Western Cape, South Africa
Erinvale Golf Estate, Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa
Erinvale Golf Estate was one of the first golf residential developments in South Africa and the development process started in 1990 and was completed and opened in 1995.
This magnificent Golf Estate is surrounded by the majestic Helderberg and Hottentots Holland Mountains, roving vineyards and olive groves. It borders on the one side to a nature reserve with indigenous Cape fynbos, proteas and the Indian Ocean close by with its inviting sun kissed beaches and on the other side, the well-known wine estates of Vergelegen and Lourensford. Erinvale golf course is without a doubt one of the most challenging courses in South Africa. Erinvale Golf Estate is located in Somerset West which offers all the modern amenities such as shopping malls, hospitals, restaurants, schools and a universities close by. Somerset West is a mere 45 minutes’ drive from Cape Town the international airport.
In 1996 the Erinvale Estate Golf Course hosted The Word Cup of Golf in which 32 nations competed. South Africa’s Ernie Els and Wayne Westner represented South Africa and were the winners of the Cup that year. Erinvale also hosted two South African Open championships in the past.
The Erinvale Golf Estate is 150ha in extent of which 100ha is taken up by the golf course and public open spaces. More than 400 quality homes were built on the remaining 50ha and some of the most unique and spectacular architectural designs can be found on this estate.
The Erinvale Estate Golf Course offers two very distinctly different nines. The first nine is on a level and flat area winding its way through narrow fairways between many houses on this part of the estate. The second nine in comparison climbs up the slope of the mountain and eventually offers the most rewarding and magnificent sweeping views over False Bay.
The greens at Erinvale are huge and protected by well-placed bunkers and water features with several challenging pin placements. The course and homes in Erivale perfectly blend in with the landscape and natural beauty of the environment. The 17th hole is the signature hole. This is a par-four stroke 2 hole, sweeping down the slope of the mountain from an elevated tee, with a narrow fairway flanked by tall pine trees on the one side and the out of bounds fence to the nature reserve on the other side. On many occasions antelope grazing in the nature reserve can be seen from the elevated tee box.
Designed by: Gary Player
Type : Parklands Golf Course
Holes : 18
Length: Championship 6506m, Club 5892m
Slope: Not applicable for South Africa
Course Rating: 72
Type of Grass (fairway and green): Kikuyu and Poa Annua
Number of members: 750
Number of rounds of golf per year: 47 000
Offer a Women’s Association: Yes
Offer a Junior Associate: Yes
Offer a Senior Association: Yes
Practice facilities available: Yes
Instructors available and any awards they have won: Yes ROLEX TOP 1 000
Bookings: 0027 21 847 1906
Reception: 0027 21 847 1144
Fax: 0027 21 847 1901
Postal Address: PO Box 3500
Somerset West
7129
Physical Address: Lourensford Road
Erinvale Avenue
Erinvale Estate
Somerset West
7130
GPs Co-ordinates:
34° 4’ 21” S
18° 53’ 18.96” E
Layout:
http://www.erinvale.com/getattachment/Golf/Erinvale-Course-Layout.pdf.aspx
Wildlife on the course:
The Erinvale Golf Course is adjacent to the Helderberg Nature Reserve with controlled access through a number of security gates. The reserve is well known for its abundance in flora and boasts one of the best varieties of indigenous fynbos and proteas in the world. This obviously attracts a wide variety of wild birds.
As far as the wildlife and in particular the birding, over 180 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve. Roaming antelope is regularly spotted from the golf course and the odd leopard has also been spotted higher up on the mountain slopes.
The Erinvale logo is the Black Eagle which is nesting high up on the sheer rocky slopes of the Helderberg Mountain and regularly does a fly pass when golfers are on the course.
Challenging Holes:
Signature Hole: Your biggest test of nerve comes on the par-four 17th hole, a great finishing hole that swoops downhill. You play from an elevated tee with tall pines flanking one side of the fairway and an out-of-bounds fence the other side.
Picturesque Holes:
8th Hole par 3 165 meters slightly uphill with tall Pine trees flanking the green and two bunkers on both sides of the green making sure there is no space for errors. Standing on the tee you have an amazing view of the Helderberg framed by the tall pine trees.
HOW TO GET THERE:
From Cape Town International Airport
From the N2 Take Broadway Boulevard off-ramp (R44) marked Exit 43
Turn left at the top of off-ramp
At traffic lights (Lord Charles Hotel) turn right into Main Road
Turn left at the 4th set of traffic lights into Lourensford Road
Follow Lourensford Road for approximately 4 km
Turn left immediately after the Erinvale golf course
Turn right into Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa
Share this article