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With the 135,000-acre Pilanesberg National Park located right next door, this impressive championship course in South Africa's Sun City resort and entertainment complex 90 miles northwest of Johannesburg offers a rare opportunity to play 18 holes of world-class golf one day, then head into the bush the next to see elephants, rhinos, hippos and other big game.

The par 72 course designed by South African golfing legend Gary Player is exceptionally long, stretching more than 7,600 yards from start to finish if you play from the back tees. Alternate tee locations are available to make the course more manageable, but the layout includes plenty of water hazards, deceptively tricky bunkers, kidney-shaped greens and other features that make this generally flat terrain more challenging than you might expect.

The cost for 18 holes including lunch is 475 Rand (about $80 USD), or 400 Rand if you're staying at the resort. Discounts are available for groups, junior players and PGA members, and a nine-hole green fee is set at 250 Rand. The generally moderate climate is conducive to year-round play, but bear in mind that summertime north of the Equator brings cooler temperatures to South Africa.

Ph: +2714-557-1245
ww.sun-international.com/golf