As far as I know, the Biarritz hole in France DOES refer to the ocean between the teebox and the green complex itself. George Bahto referred to that in his interview, and it makes sense that the water would be " the swale " between the tee and green in that situation.
I really can not see the hole having that type of carry, and then forcing the player to consider tackling the swale on the green as well, and then having to attempt the normal tactics employed to conquer a Biarritz.
Imagine hitting a shot over the ocean, and then trying to get the ball to hit on the front part of the green, roll down into the swale ( unseeded at that time ), and then trickle back up on the rear pinned location.
OR
Hitting a shot that clears the front green on the fly, landing on the facing mound of the swale, and killing the forward momentum, thus allowing the ball to again trickle up onto the rear pinned area.
OR
Flying a high fade or draw to the back pin position, using the slight uphill green as a backstop and hopefully stop it on a dime.
Do all that at a time in the history of golf, where a 190 yard carry was at the extremes of most golfer's abilities.
With that all in mind, I would logically say that the original Biarritz hole did not have a swale....but as has happened before, I could be wrong..
