Anahita
The newest championship golf course on Mauritius, and one that could
quite quickly become the best on the island, is the Ernie Els-designed
Anahita golf course – part of the Anahita Resort on the island’s east
coast.
Heritage Golf Club
At the heart of the Domaine de Bel Ombre on the unspoiled south coast of
Mauritius, discover this remarkable golf course designed by renowned
architect Peter Matkovitch, which stretches out over 100 hectares
between the green hills and turquoise lagoon.
Le Touessrok
A golf course on an island is not that unusual. After all, the British
Isles have plenty and there are quite a few golf courses on the various
islands of the Caribbean. But a golf course that can boast its own
island – all to itself – is fairly unique. And that is exactly what the
Le Touessrok golf course in Mauritius can boast, thanks to its location
on a small island called Île aux Cerfs, just a five-minute boat ride
from the mainland of Mauritius.
Belle Mare Legend
On the east coast of Mauritius is the beautiful Belle Mare Plage resort,
home to two 18-hole championship courses, one of which – the Legend –
hosts the Mauritius Open each December. This 6,003 metre, par 72 layout
was designed by South African Hugh Baiocchi, once a serious competitor
on the European PGA tour and still plying his trade on the Champions
tour in the US.
Belle Mare Links
The Links course at Belle Mare Plage – located a few kilometres away
from the actual resort – was only opened in November 2002. However this
5,961 metre, par 71 track, designed by Peter Allis and Rodney Wright,
looks like it’s been there for a lot longer. Much more open than its
sister course, the Legend, the Links nevertheless has several lakes and
numerous outcrops of volcanic rock to ensure the need for accuracy from
the tee and for the approach shots. This is particularly the case at the
362 metre, par four 13th and the 129 metre, par three 14th – both of
which have greens surrounded on three sides by water from the same lake.
Gymkhana
Located near Vacoas in the island’s central plateau, the Gymkhana Club
is Mauritius’ oldest golf club, dating back to 1902 when a golf course
was built on the existing club grounds by the British Navy. The club has
been the venue for many of the island’s major sporting activities since
1844.
Shandrani
At the Maritim Hotel near Balaclava in the north, there is a nine-hole
course with a par of 29, the longest hole of which is 340 metres. Mostly
used as a brief diversion for hotel guests, the course is nevertheless
charming and offers great views over the Indian Ocean.
Paradis
Located in the south-west of the paradise island of Mauritius is a golf
course actually called Paradis. This 18-hole championship course, which
opened for play in 1990, is one of the oldest resort courses on the
island and is attached to the luxurious Paradis Hotel, set on the Le
Morne peninsula. It is aptly named as golfers playing here often comment
that the setting is so beautiful, they could conceivably be playing
golf in Heaven.
Le Saint Géran
Often referred to as the ‘Grande Dame’ of Mauritius, the One&Only Le
Saint Géran hotel was first opened in 1975 and then underwent extensive
remodelling in 1999. Located on its own 60 acre peninsula on the
island’s east coast, guests have access to a private lagoon for
watersports and pristine white sand beaches for sunbathing.
Tamarina
One of the most recent additions to Mauritius’ golfing delights is the
Tamarina Golf Estate and Beach Club – a Rodney Wright design that
measures a whopping 6,869 metres, par 72 from the back tees, though
there are a variety of other tees to choose from to suit all standards
of golf. Tamarina marks a new development in Mauritian golf, one
recently followed by Anahita and Golf du Château, as it’s part of a
residential community whereas the other main courses on the island
belong to hotel groups.
