La Réserve Golf Links has already been described as a “game-changer for golf in Mauritius” and an “unparalleled experience of pure golfing drama”, and this December the world will see exactly the impact it intends to make as one of the most anticipated new golf course developments to open this year.
This masterpiece of golf course design on the rolling hills of the Bel Ombre estate in the south of Mauritius is the creation of co-designers Louis Oosthuizen – the 2010 Open champion – and renowned golf course architect Peter Matkovich.
La Réserve Golf Links is a sublime addition to the already impressive golf portfolio of Heritage Resorts under the banner of Heritage Golf Club and including Le Château Golf Course, thereby transforming the south of Mauritius into a true home of golf.
The course distinguishes itself as the first and only contemporary links in the Indian Ocean with spectacular ocean views from every tee and green.
From 14-17 December it will take centre stage during Golf’s Most Beautiful Week as the host of its first professional tournament in the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open with a field including Oosthuizen, defending champion Antoine Rozner and five-time DP World Tour winner and Heritage Golf Club ambassador Marcel Siem.
“La Réserve Golf Links is a game-changing course for Mauritius and Heritage Golf Club as a select global golf destination,” said Jonathan Menteath, General Manager of Heritage Golf Club.
“This piece of land with panoramic views over the Indian Ocean is extraordinary and fulfils our vision to create a world-class course for global golfers seeking the purest golf experience in one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth.”
Co-designer Matkovich has guaranteed that this year’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open field will be presented with a golf course that plays exactly like a traditional links and requires similar strategy. The greens will need a deft putting touch with several slopes on them and a variety of pin placements available, while a strong collection of par-threes will also test the field.
“It’s not a course where you can power your way around and hit high shots into elevated greens. We’ve gone back to how links golf was played, low along the ground, bouncing it in. I thought about some of the great players like Peter Thomson, Bobby Locke and Gary Player and how they mastered links, by playing the course in front of them and the shots each hole required. From the first tee until the 18th green, there are so many ‘Wow!’ moments.”