Continental Europe: France
Golf National will host Europe’s next Ryder Cup.
St Endreol is one of the leading resorts in the whole of Europe.
all the gear you wish, because you might well have taken the ferry from the south coast of England. The golf? Full of highlights and something for everyone, no matter what your taste, budget or ability. No matter how diverse your group, these regions can cater for all. In Brittany, surrounded on three sides by the sea, you lap up spectacular holes such as the 11th at Pléneuf-Val-André or the 6th at Dinard. Val-André and Dinard Golf are two of the highlights of this region of varied golf, with the common theme of uncrowded tee sheets, inexpensive green fees, and easy access. The parkland of Les Ormes is another, a terrific play-and-stay option, while SaintMalo Hôtel, Golf & Country Club is in the 58 GOLF ESCAPES 2017
‘Golf Barrière de Deauville by Tom Simpson has charmed since 1929’ forest among ancient hunting grounds of Robert Surcouf, and surrounded by the vast Mirloup lake. In Normandy, there are more than 40 courses ranging from seaside tracks to inland beauties to clifftop thrillers. They are located in locations as diverse as the Bay of Mont St Michel to the Alabaster Coast and from Perche to the Seine Valley, from the Cherbourg peninsula to Auge. Etretat has overlooked the sea and the eponymous bay since 1908, Golf Barrière de Deauville by Tom Simpson has charmed
since 1929 while Dieppe-Pourville is a Willie Park design from 1897. Omaha Beach has an emotive name and indeed is just three miles from the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer, and many of its 36 holes enjoy splendid views. Halfway between Paris and Deauville, Golf d’Evreux sits beautifully in its natural rolling topography and is noted for its fast, true greens while Golf Barrière de Saint-Julien near Pont-L’Evêque has two courses. France’s possibilities seem endless... n
Want to find out more? UK’s official site for visiting France w: uk.france.fr Private Golf Key w: privategolfkey.com