Fancourt
Links Golf Course
Unique to South Africa, The Links golf course was officially
opened in November 2000, by owner Dr Hasso Plattner and
course designer, Mr Gary Player.
Created from a previously flat piece of land, over 700
000 cubic metres of earth was moved in transforming it
into a typical Links style. The course presents undulating
windswept terrain, and dune-style landscape and is the
only such course in South Africa.
Every hole has received detailed attention to ensure that
the overall balance in terms of length, position of hazards
and shot values are in harmony. As a result, The Links
presents a stern test in all weather conditions.
"The Links has satisfied and far exceeded my design
philosophy, which was to capture the essence of what makes
great traditional links golf courses so special,"
Fancourt owner Hasso Plattner said. "I believe that
The Links will provide golfers with the most natural golf
experience, which to me, is what golf is all about."
Phil Jacobs, chief designer of the Gary Player Design
Company says, "Our brief from Fancourt owners, Hasso
and Sabine Plattner, was to produce a course that can
achieve a ranking within the world's top 100 by 2005.
We intend to achieve that goal."
Set to test the best golfer in every way, The Links has
some extraordinary holes, like the par-3 second, with
its bunker in the heart of the enormous green. Gary Player
said, "We included the bunker to break it up, but
the front left of the green is severely sloped, so the
golfer can use the contours to get the ball near the flag.
You will never be stymied by the trap" Player added.
Jacobs says, "This sort of thing is really only associated
with links courses and will break the rules of design.
We want to keep the element of quirkiness that is the
characteristic of links golf."
Course superintendents Kosie Mentz and Greg Leckie, both
widely experienced and respected in the field of golf
course maintenence, have done an incredible job to present
a course in pristine condition and are a fantastic asset
to The Links.
"Words cannot describe this project," Mentz
said. "You have to see it, and play it, to believe
it, it is awesome and a real honour to have been involved
from inception.
In a first for South Africa, the tees and fairways are
a mix of four cool season grasses: Kentucky Blue, Rye,
Fescue and Bent, with the greens a dominant Bent. These
grasses allow for the traditional Pitch and Run shot to
be played and also for the ball to 'chase' along the fairways.
The clubhouse at The Links is located only metres from
the 18th green, with terraced areas and picture windows,
to take maximum advantage of course and mountain views.
All in all there is a very special atmosphere
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