The Links at Fancourt

The Links at Fancourt

Rated #1 in South Africa; host of the 2003 Presidents Cup; pure links design inspired by St. Andrews.

The Links at Fancourt is a seminal achievement in golf course design, crafted by the legendary Gary Player for Fancourt owner Dr. Hasso Plattner. This course, ranked as South Africa’s number one golf course by Golf Digest South Africa and 38th globally by Golf Digest US, is a testament to innovative design and meticulous construction.

Originally an airfield, The Links was transformed over 20 months into a links-style course inspired by the classic courses of Scotland and Ireland. Gary Player’s design team spent months studying these iconic courses to recreate their finest elements, resulting in a unique and challenging golfing experience. The course features dramatic, unconventional holes, undulating fairways, pot bunkers, and links-style greens in various shapes and elevations, making it a modern wonder of the golfing world.

The Links is known for its exclusivity, with play restricted to members and their invited guests, although limited tee times are available to Fancourt Hotel and Manor House guests who meet specific reservation requirements. The course adheres to high standards and respects the traditions of the game, from the attractive clubhouse to the mandatory use of expert caddies, who are among the best in the world.

International Acclaim

The course has hosted several high-profile tournaments, including the 2003 Presidents Cup, which ended in a historic tie between Gary Player’s International team and the US team led by Jack Nicklaus, the 2005 SA Open, and the first Women’s World Cup of Golf. It has also been part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary programme for 20 years, highlighting its commitment to environmental conservation.

Design

The Links is not just a challenging golf course but also a pristine environmental habitat, bordered by grasslands and wetlands and serving as a wildlife reserve without large animals. The course’s backdrop, the imposing Outeniqua mountain range, adds to its scenic beauty, making it difficult for players to believe they are not in Scotland or Ireland.

Gary Player himself has described The Links as his greatest-ever feat as a course designer, and it has garnered praise from some of the world’s finest golfers. The course’s unique blend of design, environmental stewardship, and exclusive experience makes it a special and memorable destination for any golfer fortunate enough to play there.

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Location

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