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"
THOUGH GOLF IN FRANCE is worth the trip itself, there
are so many other worthwhile pursuits in this country which
leads one to understand why the French are very proud. Justifiably
so.
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I
must admit, however, that my recent "golf trip" to France
was a hurried brush stroke experience as I visited castles
in the Loire Valley, got a taste of the vine-yards in the
Bordeaux Region, overnighted at several chateaux once reserved
for aristocracy, and played four rounds of golf at the best
France has to offer. My last night spent in Paris merely whet
my appetite for more of this city so enriched by history,
architecture and its cuisine.
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PLENTY
OF GOLF IN FRANCE
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Tourists
to France who bring along their golf clubs will not have to
face the challenges of arranging tee times as they typically
do when visiting countries like Scotland and Ireland. Though
golfers may be able to walk in on their own and, almost impromptu,
make their own tee times at courses in France, using the services
of experienced golf tour operators assures you of guaranteed
tee times when you want them.
An unhurried pace of play results from this opportunity for
tee times. There's plenty of "space" in front of you and behind
you while playing golf in France. Chances are, you won't find
crowds on a course in France. In fact, I won't remember a
slow or fast foursome in front of or behind our own threesome
during the entire week.
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I
can't stress enough that one of the primary benefits of playing
golf in France is the fact that there are 280,000 registered
golfers in France which boats of 340 courses. That translates
into lots of available tee times and, most important, that
means you don't have to sell your 17th borne of prime tee
times.
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GOLF
COURSES
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Les
Bordes, opened in 1984, is a country-style, heavily-wooded
golf resort featuring one of Europe's most beautiful and challenging
courses. The course, located on more than 350 acres of Baron
Bich's former hunting properties, remains fenced in order
to keep wild boar away from the club-wielding golfers.
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This
woodland course is consistently listed among the finest in
Europe, a trophy I believe it no doubt well deserves.
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Designer
is Golf Course Architect Robert Von Hagge from Houston, TX,
who prides himself with a portfolio of more than 200 courses
and is well-known in France for four other outstanding courses.
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Les
Bordes Golf Courses features 12 out of 18 holes on which water
plays a mighty important factor in play. Seriously into play.
According to the 2000 Michelin Golf Book, the records for
Les Bordes Golf Course in one under par. Taking extra golf
balls along on this round is mandatory, unless you want to
end up quitting after 15 holes because you have no more golf
balls left.
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Honors
bestowed on Les Bordes Golf Course are well-deserved. I'm
talking about its design, setting, challenge and condition.
I would not suggest for any golfer to avoid playing this exciting
and challenging course (145 rating!), but I would suggest
one do so knowing that you will eat humble pie, for sure,
afterwards, no matter what your handicap.
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It's
common for golfers to visit Les Bordes, play a round of golf
in the morning, have a casual lunch, then play another in
the afternoon. It's that kind of slow, casual, and very demanding
course that requires one's full attention and energy. Europeans
come in small and large groupes to Les Bordes, and don't bother
going anywhere else for their golf trip.
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LODGING
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The
Les Bordes Clubhouse and its 40 bedroom lodge caters to the
rugged individual who may well dream of hunting boar than
of other things easily dreamt of.
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Accommodations
of the 40 bedrooms are individually designed with a combination
of simplicity and elegance. Oak beams and handmade furniture
inside reflects the outdoor rustic setting of the surrounding
woodlands.
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FOOD
AND WINE
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The
heart and soul of my trip, as with anyone's trip to France,
was the French cuisine or gastronomy, as they call it. More
so than in any other country I've ever visited, food plays
a major role in the lives of French people and visitors to
their country.
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At
Les Bordes, my first evening's dinner in France started with
Fois Gras, an appetizer habit easily acquired after the first
time taste. I weighted in at least a thousand calories heavier
as I succumbed to generous helpings of fresh French Bread,
buttered and then smothered by the smooth and tasty goose
liver atop.
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A
main entrée of duck, followed by a selection of various delicious
unpasteurized cheeses chosen off a large board left me no
room for dessert. No room or not, I still couldn't say no
to the proper ending of this French provincial dining treat.
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General
Manager Brian Sparkx extended his hospitality to us at dinner
with a complimentary bottle of the Baron's own private selection
of St EMILION Grand Cru which was graciously received and
finished in due course of the meal. "
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