Goose Valley - The Pride of Plettenberg Bay

There is a lot to like about Goose Valley before one even makes it to the first tee. The reception at the security gate is friendly and efficient and an even warmer welcome awaits the visitor to the pro shop. It is also apparent that this estate is lovingly maintained and the neat, practical clubhouse and its surrounding gardens bear testimony to the effort spent in keeping everything in tip-top shape. The course has excellent practice facilities, with undercover bays and a pratice chipping/bunker area and, unless your short game is very sharp, a visit to this area might be a good idea before tackling this short but tricky layout.

Plett has long been a favourite holiday destination and the wellheeled from Johannesburg and other areas escape to their homes here during the peak season. The area has also become one of the most popular destinations for foreign visitors, particularly those from Europe. Property values have also sky-rocketed in this region (which could affectionately be called 'Sandton-on-Sea'), and what was once a sleepy little hamlet has been transformed into a bustling town surrounded by opulent homes. Indeed, it seems that every available square metre of real estate that offers a view of the beautifull coastline (and even those that don't) has been developed - unfortunately in some places with scant respect for natural terrain. But while shopping malls and residential estates vie for space in and around the rather cramped town centre, just two kilometres up the N2 towards PE one finds Goose Valley, and no travelling golfer should pass up the opportunity of playing a round on this beautifully manicured course.

The land on which this estate lies once formed part of the Ganse Valley, a sizeable farm that was sub-divided into smallholdings, one of which was bought by Gary Player. Player renovated and enlarged the existing cottage into a holiday retreat and, although it is hard to imagine Player ever relaxing, he and his family spend a fair amount of time here. Early in 1990's, the 'Black Knight', who has always had a keen eye for valuable property, purchased an adjoining tract of land, and the idea of building a nine-hole golf course took shape.

With typical enthusiasm and his renowned energy, Player set about designing the course, which allowed for the sale of 272 sectional-title units surrounding the layout. Tim Hutchinson was appointed to manage the sale of these units, all of which were snatched up by astute investors within the space of a fortnight. It clearly made sense to extend this development and expand the course to a full 18 holes, but the owners of the surrounding land weren't about to relinquish their hold on their assets that were rapidly increasing in value.

It was only after Hutchinson teamed up with Belgian immigrant Joep van Almenkerk and local accountant Billy Gibson that Player's vision of the 18-hole course was finally realised. With the cooperation of Ockie Vermeulen, who sold the land required to extend the estate, and after negotiations involving the GooseValley home-owners and Bitou Municipality, planning permission was granted for the Turtle Creek Estate to be established. This added 60 freehold-title home sites to be developed and Phil Jacobs of Gary Player design set about extending the course which is truly a triumph of restrained architecture. The course is free of gimmicks, pleasingly playable and what it lacks in length is certainly more than made up for with guile - including well-placed water hazard, clever mounding and imaginative bunkering.

General manager Vaughn Tucker, an experienced golf pro who spent some 15 years at George GC before moving to Goose Valley, has obviously assembled a team that understands the hospitality industry, and it is clear why this course has become a firm favourite with local and foreign visitors.

The opening hole is well-defined with bunkers guarding the lefthand side of a left-to-right dogleg par four, which offers a generous landing area from the tee. The green is perfectly positioned, and even though the hole has a stroke index of four, in normal conditions this represents a relatively gentle start to a round that anyone is guaranteed to enjoy.

The 2nd hole is an excellent par three and it plays every inch of its 189 meters. A stream, which runs across the hole, is well short of the green and shouldn't come into play, but the 'dead ground' short of the green makes the hole seem shorter than it is. A short par four follows, played uphill and features typically good bunkering, and then comes another drivable two-shotter but again this hole features sufficient bunking for the longer hitter to think twice before reaching for the big stick. Another fine par three is then played, followed by another two-shotter that should yield a good birdie chance. The 7th and 8th are both par fives, with the former probably the best hole on the outward loop. A large lake guards the left side of the hole and well-placed fairway bunkers to the right put a premium on accuracy from the tee. The second shot must also negotiate to fairway bunkers and even if a player has a crack at the green the shaping of the putting surface's surrounds ensures that the approach must be perfect or else a tough recovery pitch or chip is faced. The 8th is stroked as the easiest hole on the course and two reasonable shots should find the green or at least leave a good chance of pitching close enough to allow a good birdie opportunity. The finishing hole on the outward loop has one of those inviting fairways that urges the player to 'let rip', and a short-iron should again set up a fair chance of matching or beating par.

