SENEGAL

by René Bourone

Dakar, January 2000 -
Cape Skirring (Senegal) is the very occidental point of Africa’s continent, just on the Atlantic coast at the opposite side of Brazil. It is probably the reason why the long waves coming from overseas roll and roll languorously all along the immense white sandy beach in a sort of samba rhythm and dance.

There is the sky, the sea and the sun... The place is alike a paradise postcard of sea and sun through palm trees and tropical flowers, the sort of place of which everybody is dreaming of for wonder vacation.

Club Med has settled there one of its most attractive village with his bungalows scattered under the palm trees along the beach. The place is completely dedicated to sea leisure lovers: sun tan, swimming, windsurfing, sailing, fishing (in the lagoon), big fishing (tuna, sailfish)…

Where to play

But at Cape Skirring, there is a plus, a golf course. Oh, it is not a Pebble Beach championship golf course. It is more a half St-Andrews born on the African coast. Only a nine hole course laid out by the Club Med through the luxuriant vegetation, which fringes the sand dunes. It is a links and not a green grass fairways course.

Besides, as the rain season (ending in November) stands away, the grass, which grows in thick tufts, becomes dry and rare so that balls stop more often on sand than on grass. In such case the local caddies (most of them trained by the Club’s pros) prepare under your ball what they call a “senegalian tee”, made of a little tuft of dry herbs which makes an acceptable lie to play. But, on the other hand, greens and foregreens, very well watered, are always green and manicured.

On contrary, greens and for greens are always green, in good shape and surrounded by flowers. In this respect, green n0 7 is an enchantment. It overlooks the two last holes which go along the beach with, in the background, the palm trees hill where bungalows are hidden behind an enormous massif of bougainvilleas. Dreamful!

Anyway, this very special course is enjoyable. And, if you play the weekly competition organized by the Club’s pros, it could become a real challenge to play your handicap.

And what matters your golf score, after the sweet recovery of a relaxing sea bath or a windsurf party! One forgets rapidly slices, hooks and buffers !

For beginners or unexperienced players they can improve their technique and skill at the clinic of golf on the practice range or on the golf course with local qualified pros.

They are patient and competent and moreover they give every day at 5 PM on the practice range situated just before the Club House an attractive and recreational show of golf shots and tricks.

Cap Skiring South of Dakar

Club's view from the plane

The 9th hole green is at a wedge distance from the beach

Sometimes it is better to look at the ball than to the sea

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