Course description: Arabella Golf Course - sensational course in a superb setting. Framed by the Houwhoek Mountains and the Bot River Lagoon, the golf course at the Arabella Country estate - considered the best in the Western Cape - is certainly one of the most scenic.

From the moment you arrive and drive past the first fynbos-fringed fairways on the way to the clubhouse, you realise that this course is special, blending in with rather than dominating the landscape. It's an impression that is confirmed when you look out from the clubhouse over the ninth and 18th greens, situated on the edge of the Bot River Lagoon.

This is the balance that designer Peter Matkovich sought when he laid out the course; taking full advantage of the natural features and offering something for every golfer, whether expert or amateur.

The same fairways and greens that challenge and reward a Saturday fourball have seen professionals including Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, contesting the Nelson Mandela Invitational alongside celebrities such as Ronan Keating and Lucas Radebe. It's small wonder that Arabella has been awarded Five-star Golf Experience status and that its 18th hole has been voted as the best finishing hole in South Africa.

Despite hosting major events and being rated as amongst the country's top five courses by both leading South African golf publications, course superintendent Derek Bolton is certainly not resting on his laurels and is constantly making improvements. The most recent of these was the complete reconstruction of the fairway on the par-four sixth hole to eliminate a previously blind tee shot and make the hole much more playable.

Other recent developments include fitting all the golf carts with a GPS system that not only shows first timers how to get to the next tee box, but provides a wealth of other information that benefits even regular players - such as the distance from the cart to the hole. And the improvements are not restricted to the course. The pro shop and clubhouse have both recently benefited from an extensive refurbishment.
It is this attention to detail that contributed to the Compleat Golfer naming the Arabella Golf Course the best in the Western Cape and second best in South Africa, after the exclusive Leopard Creek. High praise indeed for a golf course not yet six years old.

Holes: 18

Metres: 6381m

Length: 6381m

Rating: 73

Par: 72

Travel Instructions: Take the N2 over Sir Lowry Pass and turn off at R43 (Kleinmond / Hermanus). Then turn right into R44 (Kleinmond). Turn left to the hotel situated on the Arabella Country Estate.

	Adam Veysey		+27 (0)21 412 9046
	www. westerncapehotelandspa.co.za