The dramatic new La Réserve Golf Links at Heritage Golf Club in Mauritius proved to be the perfect venue for the 2023 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open as course co-designer Louis Oosthuizen claimed the title by two shots, making it back-to-back victories on the DP World Tour.
The new course is the first and only contemporary links in the Indian Ocean and Oosthuizen was right at home on the layout he co-designed alongside Peter Matkovich, playing precision iron shots into the course’s infinity greens with panoramic ocean views.
“The course is spectacular,” said Oosthuizen, after completing a final round of 69 to finish on 17-under-par. “I love links golf because I feel strongly about shot-making in golf and that there should be more than one way of playing a golf course. So, a lot of shaping went into the course and, as a player, you have to feel your way around and use your skill. Of course, the views here are very special, too.”
The week in Mauritius was a family affair for the Oosthuizens as Louis’ wife and daughters joined him at Heritage Resorts for a beach holiday, the first time they have been present to witness him win.
“It’s tough after a victory to come to a holiday resort with the family and friends and try to be focused,” added Louis. “But when I’m on the golf course here I’m very focused and I wanted to play well. Afterwards, it’s back to the pool.”
Oosthuizen wasn’t the only player enjoying the week in Mauritius. Heritage Resorts resident ambassador Marcel Siem, who now lives on-site at the resort with his family, was in contention earlier in the week, and finished in the top 20.
Commenting on his new residence, Marcel said, “We used to come here for Christmas and New Year’s Eve and would spend five or six weeks at a time here. We met so many nice people here and we just realised that Mauritius is exactly what we want. Every day, I’m in a golf cart and at the gym at 5.30am, on the range at 6.30am, play 18 holes and then see the kids at 11.30am. I think the work-life balance here is just fantastic. You just look at the ocean and feel so calm. So, it was an easy decision for us a family to move here.”
Inspired by the wild open spaces of the great seaside links, La Réserve Golf Links, a GEO-Certified development, plays hand-in-hand with nature, nestling alongside a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve.
Jonathan Menteath, General Manager of Heritage Golf Club, said: “We always knew La Réserve Golf Links would be an extraordinary world-class course, and a game-changer for Mauritius, and this week’s co-sanctioned tournament between the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour has proved the point.
“To have Louis, a Major champion and our course co-designer winning the tournament, with his family joining us for the week, is a wonderful result. Everyone at Heritage Golf Club and Heritage Resorts is delighted for Louis.”