Golf Getaways A Golf AND Game Safari in SOUTHERN Africa by Ed Holbrook We're going to Southern Africa in February to play golf on some superb courses and see some of the most magnificent wild animals in the worldÉand you're invited to come along! Pictured: The course at Leopard Rock Country Club near Vumba is forged out of the mountianous terrain of Zimbabwe's eastern highlands. Our trip is being coordinated by Lion Roars Safaris, a family-owned business with offices in Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, and Florida. The Bailey family has lived in Africa for four generations and takes great pride in sharing the wonders of their country with visitors. "Africa is and always will be many different things to different people," says company president Brian Bailey. "What it is not, is a package holiday destination." Therefore, Lion Roars specializes in custom vacations tailored to suit the interest and style of the individual traveler or group. Leopard Rock Hotel and Country Club is nestled in a lush forest setting. We recently met with Brian's brother, Kevin, and mapped out our dream tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe. We think you'll like it, too. The golf courses are of first class championship standards and most have hosted major international events. We'll be accompanied by Kevin, a two handicap player who will be our guide. Stewart McGregor, a ZPGA professional, will also join us and give complimentary instruction. Accommodations are most luxurious, and the tour includes regional transfers, accommodations, green fees, caddie fees, and cart hire. Our 14-day tour will begin with our flight to Cape Town on February 2. Golf included will be at Erinvale Country Club in Cape Town (site of the 1996 World Cup); Lost City and Gary Player Country Club (home of the Million Dollar Challenge), both in Sun City; Royal Harare in Zimbabwe (recently re-designed by Nick Price); Elephant Hills; Leopard Rock; and Hillside Golf Club. Elephant Hills Country Club is so close to Victoria Falls, golfers can often see the mist from the falls in the distance. A mere listing of the courses, however, doesn't do this itinerary justice. For example, Elephant Hills is near Victoria Falls, and often your golf shot must be delayed a few moments while the wild game clears the fairway. The spray from Victoria Falls is clearly visible from the course. Leopard Rock is one of Zimbabwe's newer courses and has already been called the best course in Southern Africa. In the eastern highlands of the country, the course is forged into the mountainous terrain. From the higher elevations, you can see all the way to the Mozambique coast. Speaking of Victoria Falls, our visit there is sure to be a highlight of the trip. This is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is the largest waterfall in the world. Our accommodations there are at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, a magnificent deluxe lodge "perched on top of an African kopje overlooking a waterhole where the animals come to drink." ( A kopje is a small hill and it's pronounced like "copy.") Those who are really adventurous may go whiteÝwater rafting or even bunji jumping over the falls. We'll watch. Golfers share the fairways with wild game at Elephant Hills Country Club near Victoria Falls. Hwange National Park, home of the famous protected "Presidential Elephants" is also a stop on the tour, with a stay at the Kanondo Tree Camp. This lodging facility is a grouping of what must be the fanciest tree houses anywhere &endash; each having its own facilities ensuite and a view of the water hole where animals gather. Here, game drives will be arranged throughout the day. Want to know more? We'll be happy to send you a complete itinerary. Just give us a call at 1-800-785-7180 or 561-770-2222. Space is limited, so don't delay. The best airfares are those secured early. Brian and Kevin Bailey invite all of us to experience "the beauty, diversity, and splendor that is Africa."   What A Summer! Spain, Portugal And IrelandÉ It was a summer of travel for the Holbrooks and we'll share the details with you in upcoming columns. Just let us say for now that if you're looking for a winter or spring trip, golf on the coasts of Spain and Portugal would be super. With accommodations at one of several fine hotels in the centrally-located Marbella-Puerto Banus area of Spain's Costa del Sol, you can play a host of excellent courses, including the esteemed Valderrama. The Algarve section of Portugal's southern coast is home to San Lorenzo which is listed among the best courses in Europe. The Algarve is a rapidly-growing section of Portugal, with golf courses developing all along the coast. Both areas offer all the golf you want by day and the most divine seafood you've ever experienced for your dining pleasure. We also spent two weeks in Ireland escorting a group of 16 of the nicest people in the world to some great courses. Talk about good fortune &endash; we played every round in the sunshine! Watch this space for news of our escorted trips in the coming months &endash; we'd love to have you go with us! Better yet, get on our mailing list for our newsletters just to be sure you don't miss anything. Let us know if you have a group which would be interested in an escorted tour. We'd love to work with you!   SGH Offers Book Early Special! If you're planning a golf trip of any kind in the next yearÉLISTEN UP! If you book your trip with SGH Golf before December 1, you will receive the trip at 1998 prices. You know what prices do every year, so don't miss this chance to save the amount of that price increase. This offer applies not only to your custom vacations, but to golf events as well...The Masters, British Open at Carnoustie, and the Ryder Cup at Brookline Country Club in Boston. Think about making someone special really happy, with a holiday gift he or she will absolutely love! And speaking of the holidaysÉour very best wishes to you. May all the joys of the season be yours and we'll have lots more to share in the January issue.   Ed and Sue Holbrook are golf travel connoisseurs in their spare time, as well as by occupation. Together as Holbrook Golf Travel, they provide custom, worldwide golf travel packages. You can reach them by calling 561-770-2222 or 800-785-7180.