....a recent article about Les Bordes in LE FIGARO,
by Alyette DEBRAY-MAUDUY.
by Alyette DEBRAY-MAUDUY.
 |
| SCREEN CAPTURE OF THE ARTICLE |
Google translation of the original article:
Since it closed its
doors in 2008, the wildest rumors ran on the legendary golf nestled in the
heart of the Sologne forest. Exclusive, "Le Figaro" tells you the
real story.
What has become of the Baron Bich golf? This little gem for five years ranked best course in Continental Europe by Golf World magazine. This route to the U.S., by Robert Von Hagge, who competes regularly in place of the most beautiful golf with French Chantilly Morfontaine. In 2008, we learn - through word-of-mouth - it closed its doors to visitors, reserving its fairways to a handful of members. It was then fashionable to tell the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, owner of Chelsea football club, had offered this gem into a resort Pharaohs. Finished his clubhouse charming, small cottages scattered in the forest ... It's a huge hotel and hypermodern a major building program.
What has become of the Baron Bich golf? This little gem for five years ranked best course in Continental Europe by Golf World magazine. This route to the U.S., by Robert Von Hagge, who competes regularly in place of the most beautiful golf with French Chantilly Morfontaine. In 2008, we learn - through word-of-mouth - it closed its doors to visitors, reserving its fairways to a handful of members. It was then fashionable to tell the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, owner of Chelsea football club, had offered this gem into a resort Pharaohs. Finished his clubhouse charming, small cottages scattered in the forest ... It's a huge hotel and hypermodern a major building program.
If this rumor fueled
conversations evenings, especially in Paris, is that this magical place has
marked the minds of golfers who had the chance to play. Can not forget a visit
to Bordes, its enchanting, immense putting green 3600 m² - the largest in
Europe, with its deer cross a fairway turns his hunting trophies on the walls
of the club house, decorated with taste and passion by Baroness Laurence Bich,
the crackling fireplace in the bar, gourmet cuisine washed down with fine wines
...
Since its opening in
1987, Les Bordes has the buzz. At the time, the Baron Bich was the first boss
to offer a course on his hunting grounds ... Better a small masterpiece by an
architect in sight, which would soon become the most beautiful course Europe.
His partner and friend Japanese Yoshiaki Sakurai (already owns fifteen courses
in the world) had appealed to Robert Von Hagge. With the king of pen, the
contact is immediately past the designer was given carte blanche. He brought
his American touch to this stretch of oaks, broom, ferns, with mounds along
fairways, fourteen acres of lakes (in play on 12 holes) set with Berlin, large
sandy beaches ... "This property is gorgeous and the course remains a
benchmark for all, says the French champion Jean Van de Velde, whose
"Bic" was the first sponsor. Here, everything is fine, no hole is
throwing despite the evolution of hardware (drivers and balls in particular),
it remains hypersélectif and competitive. '
For the CEO of M6,
Nicolas de Tavernost, another aficionado, "is the only golf course in the
world where there is no noise, no cars, no planes, no trains. We feel that this
magical place has been created by an enthusiast who is 100% invested in the
venture, with unparalleled attention to detail. Baron Bich and his wife were
able to marry here luxury, elegance and authenticity. "Even those who do
not know the field speak with envy, as an impossible dream, a must play at
least once in his life.
Soon 36-hole ...
What about today? The rumors still but the reality is quite different. First, it is not Roman Abramovic who took over the club, but a group of European investors led by businessman Kevin Cash, a real estate mogul. It was enough to cross the grid Bordes to understand its magic and potential. "Today, a site as wonderful, as preserved from all harm, it is unique in the world, he says Le Figaro. Ostentatious luxury is has been. The upscale clientele looking for the quiet, the terroir, the historical impact. "More than just golf, it has decided to launch an ambitious project, translate the creation of an area of exceptional charm and with a second course re-signed Von Hagge. When he speaks, Kevin Cash has the eye that shines. Without a doubt, it is already a fan of the site. "My goal is to perpetuate the lifestyle initiated by Baron Bich. I wish that the development of the field is done in the same spirit, one who has made the reputation of the club. '
Soon 36-hole ...
