La Réserve - New GEO Certified Golf Course on Mauritius

Golf architect Peter Matkovich and Louis Oosthuizen, 2010 Open Champion at St. Andrews, have designed and built The Heritage La Réserve Golf Links on the island nation of Mauritius.

The new golf course opened in December 2023 and hosted the European Tour's DP World Tour 2023 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open with Louis Oosthuizen as the unofficial host/player. Going off the 10th tee with a 7 am tee time, Antoine Rozner(OWGR rank 128 at the time) from France went out in 29 and set the course record at 10 under with a score of 62. Golf architect Matkovich has planned and built over 30 golf courses in Southern Africa in his long distinguished career in design.

The course location on the long ago volcanic island has a routing which traverses the slope downwards to nearby views lagoons in palm-lined beaches onshore the Indian Ocean's coral reefs. Sustainable, environmentally sensitive practices with GEO Certification of the resort's golf courses has been an initiative the property has long undertaken. Distinctive features on the golf course are native grasses on the perimeter of each fairway - those wispy, native grasses are maintained at a height to remind you of faraway fescue grass on links golf courses. La Réserve becomes the first in the greater African region to be confirmed with GEO Certified Development Status.

Green complex designs vary with several holes featuring skyline greens with long views into Indian Ocean. Long par 5 holes are routed up and down the hill with added challenge to get home in two shots for an eagle putt. The 18th hole is a downhill par 5 bisected with a natural ravine with a stream running down the hill to give the golfer an eagle opportunity. The golf course is planted in Pure Dynasty paspalum, a grass type suitable to reproduce firm links conditions in the warm tropics. Turfgrass research from Filippo Lulli, et al. compares paspalum firmness and speed among tifway bermudagrass and zeon zoysia with the conclusion in favor of paspalum.

Heritage Resorts is situated in the alluring Domaine de Bel Ombre, epitomizing luxury and indulgence in a harmonious nature environment. The lush landscape of tropical paradise is an appealing option to pause and take a break. Overnight options onsite include The Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort, The Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort, or the privacy of Le Château de Bel Ombre.

The island has a pleasant tropical climate. The months from May to December are ideal for a visit with November and December being warmer.