Fancourt (Montagu) - Western Cape - South Africa
Montagu Street,
Blanco,
George 6530,
South Africa
+27 (0) 44 804 0030
7 km W of George
Fancourt Hotel residents only, book in advance
Ryan Reid
Gary Player, David McLay Kidd (2005)
Adam McKinlay
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German entrepreneur Hasso Plattner – co-founder of computer software giant SAP – is the leisure time yachtsman and golfer whose vast financial resources were used to update the golfing complex at Fancourt in 1994. Located between the Outeniqua Mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south, all three of Fancourt’s fabulous courses are accessible to Hotel residents and Country Club members with their guests. The 18-hole Montagu parkland layout is the original course at Fancourt (from an initial 27-hole design), which was upgraded in 2005 by David McLay Kidd when new 1st and 9th holes were introduced. Bunkers and greens were redefined at all the other holes, some water features were removed and other new ones brought into play (such as the dam that was built after the course was constructed). Like the other Fancourt courses, the Montagu is maintained to a very high standard and its trees and water features add interest and variety to the undulating landscape. The Links at Fancourt may get most of the plaudits these days but the Montagu is still a great course, fully deserving its consistently high ranking position in South African course listings. Fancourt Montagu closed for an upgrade from April to September 2018, according to Stuart McLean, editor of Golf Digest South Africa. The Montagu greens were resurfaced with bent grass during this period of time and the club was planning design changes with input from Gary Player whilst the course was shut. Alterations to the Montagu were intended to make the course more intimidating, with water features prominent. But other changes will improve playability for the average golfer, and therefore create a more enjoyable experience. The bunkering on the front nine was reduced and fairway landing areas increased in size, with fewer forced carries. These improvements come on top of other recent modifications made to the Montagu and Outeniqua courses in an attempt to return both layouts to the traditional look and feel of parkland courses. Water features were opened and cleaned out to become more visible and Cape Country flower beds added. Fairway definition has also been improved, with intrusive bushes removed. |
Reviews for Fancourt (Montagu)
Montagu is a great fun course in the beautiful Fancourt estate.
We played it the day after the Data Dimension Pro Am so the course was in perfect condition with fast greens and generous fairways.
Unlike the next door Links course, this is a resort course designed for golfers of all abilities... as long as you choose the correct set of tees, everyone should have fun here and enjoy the challenge.
It was much more undulating than I expected and the design makes the most of this with some beautiful holes flowing through the natural contours. The greens are big and fairways very generous but to attack the course you have to plot your way around as the greens have some serious breaks especially with the natural grain.
The views are outstanding of the local mountains which adds to the drama.
The only thing which holds the course back from a higher rating is it all feels a bit generic and a bit devoid of the personality of courses like George or Royal Durban.
Good practice facilities but the service from caddies, starter, marshall etc... are below what you would expect of a 5 star resort. You also need to prepare for 5 hour plus rounds, given the resort nature there are lots of people playing of all abilities and there was no evidence of anyone maintaining pace of play despite a full tee sheet.
Overall, a great experience but we had more fun playing George, Simola and Arabella.
lake – approaching from the left is the tip here. The toughest hole (SI-1) is the 6th and the drive is the key shot, take on the fairway bunker on the left and a par is very possible but a bail-out drive (which is the sensible option) leaves a long approach over water and the dreaded double bogey is staring you in the face. The tall trees that line the right-side of the dog-legging 7th hole and the moat that runs down the left-side makes this hole my favourite on the opening half. The par-4’s at the 13th and 14th holes have the river running the length of them with the tee shot at the 13th particularly tricky especially for those who fade the ball. The par-3 17th over water to a kidney shaped green with a solo bunker in front and two more behind add beautiful flower beds behind the back bunkers and a little piece of Augusta National comes to South Africa, this hole being a cross between the 12th and the 16th at the home of the US Masters. The round ends with a par-5 complete with the island green as mentioned at the start. After the round the terrace is calling, there is a sadistic pleasure in watching balls land in the water at the green, especially if yours stayed dry! Great fun on the Montagu.
of the Outeniqua Course, we were taken to the first tee to experience the Montagu. The first thing I have to say is that we were all four single digit golfers and all played decently well so the match we had was a lot of fun, which always help to enjoy better the course. After that, the course is very playable, decently wide for driving and with generous grees so everybody will have fun. But once you select the correct set of tees to suit your game, you will have a nice challenge to score your handicap. I played reasonable well but could not as doubled 15th and tripled 17th with a swimming ball and an OB out there. The course design is fantastic, wooded holes, water holes and in some places huge oak trees that in May (mid fall) might turn into fantastic colours with the mountains backing the picture. Again, a course with no bad holes (maybe 8th and 16th are just not great) and plenty of them unbelievable like 2-4-6-7-10-13-14-17 and a great finishing hole like 18 where if you want to get in 2 shots, you must be strong and accurate but it is possible. The 2nd shot at par 5 4th is as nice as it can get and second at 18th is as challenging as you can expect. Greens rolled great, true and pretty fast although not as fast as The Links. Maintenance was outstanding, perfect in every details. Half way house gave us a great lunch, which in a cold day helped to give us some extra calories for the back 9. The only regret is I would have loved to walk it in a sunny day, it must be great. I am graceful of being able to play it and to show others that there is a lot of great golf to be discovered, being South Africa a place you need to go. My highest rewards to this truly exceptional course.
