champions retreat

The Links Upgrade Under Player’s Guidance Complete in Time for the 2009 Gary Player Invitational

The Links golf course at Fancourt has completed its highly successful upgrade and enhancements as the famed layout prepares to host the 2009 Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola, in November.

The South African tournament of this global charity series will celebrate its 10th anniversary at The Links, designed by Grand Slam champion Gary Player, from November 26-29.

The Player Foundation, aimed at improving educational standards and helping children from impoverished communities plagued by disease and crime, has already raised over R250-million since its inception.

The enhancements made to The Links included various elements such as general maintenance, overall aesthetics and improved playability.

According to Frank Henegan, the Senior Designer for Gary Player Design, all 18 greens were resurfaced with A4 Bent to address the presence of poa annua on the greens.

As a result of the new greens running a lot faster, there were some subtle changes made to the contours on five of the greens (holes 1, 2, 3, 10 and 12) to create more level surfaces around the hole.

The renovation process also included the bunkers.

“The reason for renovating the bunkers is that it’s part of the long-term plan to get all the bunkers on The Links to have a consistent look, namely that of the sod-wall style,” said Henegan. “Also, some bunkers were removed or relocated to take into account technology and how far players are hitting the ball, so that The Links remains a true challenge.”

A total of 18 bunkers were renovated and firmer sand was placed in all the bunkers to enhance playability. The renovation of the bunkers has ensured greater visibility from the tee boxes, creating a more spectacular visual effect on the golf course.

Other elements in the renovation process included the removal of kikuyu grass on the golf course, the cleaning out of the wetlands which had become overgrown, and re-establishing the original sizes of greens which had succumbed due to a certain degree of creep over the years.

Anton Haakman, Director of Golf at The Links, has expressed his satisfaction with the renovation process.

“Our greens are already up-and-running and will be as quick as the world’s top players have come to expect by the time the Gary Player Invitational tees off here in November.”

Please visit www.fancourt.co.za for more information.




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