South Africa 2009

11th to 24th Febuary 2009 , 11 Nights (optional extra 4 nights)

Marion and Gary invite you to join them on this classic South African adventure, Starting in the wine lands just outside Cape Town in the beautiful town of Franschoek. Close to Paarl and Stellenbosh.

In this first part of the tour as well as sampling some truly great wines, we will also be sampling some great golf courses. Erinvale, Steenberg, Pearl Valley and Clovelly.

The second half of our tour we will journey by luxury coach along one of the most famous journey in the world the Garden Route to one of the most famous golf resorts in the World Fancourt host to the 2003 Presidents Cup.

Fancourt is still rated the number one golf resort in South Africa. We will be playing two rounds on both the Montague and Outeniqua with an optional round of golf on the Links Course with Gary (clients own account) or a visit to Knysna and lunch on the John Ben (clients own account) with Marion.

Included in the tour is a game drive at Botliers Kop with dinner this will be a chance to see some of the big five including lions. At the end of the tour there is an optional holiday extension to another great golf resort Zimbali Lodge in Durban, where you can play the magnificent Tom Weiskopf designed course and maybe a trip to the Zulu Battlefields.

South Africa 2009 Itinerary

11th February
Leave the cold winter behind us as we fly overnight direct to Cape Town.

12th February
Arrive Cape Town and transfer by luxury coach into the Winlands, approximately one hour drive takes us through the heart of the winlands countryside of Stellenbosh and Paarl into the Franschhoek valley. Here we will spend the next 6 nights at the 4 star Protea Hotel.
We have chosen Franschhoek for the first part of the tour for several reasons. Firstly its close proximity to the magnificent golf courses in this part of the Cape, it is one of the most beautiful towns in South Africa and has many wonderful restaurants and great wine farms all within easy reach.
The history of Franschhoek can be traced back to 1867 when Simon van der Stel and 23 pioneers travelled from Stellenbosh over Helshoogte (Hells Pass) and into the valley, which would in future be called Franschhoek or translated means French Corner. By 1692 a total of 201 French Huguenots had settled in and around the Cape most of them in the Franschhoek area.
The Dutch East India Company encouraged the Huguenots to move to the Cape, they were highly skilled farmers with specifically in the farming of grapes.
Today we are the beneficiaries of their early labours with wines and wonderful cuisine all set in the beautiful town of Franschhoek.

13th February
Golf at Clovelly Opened in 1934 Clovelly is one of the most popular courses in the Cape. In 1947 an exhibition match between the club professional Maurice Bodmer and the legendary 5 time British Open winner Bobby Lock played against Slamming Sam Snead and the great Norman Von Nida. The match was one 2 and 1 by Bodmer and Lock.
The course is a par 72 for men and par 73 for ladies. Designed by Dr Charles Molteno Murray a respected architect of his day. At 5,869m it is moderate in length designed not like a links or American course and is tight by South African standards with natural sand dunes, water features and an abundance of birdlife, fauna and flora. This will make a great start to our South African golfing experience.

14th February
Golf at Erinvale. The Erinvale Golf Course in Somerset West was designed by Gary Player and is seen as one of the best courses of the Western Cape. In 1996 it hosted the IGA World Cup of Golf. Situated at the foot of the Helderberg Mountains the views are spectacular, the front nine holes lie in a valley and are not to demanding however the back nine stretch over a mountainous terrain and provide a considerable challenge.
A mention from Marion that the pro shop is one of the best we come across on our travels, with a fine array of ladies golf clothing oh and some men's stuff!

15th February
AM Wine Tasting. No trip to the winlands can be complete without a visit to a local wine farm for a tour and tasting.
PM is at leisure to rest or explore the delightful town of Franschhoek.

16th February
Golf Pearl Valley. Par 72 championship course designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus is one of the most exclusive and challenging courses in the entire Cape.


Pearl Valley near Paarl is surrounded by mountains and wine estates. The Berg River winds through the expansive estate. Greens and fairways are very well maintained. They are covered with all season cool grass from the USA. At almost every hole a water hazard comes into play, and bunkers have not been used sparingly. 76 well integrated bunkers are spread across the course. I have been fortunate to play many Nicklause courses around the world and they never fail to excite me. They are never easy but always fair and this one is no exception a must play course.

