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The paradise Indian Ocean island that’s making a name for itself as a golfing destination
With Mauritius emerging as a golf break hotspot, sports editor Jack Rathborn discovers just what makes this island so enticing – both on the course and off
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Your support makes all the difference.If it be true that golf is a good walk spoiled, then the walk in Mauritius is a particularly beautiful one. Especially the gorgeous fourth hole at Anahita Golf Club, which boasts one of several majestic views from the island’s fairways.
During my round, I glide down the fairway in a buggy, chased by a playful golden retriever, presumably one of the more popular members here. The course’s designer, the legendary South African player Ernie Els, has helped establish it as an African gem for golf enthusiasts of varying abilities.
While golf can often conjure feelings of frustration and irritation, moments like this one take your breath away. If you’re fortunate enough to play at the right time, you might even be able to savour a discussion with your playing partner over the target line while pointing out a passing yacht in the ocean.
Other moments will snap you back to reality, as you summon up the precision required to tame this tricky course while soaking in the surroundings.
The consolation is the panoramic view of this former sugar plantation with the outer edges of the course seemingly floating in the Indian Ocean.
Golfers will have more opportunities to use their driver here than on arguably the best course on the island, Ile aux Cerfs. But precarious run-offs around the greens that cosy up alongside the coast, and the jagged rocks from the historic ruins that form the spine of some holes on the back nine add intriguing layers to this picturesque experience.
So while many other golf destinations, such as Spain and Portugal, can boast glorious weather with baked-out greens and fairways throughout the summer, Mauritius certainly offers a different experience altogether. Anahita is lined by coconut trees and poses a links-like challenge to test every part of your game, justifying its DP World Tour status during its time as the Mauritius Open host.
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But many will prefer the exquisite Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club, which is lauded by locals and proudly boasts a lofty ranking at 10th in Golf World’s top 100 courses in Africa. It is only accessible by boat, and water does indeed emerge as the primary hazard for golfers in this menacing test thanks to Ryder Cup stalwart Bernhard Langer’s design. Tight fairways and small greens introduce plenty of danger, too, with players advised to stash reserves as balls disappear into the mangrove swamp or luscious jungle throughout each round. This is a test of patience and resisting the urge to be greedy until the opportunity for that extravagant shot presents itself.
While Mauritius offers plenty to do beyond golf, the courses provide enough interesting holes to inspire a competitive edge. The immediate feeling walking off the 18th at both of these iconic courses is a temptation to go out and try it once again.
What if I don’t enjoy golf?
While world-class golf is a popular option for tourists, there is plenty more besides, especially if you’re active. That’s a good job since I was travelling with my wife, who is not remotely interested in swinging a seven iron in anger or even walking the pristine fairways in Mauritius.
I stayed at Sugar Beach and Long Beach hotels for this reason. Sugar Beach and Long Beach align with the island’s push to attract golfers with complimentary daily golf at both Anahita and Ile aux Cerfs with one green fee, worth approximately £150, offered to each guest daily. But, crucially, they both offer plenty of entertainment besides golf, including large swimming pools, water sports on the beach and luxury spa treatments.
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There are also tennis, padel and volleyball courts, as well as excellent gyms kitted out with everything you would need to maintain a routine or work off last night’s cocktails.
One of the highlights at Sugar Beach is its perfume-making experience at Atelier des Sens. This involves a brief history lesson tied to Atelier Galimard’s origin in 18th century France before sampling dozens of bottles with natural oils and exotic scents. You will then piece together your own bottle and scent.
Many will want to recharge on both the beach and golf course, but the island offers some spectacular options if you choose to venture a little further afield. Both the Black River Gorges National Park and Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark in the south offer stunning views.
How to get there
The flight from London Heathrow to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) is around 11 hours and 50 minutes. Air Mauritius, British Airways and Emirates offer daily flights.
When to go
The peak season is December to January, but you can still expect warm temperatures, from 19C to 26C, at the start of September. The benefit at this time of the year is that there will be fewer crowds, which is ideal for both the beaches and golf courses.
Jack was staying as a guest of Sugar Beach and Long Beach.
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