In the early 14th century, either in Scotland’s eastern Lothians or in the Netherlands, where the game was called Kalvin, golf began.

The links land was the marginal land lying between the beaches and the arable fields and only good for grazing sheep and rabbits and bleaching cloth.

Open to the elements, the game was played on the links grasses between the dunes and the bush.

’St Francis Links’ , the second course in St Francis Bay, may not have been grazing land for sheep and rabbits, but a natural course between the beach and arable land it is. Jack Nicklaus has had the pleasure of taking Mother Nature’s best piece of links land and signed his name to something unique. ’St Francis Links’ challenges all who play it and rewards those who respect it.

The layout combines every element of shot making with its undulating terrain, greens and surrounds as well as its variation in length and direction.

The bunkers look as though they have been ploughed out of the land. The bunkering truly defines the quality and character of ’St Francis Links’. Others courses have a links "look". Here you will see what separates ’St Francis Links’ from the rest – a consistent look throughout. One will agree that, almost from the opening shot, ’St Francis Links’ carries a look and feel that breathes history from bygone times.

The shape greens’ shape comes from the natural movement of the land. The greens have simply been placed on top of the sand, changing shape as the wind changed its mind. Some are more undulating than others. All putting surfaces and green surrounds present a mental and physical test.

’St Francis Links’ is South Africa’s Pure Links!

Booking through Cape St Francis Resort as a guest will equate to a more favorable green fee.

The origins of the St Francis Bay Golf Club date back to 1975 when Leighton Hulett, the developer of the area then known as Sea Vista, opened a 9-hole private golf course. He employed Robert Grimsdell, who also designed courses such as Mowbray, Durban Country Club and Hans Merensky CC, to design the nine-hole private course which was opened in 1975.

In December 1976 the first Committee was elected and the club was named “The Cape St. Francis Golf Club”. The first Chairman was the late Buller Pagden. In the early 1980’s the village changed its name to St Francis Bay, and the club likewise became “St. Francis Bay Golf Club”. During this period the course was also developed from sandy to lush fairways and greens (exclusively Poa Annua) to achieve its acknowledged status as the best nine hole course in the Eastern Cape and South Africa’s best kept secret.

The course has undergone many changes since the original Grimsdell design was developed by Maxwell Hulett, the most significant which was the construction of an additional nine holes. As a result of the decision taken in 1997, the Club now has a full eighteen-hole course which was finally opened in December 1999.

The popularity of ’The St Francis Bay Golf Course’ and the “Calamari Classic” (a three-day tournament run in September each year) in particular has been evident when one looks at the list of players frequenting the Club. This list is made up of resident members as well as up-country members and visitors who travel from all over the country and abroad to come and play at ’The St Francis Bay GC’.

Booking through Cape St Francis Resort as a guest will ensure more favourable green fees.

A short drive to Humansdorp, just pass the N2 junction will lead you to one final course in the area - Zwartenbosch Golf Club. Although set out over 9 holes, this course offers different tee boxes for holes 10 -18. Not as popular as the 2 St Francis Bay based courses this hidden treasure is usually less busy and therefore can prove a more relaxing and peaceful affair.

The course is well maintained and offers a variety of challenging holes.

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We are situated in Newington Street, Richmond Hill on a quiet tree-lined lane, filled with historic and gracefully restored buildings. The peace of the picturesque neighbourhood belies its location in central Port Elizabeth where the heartbeat of the city pulses nearby and the main N2 highway that charters motorists in and out the Bay is but a few streets down.

The saying goes that in Port Elizabeth nothing is more than 15 minutes away and with Richmond Hill this most definitely rings true. 

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