Pau Golf Club 1856

Pau Golf Club is the oldest club in continental Europe. The development of this sport, can be attributed to the founding in 1856 of the Pau GOLF CLUB. During the Napoleonic wars and the Battle of Orthez in February 1814, some regiments of WELLINGTON's army were quartered in Pau. Among the soldiers, two Scottish officers who were never separated from their golf clubs, and took every opportunity to practice their favorite sport. During their travels, they were impressed by the beauty of the countryside around Billère close to the gates of Pau. They decided that the banksz of the mountain stream, with the Pyrenees as a back drop would make an ideal setting for a golf course. Tests on the land showed that, because it was an ancient stream, the subsoil easily drained. As a result the land was free from mud, even during the winter. These conditions created an ideal environment, beautiful scenery coupled with an abundance of water for irrigation.