Discover The Golfer and Designer Gary Player and The Cliffs at Mountain Park

At The Cliffs, we have been honored to have had some of the very best golf designers and architects contribute to creating the exceptional golf experience we are known for. In this post, we are diving into Gary Player’s career, the mastermind behind the exquisite design at The Cliffs at Mountain Park. 

Biography

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1935, Gary Player is one of the sport’s greatest players. His father purchased him his first set of clubs and his love for the game of golf flourished. At the age of 14, he played his first round of golf, and by the age of 17, Player became a pro and began to compete internationally.

Professional Golf Career 

As a professional golfer, Gary Player had quite the career, being named one of “The Big Three” golfers of the era, along with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus –– also a renowned designer who also designed two of the golf courses at The Cliffs. 

Over the course of his professional career, he came to be known as the Black Knight for donning all-black outfits while competing. Player won nine major championships on the regular tour, including a modern Grand Slam, winning the four major tournaments in the sport. Afterwards, he went on to play the Champions Tour for several years before retiring from the game in 2009, winning a total of nine major championships in his career.  

Courses Designed by Gary Player 

In the 1980s, Player began designing courses in tandem with competing. Today, he has three design brands –– GaryPlayer Design, Player Design, and Black Knight International. Over the years, his firm has designed more than 400 projects in 41 countries. Let’s take a look at some of these stunning designs. 

The Links at Fancourt | South Africa

After countless hours spent studying the great Scottish links courses, The Links at Fancourt arose from a former airfield into a masterfully crafted dune-like terrain. With the Outeniqua Mountains surrounding the 18-holes, it’s no surprise that The Links has come to be recognized as South Africa’s number one golf course. Developed in collaboration with Phil Jacobs, a designer at Gary Player Design, and Fancourt owner, Dr. Hasso Plattner, the course has been the host for a number of prestigious events including the Presidents Cup, South Africa Open, and Volvo Golf Champions European Tour.

Thracian Cliffs | Bulgaria

With magnificent cliffs to one side and vibrant lush landscape on the other, the Thracian Cliffs golf course uses the natural landscape to its advantage. The views of the Bulgarian Black Sea can be appreciated from nearly every hole –– making it one of the most spectacular courses in the world. Its signature hole, the sixth, sits high on a cliff, offering panoramic views as far as the eye can see.

Cougar Point | Kiawah Island 

Located on the spectacular Kiawah Island in South Carolina, the Cougar Point course is a favorite among residents and visitors alike. This must-play course features holes located along the banks of the Kiawah River, offering golfers marsh vistas as they make their way through the design. Player designed the course with multiple tee boxes on each hole, creating a superior level of playability for golfers of all skill levels.  

The Cliffs at Mountain Park | South Carolina

The natural, authentic beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway surrounds golfers as they make their way through The Cliffs at Mountain Park golf course. Perfectly crafted to embrace the elements, the design features waves of native grasses, rolling mounts, and a rushing river running through the course –– which flows through the majority of the course. With its dramatic mounds and concealed cart paths, it comes as no surprise that The Cliffs at Mountain Park has been recognized as one of GOLF Magazine’s Best New Modern Courses, and a member-favorite at The Cliffs. To discover the other six courses at The Cliffs, click here.  

Golf Experience at The Cliffs

At The Cliffs, golf is more than a game –– it is a commitment, a passion, a way of life. We understand this desire to be on the course from dawn until dusk, practicing your short game, playing a quick round with your friends, and of course, catching up at the clubhouse after. 

For golf enthusiasts who choose to call The Cliffs home, we have created an experience unlike any other. With seven world-class golf courses designed by some of the greats of the game, you never get tired of playing on the same course. From high on the mountain-top at The Cliffs at Glassy to alongside the water’s edge at The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards, there is a style of play for every day of the week. In addition to the courses, our golf facilities include clubhouses, training facilities, pro shops, and a team of expert staff and golf professionals ready to give you a pointer or two that are sure to improve your game.

Throughout the year, we hold member tournaments for exciting competitions with others who share your love for the game. Some more serious than others, these tournaments range from winning bragging rights around the clubhouse to playing for a worthy cause during a fundraising event, and even holiday-themed competitions throughout the year. Golf at The Cliffs is truly an experience to be lived! 

Become a Member

If you would like to become a golf member, we invite you to browse our regions at The Cliffs, as membership requires being a homeowner at one of our seven luxury communities. Just as each golf course offers its own distinct style of play, each of our communities embraces a particular lifestyle. To learn more about which of our three regions is the best fit for you, click the button below.