Dr. Michael Smurfit, President of The K Club, which will host the Ryder Cup Matches in 2006, together with other investors has acquired the Paris International Club one of France’s most famous golf courses. Paris International Club is located in Baillet en France, 22 km northwest of Paris and 15 km west of Roissy CDG International Airport.
Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. The seller is ClubCorp International Inc.
Opened in 1991, the Paris International Club features an 18-hole, 6,319 metre Jack Nicklaus championship golf course – the only Jack Nicklaus golf course in France – and extensive golf practice facilities.
The classically designed 5,500 square metre clubhouse offers fine dining in Le Belvedere dining room overlooking the 18th green. Other amenities include an indoor swimming pool, sauna in the locker rooms, jacuzzis, massages rooms and four tennis courts. Six guest rooms provide accommodation within the clubhouse towers.
In addition to bringing a new level of traditional service to the existing members of the club and the Parisian golf community, the club will expand its marketing efforts to provide corporate and non-resident memberships and golf destination amenities for travellers to Paris.
“I look forward to making the Paris International Club one of the world’s great golf resorts,” said Dr. Smurfit. “The acquisition is a good’fit’ for my continued drive to develop outstanding golf properties. After the success of The K Club, I feel that Paris has the potential for a world-renowned golf club and since Paris is among the top five most desirable vacation destinations, I know the city can be a favourite destination for golfers from around the world “.
Dr. Michael Smurfit is chairman of the Jefferson Smurfit Group which has total managed sales, including associate companies, in excess of $20 billion and some 68,000 employees.
Paris International Club www.paris-golf.com
The K Club www.kclub.ie