Golf du Rhin, a true connection with nature

Text by Arnaud Blanc

A forest course designed for all levels

Open since 1969 on the Île du Rhin in Chalampé, Golf du Rhin winds its way through the forest for nearly 6,400 metres from the back tees. A Par 72 course that has long been known for being both long and technical.
“It’s a nice little challenge,” says club president Jean-Denis Becq by way of introduction. “There are several holes where you really need to know how to strike the ball well if you play from the back tees.”
The opening holes immediately set the tone. “The first five holes can make for a very good round if you manage them well. On the other hand, they can really hurt your scorecard…”
When asked whether one hole stands out from the others for its beauty, difficulty or design, the club president is quick to answer: “There is no signature hole here, but rather a signature course.”
Why? “None is better or worse than another. The holes balance each other out through their difficulty, their style and their design.”
There is, however, one feature shared by the individual holes: their secluded greens, far from simply opening up to more aggressive players. They demand an extra degree of precision while offering beautiful views of the surrounding nature, an omnipresent guest throughout the course.

A protected island, a long-standing commitment to the environment

Golf du Rhin is located in the heart of a Natura 2000 protected area, a setting that has shaped the management of the course from an early stage. GEO (Golf Environment Organization) certified since 2012, the club has also recently been awarded the French Golf Federation’s Silver Biodiversity label.

“The focus on ecology and preserving our course is something we’ve been building on for more than 14 years,” explains Jean-Denis Becq, who highlights the greenkeeping teams’ ongoing efforts to reduce water and plant protection product consumption. “We no longer manage the course the way we did twenty years ago,” he points out, before announcing a new three-year project to adapt the course to climate change: smart sensors, a modernised irrigation system and a different approach to preparing the fairways and greens.
In the meantime, there is already one change that members and visitors have been enjoying for the past year: the creation of additional tees, designed to make the course accessible to all levels of play without reducing the challenge. Nearly 900 metres now separate the black tees from the yellow tees! “We have a course that retains its narrow character from the furthest tees, while becoming easier to approach from the new, closer tees. Everyone can enjoy it in their own way,” explains the club president, who reports unanimous satisfaction among both members and visitors discovering a course suited to their level.

A focus on youth and facilities

The club is also investing in the future of its golf academy, which currently has between 40 and 45 young players, with the clear ambition of doubling its numbers. The presence of former professional player Lionel Weber, who competed on the Asian Tour and now manages the golf academy alongside Alexander Schurr, is a valuable asset. Their goal is to structure an elite group, with the aim of developing a pool of young talent for the future within the next three to four years.
This sporting ambition is supported by a comprehensive training area: three compact holes for working on the short game from 45 to 105 metres, dedicated bunker areas and a putting green, as well as a 220-metre driving range. All of this reflects the club’s vibrant community spirit, built around one final — and no less important — ingredient: La Table du Green, a restaurant offering a carefully crafted menu at remarkably affordable prices, the perfect reward for all the efforts made — and those still to come.

A golf course at the heart of three countries

Another distinctive feature of Golf du Rhin is its unique location across three countries. Set on an island in the middle of the Rhine, the club is just a stone’s throw from Germany and Switzerland, with France as its home country. This rare geographical setting naturally shapes the identity of the club and its community. Members and visitors can come and play from all three riverbanks, making Golf du Rhin a true link between countries — a dimension that perfectly reflects the spirit of the course: open, accessible and outward-looking.

Golf du Rhin
Ile Du Rhin
68490 Chalampé
golfdurhin@golfdurhin.com
+33 3 89 83 28 32
www.golfdurhin.com

Where to stay?

Schloss Reinach is the perfect place to enjoy warm hospitality, pleasure and relaxation all in one.
The hotel offers 99 rooms spread across three buildings, with a range of categories to suit every preference.

After a great day on the golf course, unwind in the hotel’s private spa area, featuring a heated outdoor pool, the perfect place to relax and recharge.
When it comes to gastronomy, the hotel’s restaurants invite you to enjoy memorable culinary experiences, whether in the historic setting of the estate or in its charming inner courtyard.
And for those looking to explore the region, there is plenty to discover! From sightseeing and heritage to culture and world-renowned museums, the surrounding area offers a wealth of experiences.
So why not plan one or more days away from the golf course, giving yourself time to fully enjoy the setting, the region and everything Schloss Reinach has to offer?

Schloss Reinach
12 St-erentrudis-straße
79112 Freiburg im Breisgau
Allemagne
reservierung@schlossreinach.de
+49 7664 407450
www.schlossreinach.de