PEARL VALLEY

By Neville Leck Last updated: 23rd December 2009

Spanning some 212 hectares of prime Cape Winelands real estate near Paarl, Pearl Valley Golf Estate is an exclusive 500-home residential development surrounding a magnificent 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course.

With panoramic views of the spectacular mountain ranges and vineyards which in turn surround the entire estate, this outstanding course provides one of the games most memorable South African experiences.

The golf course at Pearl Valley is managed by Troon, the world's leading luxury-brand golf management, development and marketing company.

Electing to focus soley on high-end luxury golf properties and developments, Troon Golf has successfully captured a dominant niche in the golf and hospitality industries.

During it's 17-year history, Troon Golf has earned a reputation for having pristine golf course conditions, personalised member service, outstanding food and beverage facilities and world-class retail offerings.

Trevor Immelman, a former Masters champion and a two-time winner of the SA Open is a South African by birth and is proud to call Pearl Valley Golf Estates home.

THE GOLF COURSE

The par 72, 6511-metre (7,120 yards) Pearl Valley championship course, one of the latest additions to the Jack Nicklaus stable of signature-designed courses worldwide, is surrounded by the Simonsberg and Drakenstein Mountains and bordered by vineyards with The Berg River running through it and creating a plethora of water hazards

Nicklaus has stayed true to his design principles by working closely with nature and has provided a golf course that fits in superbly with the environment.

The fairly flat and largely uninterrupted terrain on which his layout was built enabled Nicklaus the freedom to develop hole strategies that make his really tough creation very much a thinking man's course.

The fairways are unique in that they have been sown with 'all season cool grass' imported from the USA - a first in South Africa - and it is advisable to keep your ball on the cut grass to avoid the 70-odd strategically placed bunkers and the 17 hectors of running water that create water hazards on almost every hole.

The newness of the course has so far prevented the owners from deciding on their signature hole, but the resident pro believes it should be the par-three 13th where the green is situated on the edge of a small guarding dam and has a large, deep bunker at the back of it.

THE COURSE - IN A NUTSHELL

Holes : 18

Par : 72

Course Rating : 72

Length Men : 6090m

Length Women : 4703m

Length Championship : 6511m (7,120 yards)

MEMBERSHIP

Membership at Pearl Valley Golf Estates is compulsory with the purchase of property there. The current structure of membership is comprised of two main categories - Golf and Leisure.

Each of these categories includes: Family, Spouse, Dependant or Corporate options. Leisure members currently pay a small fee for a round of golf in addition to their annual fees.

Golf members of the club can enjoy the Troon Advantage program in which they and up to three guests can play courses and destinations at special rates, with access to over 185 clubs around the world, ranging from The Revere Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, to The Montgomerie in Dubai.

Tee times may be secured through the General Manager or Director of Golf at the member's club

OTHER FACILTIES

These include

- A luxurious club house open both to its golf and leisure members and guests which offers a variety of facilities and activities, including luxurious locker and shower rooms, a swimming pool and slides, a childrens' play area, a bar, al fresco dining and a beautifully appointed outside 'boma' which regularly hosts pizza get-together evenings, during summer

- a top quality pro shop which stocks a range of golf and lifestyle apparel and equipment that is so extensive, its owners "are confident that you won't leave empty handed."

- Golf cars and clubs can be hired

- State of the art practice facilities and tuition are available

- Horse-riding can be done at the full-scale equestrian centre

- Other outdoor pleasures such as fly fishing, riverside recreation; and mountain biking can be arranged

OPERATING HOURS

Monday - Sunday: 6am to 7pm

Open on Christmas Day

Corporate days: Tuesday and Thursday

FEES

- Green fee for visitors: R1095 including a share of a golf car

CLUB RULES & REGULATIONS

- Appropriate golf attire required - No T-shirts, denim, slip-slops

- Handicaps only required for competitions

CONTACT INFORMATION

- Address: Pearl Valley Golf Estate, PO Box 1, Paarl 7646, South Africa

- Telephone: +27 (0)21 8678000,

- Fax: (0)21 8678099

- E-mail: golf@pearlvalley.co.za

Neville Leck