Omaha Beach
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Located on the coast near Bayeux just a few kilometres from the site of the D-Day landings, Omaha Beach Golf was founded in 1986. Created by Guy Dupont and designed by Yves Bureau, it is close to the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-mer where Steven Spielberg filmed scenes of ‘Saving Private Ryan’ among the 10,000 white crosses. There are 36 holes here and the courses are very different in character; what they have in common, though, is that they both showcase the beautiful local scenery.
These are not fun holiday courses though; La Mer is 6,809 yards while Le Manoir is 6,664 yards. With the wind whipping in off the sea, these can be a long way round if you choose your tees unwisely.
Afterwards, though, you can have the pleasure of drinking in views of the sea from the clubhouse while recharging your batteries with a delicious red wine.
On La Mer you enjoy sea views on the front nine and especially from the 1st green, from the 2nd hole – a superb par 3 in line with the Vauban Tower – all along the 5th and the6th (see Must Play Hole).
Not unlike Turnberry’s 9th, you are also treated to a sea view on the 7th, a long par 4, and then from the 9th with its tee just behind the water. As part of the D-Day 50th Anniversary each of the course’s holes were renamed in homage to the leaders of the World War II landings. So, the 1st is Eisenhower, the 2nd Churchill, the 3rd De Gaulle and soon.
Le Manoir is situated in classic Normandy countryside, with breathtaking views of the Bessin countryside and plenty of mature trees to add definition and challenge. There is lots of water too. You drive over a pond on the par-4, dogleg 4th and then fire over an adjacent pond on the par-3 5th while water is a threat on both the drive and the approach to the 9th, a fine two-shotter.
On the back nine, you are asked to hit a draw over a huge lake on the 13th and that same expanse of water lurks dangerously at the left and back of the 17th green. The attached three-star hotel has 70 rooms and allows you to combine golf, gastronomy – the restaurant overlooks the sea – and spa facilities.
WEBSITE: www.omahabeachgolfclub.com
