Between the ocean and the mountains, with its mild climate and joyous lifestyle, the Basque Country is a paradise for lovers of golf and après-golf. Eight courses are confined within a 30 km radius, and regardless you’re an occasional player, a keen amateur or a professional, It is a tough choice ! Basque blogger Julien Dizdar kindly agreed to meet golfer Ariane Provot to help us sight up the finer points of these great greens.
For pure diversity: the Chiberta golf course
“An extremely varied course with coastal and woodland challenges. I really like its diversity of play, because some holes are exposed to the wind, while others demand absolute precision because their approach is so well protected by trees”.
For the setting... and the food: The Arcangues golf course
“Not only is the course magnificent, but the food here is excellent. The cep omelette is absolutely delicious”.
For a high-speed trip through time: the Le Phare golf course
“This is the oldest course of the area. You can enjoy the pleasure of a quick 18 holes here, because the course itself is small. However be on your guard, an old course means the green it is as firm as it is fast."
For history and style: the Chantaco golf course
"As a woman and a professional golfer, it is my duty to talk to you about this course (the home club of the Lacoste family). It has hosted the Lacoste French Ladies Open for the past six years! The architecture of its club house is a superb tribute to Basque Country tradition”.
For the ideal location: the Makila golf course
"This is a very undulated course through oak woodland on clay soil. It's a very easy location to get to, set between the coast and the interior of the Basque Country. When you’re in this region, it’s a must-play”.
For the love of nature: the Epherra golf course
"This is the perfect course for nature lovers and a great place to experience the interior of the Basque Country. A pretty, undulating course with superb views of the mountains. The restaurant is also worth a visit”.
For technicality and a warm welcome: the La Nivelle golf course
"Just 10 minutes from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, this small, deeply undulating course comes with an enormously welcoming club house atmosphere. The technical challenges of this course have earned it the honour of hosting a Ladies European Tour event, the Access Series and the European Ladies Second Division event!”
For the view (and the tiny squid): the Ilbarritz golf club
“A small 9-hole course greatly appreciated and respected by professionals and celebrities, with fabulous views of the Basque coastline. I absolutely recommend its restaurant and chipirons (small squid). Above all it’s primarily an international training centre and my office... I come here to work on my swing and refine my touch."
Interview by Julien Dizdar, @paysbasque_net.
But who is Ariane Provot?
French ladies champion at the age of just 13, and a member of the national team until 2013, Ariane Provot now plays on the Ladies European Tour, the highest rated professional ladies tour in Europe. Basque through her love of golf and her love of the place, she is still discovering her new region."
By France.fr
The magazine of the destination unravels an unexpected France that revisits tradition and cultivates creativity. A France far beyond what you can imagine…
