate (Tee off from 14h30) R380
- Group Rate (20 pax or more) R450

For the Links:

- Hotel Guests R1600
- Juniors/Student R450

Rentals:

- Cart rentals: R330
- Club Hire R345
- Caddies A Grade R190
- Caddies B Grade R170

THE FANCOURT ACADEMY

Fancourt has an exceptional golf academy that houses a TaylorMade Fitment Centre and state-of-the-art teaching facilities, backed up by the expertise of PGA professionals.

And To keep golfers looking the part, there are two well-stocked pro shops, offering a wide variety of the best clothing, accessories and hardware available in South Africa.

The Golf academy's Facilities including practice greens, chipping greens, bunker facilities, a 4 hole course and a driving range with open air and undercover practice bays.

THE ERNIE ELS & FANCOURT FOUNDATION:

This institution was established in 2006 with the purpose of identifying and assisting young talented individuals, in golf, predominantly from families of limited resources and to give them educational assistance and playing opportunities in order to produce successful young leaders and develop their playing ability to its full potential.

Some of the most notable graduates from The Foundation include Louis Oosthuizen, 2010 British Open champion, and Lee-anne Pace, winner of the 2010 Ladies European Order of Merit.

OTHER FACILITIES:

The Fancourt Hotel, a fine blend of modern luxury and classic elegance, and the Manor House the 150 year-old original Manor House and National Monument set on the 613 hectare Fancourt Estate, offer a wide variety of accommodation, while wining and dining are taken care of by the La Cantina family restaurant, the Morning Glory coffee shop and the Club Lounge where casual club meals are available on an out door terrace, or if it's classic, fine dining you are looking for, there is Henry White's where "no detail is over looked in its dedication to excellence in the culinary arts".

The resort boasts three swimming pools, volleyball facilities and four tennis courts, two them under floodlights, and if your idea of relaxation is getting some fresh air outdoors, you can take a mountain bike ride or go for a jog or hike in the awe-inspiring surrounds of the estate.

The non-playing Moms can enjoy a gym workout or the very best of spa treatment whole Dad plays golf and bicycles, swimming and fishing equipment are available for hire.

Contact Fancourt

Main Switchboard:

T: + 27 (0)44 804 0000

Reservations:

T: + 27 (0)44 804 0010

E: reservations@fancourt.co.za

Sales and Marketing

T: + 27(0)44 804 0432

E: marketing@fancourt.co.za

Real Estate

T: +27 (0)44 804 0074

E: fancourt@pamgolding.co.za

GPS Cordinates: 22" 24" 23.22" E 33" 57" 4.40" S