Heritage Golf Club (La Réserve Golf Links)

La Réserve Golf Links opened in December 2023 as the Indian Ocean's only contemporary links course, occupying dramatic hillside terrain at Heritage Golf Club in Bel Ombre on Mauritius' southwestern coast.

Co-designed by 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen and acclaimed South African architect Peter Matkovich, the 6,570-metre par-72 layout descends 190 metres from the first tee to the clubhouse whilst maintaining ocean views from every tee and green.

Why Play La Réserve Golf Links?

Experience links golf alongside a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with authentic Scottish-style revetted pot bunkers and infinity greens. La Réserve hosted its championship debut three weeks after opening when Oosthuizen claimed the December 2023 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open on his own design.

History of La Réserve Golf Links

Heritage Golf Club unveiled La Réserve Golf Links in late 2023, nineteen years after the highly acclaimed Le Château course opened at the same property. Construction began in 2019 on former sugarcane fields within the 2,500-hectare Bel Ombre estate. The layout was planted with native island grasses to create species-rich grasslands, encouraging ecological diversity and valuable carbon sequestration. La Réserve achieved GEO Certified Development status during construction, becoming the first golf course in Africa to receive this environmental designation.

The golf course was designed by Peter Matkovich and 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen, who previously collaborated at Nkonyeni in Eswatini. Oosthuizen conducted site visits during the design phase, whilst Matkovich led the detailed architectural work.

Shaper Ryan O'Connor executed the earthwork to create visually enchanting links features without importing sandy soil. The entire layout was constructed using Dynasty Paspalum grass from tee to green, a strain previously proven successful at Mont Choisy during the 2022 Mauritius Open.

The championship debut arrived remarkably quickly. From 14-17 December 2023, La Réserve hosted the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open as a DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour co-sanctioned event. Louis Oosthuizen completed back-to-back DP World Tour victories with a final-round 69, finishing 17-under-par, two shots ahead of England's Laurie Canter. The victory marked Oosthuizen's first back-to-back tournament wins on the DP World Tour.

In December 2024, Golf Inc. magazine recognised the La Réserve clubhouse with top honours in the Public Course New Construction category. The clubhouse was designed by renowned French architects Perrot & Richard, who previously worked under the name Florent Richard. The structure integrates volcanic stone facades and endemic plants to harmonise with the natural landscape.

Course Layout & Playing Experience

La Réserve plays as a par-72 measuring 6,570 metres with multiple tee positions available. The signature architectural feature is the dramatic 190-metre elevation change from the isolated first tee high in the hills down to the clubhouse at sea level.

Not every hole descends - the routing maintains design variety and balance through some uphill approach shots to raised greens, with only two holes featuring significant elevation drops from tee to fairway.

The links aesthetic derives from artificial dunes, pot bunkers with Scottish-style revetted faces, rugged rough, waste bunkers and long indigenous grasses flanking fairways.

A unique design feature places a pot bunker in the middle of the 13th green. The course maintains firm, fast playing conditions that reward ground game and shot-shaping rather than aerial assault.

Matkovich originally anticipated designing a parkland layout to complement Le Château. Upon briefing by Ryan Dodds, head of golf projects, the architect could hardly contain his excitement at the hillside site's potential for links golf. The routing takes full advantage of prevailing winds that make this exposed site suitable for a traditional links strategy.

Notable Holes

The front nine delivers constant drama with elevated tees and panoramic vistas.

• The sporty par-4 3rd plays to an elevated infinity green offering breathtaking ocean and mountain views.
• The par-3 4th and par-3 7th both tested the championship field during the 2023 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
• Oosthuizen noted the par-5 12th could almost play as a par-4 when wind conditions match the tournament week.
• The par-3 17th sits enfolded by dunes in the style of great Irish links courses.
• The 18th presents options for aggressive players attempting to reach the green in two shots.

Championship History

2023 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open - Winner: Louis Oosthuizen

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Travel & Planning

Regional Golf Context

Heritage Golf Club operates as the Indian Ocean's only 45-hole golf destination. Le Château Golf Course occupies the same Bel Ombre estate, situated around the 19th-century château with mature trees and water features. Le Château has hosted multiple editions of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open since 2015.

Multi-course holidays work exceptionally well from Heritage Resorts, combining La Réserve's links drama with Le Château's parkland elegance on the same property before venturing to contrasting layouts elsewhere on the compact island.

Practical Planning

La Réserve Golf Links is reserved exclusively for Heritage Golf Club members and Heritage Resorts residents. Access requires either club membership or accommodation booking at Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort or Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort. Both five-star properties sit side-by-side on pristine beaches within the Bel Ombre estate.

Heritage Le Telfair offers refined elegance with fine dining across four restaurants and a comprehensive wellness spa. Heritage Awali provides family-focused luxury with all-inclusive packages. Heritage Resorts guests enjoy 15-minute tee time intervals, ensuring uncrowded conditions. The Golfzon Leadbetter Academy operates at Heritage Golf Club with both group and private instruction available.

Practice facilities include a three-tier driving range, putting green and dedicated chipping areas. The property's existing nine-hole par-3 course provides additional training opportunities. Walking is permitted, though most golfers utilise carts given the significant elevation changes.

Transport Information ✈️

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU): Approximately 39km (24 miles), approximately 39 minutes driving via coastal roads. Major car rental facilities operate from the international terminal with direct access to main routes. Heritage Resorts provides private transfer services for resort guests.

Ground Transport: The M1 motorway provides primary access southward from the airport before connecting to coastal roads serving the Bel Ombre region. The final approach follows well-maintained estate roads through the Heritage property.

Regional Access: Mauritius' compact geography places all island destinations within comfortable driving range. Port Louis, the capital, lies approximately one hour north. The island's circumference measures roughly 200km.

Seasonal Timing

Year-Round Play: Mauritius' tropical climate permits golf throughout the calendar year. The Dynasty Paspalum grass thrives in warm, humid conditions and recovers quickly from traffic.

May-November (Dry Season): Optimal conditions with lower humidity, cooler temperatures (20-25°C), and trade winds providing natural cooling. Firm fairways deliver maximum roll and authentic links characteristics. Peak season pricing applies, with booking essential.

December-April (Warm Season): Higher temperatures (25-33°C) and increased rainfall, though showers typically pass quickly. Course remains playable year-round thanks to excellent drainage and grass selection. Shoulder season rates are available with excellent value during January-March, excluding Christmas/New Year.

Wind Considerations: Prevailing southeast trade winds strengthen during winter months (May-October).

La Réserve Golf Links: The Verdict

La Réserve Golf Links delivers authentic links golf in an Indian Ocean setting, combining Scottish-style strategic demands with panoramic tropical vistas.

The 190-metre elevation descent from mountain-top first tee to oceanside clubhouse creates constant visual drama whilst maintaining playability through thoughtful routing.

GEO Certified environmental credentials, championship pedigree from the 2023 DP World Tour debut, and exclusive access through Heritage Resorts accommodation distinguish this layout from Mauritius' parkland-dominant golf portfolio.