Grand Saint-Emilionnais

The Mourgue d’Algue family has had a big say in the growth of golf within France. Gaëtan established the Trophée Lancôme in 1970 and ran it at Golf de Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche for more than 30 years.

He also published the biennial Peugeot Golf Guide book, listing the top 1000 golf courses in Europe, before expanding the coverage in 2010 with the production of the Rolex World’s Top 1000 Golf Courses book.

Gaëtan and his son André spent time a great deal of time searching for a suitable property that could be developed for golf and they eventually acquired a 250-acre estate close to Saint Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the wine producing countryside near Bordeaux.

Once the required planning permits had been obtained, Tom Doak was called in to design his first 18-hole layout in Continental Europe and he wasted no time draping the course across a gently rolling landscape in his own minimalistic style, with fairways routed in a simple out and back fashion.

Feature holes include short par fours at holes 2, 7 and 8 and the 194-metre par three 9th, where the green sits behind a lake. The inward half plays almost 300 metres longer than the front nine as it contains three par fives, two of which are played back-to-back at the 15th and 16th.

Some apartments have been built in a small hamlet close to the clubhouse and these are available for golfers who choose to stay and play. Ideally located, with views out across the course and the surrounding vineyards, this accommodation allows visitors the opportunity to remain on site for a relaxing break in a beautiful setting.