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SOUTH AFRICA - THE NO. 1 GOLF VACATION RENTAL DESTINATION?

South Africa - the No.1 Golf Vacation Rental Destination? By Darren Cronian

As courses in Europe and the USA become more exclusive and expensive, South Africa, an overnight flight with no jet lag, offers a great new alternative for a winter break. Cape Town has seen a huge increase in tourism and has more recently been ranked in the top ten most popular cities in the world.

As a PGA professional Brendan has played many courses around the world for both business and pleasure but Cape Town is the destination he has chosen for a second home. As a golfer access to and quality of courses was a critical factor in my selection. Having produced some of the best players in the world South Africa has a great history in golf and has much to shout about. New courses, sponsored and designed by some of the biggest names in the game are opening up on monthly basis. This only goes to reinforce the country's commitment to become a number one golfing destination.

Some of the most stunning courses are in and around the Western Cape and Cape Town provides the ideal base to explore these. You can play on the links course at Atlantic Beach with Table Mountain as your backdrop, or drive down the kikuyu fairways at Stellenbosch, the winelands on your doorstep beckoning you to call in for a tasting on your return from the 18th.

The courses are uncrowded and are all generally available to visitors. You will find the locals welcoming and willing to cater to all your needs. Caddies, usually a luxury even to the best of us, are widely available and provide not only invaluable advice on how best to play the course, but give you a unique insight into the culture of this diverse nation.

Brendan’s personal favourites and not to be missed on any visit to this great city are Royal Cape which is a majestic park land course and oldest golf club in South Africa dating back to 1885. Erinvale which has held The SA open for a number of years. Designed by Gary Player, it is a great test of golf for all standards with stunning scenery. The type of golf course that even if you don't play your best, you still can't help having a great time. Another one not to miss out on would be Clovelley. It is a very picturesque and challenging course. Despite being relatively short in modern day terms, it still offers a great test and is one of Nick Price's favourite courses.

Further afield, but still within a two hour drive of Cape Town is Arabella Golf and Country Club, a six star hotel with championship course and Spa. This Peter Matkovich designed course encompasses mountain backdrops, lagoon frontage and forests that provide natural corridors to savour the natural beauty of the Klienmond estate. It is challenging enough to bring you back for more but enjoyable enough to make you not want to leave

Ou Baai, the Ernie Els signature course at Herrods Bay close to George, with spectacular views across the Indian Ocean will add to the world class courses on this coast, and no article on golf in South Africa would be complete without due reverence to the five outstanding courses at Fancourt, host venue to the recent Presidents Cup, where the rest of the world managed to hold the USA to a draw. In this respect only, do the South Africans fall slightly short of European achievements.

Brendan's home, which is available for letting throughout the year has superb accommodation for golfing parties and can be found on Worldwide Holiday Homes (Property Ref 155025) and offers full details of the villa, and location along with rates for rental and photographs.

Brendan is also available to host tours of the Cape courses and provide valuable tips on improving your game and how to best avoid loosing your balls to the local wildlife. For further information on Pro escorted tours he can be contacted on through the advertisement.

You can visit our site by clicking on our website where you will find a wide range of self catering accommodation from around the World.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darren Cronian is the writer of various articles for holiday home owners and renters. Darren also runs and owns a UK-based holiday company called Worldwide Holiday Homes

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