I finally managed a round at RPA and absolutely loved it despite the inclement weather (on a day when many brave souls were playing 36 holes in the EP Country Districts). Despite the rain the course played firm with bounce, sadly a rarity these days. The contours and shaping are classic links-style and require consideration in shot-making. There are many impressive swales and hollows like the one in front of the second green known as Hippo’s Bath. RPA has a lovely collection of par 3s with one downhill, one across a valley, one uphill and one pretty much flat. The day I played there was considerable variance in the length of each which added interest. Aesthetically the views are lovely with great birdlife and wildlife (springbok, impala, blesbok) adding to the ambience. Royal reminded me of the type of course you find in remote seaside towns in Scotland. The club has a strong sense of tradition but not in a stuffy way. Friendly staff and members eager to hear how I enjoyed the course. Added bonus is that I walked 18 in a touch over two hours.