17th February
Golf at Steenberg. The Steenberg golf course is rated as one of the top three courses in South Africa. Nestled in the crook of the Constantiaberg Mountains, the Estate is a piece of time-crafted perfection three centuries in the making. The course itself designed by renowned South African architect Peter Matkovich. It features four distinct areas wetlands, parklands, the cape flats and fynbos. The first six holes meander through gentle manicured parklands, where in some instances tee shots will be played off raised tee boxes amongst the vines. Then into the wetlands which includes the testing par-three 7th hole played to a green surrounded by water. This then leads into the heathland section with white sands, islanding of fairways are a natural hazard. Your round is then completed under the splendour of stately oaks.

18th February
Today we leave Franschhoek and the winlands behind and journey down the splendour of the Garden Route to Fancourt the number 1 golf resort in South Africa. Stopping on route at Swellamdam for lunch (own account) Fancourt a golf estate on a par with the best in the world. Fancourt history is that of a family home that grew and grew. Henry Fancourt White built a country house at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, in the early days of South Africans expansion, the days of ox-wagon, pioneers and impassable mountain ranges. This dates from around 1859 and much history passed by this most magnificent of places.
Today there is no doubt that Fancourt is South Africans premier golf resort, featuring four highly rated Championship golf courses, five fine restaurants offering a variety of dinning experiences and a health and beauty spa designed to international standards. It has come along way since Henry Fancourt first settled here but we must thank him for the opportunity it has provided, this is one of our favourite resorts worldwide.

19th February
Golf Outeniqua. Named after the mountain range that runs along the Garden Route coastline and designed as were all the courses at Fancourt by the legendary Grand Slam golfer Gary Player. This parkland course is aesthetically very pleasing and like all of the courses at Fancourt always in fantastic condition. A par 72 and at 5996 meters it is very playable for golfers of all abilities, A start for our experience at Fancourt.

20th February
Golf Montague. In my opinion this is the stronger of the two courses at Fancourt not only is it 288 meters longer but has been recently updated in its design re-positioning some of the greens and constructing two new holes the first and the ninth have improved the original layout and provided an exciting challenge. Views of the mountains water and wildlife go to make the par 72 a great experience.

21st February
Optional golf on the Links Course or Shopping at Knysna and lunch on the John Ben Links.
There are very few golf courses in the world that I walk from the 18th green and would be happy to return straight to the first tee to try again. This is it, probably one of the greatest challenges in golf. Unique to South Africa, the Links golf course was officially opened in November 2000, by owner Dr Hasso Plattner and course designer Gary Player and hosted the president's cup in 2003. Created from a previously flat piece of land, over 700,000 cubic meters of earth was moved in transforming it into a typical links style course. Every hole has received detailed attention to ensure that the overall balance in terms of length, positioning of hazards and shot values are in harmony. All this makes up a stern test of golf not for the faint hearted.



Knysna and the John Ben. A short transfer along the Garden Route taking in the stunning coastline scenery to the beautiful town of Knysna. Situated on a lagoon there are many shops either in the town or by the waterfront.
The waterfront area is rather like a mini Cape Town here you will board the John Ben for your lunch cruise around the lagoons and out to the heads before the open ocean.
For either golf at the Links Course with Gary or A day out with Marion at Knysna you will receive a separate booking form nearer the time with costs etc. Or you may prefer to take a relaxing day around the pool in resort the choice is yours.

22nd February
AM Golf Outeniqua PM Game Drive Botlierskop. In the morning we will play round 7 of our Stableford competition.

In the afternoon we will transfer to Botlierskop Game Farm, Situated on a 3000ha game farm in spectacular mountains between Mossel Bay and George. You cannot come to Africa without a drive and at Botlierskop we can guarantee you will see some animals including lion, rhino and giraffe and many of the smaller wildlife. This is followed by dinner in the lodge overlooking the farm. We have visited Botlierskop on many occasions and it has never been disappointing.

23rd February
Golf at the Montague. Our final round of the competition and another chance to take on the beauty and splendour of the Montague Course.



