There has never been a better time to take the short flight to the south of France to tee it up at Golf International Pont Royal. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
The picturesque resort, with its views of the Luberon and Alpilles mountain ranges, will play host to the Challenge Tour this season.
The Seve Ballesteros-designed course will welcome Europe’s rising professional stars as the Open de Provence by Hopps Group heads to the resort from September 20 to 23, just days before the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Versailles.
However, the course should by no means be left for the sole enjoyment of the pros; casual golfers will fall in love with the sweeping views and enjoy the challenge of shaping shots to reach the slick greens.
The course, which previously hosted an Alps Tour event for 10 years, opened in 1992 and has won wide acclaim for its sensitive design, taking golfers on a journey through pine woods and typical Provencal countryside.
The par-3 11th is worth the green fee alone. Golfers face a 215-yard shot across a steep, rocky valley to a raised green. It’s pure theatre.
Factfile
Pont Royal has been nominated for the title of France’s best golf course in the 2018 World Golf Awards.
The gala awards ceremony will take place at La Manga Club, Spain, on November 3.
However, it’s not just Pont Royal’s course that’s impressive. The club’s 37-acre Durance Training Centre – the only one of its kind in the region – is just five minutes from the course.
It comprises a two-storey driving range, large putting green, a short-game practice area, and a 1,039-yard, six-hole course, featuring five par-three holes and one par-four.
It also features a David Leadbetter Academy.
Accommodation comes in the form of the four-star, 102-room Moulin de Vernègues hotel, or the apartments, villas and houses within the pedestrianised Pierre & Vacances village.
For more information, visit the Pont Royal website.
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