Biarritz Le Phare
Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Address2 Av. Edith Cavell, 64200 Biarritz, France
- Championships hosted
British expatriates created the original sporting facilities at Golf de Biarritz Le Phare in 1888, establishing an 18-hole golf course for gentlemen, a 9-holer for ladies as well as a croquet lawn, cricket pitch and a number of tennis courts.
The following year, Tom and Willie Dunn were asked to modify the golf courses and their improved design lasted just over thirty years, until Harry Colt was called in to add bunkers and extend the length of a number of holes.
A large portion of the Colt layout was lost during World War II so, unfortunately, the present day course bears little resemblance to the one that was once in play. Measuring a modest 5,400 metres in length, Le Phare is now rated as a par 69 track.
Tree-lined fairways occupy two separate tracts of land, with holes 4 to 9 located on a separate parcel from the remainder of the property and it’s on this slightly detached acreage that you’ll find one of the toughest holes on the card at the 203-metre par three 8th.
The template hole “Biarritz” originated here in France before the ravages of war destroyed it. Known as the “chasm”, the green came into play at the original long par three 3rd hole where a menacing swale dissected the putting surface. Charles Blair Macdonald coined the name Biarritz and the first template copy was built at Piping Rock and replicated in various guises at a number of courses in America, including Yale and Fishers Island.
British expatriates created the original sporting facilities at Golf de Biarritz Le Phare in 1888, establishing an 18-hole golf course for gentlemen, a 9-holer for ladies as well as a croquet lawn, cricket pitch and a number of tennis courts.
The following year, Tom and Willie Dunn were asked to modify the golf courses and their improved design lasted just over thirty years, until Harry Colt was called in to add bunkers and extend the length of a number of holes.
Course Reviews
Leave a Review
This course has not been reviewed.
If you have played this course, consider .
Thanks for the review
Your review has been successfully submitted and will be reviewed for approval.
Course Reviewed
You’ve already submitted a review for this course.
Course Architect
View All
Harry Colt studied law at Clare College, Cambridge. Twelve months after his 1887 enrolment, he joined the committee of the Cambridge University Golf Club and in 1889 became the club's first captain.
