Golf Course Review… Mauritius

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Fact File

Address – Golf du Chateau, Coastal Road, Bel Ombre, Mauritius
Par – 72
Rating – 72 (club tees)
Length – 5737m (club tees)

History

The course opened for play in December 2004, when the current back nine was opened. The front nine was opened in April 2005 and the full course became playable. A nine-hole par-3 course was added at the end of 2005, which is a nice addition to the championship course.

The Course

It has a varying feel as you move from the front nine to the back nine. The grasses used are Seashore Paspalum from tee to green, with the rough areas a mixture of Mondo and Vetiver grasses. Apparently, the brief to designer Peter Matkovich was to create a course that looks as if it has been sculptured out of the pre-existing sugar cane. This is the reason for the use of the long Vetiver grass, which has the appearance of short sugar cane. The first four holes wind their way up the hill to the highest point of the course at the 4th green. Spectacular 180 degree views of the Indian Ocean from this point are a main feature of the front nine. Large trees flank the 5th and 6th holes, before the course moves to what they call the ‘Mauritian Stretch’ at the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th with palm trees, sand and water a feature of these holes. Holes 13 through 16 are very parkland in design, with large Tikomo trees in evidence on this stretch. The 18th is a classic finishing par-5 with thick rough and bunkers in play off the elevated tee shot, and water and bunkers framing the approach from 100 metres out. Three risk and reward par-4’s at holes 5, 9 and 12 are a great test and do tempt the better players to have a go. Matkovich summed it up rather nicely when he said that “any resort golf course needs to provide a challenge for the better player, yet provide a playable and enjoyable experience for the recreational golfer. Golf du Chateau has the right balance and variation in length of holes, width of fairways, green sizes and ultimately the risk and reward element that is crucial on any championship layout”.

Additional Facilities

Golf du Chateau has a double-sided grass driving range, a short-game area of up to 60 metres of fairway, semi-rough and bunkers and a large green in front of a clubhouse that has a rather enticing bar and restaurant. In addition, there’s the nine-hole ‘Mashie’ course, which is also available in the evenings for ‘Night Golf’.

Rates

Guest residing in either of the two Heritage Resorts hotels, have unlimited green fees included in their room rate. Therefore:
Non-Heritage Resort Guest – 4000 rupees (R970)
Cart Hire – included in green fee
Club Hire – 1600 rupees (R390)

Location

The course is situated among sugar cane plantations, on undulating land, in the Domaine del Bel Ombre in the south-west of the island, just a two-minute shuttle drive from the hotel. Golf du Chateau is set in 100 hectares of lush parkland bordering the 1500 hectare Bel Ombre Nature Reserve.

Contact

Tel: +230 6235600, domainedebelombre.mu/en/golf

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