A Living Trophy: Planting Ebony at La Réserve Golf Links
When the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open champion lifts the trophy, he will also receive a prize that carries a different kind of meaning: an ebony plant. In the same spirit of celebration, the winner will be invited to plant this ebony in the mini forest garden of La Réserve Golf Links, where a plaque will bear his name. It is a moment designed to last far beyond the final putt, because this is not a gift to be displayed, it is a living legacy to be nurtured.
Golf is played on living land. At La Réserve Golf Links, that land is part of a rare and sensitive ecosystem with a rich population of fauna and flora. As Peter Matkovich reminds us, you need to listen to the land. For us, that means nature is never a backdrop. It is a responsibility, and every decision we take, from how we shape the landscape to how we protect what already thrives here, must respect the life that belongs to this place.
This initiative sits at the heart of our sustainability pillar. It reflects what we protect, why we protect it, and what we want this tournament to leave behind. A trophy celebrates performance. A tree celebrates continuity. And in a place where nature is still remarkably alive, the most meaningful legacy is one that grows.
Why an ebony, and why Diospyros tessellaria
The species selected for this initiative is Diospyros tessellaria, adapted to local conditions and suitable as a coastal ebony. In Mauritius, ebony is not a single story, it is an entire heritage. The island is home to 12 varieties of ebony trees, each linked to specific habitats and ecological roles.
That diversity is one of Mauritius’ quiet miracles, and also one of its greatest responsibilities. Planting an endemic tree is a way of honouring the island itself. It links the champion to the land in a tangible way, turning a tournament victory into a lasting contribution. It also invites every visitor who walks through the mini forest garden to reflect on a simple truth: what belongs here deserves to remain here.
The story of ebony: beauty, demand, and loss
Ebony holds a special place in Mauritius’ history, not only because of its natural rarity, but because of what happened once its value was discovered. The dark, dense heartwood was coveted and ebony was harvested extensively during colonisation. In an era when forests were viewed mainly through the lens of extraction and expansion, slow growing native trees could not recover at the pace they were being removed.
Over time, the pressures on Mauritius’ ecosystems intensified. Forests were cleared for settlement and agriculture. Invasive species were introduced, changing the balance of habitats and making regeneration harder for native trees. The long term consequence has been profound biodiversity loss, with many species disappearing and native forest cover shrinking drastically.
We do not look back to dramatise the past, but to understand it. The history of ebony is a lesson in what happens when a living heritage is treated as endless. It is also a reminder that conservation is not optional for an island like Mauritius. It is essential.
From extinction to protection: why conservation matters
Mauritius is celebrated worldwide for its endemic biodiversity, yet it is also known as a place where extinctions have happened and where vulnerable ecosystems require active protection. The loss of species is not only a scientific statistic. It is the disappearance of life forms that exist nowhere else on Earth.
Ebony trees are part of that story. Several ebony species are rare, threatened, and dependent on the survival of habitats that have become fragmented. Protecting ebony means protecting the conditions that allow it to thrive: healthy soil, balanced ecosystems, and a landscape where invasive pressures are managed and native regeneration is encouraged.
This is why the act of planting Diospyros tessellaria is meaningful. It becomes a statement of intent. It says that we recognise the fragility of what we have, and that we are willing to contribute to its renewal. A planted ebony is not only a symbol of heritage, it is a step toward restoring it.
Our sustainability pillar: turning values into action
Planting the winner’s ebony is a visible moment, but the commitment behind it goes deeper. Our sustainability pillar is about protecting ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and ensuring that the way we host sport respects the land that makes it possible.
That commitment includes prioritising native species and strengthening local biodiversity wherever possible, so that landscapes are not defined only by design, but also by ecological value. It includes protecting the natural balance of the area by recognising that flora and fauna thrive best when habitats are respected and connected, not isolated.
It also means being mindful of resources. On an island, sustainability demands attention to water and the long term resilience of the environment. It requires thoughtful practices that reduce unnecessary pressure on natural systems, and decisions that consider not only the present, but also what the landscape will need in the years ahead.
Just as importantly, sustainability is about awareness. Conservation only grows stronger when people understand what they are protecting and why it matters. The winner’s ebony, planted publicly and cared for over time, becomes a living message. It invites conversations. It encourages curiosity. It helps transform sustainability from an abstract concept into something people can see and feel.
The mini forest garden: a place for restoration, not a timeline
Mauritius is celebrated worldwide for its endemic biodiversity, yet it is also known as a place where extinctions have happened and where vulnerable ecosystems require active protection. The loss of species is not only a scientific statistic. It is the disappearance of life forms that exist nowhere else on Earth.
Ebony trees are part of that story. Several ebony species are rare, threatened, and dependent on the survival of habitats that have become fragmented. Protecting ebony means protecting the conditions that allow it to thrive: healthy soil, balanced ecosystems, and a landscape where invasive pressures are managed and native regeneration is encouraged.
This is why the act of planting Diospyros tessellaria is meaningful. It becomes a statement of intent. It says that we recognise the fragility of what we have, and that we are willing to contribute to its renewal. A planted ebony is not only a symbol of heritage, it is a step toward restoring it.
Why we hold this in our heart
We hold this cause deeply because Mauritius cannot afford to be careless with what makes it unique. Our endemic flora and fauna are part of a global natural heritage, but they are also part of our identity. They shape our landscapes, our sense of place, and the wonder that visitors feel when they experience Mauritius beyond the postcard.
Protecting ecosystems is not only about preventing loss. It is about choosing regeneration. It is about aligning our actions with the beauty we celebrate. It is about listening to the land and responding with humility.
By gifting Diospyros tessellaria to the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open champion and inviting him to plant it at La Réserve Golf Links, we are planting more than a tree. We are planting a living legacy.
A legacy that honours sporting excellence while protecting what surrounds it.
A legacy that puts conservation at the centre, not at the margins.
And a legacy that will continue to stand, quietly growing, long after the applause has faded.
