Mauritius – Golfers’ favorite destination
Golf lovers, book your tickets to Mauritius! For years now, the archipelago has become the ultimate destination for golfing holidays. It has already been designated several times as “golf destination of the year” in the African zone and “golf country” by the IAGTO (Global Golf Tourism Organisation). Discover 3 good reasons to choose Mauritius for an unforgettable golf vacation!
1) You are bound to find the course that suits you
The island paradise does not only have its splendid landscapes: it has no less than 12 golf courses! Beginners or experts, amateurs or professionals, you will find a circuit that suits your level and your desires.
Indeed, several golf courses offer individual or group lessons for beginners or hobbyist wishing to improve their technique. This is the case, for example, of the Maritim Golf Club and its superb 9-hole, Par 29 course designed by Graham Marsh in 1994. More experienced players may prefer the Legend Golf Club, whose difficulty challenges even the best players. This Par 72 was built in 1994 on a 70-hectare deer hunting reserve, based on the plans of golf champion Hugh Baiocchi. The recent Avalon Golf Estate, envisioned in 2015 by Peter Matkovich will allow players looking for a challenge to practice on an 18-hole course influenced by the direction and strength of the wind, in the heart of the bois chéri estate.
2) You will discover unique courses, practiced by champions of the discipline
Widely recognized for their technicality, their aesthetics and the quality of their services, the golf courses of Mauritius have won over even the greatest players. The different courses will seduce you by the intelligence of their creation and the resplendent setting they offer. The circuits of the island are unique and offer you a moment out of time.
The Gymkhana Club, for example, is rooted in the history of the archipelago. Indeed, this magnificent 4,879-meter Par 68 is not only the oldest on the island, but also the 4th oldest in the world! Created by the Royal Navy in 1844, the course is open to players of all levels, although it requires a certain technicality. If you practice your swing there, you will come back with a certificate attesting that you played on a course created more than 170 years ago.
The Domaine de Mont Choisy golf course is the last one built on the island. Its particularity lies in the historical importance of its environment: the course is located on a former aloe vera plantation. The entrance to the course is marked by the Gate of Friendship, a gift to Mauritius from King Radama II of Madagascar no less than 150 years ago! Designed by Peter Matkovich, this sublime Par 72 perfectly highlights the vestiges of this era, by integrating them into the circuit.
In addition, many Mauritian golf courses host stages of the Vanilla Islands Pro-Am tours (VIPAT). This inter-island tournament offers golf enthusiasts the opportunity to compete in teams of four, including three amateurs and one professional player. It is an opportunity for all to share a unique vacation, driven by their common passion for golf.
3) You will practice golf in an idyllic setting
Mauritius is known for the splendor of its coastline and nature. The golf courses that have been built there are no exception to the rule. If all of them offer superb panoramas, some of them stand out particularly by the beauty of their realization.
Voted one of the 10 most beautiful courses in the world by Golf World Magazine, the Ile aux Cerfs course has been designed for the most experienced players, in the heart of a sumptuous landscape. Accessible only by boat, this course offers its players many technical challenges, accompanied by an unparalleled view of the lagoons and the Mauritian coastline. The golf champion Bernhard Langer designed this Par 72 course to make it a challenging and unforgettable circuit.
The Heritage Golf Club is regularly cited as one of the most beautiful on the island. And for good reason, between greenery, lakes and lagoons, the course is perfectly integrated into the landscape. Players can enjoy a Par 72 of 6,498 meters, where a meandering stream and a hilltop become a technical obstacle. The course was also voted best golf course in the Indian Ocean in 2014 and 2015.
The Paradis Golf Club, an 18-hole, Par 72 course of 5,924 meters is also often cited for its aesthetics. Located between lagoon and mountain, it was designed by the professional player Tony Johnstone. Nothing is left to chance and the lush vegetation, combined with a view of the Morne Lagoon will make your golf session a memorable one.
Equally splendid, the Tamarina Golf Club offers a very technical Par 72, with a natural course, designed by Rodney Wright. The 18 holes of the course will amaze you with unmatched views of the Rempart Mountain and Tamarin Bay. A special feature of the club is the presence of pilfering monkeys, emblematic of the island of Tamarin, which regularly roam the course.
There are only good reasons to come and discover the golf courses of Mauritius. The Vanilla islands are waiting for you for a wonderful and unforgettable golfing stay!
