Golf d’Hardelot Les Pins
Tom Simpson once wrote that “it is only the mad masterpieces that remain in the memory,” and I’ve seen a few examples of what he refers to. Fellow GCA posters Frank Pont and Patrice Boissonnas have been restoring Hardelot Les Pins, so I was eager to see it.
Some time back, Frank posted a good photo thread from Hardelot, and he and Patrice describe some of the work that they did. Unfortunately, the photo links no longer work, but it’s still good reading about their efforts.Frank’s website also describes some of their work and has a few wonderful photos.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,58548.0.html http://www.infinitevarietygolf.com/projects-hardelot-1.html There was also this article in Golf Course Architecture.
http://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/pont-and-boissonnas-rejuvenate-les-pins-course-at-hardelot-2 Even though the course is set in a pine forest, it does not feel constrained. The expansion of playing corridors brings out the flair of the design, and you feel free to play away from the center of the fairway, just as Simpson would have wanted. Hardelot feels like it should play linksy, and I believe the team has continued to work to overcome years of water and fertilizer.
As you might expect, Hardelot has great green sites, and our appreciation of those starts early with the 1
st. This medium length par 5 has three interesting shots thanks to use of the terrain and well-placed bunkers. I think it’s also easy to see here how much the Simpson style bunkering enhances the look of the hole.
hDSC09798 by
john mayhugh, on Flickr
Looking at the 4
th from behind, note how avoiding the bunker front right can bring the small green “tongue” into play. The runoff there may be a worse result than hitting in the bunker, especially given the tilt of the green. Green expansion like this doesn’t seem like a major change, but has a significant impact on the playing of the hole.
DSC09817 by
john mayhugh, on Flickr
The 5
th (shown from behind) is a gorgeous par 3.
DSC09820 by
john mayhugh, on Flickr
At the 8
th, Simpson shows that restraint also works rather nicely. This is one of the smallest greens, and short grass combined with the slopes makes the hole rather more difficult than it looks. A good example of Simpson wanting to make a hole look easier than it plays.
DSC09830 by
john mayhugh, on Flickr
You can just make out the flag in the middle left of this photo from the 9
th. The green is mostly in a straight line from the tee, but the hole plays almost as a double dogleg par 4! About 450 yards, it’s one tough par 4 that can be made easier by taking on more of the bunkering. This one takes a few plays to feel even slightly comfortable from the tee.
DSC09831 by
john mayhugh, on Flickr
From behind the 9
th. The forest effectively guards this green from approaches made from the wrong part of the fairway.
DSC09834 by
john mayhugh, on Flickr
The short par 4 11
th might temp longer hitters to have a go at the green, but results could be frustrating.
hDSC09844 by
john mayhugh, on Flickr
The 14
th green was completely rebuilt as it was not a Simpson original. I think this could pass nicely for one.
DSC09854 by
john mayhugh, on Flickr
The wild green on the par 3 15
th benefitted greatly from expansion. The runoff areas front and back don’t necessarily make the hole play easier, but do make it a lot more interesting.
DSC09861 by
john mayhugh, on Flickr
Some exposed dune on the par 3 17
th. My eye was more drawn to the drop off on the left. The safe play is not appealing.
hDSC09876 by
john mayhugh, on Flickr
Patrice & Frank have done wonderful work at Hardelot les Pins, and I think firmer conditions also make it a candidate for one of the best courses on the Continent. The bunkers become even more relevant hazards, and the player gets many more options. This course, too, would feel right at home in the UK.
For those of us that pay attention to rankings, seems like the work at Hardelot (and Le Touquet, which will be covered last) is paying off.
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