In the evening we will hold our prize giving before fair well dinner at Fancourt. We both hope you would have had a wonderful time in one of the greatest countries in the World. They say Africa gets in your blood and you will always return we and many of our guests would vouch for that statement.
24th February Transfer to the airport for your journey home or to Durban for a four night stay at the luxury Zimbali Lodge.

Optional Holiday Extensions

5 Star Zimbali Lodge (4 nights 2 rounds of golf)

24th February
Transfer to Durban. Zimbali Lodge is a stunning boutique hotel, nestled in lush sub tropical forest just 26 miles north of Durban. Zimbali is the Zulu name for "Valley of Flowers" and it is an apt description of the area, which abounds with wildlife, butterflies and many other species of birds.
Each of the luxury rooms have a private balcony with sweeping views down the valley to the sea, all of the services you might expect from this luxury hotel including a personal butler service to take care of all your needs.

The Tom Weiskopf designed championship golf course at Zimbali should be on everyone's must play list it is a truly magnificent test. The routing of the course meanders its way through beautiful woodland and in part stunning views of the ocean. One of Gary's favourites.
From Zimbali Lodge it is possible to visit the infamous Zulu War battlefield at Isandlwana, where a series of tactical blunders resulted in the greatest ever defeat of the mighty British Army. Continue to Rorkes Drift where honour was restored by a handful of survivors who earned 11 Victoria Crosses that day. (Remember the film Zulu with Michael Cane).
The extension to your holiday includes all transfers to and from the airport, accommodation at Zimbali Lodge on a Bed and Breakfast basis and two rounds of golf please contacts us for more details.

South Africa 2009 11th to 24th Febuary 2009 , 11 Nights from £1999*
	Download PDF Brochure if your do not have Adobe Reader you can download it from the link below.
*Price does not include International flights, single and non golfer supplements available on request

2008/2009 CALENDAR
From:		to	Nights	Country & Location:	Price:
03/08/2008	-	16/08/2008	13	British Columbia, Canada	£2,949	details
02/09/2008	-	09/09/2008	7	Madeira , Casa Velha	£1,029	details
04/10/2008	-	11/10/2008	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5«	£729	details
11/10/2008	-	18/10/2008	7	Portugal,Tavira 2008, The Vila Gale Hotel 4«	£595	details
05/11/2008	-	16/11/2008	10	Thailand, Royal Cliff Beach Resort and Spa 4«	£ 1553	details
16/11/2008	-	19/11/2008	3	Thailand option 1 additional tour in Cambodia 5«	£ 399	details
16/11/2008	-	19/11/2008	3	Thailand option 2 additional stay in Bangkok 5«	£ 250	details
14/01/2009	-	27/01/2009	11	Argentina, Buenos Aires & Río Negro, 5«	£2724	details
27/01/2009	-	30/01/2009	4	Argentina, Option 1 Mendoza addition	£547	details
27/01/2009	-	30/01/2009	3	Argentina, Option 2 Iguaza falls addition 5«	£390	details
11/02/2009	-	24/02/2009	11	South Africa, Franschhoek 4« ,Garden Route	£1999	details
24/02/2009	-	27/02/2009	4	South Africa, Zimbali Lodge addition 5«	£*	details
07/03/2009	-	14/03/2009	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5«	£799	details
22/03/2009	-	29/03/2009	7	Tunisia, El Kantaoui, Riu Green Park Hotel All Inclusive Hotel 4«	£655	detail
14/04/2009	-	29/04/2009	15	China, Beijing, Xian, Shenzhen 5«	£*	details
09/05/2009	-	16/05/2009	7	Spain, Benalup; Fairplay Hotel and Spa: Luxury All Inclusive Hotel 5«	£1599	details
16/05/2009	-	23/05/2009	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5«	£799	details
23/05/2009	-	30/05/2009	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5«	£799	details
15/09/2009	-	28/09/2009	12	USA, PGA Championship Experience	£*	details
03/10/2009	-	10/10/2009	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5«	£799	details
10/10/2009	-	17/10/2009	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5«	£799	details
				*to be advised
ET - Escorted Tour AH - Accompanied Holidays GS - Golf School Brochure Availability Fully Booked Taken Place