Granville Links Golf Club: more than a hundred years in the wind...

By Claude Granveaud-Vallat

Since always, the wind from offshore sweeps the coasts of the English Channel, from the nose of Jobourg to the bay of Mont Saint-Michel. As early as 1912, golfers took advantage of it at the gates of Granville even though only nine of the 18 holes were open. In 1921, the famous architect Harry Colta took over the drawing, bringing him his talented touch. Having suffered from the second world war, the field would reopen in 1956. To celebrate his centenary, Stuart Hallett, an architect passionate about the work of Colt, was called to correct some mistakes of the past.

Many bunkers have been restored, moved relying on old plans and sepia photos. On the 14th, a new green was built, offering more modeled to the game. The surroundings of the practice range have changed their pace, the trees separating it from the fairway of the 9 have disappeared in favor of a merlon made by an old English shaper. "Evolutions bringing the layout towards the requirements of modern gaming, while preserving as much as possible the original spirit," explains Vincent Portier, who took on the position of director after the centennial festivities. Child of the country and good player, he left his primary school students to take in hand the future of the club, a new challenge for this discreet man.

Between the bowl-shaped holes like at 1 and 7, the raised greens of 10 and 16, the doglegs where one must be sure of oneself to dare to fly over the oyats, the quality of the shavings on the fairways and the greens – of the ice rinks as the Grand Prix approaches – on a field playable year round, we don’t have time to get bored! And what about the tee on the 6th, the Panorama stuck to the clear beach at low tide... The sea rumbles, it is there, below. With your eyes on the ball, you can’t help but see the city to the right and the entire course modelled in the softness of this ground, the pointed roof of the old club-house serving as a reference for the puck. What a view! The entire field team ensures to maintain the playable course with dry feet all year round, in the sense of quality related to aesthetics.

Since 1986, the course of the Dunes, 9 holes signed Fred Hawtree, benefits from the same frame, the same aeration as the Links. A little simpler, it is played quickly and easily, perfect for a midday break as Patrick Schmitt recalls, the memory of the club, the orthodoxy of links...

The club-house, a granite doll’s house, also got a little update, with the refurbishment of the changing rooms, the reception and the pro-shop as well as the room of the restaurant l'Albatros, overlooking the course behind the small windows of its bay windows or on its summer terrace. Only the chef’s talent seems immutable! Alain Duval handed over to Vincent Ledeme who delights everyone with the subtle flavors of the sea and the products of the land. Always the first at tide, he has his addresses for a free-range chicken or a beef filet and his corners to pick porcini in the fall. Something to restore one’s health if the kiss has blown a bit loudly, during a morning game. The Granville golf is entering its second century under the best auspices, those of talent related to conviviality. So long live and good luck!

Granville Links Golf Club
1, impasse des Dunes
50290 Bréville-sur-Mer
Tél. : 02 33 50 23 06
Site : www.golfdegranville.com
18T, par 72, 6195 m Architectes : Harry Colt (1921) – Stuart Hallett (2012)
9T, par 33, 2216 m Architecte : Fred Hawtree (1986)