Simola Golf and Country Estate

There are few places more spectacular than the small city of Knysna on South Africa's Garden Route in the Western Cape Province. Nestled in a protected bay, the area is home to a number of fine facilities, among them Simola Golf and Country Estate. The club is situated on high ground with gorgeous views overlooking the bay and the ocean beyond. The luxury development includes residences and a hotel, and residents and visitors can enjoy equestrian activities, hiking, boating and fishing, bicycling and, yes, golf. Jack Nicklaus is largely responsible for the design, which, though it lacks the length of some of his courses, will like all his work put skilled players to the test. Indeed, the challenge of fitting the layout onto the confines of site seems to have inspired Nicklaus to concentrate on strategy, and other contemporary architects would probably benefit from working under similar constraints.