Can you tell us about your golf course?

The Residence golf course-Tunis has been open since 2008. It is an 18-hole links which was designed by Robert Trent Jones II. It is an upscale course, well manicured and maintained. Particular attention has been paid to the layout of the fairways in order to respect the landscape and the natural environment. The Residence Tunis is also the first establishment in Africa to have invested in a three-generation system, the main advantage of which is a noticeable reduction in electricity consumption as well as a reduction in CO2 emissions.

What are the technical specificities of the course?

One of the strengths of our course is that it is very varied. In fact, the playing strategies are constantly changing depending on the direction of the wind on this seaside course. It is an exciting and challenging golf course with a slope of 136. For example, I really like hole number 13. C ' is a par 4 dog-leg straight, a good hitter can hope to hit the green in 1 when the wind is with you. During the bird migration period, you can see flamingos.

What equipment do you have?

We benefit from a superb quality club house with an area of ​​5000 m² of changing rooms and a proshop. We also have an à la carte restaurant and the only outdoor swimming pool on a golf course in all of Tunisia. We do a lot of events including weddings or seminars thanks to our multipurpose space and our sub-committee rooms.

What is your development policy?

With the decline in tourist traffic in Tunisia, our development policy is currently very focused on the local market. With our 240 members and our very dynamic association, we organize one or two tournaments per month. However, we are trying to revive international tourism by organizing the first edition of Pro-AM The Residence approved PGA France from September 10 to 24 in partnership with Air France and the Tunisian Golf Federation. The Pros will be fully supported by The Résidence Tunis on condition that they bring back their teams of three amateurs. We have prepared a rich and varied program where relaxation and well-being are essential with, in particular, Thalasso and Spa treatments, to recharge your batteries after an excellent golf course, of course, a cocktail, a gala dinner, an evening on the beach. the beach and finally a dinner at Li Baï, our Chinese restaurant.

What is the secret to becoming a golf leader in the Tunis region? 

For the moment, there are only two courses in the Tunis region, compared to 10 for all of Tunisia. Our course is positioned in the North, measures 6 m and can receive an international level competition tomorrow. Our product is distinguished by the fact that it is Championship and that it brings together today the entire expatriate community of Tunis. This allows us to offer throughout the year 451 or 7 tournaments sponsored by major brands.

How do you manage to manage the water on the course?

First of all, we chose a very specific grass, paspalum which is a lawn that does not require a lot of water. There is a regulation in Tunisia which says that we do not have the right to use spring water as well as drinking water. We are therefore connected to a treatment plant which is 15 km from our golf course. We have invested in a large pipeline, which allows us to store water in a lake of 4 hectares and two meters deep which feeds us throughout the year. It is recycled water that should have gone to sea and that we collect, treat and use for irrigation. In summer, we consume a maximum of 2000 m3 per day.

How is the golf team made up?

Today we employ around fifty people on the golf course. Regarding the game part, we are 10 people including the reception and the proshop. For the greenkeeping part and the course maintenance, we call on the services of an agricultural engineer who assists me and who manages a team of 20 people. On the other hand, the golf academy is a partner company of The Residence golf course. Since October 2016, the "Golf Academy Gammarth" training center has been offering a new education provided by two experienced professionals, Lilia Maaref - ex-player of the Ladies European Tour - and Chokri Ben Nasr - trained at the Leadbetter Academy of Djerba. This coaching and teaching structure is made up of 15 outdoor grass practice stations, a small game area with a putting green, a chipping green, a pitching green, a training bunker, as well as two sheltered stations in interior with a workshop equipped with instruments for measuring swing analysis. We collaborate with our partners of the “Golf Academy Gammarth” in particular for the open days and Team bulding that we organize, but also for the golf, teaching and development packages that we offer with the hotel to our customers.

More broadly, what are the prospects for golf in Tunisia?

Let's say with a touch of humor that after having hit rock bottom, we can only go up! 2016 was a particularly difficult year, especially after the Sousse attack. We are feeling an improvement in the market and the golf fair in Paris in March was very positive for us. Reasonably, we are banking on a gradual recovery which should be in place for next year if all goes well.

Interview by David Raynal    

The Residence Tunis
The Odds of Carthage 2
La Marsa Tunisia
Phone: +216 71 910 101
Email: info-tunis@theresidence.com
Site: http://cenizaro.com/fr/theresidence/tunis

Stay & Play: special golfers offer

Book until June 30, 2017 and earn € 600 of additional services for golfers, thus transforming your vacation into a memorable golf experience.

The offer includes for two people:

• Buffet breakfast
• One free Tee off per person per day
• One Club Car offered per day
• A 60-minute deep muscle massage offered by golfer per day.

Terms and conditions :

• The offer depends on the availability of the moment and confirmation.
• Three night minimum
• The offer cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion or contract and cannot be applied to groups.