Simola Golf & Country Estate, Knysna

About 5km to the north of Knysna lies the 273ha Simola Golf & Country Estate, the first and, ironically, the latest to boast a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course in SA. (The other two are at Pecanwood at Hartbeespoort Dam and Pearl Valley near Paarl.)

Simola's name is derived from original founder Ola Grinaker and the type of cattle once farmed by Grinaker on the land, Simentaler. And it has a magnificent course and a fascinating history.

Grinaker first began his grand design for the estate in 1995. But he soon ran into financial difficulties, which in two years put the scheme into bankruptcy. The big mistake was to target too small a niche of high-rollers and charge too much for the privilege. Ten years ago, the asking price was R1m/stand - outrageous for the times. The FM highlighted this fact in 1995 and was proved right.

Today, however, new developers, the Osner Group, an Eastern Cape-based construction and property development company, in partnership with Kat Leisure hospitality group, are asking - and getting - substantially more. An average-sized stand of 6500m² in phase 1 is going for R2,5m; an average 1000m² stand in phase 2 is on offer at R1m. Stands range from 2500m² to 29000m².

The SA economy is growing faster than in 1995 and there is new wealth, especially at the upper end of the market. So the only factor that may put a damper on Simola is a structural one. In short, does SA simply have too many golf estates?

Osner Group MD Avril Kaschula points out that the company has been around since 1921. Kat Leisure currently operates seven hotels and other accommodation establishments in SA. They're a canny bunch and don't pay over the odds for anything - Simola being no exception.

The course is tough and will become even tougher when the vegetation has spread. A number of holes are breathtaking - especially the second. Standing on a hugely elevated tee, with stunning views of the Knysna Heads, the lagoon behind it and the Knysna River to the far left, one's natural inclination is to whack the ball over the road and into the far yonder, until it hits the fairway a couple of hundred metres further on. At this stage of the course's development, one can still get away with a wildish drive.

Then it's into the cart and a zigzagging ride down the track until you hit the fairway. Women golfers tee up a lot further down and dont get the height advantage of the men's tee.

Asked whether Simola was an especially difficult course to design because of the naturally rugged terrain, Nicklaus replied almost nonchalantly that it wasn't particularly difficult. "Some of the courses we've designed - in Taiwan, for example - are much more difficult, with far steeper inclines in places," he says.

Holes 2-6 are quite different from the rest, separated by the ridge that carries the road up from Knysna.

Like most golf course developments these days, the preferred method of getting around is by cart - and for good reason, especially on this one. Without one, many players might well give up after nine holes; it's that hilly.

The 8th hole is quite deceptive. The large hill on the left slopes down at quite an angle and its tempting to keep the ball as far left as possible. Judging by the number of lost balls high up in the rough on the left, this is not necessarily the best way to play this hole.

Membership at Simola is currently limited to 920. But you can buy a founder membership for R299250. This is the highest level of paid membership and entitles the member to use all golf and club facilities, while not being liable for annual subscription or green fees. Fifty founder memberships are available.

Individual members, all 700 of them paying a mere R65000, are liable for annual subscriptions but not green fees.

For additional information contact Simola Golf & Country Estate on tel (044) 382 0671; or visit www.simolaestate.co.za.

Financial Mail
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge