The sea course at Le Touquet Golf Resort, links which are among the most beautiful golf courses in France, has just benefited from major restoration works. These are part of a long-term plan to restore the resort to all its prestige of the 1930s.

  • Photo: DR
This essential Harry Colt route was inaugurated in 1931 when Le Touquet was one of the most popular destinations in Europe. It has since been considered one of the best links on the continent.

However, the destruction of the Second World War caused significant damage to the terrain and led to the abandonment of 4 holes from the original course.

A first attempt at restoration was carried out in the 1990s, but the discovery of period aerial photos enabled architects Patrice Boissonnas and Frank Pont, European leaders in the restoration of “classic” courses, to remodel the entire route in accordance with Colt shots.

"This is the kind of project every architect dreams of" confides Laurent Boissonnas. “Finding the lost holes of a legendary designer like Colt (the genius to whom we owe, among others, Sunningdale, Wentworth or Royal Portrush) is like winning a treasure hunt. Such circumstances are very rare and when they arise one has necessarily the heart which beats a little faster ”.

“In approaching this restoration we were aware of our historical responsibility and very motivated by this unique opportunity to finally put things in their place. Reconstructing the 4 missing holes (holes 13 to 16), allowed us to recreate the 15, a right dogleg that the great Tom Simpson, yet Colt's rival, described as one of the best par 5 he has ever seen. Likewise, shifting 16 back to its original location enabled us to find an incredible par 3 downhill ”.

Newly restored, this links nestled behind immense dunes and endless beaches is the subject of glowing reviews.

Adam Lawrence, editor-in-chief of Golf Course Architecture magazine, wrote that he is convinced that La Mer has the potential to make it into the top 10 of the best courses in Continental Europe. According to him “La Mer au Touquet is an authentic links, the best golf can offer us, and there are few real links on the continent. La Mer has some very large golf holes and enjoys remarkable terrain ”.

"I confirm what I wrote, La Mer au Touquet is a major European course in the making".

As La Mer completes its restoration, other major investments have embellished the Touquet Golf Resort, one of the jewels of the Open Golf Club chain.

A new clubhouse with remarkable architecture has just been inaugurated. It offers all the comfort and hospitality that golfers have the right to expect.

In the same way, the restaurant of the Manoir Hotel displays a brand new decor, and it is rumored the project to transform the whole establishment into a boutique hotel.

Le Touquet Golf Resort is located on the Opal Coast, less than an hour's drive from Calais. Very well connected by the A16 motorway, it is easily accessible by car from England, Belgium, the Netherlands, and of course from all over France.

For more information on the Touquet Golf Resort, visit www.opengolfclub.com/Golf-du-Touquet