Normandy Steeped in history and home to stunning golf

THE black and white photographs hanging in the hallway of the golf club are somewhat different from those usually found in such establishments.

Instead of pictures honouring those golfers for deeds done on the greens and fairways of years gone by, these images invoke very different memories.

The American GI holding aloft a young French girl as she smiles for the camera and waves to those soldiers who had just liberated her town; the elders greeting soldiers with glasses of wine and cigarettes and invading troops making their way tentatively through French villages nearby.

For this is Omaha Beach Golf Club overlooking the landing site where soldiers of the American 1st and 29th infantry divisions suffered such horrendous losses in the first few hours on the invasion on June 6, 1944.

By the end of the day more than 5,000 American soldiers had been killed and although the beachhead was secured the loss of life has been remembered with every hole on the course named after a D-Day landing hero.

Brittany Ferries follow the same route that many D-Day ships took on that fateful day leaving Portsmouth for

Caen on a daily basis. The overnight crossing takes less than six hours and once in France the number of quality golf courses on offer is wonderful.

Our choice was a three night, four golf course stay taking in Houlgate, Deauville, Omaha Beach and Granville.

Omaha Beach Golf Club is in fact two separate course, The Sea course and The Manor course.

The Sea Course overlooks the beach where the US forces came ashore and a few of the scenes of Steven Spielberg’s ‘Saving Private Ryan’ were shot on the course that was liberated

on June 7, 1944. The Manor Course is the newer of the two courses at Omaha but nonetheless is just as dramatic with every hole asking the golfer new questions about his game.

Houlgate Golf Club, built in 1981, is situated in the middle of a Norman bocage and set in an antique landscaped garden. It combines eye-catching scenery with variety of golf holes.

Partially overlooked by Beuzeval Castle, the course offers unique views of the region. The halftimbered clubhouse, with its restaurant and pro shop, will welcome you before and after your round.

The par-five 15th hole is probably the most impressive on the course, Driving from an elevated tee, the

hole is spread out beneath you. The drive needs to avoid a bunker on the right that can catch anything pulled

The second shot is one to just get into position for the approach to a tricky green.

And when you’ve finished your golf, the clubhouse chef can knock up a tantalizing lunch served with a very fine red wine to round the day off nicely.

Deauville Golf Club is rated among France’s top-20 prettiest and most established tracks with the Golf Barriere Deauville on many mustplay lists in the country.

It is always maintained to a high level and is in splendid condition throughout the year with its beautifully manicured fairways and greens.

Set on the hills of Mount Cainsy, Golf Barriere de Deauville has thought of everything to host international competitions and welcomes both French and foreign visitors; an elegant setting, lots of vegetation and beautifully designed fairways.

Golf Barriere of Deauville has a wonderful 27 holes, of which the original 18-hole par 71 course was built by Tom Simpson in 1929.

The Golf Barriere of Deauville is an exceptional place to include when deciding your Normandy itinerary. The course has a beautiful technical layout, a pretty mix of undulating fairways and a variety of holes added to the views over Deauville and the Channel but also on the 14th and 15th there are views over the Touques and Auge Valley.

Technically speaking this course requires accuracy and strength with two 4 par’s of 400m - 437 yards and several heavily bunkered par 3’s on the front nine.

The back nine are not easy neither as every hole can reveal a player’s weaknesses, but playing the Golf Barriere de Deauville, in any case, is a treat to remember.

Granville Golf Club is a Harry Colt designed course dating back to 1912.

The course is reputed to be the only real links in France. Beyond the dunes lies the English Channel and it is an authentic traditional links layout that captures the essence of an 80-year by-gone era and the harsh outdoors exposure.

The course has excellent playing conditions all year round.

A unique feeling that dominates all link courses, in the Irish or Scottish tradition. Under the holiday sun it’s an enchanting place to be. If you are not playing well just enjoy the scenery and the atmosphere at Granville Golf Course.

It is in these unwelcoming weathers conditions that the course joins its sister courses from across the English Channel, where golf truly began.

The closing nine are more difficult than the first nine with some memorable holes including the uphill par-three 16th which at 129yards plays considerably longer – and if the wind is against you – best of luck trying to reach the green.

FACTFILE

Prices start from £264 per person to include two nights bed and breakfast and three rounds of golf. The price includes return sailings from Portsmouth to Caen and a cabin included for the overnight outward journey.

For further information visit www.brittany-ferries.co.uk or call 0871 244 1818.