Our press officer at Constance Belle Mare Plage brings you another slice of the action from behind the scenes at the MCB Tour Championship in Mauritius.

Beach party

While the MCB Tour Championship officially begins on Friday, the fairways at both the Legend and Links Course have been busy throughout the week here with a Pro-Am which finished with a rather impressive party on Thursday night. The Senior Tour professionals gathered at the prize giving held at Constance Belle Mare Plage’s Indigo Restaurant, which sits along the beach. There’s something quite calming about having the noise of the waves as you sip a cocktail and for the amateurs it was an opportunity to socialise with the players, including former Ryder Cup Captains Tom Lehman and Sam Torrance.

Return of the Mac

One of the major attractions of the Senior Tour for the players is the chance to catch up with some old friends and that has been the case for former European Tour professional Stephen McAllister. The Scot is eligible for the Senior Tour when he turns 50 on February 16 and is playing in the Pro-Am here in Mauritius this week in preparation for that. McAllister, who won the KLM Open and Atlantic Open in 1990, has been catching up with some old pals from his days in Tour and the same applies to Philip Golding, who turns 50 the week of The Senior Open Championship next July. Philip won the old Mauritius Open in 1996 and ranks Constance Belle Mare Plage as his favourite place in the world. It’s not hard to see why!

Yet more practice, Pete?

A further update on Peter Fowler’s practice for those of you who read the first instalment of this blog. The amiable Australian has always been known for his strong work ethic and prior to a press conference on Monday night, he sneaked in an extra half an hour on the putting green, where he was spotted by Order of Merit rival Barry Lane. The pair were due to meet up again on Thursday for a photo shoot with the John Jacobs Trophy, which they are both trying to win this week. Once again Peter was running slightly late due to being on the practice range, where he asked for an extra 20 minutes so he could work on his swing. Obliging as always, Barry was quick to quip: “That man’s a workaholic!”

Ace flight

Fowler’s close friend Mike Harwood is already celebrating this week after a hole-in-one in the Pro-Am on Thursday. The ace nets the Australian a return business class ticket courtesy of Air Mauritius. Put those feet up, Mike!