Golfing Holidays in Hermanus

Apart from being one of the most acclaimed tourist destinations in the world, South Africa is internationally acclaimed for its numerous, highly ranked and aesthetically designed courses. In the Western Cape area alone there are more than 30 high ranking courses.

Golfing in the Western Cape

Visitors to the Western Cape quickly fall in love with the provinces amazing golf courses which are set in some of the most scenic landscapes and offer spectacular vistas. The fantastic weather, gorgeous accommodation offerings and variety of non-golfing attractions and activities enable everyone to have a fantastic golfing holiday in the Western Cape.

Golfing Holiday in Hermanus

Hermanus is a gorgeous coastal town located approximately an hour's drive from the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. Each year tourists from all over South Africa and the world escape the hectic pace of everyday life in this tranquil and scenic holiday town.
Hermanus is comprised of spectacular coastlines, pristine beaches, lagoons and rivers and is home to two of the Western Cape's most acclaimed golf courses. What could be better than a holiday escape to a picturesque location that offers excellent golfing?

The Courses

The Hermanus Golf Club is set amidst gorgeous sea views and a dramatic mountainous backdrop. This 18-hole course was designed by Bob Grimsdell and is one of the most popular courses in the country.

The Hermanus golf club has hosted several top golf tournaments and exhibitions including the National Inter Provincial Match Play Tournament, the SA Country Districts Tournament, the Boland Open, the Hermanus Open tournament and the annual Walker Bay Classic. The course has hosted many golfing legends including the likes of Bobby Locke, Peter Thompson, Sam Snead, Dai Rees, Ken Bousfield, Bernard Hunt and Bobby Cole.

Whether you are a scratch golfer or simply someone who enjoys the therapeutic effects of a few rounds of golf this course will fulfil your every need. Whilst waiting to play your shot you can watch the whales breaching in the ocean beside you, there could be no better way for a golfer to spend a day. Having earned a South African rating of 62 this parklands golf course is a favourite amongst both locals and tourists alike. The Hermanus Golf Club is private, yet highly accessible to the public. The most challenging hole on the course and quite possibly one of the toughest holes in the Cape is the sixth. With an out-of-bounds on the right and trees to the left of this narrow fairway this hole demands precision when playing into the wind. The green slopes uphill from front to back and a water hazard looms close by on the right.

Appropriate golf attire and soft spikes are required on the course. Club facilities include a Pro Shop, Graded Caddies, a halfway house, locker and shower facilities and a fantastic bar in which to toast the successes of a fantastic day on the rolling slopes of this magnificent course.

Located in Kleinmond, which is just a few minutes drive from Hermanus lies the gorgeous Arabella Golf Course and Country Estate. Designed by Peter Matkovich the courses theme is balance.

This 6381 metre course is bordered by the largest lagoon in Southern Africa and the 9th, 17th and 18th run parallel to this gorgeous body of water. Each hole on the course was designed to have a spectacular view; the mountain backdrops, lagoon frontage and forests on the Arabella Golf Course and Country Estate These provide for links, parkland and coastal aspects, while the individual fairways provide natural corridors as vantage points to savour nature's true beauty.

The course was awarded the Golf Digest award for the best new course in South Africa in 1999. In 2002, the course was rated number 9 in South Africa by Golf Digest and number 5 in 2003. The club was also awarded the Compleat Golfer Five Star award in 2003 and currently holds the 6th position on the South African rating structure.

The Arabella is ranked amongst the ten most beautiful courses in South Africa and is a highly sought after course amongst both domestic and international tourists. While visitors are welcome the Arabella requires every player to have an official handicap and a membership card or handicap certificate must be brought to the club on the day of play. All golfers are required to dress in appropriate golf attire and soft spikes. The Arabella facilities include graded caddies, conference facilities, a gym, practice area, a pool and a fantastic bar in which to enjoy the views of this splendid course from.

What else to do whilst in Hermanus

Whilst golfers may praise this tranquil town for its beautiful golf courses Hermanus is internationally renowned for being the "heart of the whale coast" and for being recognised by the World Wildlife Fund as the best land-based whale watching area in the world. The renowned Hermanus whale festival takes place every September, coinciding with the Southern Right whale's breeding season. Whales come here to frolic, nurse and breed and, some say, to show off to Hermanus visitors! There are also several picturesque beaches, fantastic restaurants, craft markets and pubs which can also be enjoyed whilst you are on your golfing vacation.

