Photo: Afrikafun Production – Stephane Brabant French construction firm Gregori International was hired to build the course and in 2021, asked architect Jeremy Pern to assist with feasibility studies. “It’s a long, thin stretch of land of about 100 hectares,” says Pern. “Parts of the land are great, and parts are a bit of a challenge. About half of it is rolling sand, very ‘linksy’, plus or minus a couple of metres in height, where farmers were growing tomatoes, peppers, manioc and maize. Surrounding the sandy area is swamp land and a coastal lagoon. There’s also a wide range of trees – including a variety of palms, coconuts and mangos. “Once the environmental impact studies and permits were approved, the detailed design phase was rapid, with no endless administrative niggles that have become so common elsewhere. Working in Benin has been a delight, the enthusiasm for the project from the locals has been a refreshing change from the hostility that occasionally greets golf course developments in Europe.” Construction started in late May 2024 and, ten months later, earthmoving and shaping is almost complete, irrigation has been installed on 12 holes, four holes are growing-in with Pure Dynasty seeded paspalum supplied by Atlas Turf International and Pure Seed, and 3,000 mature trees and hundreds of mangrove saplings have been planted. The project has included moving 500,000 cubic metres of sand, while 15 to 20 hectares of lakes and wetlands have been created. Grassing is expected to be complete by June 2025, with the course available for preview play in October and an official opening in early 2026. “This project has finally given me the chance to do stuff I have always dreamt of but have so far lacked the opportunity, or perhaps the courage, to push the envelope that little bit further,” says Pern. “My bucket list of ideas has been ticked off and until I’m informed otherwise by dissatisfied golfers, I’ll stick my neck out and say that I’m satisfied. “Ample space has allowed tee placements that enable holes to be played very long or very short; big and numerous tees offer a very wide variety of angles to approach the fairways and greens; and there are The island par-three eleventh is followed by an island par-five hole 71
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