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Belle Mare Plage is situated on the Mauritius east coast and is set in tropical gardens overlooking a long sandy beach. Enclosed by a coral reef, the waters of the resort are perfect for swimming and snorkelling, and are ideal for children.

You can cool off in one of the four swimming pools or take advantage of a wide range of water sports such as scuba diving, windsurfing or water-skiing. Land-based activities are available too: hire a bicycle to explore the island or play a round of golf at either of the first-class Legend or Links golf courses.

Of course, it’s the golf that brought the Legends Tour players there and, while the championship made for compelling viewing, the two courses make for some wonderful hours for players who aren’t trying to earn a living (or a pension!) from the game.

It is now 15 years since Constance Belle Mare Plage first began its affiliation with the European Senior Tour, as the Legends Tour was then known, with sister hotel Constance Lemuria on the island of Praslin in Seychelles hosting in 2018.

Unlike regular tourists, players like Peter Baker, who won the championship, hadn’t initially seen too much beauty outside the golf course: “Adilson Da Silva made it very difficult for me last year, so I probably didn’t enjoy the fantastic surroundings and beautiful hotel where everyone looks after us so well as much as I should have. I’m going to try a bit harder this year.

“Since the start 16 or 17 years ago, everything has got better and better. It’s got to a level where it’s superb, and that’s hard to beat. It’s difficult to stay at the top and keep doing it. The course is absolutely wonderful.”

Da Silva agreed. “Sometimes you forget to enjoy things like the hotels or the courses in a place like this. We have to find joy in this, so it’s not just work, work, work,” he said.

Da Silva wrapped up the Legends Tour’s Order of Merit at the championship, and he was grateful for the opportunity to play on a superb resort course like Legend. “Ending up on resort courses absolutely suits my game,” he said. “A course like this is tight, and it’s not very long, so mentally, it makes a big difference. I’ve been playing on the regular Tour for quite a while, and the courses were getting longer and longer, and I could feel it.”

Apart from the pleasure of playing the Legend and Links courses, Constance Belle Mare Plage has much to offer to complement the golfing experience: there are two kilometres of gorgeous, unspoiled white beach; the service is world-class, and you’re never left feeling as if your need can’t be fulfilled; there is a range of fine dining experiences with local and international cuisine; and there are spa options with wellness programmes and treatments available to get you ready for your next round.

The Legend Course has become truly special. “The greens were grainy when I was last here,” said Montgomerie. “Now they’re as smooth as silk. This is a superb layout and justifiably won an award as the best course in the Indian Ocean area.

“But, if you’re here too long, you get less competitive every day and you become more relaxed. The tranquil atmosphere is quite extraordinary. When you come to a place like this it is more difficult to put on your competitive hat.”

And then he said what many of us identify with: “We might be here for golf, but, more importantly, we’re enjoying ourselves. There are more important things in life than holing putts. It’s just a pleasure being here.”