Make this your favourite place

As we move closer to December and South Africa rushes towards it peak summer season, Mariah Carey, Boney M and Michael Bublé songs are drumming from every retail store and radio station.

Deals in heels are replaced with flip-flops and chops, and the evening’s smell of sweet nectar and braai. We know it’s time for a holiday.

Many South African and international travellers head to the coast, especially along the Garden Route, with towns like George, Knysna, Plett and St Francis Bay bursting at the seams. And why not?

These towns have so much to offer – stunning beaches, fantastic weather, walking and cycling trails, and the top 10 golf courses in the country. Where in the past ‘golf tourism’ often made us think of international tourists (over 60) coming to SA to play at Fancourt, golf tourism today constitutes local tourists made up of families and friends playing a number of courses, and enjoying a golf experience rather than just a game. St Francis Links – voted Best New Golf Course when it opened 17 years ago – has maintained its reputation and held onto its coveted spot in the top 10 every year since.

Rising to number four in 2023, it will be no surprise if we see St Francis Links in the coming years rise to a number one spot. Estate Living spoke to Jeff Clause, CEO of St Francis Links, about the course, the estate and the greater St Francis Bay area.

It is important to note that St Francis Links is a coastal golf course, and like all coastal courses across the world, it is tested by the breeze. Jeff laughs and says, ‘there are four tiers of wind: a pearler (up to 15km/h), a puff (up to 20km/h), a perky (up to 45km/h); over 45km/h you should rather go watch a movie. However, this is where the magic of the dune course comes into play.

The golf course is receptive to the wind because it was laid out to the lie of the land – or to the predominant direction the wind blows. ‘Thirteen of the 18 holes are played east to west, and three of the five that are played slightly across are Par 3. Sure, it can be challenging when you start, but ask any golfer – everyone is playing to achieve something. And on this golf course, it’s the value of a great drive, sinking a long put, hitting a good shot out of the dune sand, which is the natural sand in the bunkers, and, of course, appreciating all the different shots that are available.

You will probably end up using every club in your bag if you play from the tees that suit your game,’ says Jeff. ‘The course offers four sets of tees; the fourth tee is relatively short for juniors or improving ladies at 4,800 metres, and then from the front to the back it’s 600 metres in length between each course.

So every time you play a different tee, you play a different course.’ GOLF HOLIDAYS St Francis Bay is a very popular holiday location in December, and the community grows from ±7,000 to 35,000, so if you would like to book a game at St Francis Links this holiday, the club does impose limited play and timed tee sheets. Members have first choice, but the tee sheet is opened to afternoon visitors and guests two days in advance.

If you are planning a mini golfing holiday, Jeff suggests booking a game at St Francis Bay Golf Club and Humewood Golf Club in Gqeberha. Both clubs are open to the public and the courses are in fantastic condition. ST FRANCIS LINKS ESTATE UPDATE St Francis Links Estate is now sold out; the current rate of new homes under construction is 50. The estate has attracted

The estate has attracted investors with younger families and they are choosing to make St Francis Links their permanent residence. With the completion of the land sales, the estate will now transition from a developer-led board and estate to a homeowner-led board.

This process can be rather tumultuous; however, in the case of St Francis Links, the developers are also homeowners, and, with everyone as they say ‘on the same page’, they are experiencing a smooth transition. The homeowners association has purchased the additional property from the developer and will be focusing on more family facilities, adding to the existing extensive walking trails and the fully equipped leisure centre with heated pool and clubhouse.

Property prices have been on a steady increase, and the new St Francis Villas, which are positioned closer to the clubhouse, are very popular with mature investors. With a focus on their new slogan, ‘Make this your favourite place’, St Francis Links Estate continues to promote their core value: creating a warm family community that promotes a healthy lifestyle and sense of pride for all their residents and staff.