Simola Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, opened in 2005 as the third Golden Bear signature course in South Africa. Nestled on a wooded landscape above the Knysna River, with the Outeniqua mountain range as a backdrop, the course offers stunning views, particularly of the Knysna Heads and Lagoon.
The parkland-style course features an unusual layout with five par threes and five par fives, winding through two valleys divided by the Simola Ridge. Holes one and eight to eighteen enjoy views of the Lagoon, while the remaining holes offer vistas of the river.
The development of Simola was a lengthy process. Initially envisioned by Ola Grinaker in 1995, Jack Nicklaus was involved from the start, signing on for a $1 million design fee. However, the project faced significant setbacks, including environmental damage caused by heavy rains in 1996. These delays led to financial troubles, with the development going bankrupt and accumulating debts of R51 million. The estate stood idle for five years before being bought at auction by Avril Kaschula of Kat Leisure, who successfully revived the project, with Golf Data and Nicklaus returning to complete the course.
One of Simola’s standout holes is the par four 2nd, where golfers play from an elevated tee with a clear view of seven fairway and greenside bunkers, offering a strategic challenge early in the round.
