A few of the group of 33 travelers pose for a photo during the Captivating Cape Town, South Africa Trip with African American Golfer’s Digest.
(November 11, 2019) The Captivating Cape Town adventure of a lifetime came to fruition for 33 travelers from across America who reverently stepped onto the soil of The Motherland in Cape Town, South Africa. Greeted at the Cape Town International Airport with rousing musical sounds of traditional drummers and dancers, the AAGD group was welcomed home in style. Their host, Debert Cook, publisher of the African American Golfer’s Digest planned the 8 days/ 7 nights excursion over a year ago, hoping to deepen the knowledge of Africa to her 80,000 readers and open the eyes of the publication’s avid golfers to the grand, green and abundant fairways of ‘The Mother City,’ as Cape Town is commonly referred to.
“It was a marvelous opportunity to showcase one of my favorite cities in the world to readers who traveled with me to Cape Town,” said Ms. Cook. “Nearly everyone on the trip had never been to Africa before this. It was amazing to watch their eyes light up while they experienced the food, the culture, safari and exciting nightlife of this cosmopolitan city. Many have shared with me that this will NOT be their last trip to Africa!”
Charlene Williams of St. Petersburg, Fla., enjoys a moment at the Cape Town V&A Waterfront (photo courtesy Charlene Williams)
Travelers had come from as far away at Texas, Alabama, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Mississippi, Florida, Ohio, Connecticut, and South Carolina. Their itinerary for the Captivating Cape Town trip included an abundance of tours and attractions, including a visit to Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost point of Africa, a thrilling bus ride along Chapman’s Peak, Cape Point Nature Reserve and a viewing of the Boulders Penguin Colony. Travelers enjoyed two delicious wine tastings, cellar tours and cheese tastings at Anura Wine Estate and at the family-owned Stellenbosch proceeded by a historical drive through the city of Cape Town with a walking opportunity.
Avid golfer Rella Jordan of Calumet City, IL, age 82 (turns 83 in two weeks) enjoyed playing the course at Rondebosch Golf Club, Cape Town, South Africa.
“Awesome!, trip. I had the best time of my life,” said Kenneth King, a Staten Island, NY, resident and retired NYC Firefighter who was one of nearly a half-dozen non-golfers on the trip. “I cannot thank Ms. Cook enough for planning this trip. I never would have thought that I would be in Africa during my lifetime. This was such a great opportunity and she made it happen for me,” said Ms. Rella Jordan, an 82-year old avid golfer and resident and of Calumet, City, Il, who enjoyed playing 9 holes at the beautiful Rondebosch Golf Club.
Walter and Mary Wallace of Pensacola, Florida, at the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa
Other adventures that travelers participated in included a trek or aerial cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain, evening dine-arounds at the majestic V&A Waterfront, District 6 tours, and township visits. “I was simply amazed at how much I did not know about Africa,” said Walter Wallace, a Par-Four Golf Club member and former president of the organization in Pensacola, Florida. “My wife Mary and I had the time of our lives exploring the city, shopping, and bargaining in the markets, and getting acquainted with the local people. Everything was fantastic—I will never, ever, ever, forget this trip.”
The African American Golfer’s Digest has been conducting tours and excursions for the last 12 years with international destinations that have included, Bermuda, Bahamas, Dubai & Abu Dhabi, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Cuba and Ghana. Domestic trips and annual programs have included a Master’s Week Augusta GolfFest, a PGA Convention Show-Week Diversity Pavillion & Tournament, the Martha’s Vineyard Golf Classic Getaway, Bayou Golf Tournament during ESSENCE Music Fest, and others.
Debert Cook, CMP
“Golf opens doors for so many new experiences in life, from building and cultivating friendships, to staying fit, active and travel,” said Ms. Cook. The publication has several great programs and destinations already planned and booking now for 2020. For more, visit the webpage for Trips, Getaways & Excursions.
