When Mauritius is on your mind

Posted on by Alexander Rose

It’s been some years ago that I went to Mauritius for our honeymoon. The island, the hotels, the golf, the whole trip turned out to be quite exceptional—and not just because it was such a special occasion.

Mauritius is Africa’s second largest economy and indeed rich in beautiful beaches and golf courses. Being on the island, I was fortunate enough to play the “The Links” and “The Legend” courses at Belle Mare Plage, and also the Le Touessrok as it was known back then, today referred as the Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club. And I enjoyed them all.

Yes it was my honeymoon and I may have been in an emotional high anyway, but by all means, the setting, the quality and the general attractiveness of the courses is superb.

I left the country/island after two weeks, knowing I will be back some day. First because one of the hotels we stayed in was absolutely the best you could ask for, and second because there are still some golf treasures to be lifted.

For my second trip I have two courses definitely on my list:

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Tee boxes for all abilities | © heritagegolfclub.mu

Both courses look just fantastic on pictures. Both are situated on the south coast of Mauritius and Anahita is actually placed adjacent to the Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club; not on an island but on a beautiful peninsula, formerly belonging to the Four Seasons hotel group.

The Anahita is a fully fledged Ernie Els design 18-hole course, while the Heritage is a Peter Matkovich design 18-hole plus 9-hole pitch and putt. They are not far from each other, so just perfect to fit in one trip—as getting from A to B in Mauritius is not as easy (and quick) as it sounds.

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Playing with the elements | © heritagegolfclub.mu

I just can’t wait to plan my next trip to Mauritius to check out the courses, maybe the related hotels and to tell you guys everything about it afterwards.

For now, it’s all just in my mind—unfortunately.

Mauritius named Golf Destination of the Year – Africa, Gulf States & Indian Ocean

Posted on by Alexander Rose

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The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius has been honoured as one of the world’s best golf destinations.

It was named 2016 Golf Destination of the Year for the Africa, Gulf States and Indian Ocean region in the prestigious annual IAGTO Awards, the golf tourism industry’s “Oscars”, at a gala dinner on the final day of the International Golf Travel Market in Tenerife.

It is the second time Mauritius has won the coveted award, which is voted for by golf tour operator members of IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators). It previously won the honour in the 2008 IAGTO Awards.

“Through the AfrAsia Mauritius Open, the first-ever tri-sanctioned golf event by the European, Asian and Africa Sunshine Tours, the island of Mauritius has reaffirmed its past role as the key of the Indian Ocean, this time for the promotion of the game of golf on the three continents,” he continued.

“Our golf business model is centred on our guests’ satisfaction in terms of service quality, innovation and value for money.

“Everybody involved in the golf tourism industry in Mauritius is very honoured that the island has been named Golf Destination of the Year for Africa, the Gulf States and the Indian Ocean. To have won this prestigious accolade, which is voted for by tour operators, is very gratifying and shows that our hard work is paying off.”

Mauritius offers a collection of world-class golf courses by renowned golf designers, in tropical settings and with perfect, year-round golf weather. The inaugural AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open was held at the Heritage Golf Club in May 2015. The 2016 event will be held from 12-15 May, 2016, at the Four Seasons Golf Club Mauritius at Anahita and will have a purse of €1 million.

I spent my honeymoon in Mauritius and can rightly say, it’s a small paradise and the golf is truly breathtaking. Can’t wait to see the AfrAsia Mauritius Open is teeing up at Ernie Els’ Anahita resort. The course pictured above is Bernhard Langer’s Le Touessrok Golf Club—another mind-blowing course on its own island.

If you are into beaches, great food, culture, heritage and golf, then Mauritius is the place to be for you!

Mauritius, a very fine golf destination

Posted on by Alexander Rose

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I was lucky enough to schedule in some rounds of golf during my honeymoon to Mauritius. This island is a pure golf and honeymoon destination at the same time, so why don’t combine the two reasons…

During our 2 weeks we managed to play three rounds:

During the first week we stayed at the Constance Le Prince Maurice Hotel on the east coast and the first two courses here in this list were free of charge. We were picked up by a shuttle service, brought to the courses in 10 minutes and were provided with excellent service and a GPS cart. No need to say that the golf experience in Mauritius is absolutely top-notch.

However the both courses at Belle Mare Plage were not in the most superb condition than hoped. The greens have just been punched before and at least the Links Course had some more brown-ish areas than anticipated as Mauritius moves from winter to summer now. But overall, two very nice courses indeed.

Next on my list were the Le Touessrok and the Anahita. Unfortunately I only managed to play Bernhard Langer’s Le Touessrok, now known as the Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club. But it was worth the efforts and Anahita, Ernie Els’ masterpiece, supposedly the highlight of Mauritius, remains on my list for the next trip to the Indian Ocean.

In the second week we moved to the St. Regis Hotel in the south-west part of the island. There you’d find the Paradis Golf Club, the Tamarina Golf Club and the Heritage Golf Club close by but we didn’t play them at all.

When you think about holidays in the Indian Ocean and you are a keen golfer, then forget about the Maldives or the Seychelles! Enjoy the golfing variety of Mauritius with its superb golf courses.

Getting ready for Mauritius

Posted on by Alexander Rose

The wedding is around the corner and with it the planning for the honeymoon. We’re going to Mauritius and I can’t wait for it! The next two weeks will be absolutely hell in the office—my thoughts always circle around the wedding ceremony, the party and the honeymoon.

Mauritius is the perfect golf destination and I’m very much looking forward to the two weeks with my wife-to-be and obviously to the rounds of golf I’ve scheduled in. The missus rarely plays golf so she’s not as excited as I am but she obviously knows about my passion so I got my OK to play some rounds.

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Mauritius more and more becomes famous for being the place-to-be golf destination in the Indian Ocean. That’s partly because of the superb golf courses they have there, but as well because of the numerous 5- and 6-star hotels and beach resorts. Flipping through the travel catalogues it’s sheer luxury what pleases your eyes and imagination. And that’s basically what all golfers want: sunshine, great golf courses, beautiful surroundings, pleasing amenities and outstanding service and accommodation!

The following courses are the ones which I currently have on my list for the trip. And I do hope that we can squeeze all these in!

Some of these courses are nestled within rainforest, but most of them are situated right at the coast line, offering fantastic vistas onto the Indian Ocean. I’ll have my camera ready—time to follow Golficiency on Instagram!

Any thoughts or suggestions, please let me know!

Which courses to play in Mauritius?

Posted on by Alexander Rose

I need your help! I’m currently planning a trip to Mauritius. Actually it’s my honeymoon but that’s another story. So I’ll be in Mauritius for about 2 weeks later this year, together with the missus, but I got the official permission to play some rounds of golf, which by the way I highly appreciate!

Now what I need is some advice on courses. I know that quite some people go to Mauritius for golfing so I hope that somebody out there has some valued feedback on courses, quality, general attractiveness, difficulty, location etc. Otherwise I have to stick to my usual go-to place which is top100golfcourses.co.uk.

This link takes you to a selection of fine Mauritius courses such as:

Anybody able to provide some insights on the above? A feedback is much appreciated.