This Gary Player Design Company 18-hole championship golf course has fast become renowned throughout the golfing fraternity, both locally and abroad. It is part of an upmarket residential-cum development in one of the best locations in the Western Cape. The course, one of South Africa's great golfing challenges, is situated just a stone's throw away from the town of Somerset West and is a thirty five minute drive from the center of Cape Town. Its breathtaking mountain and sea views are an integral part of this unforgettable golfing experience.

The farm, Erinvale, on the beautiful and historic Vergelegen Estate, nestles at the foot of the Helderberg mountain in Somerset West. From a golfing point of view, the setting is ideal because the area is almost completely protected from the notorious southeasterly wind, which so often whistles across the Cape Flats in summer. As the wind is much less of a factor at Erinvale, the designer has been able to take advantage of the spectacular terrain. The winter northwester affects the course, but it is seldom as pervasive as the southeaster.

Erinvale was designed with extensive sod layering in bunker faces; wide, gently undulating Kikuyu fairways, Penn Cross greens and water on six holes. The rough is well kept and playable.

This par-72 championship course offers some of the country's most challenging and spectacular holes. The first nine climbs and then descends the gently sloping foothills of the Helderberg mountain and it gets quite close to the 200 meter contour in places. Numerous existing dams and rivulets come into play. Most holes on this nine have absolutely spectacular sea and mountin views which stretch over False Bay as well as the Hottentots Holland mountains.

The 1st hole, a dogleg right, epitomises the Erinvale experience. You can choose a safe line straight off the tee leaving a long second to an elevated green, well protected by bunkers and water to the right. The more ambitious golfer will cut the corner with his drive. This requires a carry over water and a ditch, as well as the avoidance of trees. The reward is a short iron to a difficult target.

The second nine runs long the valley floor and has more of a parkland aspect. Extensive contouring and mounding was introduced for variety, and much of the existing Fynbos and many old trees have come into play.

The par-four 17th hole is sure to test your nerves! This tremendous finishing hole swoops downhill. Play is from an elevated tee with tall pines gracing one side of the fairway and an out-of-bounds fence the other side.

The 1996 World Cup of Golf was hosted by Erinvale, where 32 participating nations competed and found the course both a golfing challenge and visual delight. It currently hosts the annual SAA Open, showcasing the South African golfing talent.

The proximity of Erinvale to some of South Africa's finest vineyards, like Vergelegen and Lourensford, offers the opportunity of sampling some of South Africa's fine wines before heading back to Cape Town.

Course Type : Parkland	Par: 72
Course Length: 6506m	Holes: 18