The project has given the course an international dimension, making it even more spectacular and strategic, with a new pace and a unique strong identity. Environmental preservation was also a high priority for the project team.
Evian Resort appointed international architects EGD, represented by South African Dave Sampson and Briton Jeremy Slessor (designers of the Celtic Manor course, host to the Ryder Cup 2010) to design the Major course. The project was also inspected by Steve Smyers, an American architect and LPGA consultant.
Franck Riboud, Chairman of the Danone Group and The Evian Championship admits that for the teams at the Evian Resort Golf Club and the contractors involved in the project, “the challenge is little less than pharaonic!”, adding “It’s true that we benefit from a magical setting. But it’s not the beauty of the setting that makes a Major course, it’s the way the course plays. It’s about the pace, the alternation between moments of emotion or annoyance, the tension that you experience over three holes followed by your breathing on the next three… We have retained a strong identity, but are attesting our desire to return to “pure golf”. We wanted a grand comeback to what is natural. ”
Golf Major Championship at Evian Resort
The Evian Championship will take place from 12th to 15th September 2013 at Evian Resort Golf Club. One hundred and twenty of the world’s top women golfers are heading to Evian for a fortnight of golfing action.
Two years ago, for the first time in the history of golf, the international ruling bodies of Women’s Golf awarded the exceptional status of Major to a tournament organised in continental Europe, The Evian Championship. Sitting alongside the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the LPGA Championship, the US Women’s Open and the Women’s British Open. The Evian Championship is the new women’s Major, holding a strategic position at the end of the season, meaning that the world’s leading players will be crowned at Evian Resort, following the five Majors.
Evian Resort achieved the enviable accolades, ‘Best Resort in France’ and ‘Best Resort-Golf in France’ at the World Travel Awards 2011.The resort is popular with families and couples for holidays and weekend breaks, fine dining enthusiasts and keen golfers, as well as the corporate meeting and incentive travellers.
EGD www.egd.com
Evian Resort www.evianresort.com