The Fancourt resort in George, South Africa, has opened a new nine-hole golf course, The Links Experience, designed by Gary Player Design. 

The project began in 2022, when Fancourt owner Hasso Plattner collaborated with architect Johann Jacobs to identify the space for a new layout on the site of holes from the former Bramble Hill course, which closed in 2008. Fancourt then appointed Gary Player Design, who created the resort’s existing three 18-hole courses, to create the new par-34 layout.  

“The memories I have at Fancourt will stay with me the rest of my life,” said Player. “When I first came out here this was a cattle farm and over the years has transformed into one of the greatest golf destinations on the planet. I was incredibly excited and privileged to design and open The Links Experience, which will be instrumental in fostering the growth of golf in South Africa.” 

The Links Experience comprises one par-five, three par-threes and five par-fours, with four teeing areas allowing the course to be played from a total length of 1,884 to 2,661 yards. Each hole also has a dedicated par-three tee, allowing golfers to play the layout as a par-three course of either 834 or 1,082 yards. 

Watch: a hole-by-hole flyover of The Links Experience course 

Every hole on The Links Experience has been named to reflect its character. For example, the 343-yard first is named Wamkelekile, after the Xhosa people’s word for ‘welcome’, while the 105-yard third, It’ll be a Skoosh, references the Scots word for ‘a small amount’. 

“This is a beautiful layout, with lots of soft grasses and coloured bunkers,” said Player. “I designed this to give people pleasure and it’s very versatile with the fact that you can choose par-three, four or five or play strictly as a par-three. It’s a thing of beauty that gives everyone a challenge, young and old.”