Golf on a higher plane

The official opening of Simola, Jack Nicklaus’ newest South African golf course, means the once sleepy coastal village of Knysna now boasts two of the most spectacular layouts in the country.

Perched high on a hill with breathtaking vistas in every direction, Simola is an amazing feat of engineering and the perfect sister for Pezula which lies atop the left-hand Knysna head as you look out to sea.

Nicklaus, in the midst of an impossibly busy flying visit to a number of other sites in southern Africa, described what would have been his first local course, had it not been for the cruel setbacks that struck the original development, as “different, but exciting and fun.”

Different Simola certainly is. You reach it by seemingly driving straight up the mountainside and spectacular is the only word to describe the stunning views; ranging from the Knysna heads shimmering in the distance; the ever-changing hues of the surrounding mountains or enticing glimpses of emerald fairways nestling in the valleys.

If golf, as has so often been stated, is a game that should be played from “on high” Simola certainly fits the bill with the second tee, sitting on the ridge that splits six of the holes from the other 12, providing not only the most inviting tee-shot anywhere in the country but the greatest elevation from tee to fairway that I have ever experienced.

Designed by Nicklaus and constructed by Robbie Marshall of GolfData, Simola is yet another gem in a region that is now the premier golf destination in South Africa.

The inimitable Alistair “The Coach” Beaumont, formerly of Parkview, has recently taken over as director of golf and is sure to engender the camaraderie that gave his former club such a unique spirit.

An indication of to what extent golf has proliferated on the Garden Route - Nicklaus, for instance, is also busy with a project in St Francis Bay - is Beaumont’s revelation that the fleet of golf carts he supplies to clubs in the region has grown to a staggering 400.

Nicklaus admitted that when he was first taken to the site by original developer Ola Grinaker - whose first name linked to the Simmental cattle stud he ran on the original farm gave the estate its name - he had remarked: “Where’s the golf course going to go?”

But the great golfer and his designers have conjured up a variety of holes that are endlessly enticing and deceptively challenging; not only getting the best out of the beautiful views but coming up with a hole such as the picturesque par three 14th down in the valley which could have been taken out of the pages of a travelogue for golf in Canada or the American Rockies.

Nicklaus says he has tried “not to make length a factor with strategic placing of the tees so that by using the natural contours to allow the ball to run out the pro and the average golfer will be playing from relatively the same area.”

The upshot is that Simola is not the longest golf course you will ever play - unless you venture onto some of the back eyries! - but it will certainly be one of the most memorable and enjoyable.