Photo credits: Monte-Carlo Golf Club
With the recent appointment of Michel Dotta as president, the Monte-Carlo Golf Club embarks on a new chapter in its storied history, balancing environmental stewardship, community outreach, and a deep reverence for tradition.
Dotta, a prominent Monegasque businessman with a long-standing passion for both real estate and sport, assumes the role following the death of his close friend and predecessor, Henri Rey, in January. A seasoned golfer with over five decades of experience, Dotta has described the position as both a duty and an honour.
At 800 meters above sea level, perched in the hills above the Principality, the Monte-Carlo Golf Club is not only one of the most distinctive courses in Europe but also among the most environmentally conscious. For the past five years, it has held the “Golf for Biodiversity” label - an accreditation from the French Golf Federation recognizing sustainable practices on the course.
That commitment continues to deepen. Under Dotta’s leadership, the club has phased out petrol-powered golf carts in favor of electric models and introduced natural mulching materials - such as wood chips and volcanic stone - across the course. These measures are designed to reduce water consumption while preserving what Dotta refers to as “the best course condition in the region.”
While no large-scale renovations are planned for 2025, targeted modifications to one or two holes remain under consideration, pending budgetary decisions. The focus, Dotta insists, will remain on rigorous upkeep of the course’s unique semi-mountain terrain—a task that demands year-round attention.
In parallel, the club is taking steps to expand its reach beyond its traditional membership. Once restricted to members’ families, the Monte-Carlo Golf School is now open to all local youth. Fifteen new participants have already joined, and additional enrollment is expected this autumn - an early sign of success for a strategy aimed at cultivating the next generation of golfers.
This year will also see the club pay tribute to the legacy of Henri Rey. With the support of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, a commemorative stone will be unveiled in Rey’s memory, joining those dedicated to other notable figures in the club’s history, including Prince Pierre and Jean-Charles Rey.
Dotta, for whom golf is as much a social ritual as a test of skill, says he hopes to preserve not only the physical beauty of the club but also its spirit of camaraderie. As he leads the Monte-Carlo Golf Club into its next phase, he remains firmly anchored in the values of tradition, respect, and community.