Situated in the countryside between Ittre and Nivelles, this 300 acre golf club offers two superb challenges, reminiscent of British and American courses. Completed in 1995, the American course (“l’Americain”) designed by Bill Amick, and the English course (“l’Anglais”), the creation of Martin Hawtree and Peter Alliss, offer a contrast between traditional and modern styles. In 1997, a 9 hole beginner’s course (The Orival) was added to the existing facilities. The entire artificial English course, laid out on a plateau exposed to westerly winds, resembles an inland links. On this clean-lined course with its broad fairways separated by mounds, players rarely stand on level ground, even after a successful shot. The elevated tee-off positions provide an impressive overview of the holes, the 100 or so directional bunkers and six ponds. The big elevated greens, shaped like amphitheatres set diagonally across the fairways, feature significant slopes. The frontal pot bunkers – real game breakers – force the golfer to seek opening along the slides or to make use of the mounds behind the greens.The long, undulating American course begins in a wooded area and includes a tricky passage between the 4th and the 5th holes, linked by a water hazard that is home to carnivorous Florida turtles.The home nine, with a succession of holes on up and down terrain, offers a superb finish thanks to the ever present water. The “Amen Corner” of the 15th, 16th and 17th holes, before the climb back up to the 18th, is sure to provide some thrilling moments. In the heart of the estate, the clubhouse, which dominates the finish of the American course, is located in an old castle farm, whose oldest buildings date back to 1635.
