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Arras Golf Club

Arras Golf Club

It is not surprising that the greens here have been landscaped around both banks of the river Scarpe. After all, this "green watercourse" is ever-present throughout the conurbation
of Arras. The majestic squares of the capital of the Artois region are literally a driver-stroke away. The driver, however, must be used with caution to put it mildly, so much do the marshes and streams contrive to thwart players' efforts at practically every other hole, especially the first ones. No time to slowly get into one's swing. Here, water is ubiquitous and allows no margin for error. It is only on "the Hill" on the club-ward run to boot, and particularly at the 12th (par 4), 13th (a par 5 that is both pleasing to the eye and to play), the 15th, 16th and 17th holes, that one can even attempt to give free rein to one's pent-up energy, at the possible cost of accuracy.
But one invariably finds oneself back at the water's edge, which one finally turns one's back on at the … 19th hole! Indeed, the 18th, a par 5 and the longest hole of the course, requires crossing a stream, the Echeu, then the Scarpe, before attempting to approach the green that is tucked away behind the adjacent marshy terrain. Certainly, not everyone is
a Montgomerie or a Woosnam who, in 1995, in a memorable skin-match, managed to reach the apron in a mere two strokes of a driver, casually surmounting all of these obstacles with his second drive.
Reserved for the elite? Arras? Not at all. Designed by Jean-Claude Cornillot some fifteen years ago, the Arras course offers something for everyone. As one of the region's best players put it, "One can play a full range of strokes here." Whatever one's level, or almost, we would hasten to add. But why tempt the devil if it is not your style? Besides, playing a "safe" round does not rule out handing in a good scorecard in a setting that, over the years, has gained in size and reputation and which now includes a hotel not far from the clubhouse.