Pearl Valley, the second Jack Nicklaus Signature course in South Africa, opened in 2003 with an inaugural match between Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Set within a 500-acre estate in the Cape Winelands, this course is renowned for its striking visual appeal, featuring brilliant white river sand bunkers contrasting with the lush fairways and greens.
Located in the Drakenstein Mountains, Pearl Valley’s design ensures a unique experience with its eight par threes and par fives oriented in different directions, mitigating the impact of prevailing winter northwesterly and summer southeasterly winds. The course is largely flat, but the layout and natural scenery provide a captivating challenge.
Among the notable holes is the 147-metre par-three 3rd, which features water hazards on the right and a greenside bunker to catch errant shots. The par-five 4th includes a creek that must be crossed three times from tee to green. The 7th and 8th holes are tough par fours that navigate the largest of the course’s five lakes.
Pearl Valley hosted the South African Open for three consecutive years starting in 2007, marking the first time any club had done so. Winners during this period included James Kingston, Richard Sterne, and Richie Ramsay, each securing their titles on this prestigious course.
