South Africa’s best kept secret (so it still seems) is acknowledged AGAIN as being one of the Top 10 courses in the country.

At the Golf Digest Awards Golf Day at Blair Athol in Gauteng, I held my breath, hoping that we would continue to rise in the much debated Golf Digest rankings. I knew that the highly acclaimed (and much advertised) Blair Athol was coming in for the first time - and they were hosting the day! I knew that we were in the same company with some of the best courses anywhere – because South Africa is blessed with a fantastic blend of coastal and inland courses, parkland style and links type – all conditioned to world-class standards. The rankings are, in theory, a guide and a measure of great architecture, natural beauty and, really, what it takes to ensure a perfect walk (un)spoiled! Each panelist is supposed to objectively rate each course he or she plays. Shot values and shot-making are the main criteria for accessing the playability and challenges that every golfer faces. Memorability and aesthetics are also considered. Finally, for most golfers, conditioning is another factor to be strongly considered. St Francis Links and Royal Johannesburg East were both pushed back a spot by the rookie star designed by and situated on Gary Player’s homestead near Lanseria airport. To say I was disappointed would be a mild understatement – but to be in the Top 10 again with 9 great courses makes up for any personal feelings. You see; I know, our playing members know AND most of our regular visitors know that this little beauty located in the dunes above St Francis Bay is getting better by the day.

Our location in the Eastern Cape makes us a little harder to find. The traveling South African is also looking to play more than one course on his tour. The foreign visitor still has trouble getting his GPS to function past Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. But, in addition to our lofty ranking and ton of great comments I heard all week in Johannesburg, our neighbors are back in the top 100 – St Francis Bay earned the panelists’ respect and slipped back in at 100 on the dot. Humewood, our “Four Days on the Links” golf package partner, returned to the Top 20 at Number 20!

The golf rankings are always a talking point. Golfers love to debate the merits and faults of the course they play – it’s natural. Golf Digest editor, Stuart McLean, will be fielding calls from all of those clubs who fell down for no logical reason at all. Some clubs fell 7 or more places simply because, like us, great new courses came in. Last year, probably 30 of the 150 panelists made their way to SFL. It was interesting to hear their comments. The first time guys were usually staggered a bit as we all know you have to play our great track more than once to get to know it. The returning guys all, unanimously, commented on the magnificent conditioning, improved playability and overall maturity that we have seen over our four years… Remember, we are only four years old. Many of the panelists (and guests) compare us to the Links at Fancourt as we both feature a links-type experience with and array of shots on option. Many have openly praised us because we are the real deal! That makes for even more discussion and after-golf bar chat as The Links at Fancourt jumped over Leopard Creek to claim the top spot… Hats off to them – it only reflects more positively for us!

Hey, I am proud of our great course – I am also proud of all of the great golfing destinations in South Africa! The better our neighbors look and play, the better chance we have in attracting new and returning golfers – golfers who may be our next members – that is the real goal, you know!!

I will use our Top-10 ranking to attract more new golfers and to welcome old friends back. This weekend we are “chokker-blocked” with wedding golfers, returning groups and, for the fifth time in 5 years, the Colin Higgins tour will be here in search of birdies! I flew down with them yesterday. One of the guys was heard to say, “I couldn’t wait for this weekend to come. It’s the highlight of my year”.

I guess that pretty well sums up why we do… what we do… for you!