BELLE MARE PLAGE HOTEL & GOLF RESORT
MAURITIUS

Imagine the concept of a Resort and a Championship Golf Course in harmony. The Belle Mare Plage Golf Hotel & Resort in Mauritius has succeeded in its ambition to achieve this concept. This 178-room Resort replies to the tourists developing needs by offering a high level of sport and spare time activities on an area of 75 hectares that lies along one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.

The Championship Golf Course, the first of its kind on the island, opening in early 1994, is the crowning achievement of the action undertaken during the last two years by the Constance Group, owner and manager of the Belle Mare Plage Golf Hotel & Resort. The Belle Mare Plage Golf Course is a Championship standard layout featuring 18 holes each very different, exciting and challenging.

The course was carved out of bush covered volcanic rock in some areas and shaped over low lying flood plains in others. Accuracy down the indigenous tree and bush lined fairway is the main challenge culminating in large, receptive greens set in superbly natural backdrops.

The outstanding hole is the par 3, 160 yard 17th with its spectacular views from the tee across the sparkling waters of the bay, tucked in around the headland from the Indian Ocean, surrounding the island green perched on an outcrop of volcanic rock.

1st Hole - Par 4 - 320 yds/293 m - S.I. 17

An easy short par 4 to begin with but care must be taken with the drive as there is water on both sides of the wide fairway. Most players may elect to play a 1 iron or a 3 wood which will still only leave them a short iron shot to the green. This is a very real chance to start the round off with a birdie.

2nd hole - Par 4 - 375 yds/343 m - S.I. 3

A challenging drive is required to a right dogleg tree lined fairway. The pin position will determine the real difficulty of the hole as the green is guarded by two large bunkers and a lake on the right to catch the stray second shot.

3rd hole - Par 3 - 164 yds/150 m - S.I. 7

With the prevailing wind against and a large sloping green a good club selection will be needed to ensure an easy par.

4th hole - Par 5 - 553 yds/506 m - S.I. 9

A birdie chance for the big hitters. The hole can be shortened by keeping the ball as far left as possible but beware of the water that protects both sides of the fairway. The green is protected by three bunkers but a chip and a putt for the birdie are very possible.

5th hole - Par 4 - 425 yds/389 m - S.I. 1

By far the most difficult hole on the course. A very straight drive is the only solution to avoid the water hazards and to set up a challenging long iron to a well protected green.

6th hole - Par 5 - 495 yds/453 m - S.I. 15

A straight forward driving hole with water protecting the right-hand side of the fairway from the tee. The green can be made in two but there is very little landing area and three bunkers lie in wait for the attempted shot. Normally a safe second with an iron played short of the green and a good pitch is the safest way to try and make the birdie.

7th hole - Par 3 - 219 yds/200 m - S.I. 5

This is the most challenging par 3 on the course. Normally against the wind a one iron or a 3 wood will be needed to make the green which is protected both sides by a bunker.

8th hole - Par 4 - 390 yds/357 m - S.I. 13

A fairly easy hole that only demands a tee shot to the left-hand side of the fairway to have an easier line into the green. This is definitely a birdie chance.

9th hole - Par 4 - 376 yds/344 m - S.I. 11

A fairly short hole but it needs to be taken seriously. A good drive will only leave a short approach but to an elevated green. Any ball missing the putting surface will leave the player faced with a bunker, water or the negotiation of a difficult slope.

10th hole - Par 4 - 367 yds/336 m - S.I. 12

This right dogleg hole is protected by a pond on the right and a bunker on the left at the bend in the fairway. Once the tee shot has been negotiated, there is definite birdie chance.

11th hole - Par 3 - 166 yds/152 m - S.I. 14

Although there is water between the tee and the green, the real difficulty will be the large, challenging, undulating green set into the trees. A well-judged tee shot will be the only way to make the par easier.

12th hole - Par 4 - 398 yds/364 m - S.I. 14

Leaving the driver in the bag will be the best solution on this most attractive par 4. A well-positioned long iron or 3 wood will leave you a mid to short iron over the water to a large but narrow green.

13th hole - Par 5 - 500 yds/457 m - S.I. 6

Certainly a hole for the long hitters. Although not the longest par 5 on the course, it does have a very long carry over water to an elevated fairway. The fairway narrows as it approaches the green with a bunker guarding the right-had side. It is not really advisable to play for the green in two but to play with caution by laying up short and trying for the birdie with a good chip.

14th hole - Par 4 - 411 yds/376 m - S.I. 2

This is a very tight drive with a bunker ready to catch the more ambitious player. Keeping the ball on the fairway is the secret to this hole that turns up the hill to the right leaving a medium iron shot to the green. Two bunkers keep guard at this difficult sloping green.

15th hole - Par 4 - 375 yds/343 m - S.I. 10

The tee shot again is very important at this hole. There is a large tree situated on the corner of this left-hand dogleg which demands a long drive or one that has found the right-hand side of the fairway. The green is slightly angled to the left to the player so make sure you hit enough club for the second shot. Keep an eye out for the water.

16th hole - Par 4 - 377 yds/345 m - S.I. 18

A straight forward par 4 that will always be regarded as a birdie opportunity. It has a most attractive teeing area that is surrounded by water and gives a marvelous example of the courses’ characteristics.

17th hole - Par 3 - 166 yds/152 m - S.I. 16

A most spectacular par 3 with views overlooking the mountains and the sea. A mid to short iron over water will send the ball off to a large undulating green guarded by two bunkers. The hardest part of this hole is not to 3 putt.

18th hole - Par 5 - 522 yds/477 m - S.I. 8

A most challenging finishing hole. This dogleg par 5 demands a good long straight drive, preferably kept to the right-hand side of the fairway. Still, after that, it will require a lot of courage, even for the boldest of players, to attempt the green in two. The large green which is set on a peninsular just below the clubhouse, is protected by three bunkers, one of which is set behind the green to catch the over hit shot. All the trials and tribulations can be easily seen from the bar and restaurant.