What about today? The rumors still but the reality is quite different. First, it is not Roman Abramovic who took over the club, but a group of European investors led by businessman Kevin Cash, a real estate mogul. It was enough to cross the grid Bordes to understand its magic and potential. "Today, a site as wonderful, as preserved from all harm, it is unique in the world, he says Le Figaro. Ostentatious luxury is has been. The upscale clientele looking for the quiet, the terroir, the historical impact. "More than just golf, it has decided to launch an ambitious project, translate the creation of an area of exceptional charm and with a second course re-signed Von Hagge. When he speaks, Kevin Cash has the eye that shines. Without a doubt, it is already a fan of the site. "My goal is to perpetuate the lifestyle initiated by Baron Bich. I wish that the development of the field is done in the same spirit, one who has made the reputation of the club. '
End of 2010, a few
months before his death, the American architect, to whom we also owe the golf
Seignosse, returned to spend a few days in the Loire Valley. He made some
changes to current route (drawing bunkers, fairways redefining the way ...) and
outlined the plan "Bordes II," a track that will take place on the
"fire" 36-holes Ganay. "Les Bordes is my masterpiece, I would
like to finish my career," he had then confessed.
The 18-hole
"posthumous" looks as enchanting as manicured as its predecessor but
even more selective. "It will stretch over 100 hectares with over 9 acres
of water hazards - a hallmark of American designer Mark says Vickery, Director
of Development Bordes. Between pines, heather and broom, length of 7000 meters.
As in Augusta, all greens are equipped with a "sub-air", translate,
heating in winter and air conditioning in summer ... The ultimate. '
At his feet, around
the twelfth century priory to house the clubhouse, will run a village Sologne
old stone with a 5-star hotel managed by the Orient Express group, a spa, a
fitness center (opening in 2014) ... Finally, add to this a "boutique
hotel" in the nineteenth century castle of Bel Air, an area of the CIC
group, adjoining the lands of Baron Bich in 2008 and sold to shareholders
Bordes. For now this charming converted by Peter Phan, a highly rated designer
in London, serves as a showcase for the curious ...! Of the 610 hectares of the
area, we can also enjoy horseback riding, tennis, hiking ... green side,
"Les Bordes II" will be open to all (from 2015), and his eldest
remain exclusively reserved for hotel guests and owners apartments and villas
on the golf ...
A major challenge
In its announcement, such a project had every reason to scare the municipality of Saint-Laurent-Nouan, even if economic issues are daunting. There are currently no upscale hotel around the castles of the Loire, though considered one of the most popular tourist regions of the hexagon (the castle of Chambord is the third most visited site of France).
A major challenge
In its announcement, such a project had every reason to scare the municipality of Saint-Laurent-Nouan, even if economic issues are daunting. There are currently no upscale hotel around the castles of the Loire, though considered one of the most popular tourist regions of the hexagon (the castle of Chambord is the third most visited site of France).
Employment, the
opening of the resort should lead nearly 500 jobs, is six times more than what
is created around today. But how to ensure that nature is not jeopardized? That
small footpaths, so popular for picking mushrooms and daffodils, are not
destroyed? That the attractions of the Sologne forest are preserved? "To
reassure local officials, the new owners have ordered an inventory of fauna and
flora, before measuring the impact of these titanic works of nature, explains
Isabelle Sautenet, Director of Bordes. They are also committed to conserve and
manage paths reserved for walkers and respect a strict water management. '
Today, in the "business center"
installed in the buildings of the clubhouse, seven people working full time on
this project, fraught with pitfalls. Obtain all approvals noted administrative
obstacle course, the image of the site Merovingian discovered on 13 hectares of
field Ganay, following archaeological imposed by the State. Discovery of heavy
consequence: the forced closure of the golf de Ganay in 2010, and the
obligation to complete the excavation - at the expense of the owners - to
validate all permits. "Ultimately, we have accumulated at least a year
late, says Mark Vickery. This is thanks to the enthusiasm, tenacity - but also
the financial strength - our shareholders that this was possible. "Last
week, Les Bordes has finally got its latest initial authorizations and pickaxes
are planned for 2013. Architects and contractors are now on a war footing. To
be continued ...
No comments:
Post a Comment