The professional golfers’ guide to exploring Cape Town

You would be surprised to know what professional golfers get up to off the fairways and during a week in a world-class city such as Cape Town, the host of this week’s CIRCA Cape Town Open on the Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour. And it’s far more normal than you think.

The chance to play a tournament in a city that is one of the world’s most sought-after tourism destinations brings with it an ideal opportunity to go from the driving range and explore a mountain range, or to trade a few fairway drives for some of the city’s most scenic drives.

So as focused as this year’s field will be from Thursday to Sunday as they compete for glory at Royal Cape Golf Club, they will definitely be taking time out to explore Cape Town as well.

“I went to the Access Park shopping centre and there is a fish and chips shop there where you can buy a calamari and chips bun for R45. You have to do that in Cape Town. It’s like a Gatbsy (an iconic Cape Town sandwich) but it’s a bun. For R45 – it’s a bargain,” said Jaco Ahlers, a former winner of the CIRCA Cape Town Open.

“You have to get out there a bit and see the city. It feels like home to me because my sister used to live here. So we’d do Cavendish Square and Canal Walk Shopping Centre.”

Multiple Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour champion George Coetzee has a whole itinerary of favourites whenever he’s in Cape Town.

“The Blue Peter restaurant in Bloubergstrand is a must – sitting on the grass for sundowners with a beautiful view of Table Mountain. Then, because I love surfing, I always take in Muizenberg for a little long board session there. And the Oranjezicht Market – straight there for breakfast. Those are all of my favourites in Cape Town,” he said.

Gerhard Pepler has two favourites he never misses whenever in Cape Town.

“The Red Bus Tour is always fun. And the Two Oceans Aquarium. It’s amazing and an absolute must-do when you’re in Cape Town,” he said.

And Nikhil Rama is still busy planning his first holiday in Cape Town. “I’ve never been on a holiday here. I’ve always just played the CIRCA Cape Town Open and that’s it. I’ve been up Table Mountain when I was younger, but I’d like to plan a proper holiday here. I love the weather here. The city feels like a mini Europe.”