Tristan Freslon has an unusual commute to his office. Every other day he takes a boat the 900-odd metres across a lagoon to Ile aux Cerfs Golf, in the Indian Ocean.

When he’s not making that journey, the Frenchman’s outlook is of the exceptional and stunning Anahita Golf & Spa Resort, Mauritius. It’s a hard life, but somebody has to do it. That’s not to belittle the job he does – or the career path that’s taken him there.

But, well, it’s Mauritius. An island paradise in the Indian Ocean.

And not only is his commute unusual, the career path that’s taken him to his current role, as General Manager Golf Cluster Ile aux Cerfs Golf & Anahita Golf, is also uncommon – it may even be unique. But his entry into golf, as a youngster, was like most of his contemporaries – taking up the sport as a healthy pastime, in his case aged 12.

He recalled: “At 16 I was plus two; at 18 I was a pro. I played three tournaments on the Alps tour and attended Qualifying School, in Spain. But I quickly realised how difficult it was to earn a decent living this way.

“Around this time, I met the managing director of Les Bordes, Mark Vickery – now my father-in-law. And during the three days I was with him I realised I wanted to, ultimately, do the same job.

“That’s why I worked directly in the business at 18; on reception, serving in a golf shop, on a little nine-hole set-up near Paris, on the driving range, in the restaurant, organising competitions, marshalling: anything I could do within the sport to gain valuable experience and get a good overview.”

Despite his youth, it soon became apparent that he had a natural bent for understanding the facets of golf club management. Such talent attracts suitors, and, in 2015, he joined the Arnold Palmer-designed Domaine de Crecy, just east of Paris, which he left four years later with the title of assistant director.

During that time, he’d raised service standards and opened the Crecy Golf Academy – the only Easiest Swing academy in France – in association with the late Brian Sparks.

He was head-hunted and moved across the border to Belgium to take up the post of general manager at the prestigious and highly regarded Royal Waterloo Golf Club, just 25 minutes from the centre of Brussels, and under three hours travelling time from his home city of Paris.

He explained: “Royal Waterloo is a 45-hole, very private golf club in Belgium with 2,000 members. So, it’s a completely different management experience to Domaine de Crecy which is a renowned members’ golf club.

“As a consequence – and with the hands-on experience I gained when starting out – I have a broad vision and understand completely each department within the golf club.”

There, he led several major structural projects: clubhouse renovation, irrigation modernisation, bunker reconstruction on the main course using capillary concrete technology, and the development of a master plan with architect Martin Hawtree.

He also reinforced the club’s communication strategy and overall visibility.

“And that enabled me to take on the challenge of being general manager here in Mauritius, initially at Anahita in 2023, for Alteo, one of the largest groups in Mauritius – indeed the market leader in the tourism industry here with four hotels.

“The Group also has interests in the sugar cane industry, real estate and other leisure industries. It was a big step for me and a big challenge. But I relish such challenges.”

Freslon continued: “At the outset, I worked on the five-year business plan, to reposition the golf club to a very high standard, and to have the best golf course in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean. I renewed the 72-strong premium Club Car fleet, for example, and we launched a new golf academy with Thomas Levet.

“For me, it’s really important to upgrade more and more to offer the best service in Mauritius, which is now the case.”

He set his sights high, with a stated objective of being recognised as delivering a world-class golfing experience and positioning Anahita Golf as the number one golf destination in Mauritius.

And that coveted recognition has come the way of the resort, with course maintenance standards and service levels significantly elevated to meet his exacting standards. Strategic partnerships, notably with Callaway, have led to the creation of an official fitting centre including Trackman technology.

Internationally, the profile of Anahita Golf has been enhanced through collaborations with premier golf destinations such as Terre Blanche – in Tristan’s home country – Crans-sur-Sierre, in Switzerland, and Fancourt in South Africa.

At home, club life has been rejuvenated for members and visitors, with a calendar of more than 50 events keeping them entertained throughout the year.

Small surprise then, that when Alteo looked to appoint a visionary overall general manager with a brief for both Anahita Golf and the nearby Ile aux Cerfs Golf, they selected this impressive, dynamic young man with a proven record for achieving exactly what they wanted and more.

“I know it’s a big step, (but) I always wanted to explore a different possibility of management. And this opportunity, on the best golf resort in Mauritius, for me, is a very interesting step in my career.

“I’m still ambitious, but I’m also very humbled to have been appointed. My ambition was always to be one of the best golf managers in the French golf sector.

“So that’s why I have moved around and had the different opportunities. I realise that’s not in many years, but I have grown a lot and I’m very happy about that.

“Yes, I work a lot… I work a lot. My parents were entrepreneurs, so I know the need for hard work and I understand it. I’m aware of the sacrifices needed to be the best. And my wife, Victoria, with her background, understands that, too.”

Freslon added: “This is a new level, the next step, because it is a listed company. So, it is very different to manage because of this specific feature. But everywhere, I have a complete understanding of the role of the best golf course and structure in the world.

“Mauritius is a complete golf destination because we have 11 golf courses now. And there’s new construction coming in the next three or four years.

“For me, Ile aux Cerfs Golf and Anahita Golf is the best golf destination in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean, for sure.”

He continues: “Compared to Europe, the quality of courses in Mauritius is very high. To have the same standard in Europe, you need to go somewhere like Terre Blanche, Les Bordes or Queenwood, for example.

“We have the best service because we have enough people to take care of our guests. And we have the Mauritian savoir faire, and hospitality, plus, the weather is perfect and it’s all part of the experience.

“I had many possibilities to go back and work in France, Belgium, or Switzerland. But we are very happy in Mauritius because the quality of life is good here. My wife has a great job and our young son is very happy.

“So, while I remain ambitious, I plan to stay here. I have a big role as golf cluster manager… a very big job.”

From receptionist and shop assistant to general manager of one of the most aspirational resorts in world golf, it’s been a whirlwind 15 years.

To steal and misuse a quote from the legendary UK sports commentator Sid Waddell: When Alexander of Macedonia was 33, he cried salt tears because there were no more worlds to conquer… Tristan Freslon’s only 33 now and he couldn’t be happier.