What a delightful golf experience Somerset West has turned out to be with its redesigned layout by Peter Matkovich. He has created a memorable “links” section over the railway line that is terrific fun to play. There are eight holes in this area in an enclosed amphitheatre of mounding shut off from the surrounding busy roads. Very linksy, similar to what Matkovich achieved at Ebotse Links in Benoni, and Somerset West by contrast has the wind to suit that look and get golfers to try low running shots. One of the holes, the par-5 12th, is simply superb in its design, and at 485 metres easily the longest hole on what is a short layout. There are numerous short par 4s at Somerset West, due to the confined area in which Matkovich had to rebuild the old holes that were lost. Somerset West retains its parkland feel in the holes on the clubhouse side of the property.