Joyenval Golf Club
| Location: | Chambourcy, France |
| Year Opened: | 1992 |
| Society Delegate: | Kevin Thompson |
| Website: | www.golfdejoyenval.com |
Opened in 1992, this exclusive 36-hole golf club, situated just 20 minutes from the west of Paris, provides two wonderful Robert Trent Jones Snr layouts for its limited membership. The Marly course winds its’ way in and out of the Forêt de Marly whilst Retz offers a more expansive experience through the historically important Désert de Retz. Owned and governed by its members, Joyenval provides both a haven of tranquility and an authentic club atmosphere.
The Désert de Retz was created at the end of the 18th century by the aristocrat François Racine de Monville, comprising between 17 and 20 structures, of which ten still survive. This was one of a number of landscape gardens created in France at the time influenced by English examples. The club hosts several important amateur events such as the Joyenval Classic which attracts the best young amateur ladies in France. It also hosted the 2010 Vivendi Trophy, a European PGA Tour event with a field consisting of players such as Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington.
Signature RTJ Snr bunkering is omnipresent on both courses, but nowhere more so than the 9th hole of Marly. From the tee a sea of bunkers dominates the player’s view which leads up to a raised green situated in front of the clubhouse and terrace.
One of the largest double greens in Europe is shared between the 6th and 17th holes on Marly. The combination of excellent putting surfaces and subtle breaks, combined with steep run-off areas, typify the green complexes at Joyenval, just as Mr Jones Snr intended.
A 2018 visit to Joyenval by Robert Trent Jones Jnr and his son Trent, inspired the committee to restore the course layout back to the original designs imagined in the late 80’s, thus ensuring that all 36 holes provide a real challenge, coupled with fairness and opportunity, whatever the level of the golfer.
