Head to France for quality wine and golf

In a move designed to encourage amateur golfers to play with PGA professionals abroad – and to savour the region’s wonderful wine – Château des Vigiers, near Bergerac, France, is staging the first Saint-Emilion Crus Classés Trophy between May 31-June 2.

This is an event where the true spirit of wine, golf, gastronomy and friendship comes together.

Players from all over Europe will play on one of the most beautiful courses in the south west of France, in an event incorporating a novel Pro-Am format over the 2 days of competition with fantastic prizes on offer.

Throughout the competition weekend, participants will be able to discover some of the best Saint-Emilion Grand Crus Classés wines.

The Saint-Emilion region is extremely proud of its UNESCO status and as Alain Moueix, president of the association comments “Ever since we set up the association in 1982, we have endeavoured to foster relationships with like-minded businesses to promote our fantastic wines. Being involved with this tournament and what it is trying to achieve is special for us and we hope we can nurture a great event for the future”

Mr Bernard Pétine, Managing Director of  Château des Vigiers says “This is an opportunity for the great wines of St Emilion and Château des Vigiers to work together for the future. It is a natural combination of great wine and great golf for those people that really appreciate both aspects of their traditions. We are proud to be launching this tournament and hope that this is the start of something that will become ingrained with golfers from the United Kingdom for the future”.

The highlight of the event will be on the 2nd of June, when the prize giving ceremony and cocktail dinner will be held in the beautiful courtyard at Château des Vigiers.

The Association of Saint-Emilion Grands Crus Classés will be awarding the winner of the tournament with a custom made leather case that will hold 18 bottles of their famous wines.  The overall winner will be the player that has the greatest number of net stableford points over the two days golf (Pro-Am and individual).

In addition for the event, all participants, including non-playing partners are entitled to full use of all the facilities at Château des Vigiers including tennis, swimming pool and gym. 

The resort has also organised a companions’ excursion on Saturday 1st June to the historic town of Saint-Emilion including a picnic, wine tasting and guided tour.

The trip includes all accommodation for 3 nights, breakfast and evening meals, welcome wine gift in room on arrival, tee gifts of polo shirts and towel for all players, tournament entry and green fees, prizes, trolleys, golf lessons for companions who want to learn more and, of course, various wines from the region throughout the stay.

Cost per person is 845 euros with non-golfers paying 645 euros.

Finally Bernard added “ With the Ryder Cup coming to Paris in 2018, we are beginning a long term strategy of building on the success of this worldwide event and hoping that more and more golfers from the United Kingdom will come to appreciate our facilities and what we have to offer.”

*To enter visit www.vigiers.com or contact the tournament director,  Mr Cedric Plessis by email at cedric@vigiers.com