Agran's about: No better place to be on my 60th
My blog from Mauritius
Posted: 12 December 2008
by Clive Agran
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The Legends course at Belle Mare Plage
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Although I'm fortunate to be invited to numerous golf events, there are only two which I really hate to miss and could hardly be more dissimilar. One is every July, enormously valuable and attracts a world-class field; the other the takes place in the depths of winter, has a first prize of just 15,000 Euros and is contested by a motley assortment of pros on their way up or, more commonly, on the way down.
They are, respectively, The Open Championship and the Mauritius Open.
And I should explain that writing my exclusive weekly Golfmagic blog dressed in shorts and tee-shirt on the balcony of my room at the Belle Mare Plage on the edge of the Indian Ocean with only a murmuring sea to soothe my nerves and a gentle breeze to keep me cool.
It's day one of the tournament and the early starters have already teed off on the tight and tricky Legends course where it's as easy to lose a ball in the jungle as it is to get sunburned on the beach.
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Mauritius: Can make you green with envy!
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In the past, this comparatively humble event has attracted such names as Ian Poulter, Costantino Rocca and Nick Dougherty. Sadly, however, in more recent years it has clashed with European Tour events in South Africa and Australia and the quality of the field has consequently suffered. However Gregory Havret, Phillip Price, Roger Chapman, Phil Golding and Simon Wakefield are here - names that might ring a few bells with pro golf fans.
They come with their families, to enjoy the beaches, facilities and delightful ambience of the resort and maybe add another notch to the list of titles.
For me, however, with interviews to conduct, articles to write and blogs to be torn from my very soul, it can be gruelling. The extent of my commitment can perhaps best be measured by the fact that I'm penning this on my 60th birthday.
There are, however, worse places to consider my forthcoming applications for a bus pass and winter heating allowance.
Where's the most exotic place you've played? Tell us on the forum.
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Discuss this story
By 'eck, Clive, you don't half get about. Credit crunch... what credit crunch? "As I sit on my balcony in Mauritius" are not the words I want to read while contemplating a budget spreadsheet in the gloom of an Edinburgh industrial estate. Grrrrr.  In answer to the question... I've never played golf outwith Britain & Ireland, which means my most exotic golf destination has to be, by default, Sligo in Ireland. I was there for 5 days, and it rained persistently for 4 of them. Grrrrrr (again).
Posted: 12/12/2008 14:36
Thailand, closely followed by Thailand, closely followed by Thailand, etc etc Most people who have played golf there will tell you that most of the rest is second rate by comparison...
Posted: 12/12/2008 14:42
I've been lucky enough to play golf in the following Kenya (was there on business) Florida - a brother lives in Orlando San Lorenzo - Portugal - won a golf league comp for 3 rounds here Costa de- la Luz Tunisia England Wales and now mainly in Scotland with the odd (usually VERY odd) visit back to England. My favourite courses are(not in any particular order): San Lorenzo Newmachar Murcar Montrose Boat of Garten Braemar Bowood - Wilts Islantilla - Spain El Rompido - Spain El Kantoui - Tunisia
Posted: 12/12/2008 14:57
I've been lucky enough to play golf in the following
England Wales and now mainly in Scotland with the odd (usually VERY odd) visit back to England.
Dick, Did you read the original post mate?? Which part of Wales did you find particularly exotic, were you offered a few 'dances'??
Posted: 12/12/2008 15:10
Was tempted to add that I have no intention of playing in Wales again - sorry but i can't stand the people (I know - that's a bit of a generalisation) . Can't remember the course but it was by the coast near Aber something !
Posted: 12/12/2008 15:31
I have only ventured forth twice from this country , only playing Golf on one of those occassions in New Zealand , I absolutely loved Matamata GC the home turf of fellow GM er Paul Brunner , I also played two courses near Auckland , both were a little brown from a hot summer but had greens to die for , for one as little travelled as I, these are my only exotic courses visited. unless you count The Isle of Skye or The Isle of Mull as exotic , I have many exotic shots but exotic courses very few.
Posted: 12/12/2008 23:08
dick...montrose medal now ya talkin' hardly exotic but what a track!! north wales: abersoch, nefyn, pwhelli, portmadog, royal st david's exoticness: played sentosa (where they just held singapore open) nice but mega expensive, hire clubs were ping i3s
Posted: 13/12/2008 11:16
Apart from Thailand... Belize Borneo Gambia. But it's all relative, the Asians all think coming to UK, and in particular St Andrews, is as exotic as it gets.
Posted: 15/12/2008 14:51
There's a course in the middle of the Kruger National Park called The Skukuza. Epic. Cost about £3 for 18 holes. From their website: Skukuza Golf Course was built in 1972, the course is a Par 72, and is 5950m (6450 yards) for men and 5059m (5480 yards) for women. as a recreational facility for the Skukuza personnel, and is now available to visitors to the Kruger National Park for the first time. The Skukuza Golf Course is a magnificent 9-hole (18-tee) course situated in the world-renowned Kruger National Park on the outskirts of Skukuza restcamp. The rich wildlife sanctuary surrounding the golf course is home to the Big Five, a huge variety of birds and countless animals, which all conspire to provide the visitor with a harmonious close-to-nature golfing experience. Since the course is not fenced-in, uninvited spectators are a common sight, hippo, impala, warthog and baboons to mention but a few. The course offers the pleasure of challenge and adventure. For example #2, Par 3, have water on the left and to the back of the green. The signature hole #9, Par 3 of about 150m is played across Lake Panic. The Skukuza Golf Course has no bunkers, although 'aerial bunkers' abound because of the many trees found on the course. Tee-off times 07:00 and 11:00 from Sunday to Friday. Please book in advance. Leopard Creek is a good one as well.
