Pas de Calais: Willing WIMEREUX

[Sean_A]

Some three miles north of Boulogne, Wimereux is yet another resort town on the Cote d’ Opale.  Not very large, but seemingly bulging with buildings, like Touquet, Wimereux is blessed with interesting architecture.  Of course vagaries of war from Napoleonic times to WWII have shaped the town and the entire area.  The golf course is set on linksland between the rivers Wimereux and Slack.  A large area of dunes to the north separates the course from yet another resort town, Ambleteuse.  Seemingly very attractive from the course, the town appears as if the waves are swallowing it whole.  I know nothing about the course except that Campbell & Hutchison redesigned the course after WWI.  It is quite obvious the course has been altered a great deal since then, because there are several very awkward walks.  I expect the course has been lengthened to include some inland areas which are less attractive.  In any case, Wimereux was selected as the last game in the Pas de Calais mainly for its proximity to the Channel Tunnel.  Thus, I had few expectations.



The starter is an uphill par 5 over distinctly rumbling land which is unmistakably links.


The first long walk takes place to find the unusual and terrific 2nd.  The tees are set at an angle which makes it virtually impossble to carry and hold the green.  Instead, we must play over bunkers and between guiding mounds to access the front to back green. 


Expectations be damned, the wonderful start continues with the uphill 3rd. 


A drive out right leaves an obscured approach which is more uphill than it appears.


The 4th continues the uphill climb along the OOB line to the right.  There is seemingly ample room to play left, but there is a hidden bunker in this direction. Playing to the right leaves a blind approach over sand and false front green.


More to follow.

Ciao

[Niall C]

On reflection, I think this course was better than first appeared. Some lovely green sites without being overly elaborate and nice linksy turf. It's just a shame about some of the walks green to tee.


Niall

[Sean_A]

WIMEREUX TOUR CONT

A longish par 4, the 5th is an attractive hole due to the cross bunkering and gorse.


If the bunkers can be carried there is every chance the large green can be reached.


About 180 yards or so, the short 6th seemed to play a lot longer.  Wimereux is certainly a links, but it doesn't share the same aesthetic as we have come to expect with its British cousins.  Other than the trees, it is difficult to pinpoint what is different, but it is different.


The sunken green and its wonky hour glass shape was a great surprise.




The 7th strikes me a slog par 5 with nothing to redeem it. Thankfully, the 8th is a good hole with an extremely interesting humpback green.   




The side ends conveniently near the clubhouse (which is one reason why I expect there are long walks to tees) with a straight-forward hole cutting between bunkers right and OOB left.  The back nine opens in what seems like a field, but once again, looks can be deceiving. 




The 11th legs left away from a hazard which should probably be OOB instead.  A bunker infested mound protects the inside line.


After a lengthy walk which takes us onto to land which feels much less linksy, the highlight of the short 12th is the use of German bunkers for the tee.


Looking back at the tee.


The 13th runs downhill through the green.




Coming back up the hill, 14 is a good, tough long par 4 which turns continuously right through the green.  The fairway is effectively a raised shelf feeding to the green on the same level.  Missing in the rough right leaves a more uphill approach cutting across the angle of the green.


The 15th is a fine hole, but not nearly as grand as the view of Ambleteuse and Audresselles, just north of Wimereux, beyond the dunes.  The reknown architect, Vaubon who built the Fortifications of Vaubon was also responsible for the prominent Fort Mahon on the Ambleteuse beach at the mouth of the River Slack.  This is the only preserved coastal fort between Cherbourg and the Belgian frontier.  A century after the fort was built, Napoleon altered the course of the River Slack to create a harbour from which he planned to attack England. The attack was never carried out, but its threat had a profound effect on British naval strategy and coastal defences. 




One of several excellent green sites.




More to follow.

Ciao

[Sean_A]

Wimereux Tour Cont

A short par 4 with a cross bunker shy of the green, the 16th doesn't win any style points.  Additionally, this part of the routing forces a long walk back to the 17th tee.  The course finishes with two short par 5s.  The 17th plays between OOB right and bunkers left, but this shouldn't be too much of an issue unless the goal is to reach the green in two.


The green is somewhat like the 8th, it essentially makes the hole.


After another lengthy walk, the 18th isn't a hole which does much other than bring us in the region of the house. Although, I do like how the left bunker looks from the fairway, it completely hides the left side of the green.




Wimereux has a relaxing club atmosphere which is welcoming to all. 


Wimereux was the surprise of the trip.  I didn't expect much.  The course was chosen for it's convenient location near Calais.  I certainly think the course is better than expected.  However, my overiding impression is that there is a better course trying to exist, but the handful of long walks and odd visuals conspire to make Wimereux less than a really good links.  There are several very good holes in 2, 3, 5, 6, 14 and 15 and some surprisingly interesting greens.  Of course, there are a few dud holes in 7 & 16, but that is to be expected.  All in all, Wimereux is a good course to fill out a trip because is relatively inexpensive and convenient for the Chunnel. 

Without any doubt, the best course we played on the trip was Hardelot Les Pins.  None of the other three courses warrant special trips.  So if it comes to one hit and run choice, make it Les Pins.  However, remember the conditions are governed by what the French think is good golf and that leaves something to be desired.  Not to sound overly harsh, I did like a lot about the other three courses, or should I say elements about them.  All the courses are better than presented, but the one which comes closest to hitting the target is Le Touquet La Mer.  It is probably surprising then that it is also the biggest disappointment. In order of preference:

Hardelot Les Pins
Hardelot Les Dunes

Both the above make the bottom half of my Happy 100.

Le Touquet La Mer
Wimereux

Ciao

[Steve Okula]

Nice find Sean. I've been living in France for 18 years and had not heard of Wimereux.

[Thomas Dai]

Fine Tour Sean, thanks for sharing. Looks quite interesting actually, quite open aspect.


As to golf in the area, how do the various course price points compare in relation to similar quality courses in the U.K.?


Atb

[Tony_Muldoon]

Thanks Sean, will make a 'trip' ...one day.


I remember pulling over for a look as we followed the coastal roads.  If I have it right the course is nowhere near the sea being on high raised ground.  The wind howled and I imagine this is fairly typical.




Were these courses and clubhouses predominantly 'resort' in feel-as experienced in Britain?  I've played five French courses and they all had a stylish elegance atmosphere about them (even the pay and play),  different to that I've experienced in any other country. Also women golfers were far more in evidence, mixing as equals rather than a separate group. All were played during summer months and the many visitors and club members mixed easily and we not easy to identify from each other.

[Tony_Muldoon]

I think if I were to go back to the area, I would not stay in Le Touquet and instead find a smaller town along the coast which has not spoiled its seafront. 

Ciao

I've read exciting things about Royale-les-Eaux. Popular with the creator of Royal St Mark's GC, perhaps he played Wimereux?


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royale-les-Eaux

[Sean_A]

ATB

I think the golf is probably a bit cheaper in France compared to the UK.  Les Pins is 85 Euros and it was the best of the lot.  I think Le Mer is probably more, though I don't know why.

Spangles

Yes, the French houses are bit less golfy/clubby, but I wouldn't say they were elegant. Yes, loads more women about than one sees in the UK. 

Ciao