Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open – The place to be in Mauritius in May 2015 #AfrasiaBankMauritiusOpen

The Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open Tournament

AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open selected Heritage Resorts as the perfect venue to welcome from 7 – 10 May, 2015 the 1^st ever tri sanctioned golf tournament endorsed by the European, Asian and Sushine Tours.

The golf tournament that is the biggest sporting event ever organized in Mauritius, is expected to draw the top performing golfers from each of the three tours and will be played at the Heritage Golf Club over 4 days. This “Place to be” golfing event celebrates and shares the passion for golf in Mauritius and across the globe.

Prize fund of 1 million Euros

The 136 player field, comprising of 40 players from each of the participating tours, will be played as a 72 hole (4 days) stroke play championship.

The scores from this tournament count towards the individual tours’ Order of Merit and World Ranking Points, Race to Dubai and Investec Cup. The total prize fund of 1 million Euros that will be for the taking, is the highest prize purse ever to be paid out for a tournament held in Mauritius.

The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open will attract not only top golfers, but also golfing fans from around the world. Heritage Resorts is one of the most spectacular settings any golfer could wish for. Heritage Golf Club at the heart of the 2500 hectares Domaine de Bel Ombre, is a spectacular championship golf course stretching out over 100 hectares and looking over the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The 18-hole championship golf course (PAR 72) was designed by Peter Matkovich*, from the renowned South African architect firm Hayes, Matkovich & Associates. Heritage Golf Club combines exceptional panoramas with a challenging course and world class infrastructure for a memorable golfing experience.

Peter Matkovich was born in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and moved to South Africa in 1973.

He played golf for Rhodesia as an amateur golfer and then caddied for Gary Player for several years. It was during this time and later as a professional golfer himself, that he started to dream of designing golf courses.

He therefore traveled the world always focused on the design and layouts of courses and what made the good courses great. His first design was the second nine holes at Umhlali. He then went onto designing Worcester Golf Course in the Western Cape, before joining up with Dale Hayes to start the Matkovich and Hayes company  that has subsequently built over 20 new courses and revamped over an equal number of courses throughout Sub Saharan Africa.

This has made him the most prolific South African Golf Course Architect of all time.

His award winning courses include;

·  Leopard Rock, Bvumba, Zimbabwe. (Hertz Car Rentals Golf Course of the Year 2000 for Africa and Middle East.)
·  Woodhill Golf Course, Pretoria, South Africa. (Golf Digest Runner-up Best New Course, 2000.)
·  Arabella Golf Course, Kleinmond, South Africa. (Golf Digest Best New Course, 2000.)
·   Pinnacle Point, Mossel Bay, South Africa. (Voted in 2006 Golf and Leisure, world top 10 new golf courses.)

Places to stay in Mauritius during Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open

Heritage Resorts in the unspoilt south of the island offers more than a golfing experience, it is the ultimate combination of beach, nature, relaxation and adventure. Stretching from the hills to a turquoise lagoon, Heritage Resorts is a destination within a destination - 2 five star hotels and luxury villas, Frederica Nature Reserve, 12 restaurants & bars, 2 Spa Villages, C BeachClub , Kids and teens’ club, Kite surf spot and school. Attractive accommodation packages at Heritage Resorts will be made available for fans and golfers.

To cater for your needs and desires during Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open we Concierge Hotels recommends the following hotels,

Heritage LeTelfair - The hotel Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort is nestled in the heart of the ‘Domaine de Bel Ombre’ between the mountains and the unspoiled South coast of Mauritius. This elegant and refined hotel, which welcomes its guests into a setting inspired by Mauritian 19th century colonial architecture and style, is set in magnificent tropical gardens through which Citronniers river flows.

HeritageThe Villas - Heritage The Villas... Luxury hideaway in the heart of the unspoilt South of Mauritius. Nestled in the Domaine de Bel Ombre between mountains and pristine lagoon and set in the breathtaking beauty of a nature reserve, those scenic villas offer high end services and privileged access to a 18-hole championship golf course, a 19th century manor house and facilities at two neighbouring deluxe resorts.

HeritageAwali Golf & Spa - Nestled on the magnificent Bel Ombre former sugar estate, Heritage Awali Golf & Spa promises an unforgettable stay between the mountains and the unspoilt South coast of Mauritius. The high standard accommodation combines all the classical charm of modern comfort and chic with warm and colourful African decoration and welcome.

Shanti Mauritius - Shanti Maurice is a boutique lifestyle resort with an award-winning spa located around a pristine horseshoe coral sand cove, on the largely untouched south coast of Mauritius near the small town of St Felix.

but we also offer unique privilege services packaged with transfers and excursions, all for an affordable luxury experience in the wider Indian Ocean. Amongst our services attached to any hotel or villa booking:

• Free concierge service from day of departure, during stay and until return;
• Free airport road transfers at destination, from airport to hotel (excluding Air Taxi);
• Free newspaper in native language delivered at hotel room;
• Special rates, VIP access on local activities and VIP pick-up, transport and delivery; luggage services; access to a jeweler or a wedding planner, etc.

Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open sponsors

Heritage Resorts, a Rogers enterprise, is hosting and co-organising the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in collaboration with AfrAsia Bank. Other sponsors are on board, including Air Mauritius and the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority.

*Peter Matkovich Official Biography

Peter Matkovich grew up in Shabani (Zimbabwe), playing at Shabani Golf Club, an 18-hole course owned by the local mine. He played many of the magnificent courses in the area, all owned by the mines, and became a competitive amateur golfer. He turned professional in 1968 and played in Europe for three years, Australia for a year and the Sunshine Tour for over ten years. He played in two open Championships: Carnoustie in 1968 and St Andrews in 1970. In 1973, Peter and his family moved to South Africa and moved to the Umhlali Country Club, where he fulfilled the role of club professional, playing professional and course superintendent. Peter took on the job of designing and building new holes and redesigning many of the existing holes. The new course opened in 1975 and was Peter's first foray into designing and building golf courses - an experience that was to 'open many doors' in the future.In the years that followed, Peter has completed more than 20 world-class golf courses and renovated more than 20 others, cementing him as one of the leading designers in Southern Africa.