Golf Lovers, the Indian Ocean is your destination

Ever heard that the Indian Ocean is also for playing golf?  More precisely in Mauritius and in Seychelles,  You will be surprised to know that both islands played host to the prestigious golf Championship – MCB Tour Championship! The MCB Tour Championship which returns to the Staysure Tour and the islands of Seychelles and Mauritius.
Here are five things to know about the end of season championship which gets underway in December.

Indian Ocean Swing
In 2018, the MCB Tour Championship was expanded to two events in the Indian Ocean. The first took place in Mauritius at Constance Belle Mare Plage, a European Tour Destination, and the second stage saw the first-ever professional tournament played in Seychelles at Constance Lemuria, to bring the 2018 season to a close.

2018 MCB Tour Championship - Seychelles

This year will mark the ninth time Constance Belle Mare Plage has held the MCB Tour Championship with Constance Lemuria returning for a consecutive season, but unlike last year Constance Lemuria Seychelles will host the first leg of the championship before Mauritius closes the season the following week.

Chapman’s championship play-off success
Last year, Roger Chapman became the first winner of the Indian Ocean Swing, finishing third at MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius before clinching victory at MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles to take the combined ‘King of the Swing’ title in the Indian Ocean.

Lemuria Golf Course - Seychelles

The Englishman’s success in Seychelles came in a dramatic play-off, defeating 2002 Ryder Cup hero Phillip Price on the first extra hole, holing a 30-foot eagle putt from the edge of the green to claim his first Staysure Tour title in more than six years.

Picturesque setting
When it comes to idyllic golf courses, Constance Belle Mare Plage and Constance Lemuria top the list on the Staysure Tour. Crystal blue ocean views and white sandy beaches are the backdrops for several iconic holes across the two venues, no more so than the par three 15th hole at Constance Lemuria.

Elevated Tee - Constance Lemuria Seychelles

Players tee off from an elevated tee, which looks out across the Indian Ocean, before dropping down to the green from 165 yards, arguably one of the most spectacular par threes in the world.

Mauritian champions
The MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius has seen seven different winners from four continents, with 1996 Open champion and former World Number One Tom Lehman of the United States winning the first edition of the MCB Tour Championship. South African David Frost, who won the Mauritius Commercial Bank Open in 2011, won in 2012 before England’s Paul Wesselingh won back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014.

18 hole Links Golf Course|Constance Belle Mare Plage|Mauritius

Colin Montgomerie and Barry Lane kept the title in the British Isles with their victories in the following two years, before Thaworn Wiratchant became the first Asian winner of the event in 2017, and last year saw the title return to America following Clark Dennis’ record-breaking victory.

John Jacobs Trophy battle
It is not only the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius and Seychelles titles plus the Indian Ocean Swing trophy which is at stake in December. Awarded to the player who tops the season-long Staysure Tour Rankings, the John Jacobs Trophy is also awarded after the two weeks, with Paul Broadhurst lifting the trophy last year.

Paul Broadhurst

It was the second John Jacobs Trophy win for the Englishman following his previous triumph in 2016, while Dennis capped off a stunning rookie season by claiming the title in 2017 with Montgomerie winning back-to-back awards in 2014 and 2015.

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