St Raphael Golfs

I, Noel, am an enthusiastic golfer – more enthusiastic than able if the truth be known. On a recent visit to St Raphael (June 2008) I visited two 18 hole courses to the north of the town in the district of Valescure. They are Golf de Valescure and Golf International de L’Esterel. Both are in excellent condition with well kept fairways and beautifully manicured greens and are set in pine woods. 

Water features, on many holes, on both courses mean you need to be more accurate than I am to prevent a wet experience. Valescure was set out in 1895 by Lord Ashcombe, one of many English visitors to the Cote D’Azur in Victorian and Edwardian times. Esterel was designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1979. 

Visually, with the backdrop of the red Esterel massif, these courses are stunning. Although not particularly long (Valescure 5005 metres from white tees and Esterel 5852 metres) both require thoughtful club selection and shot placement. Be warned, the greens at Valescure are relatively tiny whilst those on Esterel are much bigger and trickier with some annoyingly difficult borrows. 

In June 2008 green fees on both courses were 65euros per round – less for late afternoon tee off or if you buy a book of ten tickets. Practice facilities and buggy, trolley and club hire are available. Both courses have attractive hotels adjacent. We haven’t stayed at either but when I spoke to the receptionists and observed the public areas they looked very nice indeed – both receptionists and areas. These hotels provide all-in packages, including lessons, which might be well worth investigating if you are intending to spend a week or more in this most attractive and interesting area. 

The nearest airport from the UK is Nice, approximately 45minutes to 1 hours drive away. St Raphael is also on a main line rail route. If I can convince Sandy that a week’s golf should be an integral part of a future holiday I’ll certainly bring my own clubs and possibly Wellington boots, particularly for the second and fifteenth at Esterel. 

There are also numerous other courses (over twenty) in the Var and Alpes Maritimes departments. I have not played any of them but the Old Course at Cannes Mandelieu, approximately 30km from St Raphael, looked very inviting. There, you need to cross the river Siagne on the Bac between holes 2 and 3 and 12 and 13. PS handicap needed at Valescure, not asked for at Esterel.