Article Source

Hermanus Directory

The Overberg Explored

From the Cape Peninsula over the Hottentots-Holland Mountains, a trip through the Overberg in South Africa's beautiful Western Cape Province will give tourists the opportunity to experience an enchanting country getaway.

Each village or small town is driven by unique characteristics and tourists are welcomed by hospitable locals. An Overberg exploration through this scenic region offers serene rejuvenation and outdoor adventures.

Notable Towns and Villages
Some of the beautiful villages and towns to be explored in this region include Arniston; Barrydale; Betty's Bay; Bredasdorp; Caledon; Gansbaai; Grabouw; Hermanus; Kleinmond; Pringle Bay; L'Agulhas; Pearly Beach; Stanford; Swellendam; and Witsand just to name a few.

Should you wish to experience the countryside as well as the coastal routes then the Stanford area is an ideal base. The rural town of Stanford is indescribably peaceful and offers many activities and attractions such as a trip on the famous African Queen boat down the Klein River or walks on the Stanford Wandelpad hiking trail along the river. Be sure to also pay a visit to the Stanford Trading Post while you are there. Close to Stanford, Blue Gum Country Estate is a great place at which to base yourself.

A twenty-minute drive towards the coast will bring tourists to the resort town Hermanus. This sought after holiday destination has a reputation as one of the world's foremost land-based whale watching spots from June through to November each year. Whale season culminates in September with Hermanus' annual Whale Festival. Dotted with pristine beaches, the picturesque town has many activities and attractions which are sure to entertain the whole family.

Overberg Scenic Routes
Two of the recommended scenic routes in the Overberg region are the Uitkraals Fynbos and the Coastal Scenic Route.

The Uitkraals Fynbos Route is predominantly on a gravel road and begins at the quaint village of Stanford. From there the route takes a turn at the small Salmondsdam Reserve before continuing to the Uitkraals Valley and then towards Baardkeersdersbos, taking you between the Swart- and Witkransberge (mountain ranges) past the Flower Valley Conservation Area and Baviaanskloof.

The Coastal Scenic Route begins at Gordon's Bay where the Hottentots Holland Mountains tower over the incredible Clarence Drive that runs along the edge of the sea up to Kleinmond. The route continues all the way to Kogel Bay, approximately 13km from Gordon's Bay. This seaside holiday destination is popular amongst surfers, fishermen, and families. From Kogel Bay the route stretches along the edge of False Bay, with views extending to the Cape Peninsula and Cape Point. There are a number of rest areas and picnic spots with striking scenery and lookout points; just remember that fires are not allowed and neither is feeding the baboons.

As the Coastal Scenic Route continues for about 23km, you'll reach the seaside village of Rooi Els that tells much of the Khoi people who used to reside in this area as well as runaway slaves who reportedly sought sanctuary in the nearby mountain caves. From there to the tranquil Pringle Bay, the route continues on to Hangklip, Betty's Bay where a penguin colony resides at Stony Point, to the Harold Porter Gardens. The last stretch of the Coastal Scenic Route ventures to the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve past the popular swimming and picnic spot at the Palmiet River and then eventually comes to an end in the beautiful town of Kleinmond.

Attractions and Activities in the Overberg
The Overberg offers an astonishing number of activities suitable for the whole family as well a few exciting activities for true adventurers. There are numerous 4x4, hiking and bike trails, horse riding spots, bird watching sites, and a number of eco reserves and nature parks.

At many of the coastal villages and towns, fishing and whale watching are recommended. For thrill seekers, Great White Shark Cage Diving is sure to get the heart racing, and if that doesn't you can always get the adrenalin pumping by trying the bungee jump from the Gouritz River Bridge.

Museums and cultural sites are plentiful, including the historical shipwrecks along the Overberg coastline and the Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp. This treacherous coastline was the cause for shipwrecks such as Birkenhead (1852), Johanna (1682) and Nicobar (1783) in the Gansbaai area and the De Grendel (1673) wreck at Hangklip. L'Agulhas, the place where the two oceans (Atlantic and Indian) meet, is often referred to as the "graveyard of the sea" due to the large number of ships that were wrecked at this particular point.

An Overberg exploration has infinite possibilities. With such immense beauty and endless options when it comes to activities and attractions, it is easy to understand why it has become such a sought after area for holiday-makers throughout the year.

Article Source
Overberg Online Business Directory