La Réserve Golf Links - a walk like no other and a golf like none other
V Krishnaswamy, a traveler and a golf journalist, walks up the splendorous hills of La Reserve Golf Links, from the clubhouse to the first tee, during the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open 2023
There really is nothing ordinary about the latest golf offering on the international circuit because La Réserve Golf Links at Heritage Golf Club is anything but that. It is extraordinary.
It is a unique design in that the first tee is high up in the hills, almost by itself, and overlooks the imposing Indian Ocean below it as the 18 holes of the course make their way down from there.
The dramatic drop in height from first tee to the clubhouse is almost 60 meters (200 yards). Put that into perspective and you realize why it is so special. Add to that, La Réserve Golf Links is also in sync with nature, mindful of its location alongside a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. La Reserve Golf Links is where there were massive sugar cane fields long ago. They now have native grasses which create rich rolling grasslands and encourage ecological diversity.
Indeed, it is unique.
Krishnaswamy: "A walk from the clubhouse to the first tee is not for faint-hearted."
But, be warned, a walk from the clubhouse to the first tee is not for faint-hearted. It takes almost an hour to get there on foot, though there are shuttle buses to do that for golfers.
Yet, I chose to walk it right to the top during the 2023 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. Armed with two bottles of water, a generous dose of determination and an obsession to imbibe all those amazing ocean views, I set out with my wife, a keen golf fan.
We were suitably rewarded after the walk up and down the course, which has been co-designed by the 2010 Open winner Louis Oosthuizen, who played and won the 2023 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, and Peter Matkovich, the renowned course architect, whose work in South Africa and Mauritius are legendary.
Making our way through rough pathways and the paved cart paths, we passed many spectacular sights on the way up. We stopped many times, not only to catch our breath, but also to partake of the wonderful mix of lush fairways, the bushes, and the soothing waters. Yes, the golfers, too.
From the clubhouse, which always seemed packed, the first tee is the farthest point. You need to be good at dividing your time between golf, which is a constant drama, and the flora and fauna which mesmerizes you.
The ‘lovely blue waters’ can be seen from nearly every angle. The gentle breeze that blows every few minutes, may bother the golfers, but is a welcome relief for the ‘walker’ in me.
Starting out from the clubhouse, you move past the driving range, where the professionals give their game a final touch before boarding the shuttle for the first tee.
Moving away from the range when you get to the 16th green. To the right of the 16th fairway are forest reserves and to the left is the rest of the golf course. I chose to go right since I planned on coming down the other way. With forests on the right, you walk up to the top, watching golfing drama on your left.
Get to the ninth green and there is a nice refreshment station with nice cool drinks and a few nibbles. And some seating, too. Wipe your sweat and keep soldiering.
The pathway keeps taking you up and up and towards the goal – the first tee box. Along the way comes the eighth and the massive lake surrounded by fairways and greens. Keep looking to the left for a bit of golf, too.
The fifth, the fourth and then a peek at the third fairway and finally you see the narrow second hole. A bit more and there it is – the first tee box.
Just to remind you, we have been walking ‘back’ towards the one – starting from the clubhouse from the closing holes to the ‘starting’ hole, the first, which is right on top!
When you get there to the first tee, stand for a while, breathe deep and take in all that fresh air and mind-boggling views.
Make sure you stand behind the first tee and get a picture – you need to do that to show off to your friends !
The trek down has lots more of golf. You wonder at the narrow funnel-like nature of the longish second hole which has dune ridges on both sides. It is said to be the hardest of all holes on La Reserve Golf Links.
The third, a Par-4 measuring 394 meters (431 yards) brings to you all those panoramic views the co-designers, Oosthuizen and Matkovich, told the world about.
There is a birdie to be had, but only after a precise tee shot to what we call the elevated ‘Infinity Green’ – yes from far, the green, the ocean and the sky seem to merge into. Magnifique.
The fourth, a Par-3 measuring 155 meters (170 yards) provides dramatic views of the waters crashing and ocean to the right. Anything imprecise and the pot bunkers will swallow the golf ball.
Get to the fifth tee, which also offers the views of the waters but even more amazing is the sight of the fairways and the green way below – it is almost 60 meters (200 yards) and there are signs requesting the buggy drivers to be careful while coming down. If you manage to ‘spot’ the ball from the top, count yourself lucky, but these pros are something else.
The stretch from the second to the fifth is incredible and worth the trouble of walking almost 10-12 kilometers.
Move around that Lake for the sixth, seventh and the eighth before you get to the ninth, the closing hole of the front stretch. Spectacular views – a phrase you use often at the La Reserve – greet you before you start the back nine.
The tenth is another hole that has an ‘infinity green’ – don’t be distracted by the scenery – because it is the second hardest hole (after the second hole) on the course.
The walk back from the 11th and 12th to the 18th has you shifting your sights between the golf and dramatic ocean views.
And, when you get back from that ‘never-to-be-forgotten’ trek up-and-down the La Reserve Golf Links, the first ‘Contemporary Links Course in the Indian Ocean’, as it is being labelled, make sure to make your way to the VIP Hospitality area – it has the most amazing spread of delicacies and wines.
At the end of it all, what hits you most is that the La Réserve Golf Links is more than just golf – it is an experience.
Be sure, I will be back.
Contributor : V Krishnaswamy (@Swinging_Swamy)
