[petermo]

I don't think the exclusivity is as important as the course itself - an example is Gary Player's new course near Johannesburg, Blair Atholl, where it's impossible to play unless your with a member or on the Golf Digest rating panel. It's said to be terrific and I'd obviously like to play it but nearby we have a Jack Nicklaus signature course that anyone can play, Pecanwood, both tracks at Sun City (GP Country Club is rated #1 in SA) and there are many other 1st class courses, nearly all of which are private or estate courses that anyone can play and at reasonable prices. There are 2 others that one can't play without a member, River Club, which is in great condition year round but otherwise overrated and the Links at Fancourt which was the venue for the President's Cup - having played it once in foul weather, I'm not anxious to repeat the experience.

If anyone wants a cheap golfing holiday SA is hard to beat with the most expensive round likely to be less than $150 including cart. Airfares from the US return come in at about $1500 and after that it's so cheap it feels like it's free!