The Links always had a relatively small residential component to it, but in recent years an influx of people to St Francis has seen many building homes within the Links estate. There are now 380 houses, and that has impacted the aesthetics of some holes. However, several remain self-contained in the bushy vegetation which is a feature of the property, and most homes are set back from the playing corridors and don’t come into play. An interesting aspect of the Jack Nicklaus design is the way he created useful backstops behind greens where slopes bring the ball back towards the putting surface. Most evident behind 10 and 11 greens. The clubhouse has been attractively renovated this year, a new roof replacing the old thatch structure, and St Francis Links will host its fifth consecutive SA PGA Championship from November 27-30, the week before the Nedbank Challenge. Dean Burmester, who won the first PGA here in 2021, will be in the field.
