Biarritz,
the French Capital for Golf.
 What to see ?
Where to
play ?
Informations
Recommandations
 Arcangues
A course rich in history even before it was opened at the
beginning of the 1990s. At the outset, this was a magnificent family estate of about a
hundred and sixty acres which belonged to the former amateur champion, Guy d'Arnangues and
his brother.
The Arcangues golf links finally saw the light of day
with the officially authorised earthworks which nobody thought possible except for those
of the eighth century family château. The wager was even more complicated than the
tormented environment of the château which needed a great deal of work. A relatively
short course which is very technical and hilly but with fabulous panoramas of the Pyrenees
and the Basque Country.
The famous American architect, Ronald Fream, knew exactly
how to compose the links with the wooded holes amongst the oak trees, and the more open
aired ones in the meadows. Arcangues is an original golf test which is not recommended to
those who have a high handicap, but who can always appreciate the charms of a most
comfortable club-house around an open fire in winter and on a magnificent terrace at other
times of the year.
Biarritz,
le Phare
I am sure that those who are well-read will forgive me
when I say that Biarritz is definitely the golf-beacon of the Basque Coast. A sports and convivial meeting place where the Biarritz people
golf and have parties in the middle of the town, remembering a zest for the taste of
society life in the true Biarritz fashion.
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The Phare
golf links has undergone numerous modifications during its long existence which began in
1888. Today, it is a survivor of tradition, as thoughout its long evolution it has never
strayed from the British spirit. It does not matter if you write down a par 69 for 5,400
metres on your score card. Simplicity does not
always rhyme with ability. Slightly hilly, the holes resist to welcoming fairways each
separated by thinly wooded copses. The main difficulty lies in knowing which club to use
on windy days. When staying in Biarritz, the golfer must not miss the opportunity of
visiting the Phare Golf Links, even if it is only to taste the ambience of the club-house,
and to listen to the gossip of All-Biarritz
This can only be described as back-ground music of
discrete charm of a quaint bourgeoisie, and the image of its agreeable course, whatever
your game level, this links is proud of not belonging to the kind of courses that takes up
challenges. However, that does not mean to say that future champions, such as J.M.
Olazabal, are not proud to have their names written down on the list of prize winners of
the Biarritz Cup, one of the biggest competitions on the European amateur circuit.
Chantaco
This golf links has often been called the 'birthplace' of
Basque golf, and yet it dates from the 1930s. This estate not only echoes of tradition,
sporting atmosphere and respectability but also the soul and the presence of the Lacoste
family. A bit of its history is merited here ; Madam Simon Lacoste, whose maiden name was
Thion de la Chaume, was a great international champion. Her daughter, Catherine, won the
American Open in 1967 ; she was and always will be a golf-lover ! Chantaco deserves a
visit to have the feeling of the Basque golf spirit.
Its course, although classical, is rather uneven with
several delicate slopes, but you will be dazed with the Art Décor style of the club-house
in .... pink stone, where a multitude of champions seem to be coming out of every room.
The golf links must be tried out, even if it is only to try to understand it.
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Arcangues castel
Le Phare, Biarritz
Chantaco
Chiberta
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