Fish River Sun Golf Course

A fine layout stretching over 6 200 metres from the pro tees and over 6 000 metres from the championship tees, a little respite to the club tees at over 5 700 metres with the ladies playing over 5 000 metres. Situated 122km from East London, 185km from Port Elizabeth and 27km from Port Alfred, this Gary Player designed course officially opened in 1990.

Carved out of the indigenous bush with kikuyu fairways and Bayview greens, full use has been made of the natural surroundings to produce a course that combines drama, challenge and ruggedness.

The course is maintained to the highest standard all year round and the scenic par 5 12th is the most exciting on the course. The fairway curves to the left and around a bend in the river. The challenge of this hole lies in the boldness of the person playing it. A brave second shot could be attempted across the corner of the river to the green which is perched on a high bank partially concealed by the rough vegetation.

The 473m 16th presents a tough poser. The dilemma arises in whether to attempt a testing second shot with a long iron or wood to carry the river, or to face a longish third shot to an undulating green. This hole runs parallel to the Indian Ocean and as you cross the pontoon bridge, you can look out to sea through the river mouth.

The 185-hectare site is bounded on the north by the Old Woman’s River, on the south by the Greater Fish River, on the west by the R72 coastal road and on the east by the Indian Ocean.

The golf course was designed by the Gary Player Design Group and building and construction started in 1988. The first nine holes were opened in 1989 and the second nine in 1990.

Gary Player took care not to disturb the indigenous vegetation, especially the Euphorbia trees. The Old Woman’s River splits the back nine holes into two sections. A floating bridge about 5om wide has been built across the river and has to be carried twice, first with the tee shot on the par 4 13th and again on the par 5 16th