MCB Tour Championship: Why Mauritius and Constance Belle Mare Plage is a top golf getaway

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  • MCB Tour Championship winner in Mauritius Clark Dennis

    One of the questions often bounced around our office is if you could select any sport to be a professional in, what would it be?

    Naturally, there are myriad responses, but then there is always invariably a collective agreement on one answer – golf. Indeed, the combination of longevity, travel and prizes on offer mark it out as one of the most appealing sports to enter into.

    And if there is one event on the calendar which provides justification for that sentiment, then it’s the conclusion of the Staysure Tour (formerly the European Senior Tour) which culminates in the MCB Tour Championship.

    The two-legged event, split across first Mauritius and then onto the Seychelles provides enthralling action and an exquisite backdrop as some of the best senior golfers in the world take to the course.

    Golf displays its unique nuances when it comes to events like this because no other sport, save for may be tennis, offers the platform in terms of size and stature for senior competitors.

    Add in the marriage of travel and competition and you have delight for both professionals and tourists. We had the opportunity to witness first hand just why our office is in agreement over golf as an attractive sport after a week visit to the Constance Belle Mare Plage, the host resort for the year-ending tournament swing off in the Indian Ocean.

    The winner in Mauritius, respected American and former PGA Tour player Clark Dennis, added further credence to our office agreement.

    MCB Tour Championship winner in Mauritius Clark Dennis

    MCB Tour Championship winner in Mauritius Clark Dennis

    “I can certainly see golf being one of the most attractive sports for people because you get to play forever, travel to great places like this,” the 52-year-old says.

    “Golf is unique for senior pros and we’re all still very competitive. We all still love to win. Of course, it’s a little more relaxed once you get on the Staysure Tour and the Champions Tour (US version), but it remains very competitive.

    “Guys still want and need to work, it’s not like an exhibition at all. I think that keeps you young. You keep practicing, stay in shape and keep doing the same things required when on the regular Tour.

    “In that way, yes it is unique in comparison to other sports. Once you get to be 43, 44 or 45, I don’t care who you are, whether you’re a guy like Tiger (Woods) that’s won all the time, once you hit those mid-40s, you’re just not going to win as much.

    “Your body is just not going to let you, but then you hit 50 and now it’s even again. Your the young guy again and now you have a good platform to win. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the Champions Tour or the Staysure Tour, your club championship at home, everybody wants to win.”

    Constance Belle Mare Plage

    Constance Belle Mare Plage

    Looking at the regular tour right now, there are some big names in their 40s who will be eligible to transition into the seniors game over the next decade.

    Multiple major winners and popular personalities like Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen and Ernie Els were among the list of players some of the current crop are hoping to compete against in the coming years.

    However, to attract those star names, enticing destinations like Mauritius are a key selling point. And it’s easy to see why the charming island would be used as a hook.

    When entering the country situate in the Indian Ocean, one of the main points of appreciation is the rich blend of blue and green, the land and sea akin to looking into the most vivid blue or green eyes.

    Mauritius is awash with these bold and beautiful colours, coated by fresh air and delightful tropical weather. Indeed, there are few things more pleasing than crystal clear skies mirrored by transparent water with the soft warm sand blanketing your feet.

    With two delightful 18 hole golf courses on Constance Belle Mare Plage’s doorstep – the Legend and Links – it’s hard to imagine a more relaxing setting. Belle Mare Plage has played host to professional and amateur golfers alike since 1994 when they initially competed in the Mauritius Open before becoming the MCB Tour Championship.

    The week-long programme of golf features a pro-am tournament and amateur competitions like the Air Mauritius Trophy. For Golf Director Sebastien Pilot, relaxation is the key word to enforce.

    “It’s the end of a long season for these guys,” he explains. “Yes, competition is high on the mind, but this is a place for them to bring their families and be at peace among very serene surroundings.

    “There is good food, the service is not over the top and the golf courses continue to evolve and highlight the island. The important thing for us, is that these guys are relaxed and that’s very much the nature of this place.

    “Tom Lehman has been coming for a few years now, he’s coming from a long way, from the States, but I must say, once they’ve tasted it they want to come back.

    Sebastien Pilot (4-r) alongside some of the Staysure Tour pros

    Sebastien Pilot (4-r) alongside some of the Staysure Tour pros

    “It’s the the same for the likes of Colin Montgomerie, David Frost. Ernie Els knows the island and we hope to see him soon, Miguel Angel Jimenez has been invited.

    “He’s yet to visit but I’m sure once he tastes the place I am sure he will want to come back because it’s not only for work for these guys, it’s about relaxing and this is what makes this event so appealing compared to normal tour events.”

    Golfers make up roughly about 60 percent of the visitors to Constance Belle Mare Plage and tourism across Mauritius is one of its key demographics with courses springing up across the landscape.

    For the competing pros and amateurs from across Europe, the Middle East and beyond, Mauritius is one of the top golf getaways. Destinations like the MCB Tour Championship form one of the main reasons why players like Dennis want to extend their careers long past their 40s.

    “I think coming to Mauritius as part of the conclusion of this Tour is a big selling point,” he says. “The Staysure Tour is a little more relaxed and we’ve all been there and done that, so it’s not going to be quite as cut-throat.

    “When you’re a young guy, you’re hyper-focused on winning and that’s it. Out here, we’re all glad when someone else plays well, we congratulate him and we’re happy for him.

    “It’s more of an enjoyment, we’re out here to add the shine to our careers. We know there’s not much left, I’ve got 10 maybe 12 years left. You appreciate everything you have and you appreciate coming to places like this.

    “When you’re younger, you kind of don’t have that appreciation and you think it’s going to go on forever and you have this long career ahead of you, so we just appreciate it a little more on the seniors.”

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