Golf de Biarritz “Le Phare” to give the course its proper name (and no book I’ve ever seen has) was originally laid out by Willie Dunn in 1888.  It is believed to be the second oldest course in France and is right on the edge of the holiday town.  It’s one of the friendliest clubs I’ve ever visited and has a bunch of fun holes.

Biarritz is an old holiday resort on the atlantic border with Spain that has a certain reputation.

It’s relatively flat and has reasonably large greens, most of which due to their age have some very subtle borrows.  Some have a lot of internal movement and some don’t.  I’ve observed this before on old flat greens, about the same no of putts over 15’ seem to drop as 2-3’ putts miss.  

I was there in July and during the third week the course is closed for the Biarritz cup, which I’m told is a top amateur event in France with a long history.  It certainly attracted some TV and sponsorship interest. Due to the fact we went on holiday with a new camera I can’t account for the fact that I have no photos from the oldest part of the course and most of these holes would originally been on the ladies course (though subsequently remodelled).  The other lost holes were dealt with on a recent thread. http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=21926  

This is the 15th fairway and shows a typical scene, the tight course has holes demarked by rows of pines.



The 2nd a longish par 3, 176m where the safe play is out to the right and this is the competition pin placement.


3rd


The course then crosses the road and returns to the 10th. The picture doesn’t show the depth of the crater in front of green.


This is a lovely par 4 the 11th


11 th green – steeply raked on two levels



Par 3 12th green is well above tee Looking back down the 12th green


14th another short but deadly par 3 with again a big crater in front of it.  I was told before I went that these were bomb craters from the war. First the club members had heard of that!

14th final day competition pin.  In the week before this I played with a Swiss guy who putted past a similar pin position, an awfully long way past.



16th a par 5 with a swale in front of the green


17th par 3 green looks flat but it falls to the right – awkward character.




The course is not long only 5900 yards.
This was the final scoreboard for the men – holiday conditions were perfect not a breath of wind however.


And the women


The locals were ecstatic both winners were Basque’s!

All in all a really lovely course which perhaps isn’t challenging enough for some. There are 5 courses with a ‘reputation’ around Biarritz and I would certainly recommend playing here in the pm on your way back to town after a round on one of the others.  I’ll add a few more pictures tomorrow.

Tony,

How does this compare to some of the other courses in the area. I stayed at Moliets last year on a family holiday. I didn't play Moliets but had a good look at some of the holes. I played at Seignosse which I really enjoyed.

I was thinking of going back on a golf trip to Seignosse. Which 3 courses in the area would you recommend I played? I had thought Seignosse and two from Moliets, Hossegor and Chiberta. I hadn't even considerd Biarritz.

Ed

Thanks for the photos Tony.  I'd be interested in Mike Clayton's comments on this course, as I believe its where he won the Timex Open in 1984

A few pictures of Seignosse - an excellent course cut through the Pine forest with lots of elevation changes. It's about 20 miles north of Biarritz and was designed by Robert Von Hagge.

17th hole - the 'signature' hole (I hate that term). 400+ yards, water all the way down the left. 3rd hole in the background, another excellent hole. Drive over water (although water not really in play) dog leg to the right to a green well above the fairway.



18th hole. Long par 5 uphill, not really in reach for mortals. Severe slopes on the green.


Aerial shot. Can see the 17th hole cutting in to the lake and the long 18th back to the clubhouse.



An excellent course and a lovely part of the world. Very good area for family holidays - the beaches are excellent and the weather is very good.

The Peugeot Guide highlights the following courses within an hour from the centre of Biarritz.  The ratings are what they give each out of 20. From south to North.

San Sebastian (in Spain)      14
Chantaco            14
Arcangues            15
Makila               15
Biarritz            14
Chiberta            16
Hossegor            16
Seignosse             17
Moliets            17


Ed the two you have played are modern the three I’ve seen are not.

Finally while on a day trip with the family the wife declared she needed a Café Noir. So taking a chance that the club would be welcoming I followed the signs and in the centre of Hossegor we dropped in.  It’s an old fashioned place but they were very relaxed, the family had their drinks and I go t a look at a few greens.  Again I liked the look of the course. The pictures don’t do justice to the fall offs around these two greens. The land twists through pine forest.  The Guide says it’s by T Morrison from 1930.

9th green



18th green side



18th green rear.

Faldo ... hooked a 9 iron into the left bush and made five.

At last I can say I've hit a ball just like Faldo.

Thanks Mike

Bearing in mind it's a short course were you using Driver and PW a lot back then?

It's posts like these that make me wish I was a Kennedy. (as far as wealth)

Chiberta looks stunning. At least for me. I can't think of a better way to honor Tom Simpson then a visit here and Morfontaine. Mike & Tony, I'm totally envious.

Someday, someday......

But you would have to move out here in the warmth, just to be next to your kid! (new kid, because I ain't moving out there in that freeking cold!)

Wait a second! I just realized you would also have free reign to beat the shit out of me! Forget it!

Ed Chiberta is almost a suburb of Biarritz, max 2 miles to all the action.  

I'm biased I just love Biarritz the town, lots to do and great surfing too!  It's no more expensive than any other French holiday resort. i.e. avoid the Hermes shop in the middle of town.   (NB do they sell the Hogan brand of shoes in the States, never seen them in the UK?).  Plus airport is 12 minutes away.

 I would recommend being based right in town and walking around in the evening, particularly if you have any non golfers in the party.  Eat in the Casino (two Michelin knives and forks - that’s the next one down to a one star). Fed the wife, self and daughter two courses each and a bottle of wine on Valentine's night £80. You’re literally adjacent to the beach with the lighthouse illuminating the breakers. I summer you sit outside in the shade of the building with the sound of the waves right there mmmmmmmmmmm.  Or find the old port where they bar b que sardines straight from the boats. £8 for 3 helpings

This reminds me. I asked the French lady in the pictures from Chiberta above what other courses she would recommend. She said I had to visit Arcangues “because they serve a fantastic lunch on a terrace with one of the best views in the world”.

At half term this year we stayed in a small hotel called Gardenia – it was ok but not a definite recommend.  Best thing is to win the Euro lottery and stay in Empress Eugenie’s old pad on the beach which is now a very plush hotel.

You now have an official GCA mission bring your camera and keep it going all the way round. (you can even knock on a few doors and see if you can picture the illusive Chasm hole.)

PS isn’t Molliets an RTJ?

Enjoy

Tony,

I believe Hossegor is a John Morrison design? The Colt Association has it listed as Colt & Co. They also list Chantaco.

What were the green fees at Chiberta? Is there a deal if you stay at the hotel?

Keith

Thanks Tony, no, i decided to go hiking in the Swiss Alps instead!

The trick is, a vacation destination has to be warm enough to be able to leave the wife by the pool or on the beach while I go golfing. Marrakech in Jan/Feb doesnt quite cut it.

Biarritz in June might, though

It is nice to see an area, with historic golf, which still offers visitors a game that does not cost more than the evening meal for the family.