Escorted Golf Tours with Marion & Gary Pike. GOLF HOLIDAYSThe Classic South African Tour 2008 Report

The Classic South African Tour 2008 Report

South Africa, a vast country very diverse with many hidden treasures. They say if Africa gets into your blood you will always return.

Tourism in South Africa is defiantly booming, with the currency at R15 rand to the pound but with the World Cup due to be held their soon, prices may increase.

Cape Town and the Garden Rout to George a classic journey. Starting off in Cape Town at the foot of Table Mountain leaps you straight into a vibrant colourful modern sophisticated city. Ideally your hotel should be close to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, this allows you to walk out of an evening to many fine bars and restaurants within the waterfront district, and this is a very safe area. Downtown Cape Town of a night time is not recommended like any big city it does have its problems. Our favourite restaurants are Quay 4 and for jazz lovers the Green Dolphin a must with a different set of jazz musicians every night of the week. There is a small surcharge to your bill for the music but we have never been disappointed.

Close by Cape Town are the winlands of Stellenbosh Paarl and Franschoek, you are now out in the country side and one of the most beautiful areas on Earth and no visit here could not be complete without visiting some wine farms. Great fun to visit and sample some of the great wines we now drink back in the UK.
It is here that the best golf courses around Cape Town are situated, my favourite a Jack Nicklause design Pearl Valley but there are many other great courses.

Leaving Cape Town heading along the Garden Route a brief stop at Hermanus a small seaside town. Lots of shops bars and restaurants but more importantly two great courses, Hermanus itself recently extended to 27 holes very English in design an undiscovered jewel. The second course in the area Arabella is nothing but spectacular and not for the faint heated with fantastic views out to sea and holes running alongside the ocean.
The final leg of our Garden Route tour is to George and the famous Fancourt Golf Resort. Home of the 2003 Presidents Cup, it is the top golf resort in South Africa. Four courses onsite including the Links and the remodelled Montague but if you are in the area a short trip to George golf club is well worth a visit. It is one of Ernie s favourites and for many years top 10 in South Africa.

Fancourt itself has five restaurants and if you feel like indulging yourself an upgrade to an executive suit is the height of luxury.

Our recent trip to South Africa gave us first time winners, Sarah Barnes in the Ladies Event and Geoff Osborn in the Men's. Well done to both of them.

Next February we are heading back to the Garden Route but going straight to the winlands firstly to Franschoek then onto Nysner, to play eight great courses and of course maybe some wine tasting.

2008/2009 CALENDAR

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05/11/2008

16/11/2008

Thailand, Royal Cliff Beach Resort and Spa 5«

£ 1553