Fancourt Golf Club
The golf complex was constructed in 1990 when an initial 27 holes were laid out, followed seven years later by an additional 9 holes which then became the Montagu and Outeniqua courses, with the Links following in 2000 and the Bramble Hill course a year later, which has closed.
Fancourt Golf Club is South Africa’s premier lifestyle estate with mountains, forests, and the warm Indian Ocean nearby. The estate features 133 luxury rooms and suites, including The Manor House, a Spa, and various restaurants. There are three Gary Player-designed golf courses. 1) Montagu is a challenging course in an Indigenous landscape, 2)Outeniqua is an easier course recommended for beginners, and 3) Links is quite challenging with a dune-style landscape. The club includes a Leisure Centre with a Kidz Club.
Fancourt Manor house ghost
The tale of Fancourt Manor House endures as one of South Africa’s most famous ghost stories. Whether the hauntings are real or imagined, the story of Montagu White’s death and the whispers of his lingering presence remain an indelible part of the estate’s history.
The story begins in the mid-1800s, when Henry Fancourt White, an English engineer responsible for constructing the Montagu Pass, built his home in the village of Blanco. Originally named Blanco House, the property was later renamed Fancourt by his son, Ernest Montagu White, in honour of his father.
In 1916, Ernest Montagu White—who had served as the South African Consul-General in London—returned to Fancourt for a visit. A keen mushroom collector, he unknowingly picked a poisonous variety. The mushrooms were prepared for dinner and served to Montagu, his stepsister Elizabeth Jan Ham, and family friend Sydney Vincent.
Soon after eating, all three adults fell ill. They all died from mushroom poisoning, leaving only Vincent’s young son, who tragically lost both his parent and guardians.
Following the deaths, the house remained empty for nearly two years. During this time, locals began reporting strange occurrences. Footsteps echoed through empty hallways, doors opened and closed on their own, and voices were heard where no one was present.
The most enduring legend is that of Montagu White’s ghost, said to wander the manor’s corridors or gardens wearing his characteristic suit and Panama hat. Witnesses described him as calm but restless, appearing briefly before vanishing again.
Over the years, Fancourt changed hands several times. In 1960, Dr Roland Anthony Krynauw purchased the property and began restoring it. The renovations preserved the structure and returned it to its former grandeur, though stories of unexplained phenomena persisted among visitors and staff.
Today, the Manor House operates as a five-star hotel within the Estate. While it offers modern luxury and comfort, many still associate it with its tragic past. Guests occasionally report mysterious sounds or fleeting shadows, yet the overall atmosphere remains peaceful.
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Montagu St George
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