Amateur joy with Monty and Woosie

It was the turn of the amateurs to share the spotlight with the star names from the Legends Tour as the Constance Hotels Pro-Am took place over the Links course at Belle Mare Plage.

A full 44 teams took place in the Stableford competition, with three amateur golfers being grouped together with one of the Legends Tour professionals who had competed in the MCB Tour Championship over the previous three days.

So that meant the thrill of a lifetime for the likes of Judith and John Woods as well as Adrian Turton, who got to play with one of the game’s icons of the last 40 years, Colin Montgomerie.

Or what about the day enjoyed by Simone Walker, Nicholas Stileman and Jay Nursimloo? They played with 1991 Masters champion Ian Woosnam.

John and Alison Moss plus Daniel Bagley had the company of another Major champion, 1999 Open winner Paul Lawrie, for their round while Dominic Provencal, Natalie Tseung Ng and Hussein Dewji were alongside 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell.

There was a two-tee start on the Links and morning and afternoon starters - with conditions absolutely glorious on the tropical Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. And with two scores to count from four in the group – and a pro alongside every team – there was no pressure on even beginners or higher handicappers.

The Links course is a distinctive test, with piles of volcanic rocks frequent obstacles as you plot your way over undulating terrain. These often large conical shapes punctuate the lush, verdant green of the rest of the course and add to its unique ambience.

Extending to 6,498 yards from the back tees, it is shorter than the Legend and water comes into play in some form on at least a third of the holes.

It was designed in 2002, eight years after the Legend, by the former Ryder Cup player Peter Alliss – perhaps best known for his legendary television commentary – and architect Rodney Wright.

The Links starts with six good driving holes but there are strokes on the card for the mid-handicapper, so there is a chance of a good score. Scoreable par 3s – although the uphill 9th can be a real test of club selection – and a short-ish dog-leg par 4 complete the front half. The back nine is a tougher test, with the fairways narrowing a little and water becomes much more of a threat – although the 10th offers the chance to open the shoulders from an elevated tee in front of the clubhouse.

The 12th and 13th are difficult two-shot holes, the former requiring a solid hit to clear the lake and the 13th an awkward tee shot with a banyan tree blocking the right of the fairway… and then the green is protected by water for what is a long iron for most amateurs.

The climax at 18th turns left to right, with the approach played over water. It is the last fun shot of a very fun round – whether you are alongside a Major champion or just with your partner or friends.

The MCB Tour Championship and the Pro-Ams that follow it (this year, in a change from previous years, when they preceded the tournament) have helped establish Mauritius as one of the world’s leading golf destinations.

1993 Ryder Cup Peter Baker, champion in the MCB Tour Championship in 2023 and 2024, certainly agrees with that sentiment.

“Mauritius is truly on the golfing map now. Constance Belle Mare Plage is a wonderful place with great facilities on and off the course,” he said.

“The courses have never been in better condition. They keep getting better and better and better – and you saw that in the scoring in the championship.

“It was a fantastic set-up for the championship and off the course it is just as impressive. I love it in Mauritius!”