Pearl Valley

Pearl Valley was the second Jack Nicklaus Signature course to open in South Africa when it was officially inaugurated in a match between the Golden Bear and another golfing great, Gary Player, in 2003.

Laid out within a 500-acre residential estate in the Cape Winelands, Pearl Valley is one of the most visually pleasing courses imaginable, with brilliant white river sand bunkers that contrast sharply against the varying emerald hues of the fairways and greens.

Situated in a valley within the Drakenstein Mountains, the course is largely laid out on the level and, interestingly, the eight par three and par five holes on the card play in different directions; ensuring that the winter northwesterly and the summer southeasterly winds are not experienced from the same direction in relation to the layout of these holes.

The 147-metre par three 3rd is one of a number of memorable holes on the front nine with water cutting in on the right side of the putting surface and a greenside bunker lurking to catch wayward tee shots. The par five 4th has a creek that is crossed three times from tee to green and two tough par fours at 7 and 8 circumnavigate the largest of Pearl Valley's five lakes.

The South African Open was held at Pearl Valley for three consecutive years from 2007, this was the first time any club had hosted the historic event three times in a row. James Kingston was the first to win here at Paarl and Richard Sterne won the following year with Richie Ramsay lifting the title in 2009.