The Château des Vigiers and the Golf de Pont-Royal still winners in 2024

The World Golf Awards 2024 crowned the Golf International de Pont-Royal as the best course in France and the Château des Vigiers as the best hotel. Enough to end the year in style for these two superb destinations in the South of France.

D.C.

For the fourth year in a row, the Golf International de Pont-Royal was voted best course in France during the eleventh World Golf Awards ceremony which took place in mid-November on the Portuguese island of Madeira, off the coast of Morocco, and which has also been popular with many international destinations. “ We have just won for the 4th time in a row. This is a first for a French golf course, was reporting Thibaut Sampouxdirector of the Golf International de Pont-Royal. We were there with the president Alain Rault. It's very enriching to be able to meet all the players from the four corners of the golf world. »

We continue to grow since this year we were also in the running for the best course in Europe for the first time

Thibaut Sampoux

Unique hexagonal course designed by the legendary Severiano Ballesterosgolf in the Aix-en-Provence region continues to build its own legend and will aim for a fifth victory in a row next year, secretly dreaming of a continental coronation. “ Next year, we’re going to aim for “la manita”! Five in a row! smiled Thibaut Sampoux. We continue to grow since this year, we were for the first time also in the running for the best course in Europe. »

We hope that we will welcome again soon
a professional competition

Thibaut Sampoux

Hosts of the Open de Provence for five years from 2019 to 2023, those responsible for the Ballesteros course dream of hosting new competitions as prestigious as those of the Challenge Tour circuit in the coming years on a route which continues to improve. “ Every year, we carry out small improvement works. Whether to optimize our use of water with new pipes or to improve the design of certain holes such as the addition of trees between 7 and 8 where the big hitters and professionals tended to cut the dogleg too much and it had become dangerous. We also hope that we will soon host a professional competition again on a route which will have regained the original strategic meaning desired by Severiano Ballesteros. »

Château des Vigiers, the other big French winner

France has been rewarded four times with also the best tour operator offering trips in France (Private Golf Key), the best tour operator offering trips outside France (Golfer to Golfer) and the best golf hotel in France. Already crowned in 2021 and 2015, the Château des Vigiers located in Dordogne won the trophy for the third time (2021, 2015) to everyone's surprise. “ This victory surprised us all, confessed Niels Koetsierdirector of Château des Vigiers since 2017. We heard the news in the press. It's a victory for a whole team and I'm very proud for them. »

The buildings are separated from each other around the golf courses. I think it gives a real charm to the place

Niels Koetsier

Built around the 18-hole course expanded to 27 holes in 2008, the estate is home to different types of accommodation scattered across islands of pleasure and luxury, as well as several restaurants, including the exceptional Les Fresques, a Michelin-starred restaurant since 2014. “ Since I took over as president in 2017, with the shareholders, we have tried to offer the best possible experience for our customers by investing financially and humanly with quality staff. added the Dutchman who arrived at Vigiers in 1996.

“The buildings are separated from each other around the golf courses. I think it gives a real charm to the place, with large spaces. We really have a feeling of freedom and the pleasant impression of being able to breathe. The Swedish founders began by creating the eighteen-hole golf course in 1992, then the 25-room castle hotel the following year. Now we have 27 holes, a spa and 65 rooms on 150 hectares. We have always been very independent and we have always done everything in-house at Château des Vigiers. »

The Château des Vigiers located in the Dordogne near Bergerac and the Golf International de Pont-Royal near Aix-en-Provence are the two big French winners of the World Golf Awards 2024. There is no doubt that these areas will have a great time. end of year with an extra trophy under the tree. Let us hope in passing that all of French golf starts in 2025 with its feet on the ground, carried away in the same positive momentum!

Photos : World Golf Awards