Omaha Beach Golf Club - La Mer Course - hole 6
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Omaha Beach Golf Club - La Mer Course - hole 6
The sixth hole provides the magic moment on the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club in Normandy, France. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Omaha Beach Golf Club - Seaside Course - hole 1 sign
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Omaha Beach Golf Club - Seaside Course - hole 1 sign
The first tee introduces the military theme of the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club in Normandy, France. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Omaha Beach Golf Club - La Mer Course - hole 1
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Omaha Beach Golf Club - La Mer Course - hole 1
The first green of the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club overlooks the English Channel. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Omaha Beach Golf Club - Seaside Course - hole 2
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Omaha Beach Golf Club - Seaside Course - hole 2
The par-3 second hole on the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club plays slightly downhill. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Omaha Beach Golf Club - La Mer Course - hole 3 sign
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Omaha Beach Golf Club - La Mer Course - hole 3 sign
The third hole on the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club honors Gen. Charles de Gaulle. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Omaha Beach Golf Club - Seaside Course - hole 3
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Omaha Beach Golf Club - Seaside Course - hole 3
The third hole follows the hilly terrain of the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club in Normandy, France. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Omaha Beach Golf Club - La Mer Course - hole 4
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Omaha Beach Golf Club - La Mer Course - hole 4
The fourth hole on the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club is a tricky, short par 4. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Omaha Beach Golf Club - Seaside Course - hole 6 memorial
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Omaha Beach Golf Club - Seaside Course - hole 6 memorial
This memorial above a World War II bunker sits next to the sixth green on the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Omaha Beach Golf Club - La Mer Course - hole 5
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Omaha Beach Golf Club - La Mer Course - hole 5
The par-5 fifth hole on the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club heads toward the Normandy coast. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Omaha Beach Golf Club - Seaside Course - hole 8
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Omaha Beach Golf Club - Seaside Course - hole 8
Choose the proper club to hit the downhill, downwind tee shot of the par-3 eighth hole of the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Omaha Beach Golf Club - La Mer Course - back nine
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Omaha Beach Golf Club - La Mer Course - back nine
The back nine on the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club is flatter, without ocean views. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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Get bunkered on the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club in Normandy, France

NORMANDY, France -- History and scenery converge to make the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club a must play for any American golfer visiting France.

Known in English as the Seaside Course, the first hole introduces the striking water views and the militaristic overtones that have become staples of the region. A sign dedicates the opening par 5 to Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. A sign on every hole thereafter honors a significant leader from World War II.

The English Channel forms a pleasing backdrop behind the first green. The par-3 second, par-5 fifth and par-4 sixth green all offer the same camera-worthy scenery.

The sixth green is where it all climaxes into one giant history lesson. The green of this beautiful par 4 is located near the cliffs made famous by "Operation Overload" on D-Day, June 6, 1944. To the left of the green is a war memorial dedicated to the 47 Royal Marine Commando and an hidden, underground German bunker made of thick concrete. The club doesn't necessarily condone stopping to wander through its tiny rooms and reading the plaque above it, but many groups do, letting others play through.

A narrow gunner window in the bunker overlooks the manmade harbor and fishing boats anchored in Port-En-Bessin, which proved to be a key port in the Allied push through continental Europe.

Once you experience the emotion of it all, the golf becomes secondary.

Unfortunately, the second nine of the 6,166-meter (6,743-yard) course wanders away from the coast, leaving the views and the more interesting hilly terrain behind.

The club's other course, Le Manoir (The Manor), features water on six holes.

Lunch on the clubhouse patio won't disappoint. My ham-and-cheese sandwich was probably the best sandwich I've ever eaten at a golf course. Maybe it was French bread lathered in butter.

The clubhouse is just a short walk from the Mercure Omaha Beach Hotel, home to the L'Albatros restaurant, spa, outdoor heated pool and 74 rooms. Although I never had time to step inside, staying the night would make perfect sense for any American touring war sites.

Tour the golf and culture of #Normandy and #Versailles in #France - host of the #2018RyderCup #whyilovethisgame #livingthegreen

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Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,100 courses and written about golf destinations in 25 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and Twitter at @WorldGolfer.
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Get bunkered on the La Mer Course at Omaha Beach Golf Club in Normandy, France