Golf de Sologne

Golf de Sologne occupies a forested landscape in the Sologne region of central France, approximately twenty kilometers south of Orléans. The course sits within the characteristic terrain of this historic area, known for its dense woodlands, sandy soils, and network of ponds and streams. Olivier Don Gradi and Jean Bourret designed the layout to work with these natural features, routing holes through corridors of pine and oak while incorporating water hazards that reflect the region's wetland character. The design presents a parkland experience shaped by the Sologne's distinctive ecology. Fairways move through tree-lined passages that require accuracy from the tee, and the sandy subsoil provides firm playing conditions. Water comes into play on several holes, typical of courses built in this part of the Loire Valley where marshland and étangs (ponds) define the landscape. The routing takes advantage of modest elevation changes within what is generally flat terrain. La Ferté-Saint-Aubin lies in a region with deep hunting and forestry traditions, and the course reflects this rural setting. The club serves both local members and visitors exploring the châteaux country of the Loire Valley. Golf de Sologne represents the style of French inland courses developed in the latter decades of the twentieth century, where designers worked to create strategic golf within the constraints and opportunities of regional landscapes rather than dramatic landforms.