The back nine starts with a strong par four and although measuring only 389 metres, this hole demands an accurate drive to avoid the fairway bunkers and a solidly struck approach to the green that is also well protected by bunkers. The next hole is a strong candidate for one of the most enduring par three's to be found anywhere. Measuring only 150 metres from the championship three and played downhill, a sea of fynbos must be carried and the large green offers some intriguing pin position. The backdrop of the lagoon and the sea beyond makes this a breathtakingly beautiful hole which has quite obviously been given 'signature' status.

Another good short par four follows at the 13th is another outstanding one-shorter player uphill. The par-five 14th,
shaped left-two-right, offers a good opportunity of getting home in two shots and the 15th, although the longest par four on the course, measures only 401 metres and is well within range of most golfers. The 16th is another par five that cries out to be birdied, while the 273 metres 17th would also appear to be a pushover, but isn't. The finishing hole is simply honest par four that finishes in front of the clubhouse, hardly a scorespreading tiger, but a great way to cap a great golfing experience.

To sum up, this course has the uncanny ability to lull a player into believing that it could be over powered, but don't believe it. Playing when a stiff wind is up must be rather interesting, but even with the gentlest of breezes this layout has more than enough challenges to keep a player thinking. It is not surprising that only five players managed to break par when the Southern Cape Open was played here. Many approaches are likely to be played off uneven lies and even short-irons played to the firm, slick greens are not guaranteed to set up easy birdies.

Many courses claim to test accomplished players while allowing novice golfers to enjoy their experience, but few actually deliver. They are either too tough or too weak, but Goose Valley certainly offers the best of both worlds. The shaping of the fairways, the bunker positioning and the greens complexes combine to form a layout that is at once modern but sympathetic to the classic nuances of course architecture. The holes are also very different, while conforming to the overall theme of coastal parkland with a strong links influence. For what must be considered a high-density estate, the homes are situated far enough away from the playing areas and at no times does the course seem cramped.

Goose Valley only joined the ranks of 18-hole course in September 2002 and must certainly be included on a list of 'must-play' courses on the Garden Route. Considering that visitors are charge a modest R290 for a round here, I would go so far as to say that this represents the best value to be had anywhere. The three most important ingredients for a good golf course are: location, design and conditioning. Goose Valley certainly earns high marks in all three categories. Course of the Month November 2006 - Compleat GOLFER

GARY PLAYER APPLAUDS IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO GOOSE VALLEY GOLF COURSE

During Gary's recent Xmas holiday break at Goose Valley he expressed his delight at the changes which took place during 2006. Many of the bunkers received Geotextile linings installed by Phillip Basson of George. Gary stated that these looked better than Augusta. More bunkers will be similarly upgraded during 2007.

New tee boxes were constructed on 6 of the holes and these improvements also received very favourable comments from Gary Player and the general public. Goose Valley now has all the attributes and the length to be played as a Championship golf course as and when circumstances dictate.

This year new bridges have been designed and will be constructed on the 2nd, 3rd and 9th holes. The existing high quality driving range has also been further improved with undercover facilities and mirrors for proper tuition. There are also very pleasant and well laid out putting and chipping areas for short game improvement. The above facilities, together with the half dozen PGA professional tutors who are available, make the golfing experience at Goose Valley a very rewarding one.

The Goose Valley Pro Shop is beautifully appointed and carries a wide and upmarket selection of shoes, clothing and accessories for both men and ladies. The Pro Shop staff are friendly and helpful.

The general condition of the golf course, under the supervision of green keeper Gaeren Wilkinson, is excellent with Gaeren having recently been nominated as one of 12 finalists for the 'SA Green Keeper of the Year' award.

Under the general management of well known and popular PGA professional Vaughn Tucker, Goose Valley is destined to rise dramatically in the 'Golf Digest Top Golf Courses' rankings (currently 50th), as well as in the 'Best Conditioned Courses in South Africa' rankings (currently 26th). Visit www.gri.co.za/65042.aspx