Nicklaus and Player to Launch Pearl Valley Signature Golf Course

The Western Cape's first 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course officially opened on November 17, 2003. The Pearl Valley Signature Golf Estate and Spa situated between Franschhoek and Paarl is the only Nicklaus designed course in the Western Cape and only the second in Africa, the other being Pecanwood in Gauteng.

The event was a sporting highlight for South Africa as Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player played an exhibition match to mark the official opening of the 18-hole course. This friendly match between the Golden Bear and Africa's Black Knight offered a glimpse of the American and South African team captains for the 2003 President's Cup, and could possibly be the last match played between these two golfing icons.

"Designing a golf course is my total expression. My golf game can only go on so long. But what I have learned can be put into a piece of ground, and that will last beyond me," says the man who has undoubtedly been the most dominant player of the 20th century with 71 official PGA victories that contribute to his total count of 100 victories achieved around the world. Jack Nicklaus' mark on the 20th century was his golf game, but his legacy continues in the 21st century with his golf course design that has established him as one of the world's premier golf course designers.

The Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Pearl Valley has already been hailed as 'fit to rival the best in the world' by golfing critics and showcases the Golden Bear's attention to detail and unmistakable design elegance. This project began when Nicklaus was commissioned in the mid-nineties to design and build the signature course. The 'Signature' appellation means that Nicklaus was personally involved in the design and construction of the course from inception and undertook regular visits to the site.

Amateur golfers need not be intimidated by Pearl Valley's championship credentials as each hole has been designed to offer everyday enjoyment for members whilst effortlessly rising to the challenge of major international championships through speeding up the greens, bringing the back tees into play and narrowing of the fairways. All par-3s and par-5's play in different directions ensuring that the same conditions are not experienced too many times in one round.