Mountain golf or seaside golf? A joint interview with two golf course managers with opposing views.

On the one hand, Granville Golf Club, one of France’s oldest links courses, offering an authentic seaside golfing experience where the wind, dunes and sea spray dictate the rules of the game. On the other, Montgenèvre International Golf Club, which offers a unique high-altitude experience, straddling the border between France and Italy, set amidst spectacular mountain scenery at an altitude of 1,800 metres.

Course maintenance, climatic constraints, technical challenges for players and natural advantages: each course reveals the specific characteristics of its environment and how this influences both the game and the day-to-day management of the golf club.

- What are the challenges involved in maintaining a seaside or mountain golf course?
​

[Vincent Portier - Granville Golf Club] Maintaining a seaside golf course requires constant vigilance against the elements. The salty wind, sea spray and changing weather conditions put the playing surfaces under severe strain all year round.
We must also preserve the delicate balance of the dunes and the coastal ecosystem, whilst maintaining optimal playing conditions. This involves very precise management of the grasses, watering and soil maintenance, with an increasingly environmentally friendly approach.

[Max Ackerer - Montgenèvre Golf Club] The snowmelt in late April to early May, before gardeners can access the course, is one of the challenges of a mountain golf course. Restoring the greens to good playing condition is also a mandatory task every season, as is the need for a fully operational irrigation system to manage the elevation changes and the very low humidity at an altitude of 1,800 metres.

- What natural features constitute your main competitive advantage?


[Vincent Portier - Granville Golf Club] Our main asset lies in our exceptional natural setting; as the course is built on sandy soil, it can be played all year round, particularly in winter when many players from neighbouring courses come to enjoy our facilities.
In Granville, no two rounds are alike: the wind, the weather and the light constantly alter the feel of the game. This strong, natural character provides a rare experience, highly sought after by lovers of traditional links courses.


[Max Ackerer - Montgenèvre Golf Club] An incredible mountain landscape with three peaks over 3,000 metres framing the course laid out on the snowline.
A cross-border course unique in the world, straddling France and Italy – you cross the border twice, at the 7th hole on the outbound leg and then at the 16th hole on the return.
A compact 9-hole, par 29 course in the heart of the Sestrières woods, accessible to all.

- What technical challenges do players face on a seaside or mountain course?

[Vincent Portier - Granville Golf Club] On a seaside links course, the main challenge is mastering the wind. Players must constantly adapt their shot trajectories, club selection and strategy.
The undulating terrain, sometimes unpredictable bounce and sloping greens also demand a great deal of creativity and precision in the short game. At Granville, you need to know how to play with the course rather than against it: it is a course that rewards both tactical intelligence and technical skill.

[Max Ackerer - Montgenèvre Golf Club] Managing your shots with your feet always on a slope – downhill, uphill, cross-slope.
Choosing the right club to gauge distances on the downhill or uphill, and the extra 15% ball flight
and finally, good physical fitness to cope with the journey and the elevation changes – or the option of a golf cart!

- Is there a particular quality or advantage of coastal or mountain golf courses that you sometimes envy?

[Vincent Portier - Granville Golf Club] Mountain courses often offer spectacular views and striking verticality, creating a truly striking visual experience.
We sometimes envy this grandeur and the natural shelter that certain terrain can offer against the wind. But every environment has its own identity: whilst the mountains impress with their altitude, links courses charm with their freedom, authenticity and constant connection with the natural elements.

[Max Ackerer - Montgenèvre Golf Club] The sandy soils that ensure the course drains perfectly.