Developments
GEO Certified Development 11/2023
The La Réserve Golf Links has undoubtedly embraced the pillars of sustainability and it has been clear to see everyone involved strive to design and create a sustainable course. The efforts made and the sheer scale of the benefits this development has delivered are truly commendable. It was a privilege to visit the site and witness its transformation from a monocrop to a diverse array of habitats that will support biodiversity and provide a spectacular golfing experience
Warrick Stewart - Independent Verifier - La Réserve Golf Link
The 18-hole, championship course was designed and built on the southern side of a large coastal hill, providing spectacular views from every location on the site and a unique golfing experience as you play down towards the ocean. As the second course in the Heritage Golf Club Bel Ombre development, the goal was to create a golf course that exemplified sustainability. And this has certainly been achieved. The project not only provides a one-of-a-kind golfing experience but also has allowed the natural and native habitats to re-establish.
One of the primary goals of this development was the rehabilitation of the land which had previously been used as a sugarcane plantation for years. The project team worked hard to ensure over 100 hectares of land was re-instated to the natural habitat with all the benefits this brings. The project also sought to improve the health and operation of the land's natural drainage systems. Where there was frequent flooding and erosion the project has been able to increase the retention capacity of the land, reducing the risk and frequency of flooding.
To ensure that the development was not just a space for golfers, aspects of the land have been opened up to members of the public as well as those staying at the resort. Providing walking trails (both long and short) across the hillside and with plans for cycle tracks as well it is ensured that everyone has the chance to see this breathtaking location.
It is fair to say that La Réserve Golf Links have succeeded in their goal to become a sustainable golf course, with clever design and a light touch in construction. The course is truly at one with the native land.
Inspired by the wild open spaces of the great seaside links, La Réserve Golf Links plays hand-in-hand with nature, mindful of its location alongside a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Former sugar cane fields have been sensitively planted with native grasses to create rich rolling grasslands, encouraging ecological diversity. Every step has been carefully monitored, contributing towards its commitment to sustainability, as well as the promise of pure golfing drama.
Jonathan Menteath - Heritage Golf Club General Manager
La Réserve Golf Links is everything I dreamed it would be – a dramatic, challenging golf course in an extraordinary setting overlooking the Indian Ocean. The landscape and environment are second to none and we’ve worked so hard to create a course that captures the spirit of links golf, the purest form of golf, while using native grasses and sensitive design to ensure it remains authentic to the land around us.
Peter Matkovitch - Golf Course Architect, Matkovitch Design
