The Dream of a family of Passionate Champions

 

Golf has always played an enormous part in the lives of the Mourgue d’Algue family. 4 generations have now played a significant part in the history of French golf and members of the family have won more than 80 titles at the game worldwide.

 

Pioneer and visionary, Gaëtan Mourgue d’Algue was the best French player of his generation and has subsequently dedicated his life to the development of golf in France. Among many initiatives, he created the Lancôme Trophy, the most important tournament in continental Europe and ran it for more than 30 years. He built courses such as Arcangues in southwest France, Limère in the Loire Valley and Joyenval near Paris. He published the original Peugeot Guide to Europe’s top 1000 courses and subsequently went on with Rolex to do the same with the World’s top 1000.

 

His son André once halved with Tiger Woods in a team match between Paris and California before going on to work in resort development in the United States. Returning to France, he joined his father in the golf course construction business and from early 2002 they have been seeking the best locations for course project. Their wish has always been to let nature be the driving force of any course they build and combine it with the “art de vivre à la française.”

 

At the end of 2003, Gaëtan and André discovered, here in Gardegan and Tourtirac, 252 untouched acres in a valley fringed with 100 year old oak trees and framed by vineyards, the whole located just 6 miles from the village of Saint Emilion itself, a UNESCO listed World Heritage of Humanity site. From there they went on to develop a proper concept and gained the correct permits before selling the project to a Canadian company, Intrawest. Some years later, and after the financial problems of 2008, they had the opportunity to buy the project back and then themselves build one of the best courses in Europe.

 

As Grand St Emilionnais Golf Club came to fruition, the family involvement has increased. Philippine, André’s wife, a granddaughter of Bordeaux wine producers and with deep connections to this stunning area, is herself a Junior and College French Champion. Philippine now heads the marketing effort.

 

Kristel, Gaëtan’s daughter and André’s sister, is the only French individual winner of the NCAA championship in the United States, and is a former Ladies European Tour player with one win on Tour. She brings significant communication skills to the project along with her input into professional and amateur golf in the country. Fabian, the eldest brother, adds international finance capabilities and that completes this family team. But let us not forget the mother, Cécilia who holds one of the most distinguished French amateur records ever and brings an unique vision of women’s game to golf course architecture.

 

Construction at Grand St Emilionnais has lasted over four years in order to reach this stage. Two major challenges had to be faced. The first was to ensure there would always be sufficient water. This has been achieved by the building of seven acres of lakes that will guarantee all rain water will be captured and retained. The second was the decision to plant fescue grasses in a hotter climate than is usually advisable. Fescue’s low water and pesticides consumption along with its slow growing process were its determining factors. The use of hybrid mowing machines were also an important innovation. Eventually there will be 12 greenkeepers headed by Cédric Le Véziel a highly qualified superintendent, who plays off a 3-handicap, to make sure the course is always in the best possible condition.

 

The Mourgue d’Algues are also developing a first hamlet composed of 11 houses aimed for golfers and potential investors. Well integrated with the beautiful region of St Emilion, they are located by the clubhouse and have views out over the course, the vineyards and a XIIth century roman church. Local wine owners are already investors in this prestigious venture. In addition, there will be 8 luxury apartments ranging from 700 sq ft to 1,130 sq ft and will situated by the first fairway.

 

Gaëtan Mourgue d’Algue likes to remind that golf can be played from 7 to 77 years old (even older now) and André likes to add that this course is the achievement of a family dream but also a creation that will embody all the finer aspects of this wonderful sport.

 

Grand Saint Emilionnais Golf Club has already been selected by the largest circulation international magazines such as Golf Magazine USA and Golf World UK, among the 9 most anticipated courses in the world for 2015.