Posted: 02/01/2009 17:34
My wife and I have played Skukuza (see Steadyslacks's post above) in the Kruger Park. You have to sign an indemnity in case your attacked by any big game. there is a picture on the front of the scorecard of a lion eating a wildebeest on the first fairway! this, and the innumerable pictures of leopard, hippo, crocs and elephant on the course in the clubhouse prepares you to watch out when you play. We, luckily, only saw hippo and crocs in the water but lots of monkeys and warthogs all over the course. An exciting experience and one where you don't search for any wayward balls in the bushes. By the way the local advice is to walk backwards slowly if approached by big game, if they contimue advancing stop (if you dare!), then if they're still coming your way climb a tree (of which there are many on the course). We have also played Leopard Creek a couple of times - a real treat with Giraffe wandering around the course, although one of their young had been eaten by e leopard the week before. Also played Kiawah Island last year and there are alligators in every little pond, although the caddies said that the snake numbers are down as the gators kept eating them. I don't know what they'll do when they have the USPGA theree in a few years time - wouldn't fancy watching golf all day whilst being eyed up by a predator in the pond.
Posted: 05/02/2009 12:16
Tim I must disagree with you completely. For design quality, for variety of courses, for some superb landscapes, for engaging quirkiness and some fascinating members and staff( particularly certain club secretaries!) nowhere in the world beats the UK IMO. Only our weather spoils the scenario! Three years working in France, playing virtually every one of its great courses and eating and drinking as well as anywhere in the world has been my particular favourite, especially some of the courses in stunning Provence at the foot of the Southern Alps I wont do a Dick in Shorts and name just a few of the many countries I have been able to play in because of my work as that would make me look like a proper one! After all it would spoil my hard-won reputation for NEVER name-dropping!
Posted: 05/02/2009 14:57
scotland - golf doesnt get any better. other than that pinehurst / valderama / san lorenzo. dont play a heck of a lot now, favourite place to go on holiday is Sicily
Posted: 05/02/2009 22:23
Tim Do you not think that a week on full board eating fine food and drinking grand cru wine at Gleneagles playing on each course in the middle of a glorious summer exotic? I realise that the word originally meant "from a foreign(especially tropical) country but nowadays it has also taken on a definition of 'extremely luxurious'. Perhaps you might just consider a week in Mauritius staying at the Paradis Hotel and Golf Club and daily golf exotic. So do I but I cant afford to go there Lighten up,Tim!
Posted: 05/02/2009 22:45
Tim A corpse?
Posted: 05/02/2009 23:09
Played in Florida, Fantastic the service from the golf clud far exceeded anything Ive experienced in this country. Yes I know I was on holiday but I do feel that some clubs in this country could be more welcoming to visitors.
Posted: 05/02/2009 23:31
Agreed. I was in the UK in February and played at a couple of courses on the Isle of Wight and the welcome , service and courses ( for that time of year) were great. It alternated between gales and snow so was quite "exotic" for us!However at a couple of courses there you would have thought that two bits of s..t had blown in instead of a well dressed Australian and his wife! We were told in no uncertain terms that the course was not open to visitors ( I presume) that day. Perhaps I should have driven up in a BMW instead of a VW worn an "Eton" Old boys tie and spoken in the soft tomes of Oxford or Cambridge. Back to the original subject, Thailand is great but I challenge anyone to find better courses than those in China, with the exception of the Mission Hills tourist trap. Have some good golf Alan
Posted: 12/05/2009 06:13
I've played 4 courses that have held tournaments of note abroad: Valderama some 10 years ago. Was a lovely course, but not as lovely as I thought it would be. Still, it's a special place. Vilamora old course - delightful. A wonderful course with interesting and diverse holes. Dubai Creek Golf Club - very hot! Not a bad course although VERY expensive for what it is. Rented clubs were Ping G10's, so made it a better round. Thailand - Blue Canyon. Played this a week before the Jonnie Walker Classic, and it was phenomenal! The best course I've ever played. Ever. Rented clubs were Wilson Fat Shafts (odd choice, I thought). Thailand is just such a wonderful country, so my vote goes to it.
Posted: 12/05/2009 14:18
I agree, Thailand's courses are good but I can't live with having to hire a caddy (however cute they might be) each time I play. A bit of a racket really.
Not really a racket at all. You want to play you have a caddy. Golf courses provide much need jobs throughout Asia and caddies are part of that. The pittance that you pay for a caddy goes a long way to helping out these girls' families. If you won't pay for a caddy then no point in going anywhere here in Asia because the same rules apply whereever you go.
When I am in Australia or the UK I enjoy having no caddy or buggy, but when in Rome.......
Posted: 13/05/2009 05:55
I realise. Was born in the Far East. Just have to allow £2,000 a year for caddies on top of subs. Makes golf in the UK inexpensive by comparison.
Posted: 13/05/2009 09:13
Only played one course outwith the UK. Somerset West in South Africa. Course is OK, weather is excellent and the bar is cheap.
Posted: 19/05/2009 23:14
Of the courses I've played it has to be the Country Club at Sandy Lane, Barbados, yes expensive $240 plus $40 for the caddie ( compulsary), you won,t be surprised to hear that after 10.00am the 1st tee is empty. The course is pristine, fairways like putting greens, greens like marble and the 19th is something else, it's worth the $6 for a half of Banks beer to sit and look down the 18th towards the sea beyond. Roll on November when I'll be there again.
Posted: 26/05/2009 13:41
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