FROM THE EDITOR

Only two residences adjoin the graceful grounds of Paris International Golf Club, about 20 miles northwest of its namesake city. The original Empain family château provides an impressive backdrop for golfers hitting over the cascading waters at the club’s par-3, 13th. Backing up to the 8th tee box are the formal gardens of Baron Edouard Empain’s thatched-roofed country home.

Both homes lend historical significance to the club that boasts Jack Nicklaus’ first and only French course design.  And who better to weave the tale of the two houses than Baron Empain.  His story begins once upon a time…

…The Baron’s grandfather, well-known for his role in developing the Paris subway system, bought the château and 10 acres of land in about 1900 when the country estate seemed quite distant from the City of Light. Upon the patriarch’s death in 1929, the Baron’s father began acquiring additional land — ultimately more than 200 acres. When the Baron was 9 years old in 1946, his father died. By then, two older half-sisters had left home, but the young boy and his mother continued to live in the château. In adulthood, the Baron built his current home on the other side of the property. When his mother decided to leave the château for a more sociable existence in nearby L’Isle-Adam, the Baron did not want the family land subdivided as the Paris environs sprawled closer each day.

The Baron’s solution: a golf course. He subsequently sold most of the land to Japanese developers, who built the club and course, and the château to separate buyers. For more than a decade, the Baron co-existed with the neighboring golfers but did not participate in club activities.

He often pondered over the years if he had made the right decision — until earlier this summer, after ClubCorp had acquired the club. That’s when the Baron and Baronne received their Associate member cards.

“Some part of myself is in that land,” he said. “Now I feel at home, again.”

Patricia Baldwin
Editor in Chief