Arabella is celebrating its 25th birthday.

From the first time I played the course I loved it. It really is one of my favourites.

When I was there last week my memory was jogged as to just how beautiful the entire estate is, from the time you drive through the gate you can’t take your eyes off all the shrubs, the lagoon, on-course water features and the surrounding mountains.

Peter Matkovich got it just right – the combination of a good test of golf, but also a playable course for mid- and high-handicappers. Even in a big wind the golf course is playable. Every hole is scenic. If it’s not the lagoon, then it’s the mountains, and alongside the fairways there are hundreds and thousands of fynbos shrubs that were planted during the construction of the golf course.

The fairways are wide but well bunkered and the greens have a variety of shapes and sizes. Derick Bolton built the course with Peter and is still in charge of the maintenance. The condition is spectacular. To put it simply, it is the most beautiful golf course in South Africa.

The first couple of holes are wide to get you off to an gentle start. The third is a long, difficult par 4 with water down the left. The fifth is a lovely short par 3, downhill, with an inviting massive green. The eighth is a downhill par 5 that plays towards the lagoon. It’s a visual delight of green fairways, wide bunkers and blue water.

The front nine ends with a drivable par 4, but don’t hit your tee shot offline. The final four holes on the back nine are all beautiful. Two par 4s, the 15th and 16th play downhill towards the lagoon. The 17th is a favourite of mine, a narrow par 3 with the lagoon on the right and a very well bunkered green. If you are successful in hitting this green with your tee shot you’ve done well. The 18th is a par 5, once again the lagoon is down the right of the fairway. It’s a finishing hole that can either have you celebrating, or it could ruin your card.

The hotel rooms are exactly right, not over furnished, but everything you need is there, and every room has a sensational view. The service and food are 5-star.

After reading this I’m sure you have gathered that Arabella is special. It’s easy to understand why it’s a Top 5 golf course in South Africa and if you’ve never been, put it at the top of your bucket list!

Of course Arabella is situated just outside of Hermanus, and there is so much to see and do, not to mention wine to taste in that area, if you have the time.