Terre Blanche, a stunning, mature resort nestling in the heart of Provence in the south of France, has become the newest European Tour Destination to join the flourishing network of world-class golfing venues promoted by The European Tour.
The breath-taking five-star facility located 45 minutes from Nice on the French Riviera joins Le Golf National in Versailles as the second European Tour Destination in France able to benefit from the European Tour Destinations brand and offers a complete leisure experience for golfers and non-golfers alike.
Terre Blanche, the fourth Destination and tenth member-venue of The European Tour Properties portfolio, delivers spectacularly on all fronts, from the five-star hotel and state-of-the-art Spa to the world-renowned Albatros Golf Performance Centre, and is completed by two delightfully challenging 18 hole courses designed by Dave Thomas.
Developed by the Hopp family, Dietmar Hopp, past CEO of SAP – former co-sponsor of the SAP-Deutsche Bank Open on The European Tour – and now President of the club, Terre Blanche also acts as the winter base for the French Golf Federation’s elite amateur squads, with the whole French golfing community still buoyant from the announcement earlier this year that France will host The 2018 Ryder Cup.
Ranked 18th within Golf World UK magazine’s recently published classification of the Top 100 courses in continental Europe, Le Château course at Terre Blanche stretches 6,616 metres (7,235 yards) and is characterised by several spectacular water obstacles.
The bunkers, greens and flag positions provide the challenges of a true championship course, rewarding players for precision and distance. Scenic highlights include memorable views of a picturesque lake and a 19th-century castle. This year-round showpiece provides a magnificent challenge that is sure to test the abilities of even the most proficient golfer.
The second 18-hole course at Terre Blanche, Le Riou, is a highly technical course requiring strategy and precision, stretching to 6,005 metres (6,567 yards) and featuring rolling contours and winding fairways. The course unfolds through pine- and oak-lined hills and valleys, providing inspiring views of medieval Provençal villages and theSouthern Alps.
This year-round course, reserved for club members and their guests, as well as guests of the Resort , is also the host, in March, of the Generali Ladies’ Open, part of the LET Access Series.
Off-course, Terre Blanche has created one of the world’s most advanced facilities for golf practice and improvement, the Albatros Golf Performance Centre. Open year round and renowned for its comprehensive range of facilities, this totally integrated training centre allows all golfers – whether beginner or experienced – to fine-tune their technique, perfect their swing and practise in optimal conditions.
The most effective training methods are enhanced by ultra-modern analytical tools and state-of-the-art technology – incorporating a BioMecaSwing Centre managed by Jean-Jacques Rivet, an acknowledged world expert in this field who already works closely with The European Tour.
The comprehensive facilities include 65 practice mats on two levels, indoor putting green with the SAM (Science and Motion) PuttLab putting analysis system, AboutGolf golf simulator and pro shop with TaylorMade showroom, offering fitting for customised equipment with the TrackMan and Select Fit systems.
The Performance Centre is the base for a David Leadbetter Golf Academy managed by Head Professional Alain Alberti, also coach of Raphaël Jacquelin, Terre Blanche’s Touring Pro.
Terre Blanche offers a scope and quality of golf and leisure facilities that are perhaps unparalleled in Europe. The resort is more than worthy of its new European Tour Destination signature and takes its place proudly within one of the world’s foremost networks of high-quality golf venues.
Announcing the signing of the agreement between Terre Blanche and The European Tour at the Tour’s Wentworth headquarters, David MacLaren, Director of Property and Venue Development for The European Tour, said: “Everyone at The European Tour is absolutely delighted to welcome Terre Blanche to the European Tour Properties family.
“This is truly one of Europe’s very finest resorts and I am confident that all visitors to the venue will experience the very finest hospitality, both on and off-course. The partnership between Terre Blanche and The European Tour will enable us to develop many activities together and promises to be of great benefit to both parties.”
François Vaugoude, CEO of Terre Blanche, commented: “We are very excited by starting this new partnership with the European Tour brand, whose image is unique. Being part of such a selective network of venues will definitely benefit Terre Blanche and our members. We are very positive that our association with European Tour Destination will not only increase awareness about our Golf & hotel Resort, but also contribute to develop our luxury real estate promotion to avid golfers on an international scale.”
European Tour Properties www.europeantourproperties.com
Terre Blanche www.terre-blanche.com/
Image saved European Tour properties conference Caption: Jonathan Orr, The European Tour’s Financial Director and Company Secretary, Jean-Marie Casella from Terre Blanche, David MacLaren, Director of Property and Venue Development for The European Tour, and Marion Saltiel from Terre Blanche at The European Tour’s headquarters.