I flew into Paris, and drove to my hotel 25 minutes away, nearby Chantilly. For the record, Chantilly is not pronounced as many Scots (including the one writing this article) would pronounce it. It is not Shan-tilly, rather Shaun-tee. Very french, and fun to say.
I played both courses, although only got 9 holes on the Longeres course. Hearing that the club was like the Sunningdale of France, it is safe to say I was looking forward to the days ahead.
Anyone designing the layout of a golf resort so take a trip to Chantilly. The area is known for its horses and Chateau De Chantilly (very impressive by the way), and the golf club mirrors that country feel. You drive in via a long, straight, narrow road, that immediately inspires images of Magnolia Lane at Augusta. With the practice area on the right hand side, you park short of the old-styled clubhouse and walk up to the club.
The two courses sit next to each other below the clubhouse and you can't help but take position on the back side of the clubhouse looking out over the links and take a deep, satisfying breath.
The clubhouse, the facilities, the lockeroom, the bar and restaurant all have a very established, private and traditional feel.
Before playing the more famous Le Vineuil course, we were warned of its challenges. Penal bunkering, hard firm fairways and thick, punishing rough. Apparently hitting the ball "long and straight" is the way to play the course(!).
After hitting a few shots on the practice area through the rugby posts that sit in the middle of the range, I took off down the hill to the first tee and one of the best opening holes I have seen or played.
Navigating away from the clubhouse, the first holes plays like a long corridor with small, but dense trees on the left and rough and deep bunkers down the right. The hole, like much of the course has a very square and geometrically inspired feel to it. Bunkers have bevelled square edges, greens a manicured with uniform ridges and the fairways bend and hug their way around the trees and thick rough.
The opening four holes are all very different and present a tricky challenge. The short 300-yard second hole for example, tempts you to pull the driver, but rewards those who retreat to a 5-iron.
The rest of the course bends around in an interesting, almost confusing layout, in and out of small pockets of forests and trees. It is easily to imagine that visitors without guidance could play 28 holes before releasing that they had teed on on the wrong hole, likely several times.
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| Approach to 16 |
The course is tough, and demands consideration and quality off the tee. The approach shots are not overly demanding, but in the conditions we had (hot and dry), each shot required precise control.
Chantilly Le Vineuil's finishing holes may be what players remember most about their day. The final 3 holes are pretty unforgettable. The tee shot on 16 sets you up to hit a mid to long approach between a gap in the trees over a gorge that must be 70 feet deep.
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| Par-3 17th |
17 is a 180 yard or so par-3 that plays back down away from the clubhouse into the gorge that continues from the 16th. Judging the correct club that will find the green 70 feet below you is the name of the game on this short hole.
The final hole requires a certain degree of energy. Not because of its length or configuration, but rather because it requires a long, steep walk to the tee. While you might curse the walk on the way up, the hole deserves the view you gain from the higher tee, allowing you to see the hole in its entirety and see your ball land. A relatively tight tee shots, sets up a second shot that needs to carefully avoid several bunkers to find the large, tiered green.
Best Hole:
1st. From its position below the clubhouse, to the challenging tee shot, long approach and intricate green design, it welcomes you to the challenge of Chantilly and takes no prisoners. The uniform look to the bunkers on the right of the hole, married with the straight-edged trees that border the left, it is a tee shot that inspires you to pure your first driver off the day.
Worst Hole:
2nd. To be perfectly honest, thinking of a weak hole isn't easy. I choose the second as it is a short, driveable par-4, but in my opinion it doesn't invite the same risk-reward aspect as it perhaps should. There is no bail out for a driver and the layout up isn't easy either. The green complex is testing and fun to play into, but the tee shot design was slightly disappointing.
Best Moment:
Tee shot on 18. As noted above, you will be muttering under your breath as you walk a couple of hundred yards up the steep hill to get to the tee. But when you do, you will appreciate why. A glance at the view from the lower tee will tell you exactly why it is worth the climb. Plus, a strategically placed bench awaits the weary golfer for a temporary rest-bite before the demanding tee shot ensues.
Unique Feature:
Bomb Shelter/Water Stations. Positioned to the left of the 8th tee is a tiny building that sits primarily underground. Easily missed, the shelter houses two water coolers that offer hydration at a key stage of the round. The next two holes host the two par-5s of the front nine. It is recommended to take a moment to recharge at this point before going after the next couple of holes.
The day I was there, I visited the shelter 3 times to refill my water bottle. Several members of our party never saw the shelter and struggled round the four hours in 25 degree heat without water. Ouch.
Trivia:
Founded in 1909, Chantilly has hosted several notable tournaments including the French Open. In 1913, George Duncan won the first French Open at Chantilly, with a score of 304. The highest score in the competition's history. Some of the best players to play the game have played at Chantilly including Bobby Jones and Nick Faldo (who won the 1983 French Open here).
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