LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THE
TRAVEL AWARDS 2013
Destination Golf is delighted to present the Destination Golf Travel Awards, providing golfers with the opportunity to nominate their favourite golf destination, favourite golf course and more for 2013. Have you stay or played somewhere of note in 2013?
Now’s your chance to acknowledge them while giving yourself the chance to win a golf stay at La Cala Resort.
Simply log onto www.destinationgolf.ie and submit your entry. We have four golf breaks to La Cala Resort as prizes for those who submit entries.
2013
Terms & Conditions: 1. This is an online survey for golfers that have visited Spain or Portugal in 2013. 2. Entries are strictly limited to one entry per person. 3. Closing date for entries is Friday, 26th October, 2013. 4. Award winners and competition winners will be announced Friday, 2nd November, 2013.
Destination Golf Media Ltd
destinationgolf@live.com www.destinationgolf.travel ■ PUBLISHER Dermot Synnott ■ EDITOR Karl Doyle
■ CONTRIBUTORS Andrew Marshall Paul Marshall Aidan Bradley ■ DIRECTOR Vincent Synnott
■ FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Darren Maguire ■ CREDIT CONTROLLER Mallory Courell
■ OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Helen Duggan INTERNATIONAL OFFICES/ REPRESENTATION • Albert Ferrer (Spain) • Peter Barnes (UK) • Gene Oberto (Sweden) • Gianni Attanasio (Italy) • David Cooney (China) • Maarten Hageman (Netherlands) • Benjamin Oosterveer (Tunisia & Morocco)
Front Cover: Keerbergen Golf Club Par-4 17th
Destination Golf arrives in North Africa
W
We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Benjamin Oosterveer, who will assume the role of Destination Golf’s representative for the Tunisia and Morocco Golf Markets.
Benjamin has previously worked in import/export and the retail industry before finally ending up in the travel business. After working as Sales & Marketing Executive for a golf resort, he changed career and worked as Travel Contract Supervisor for a company specialising in private jets. After that, he was invited to join the Regional Tourist Board of Lisbon as their Golf Product Manager – with full responsibility to manage and promote Lisbon Golf Coast. Since leaving Lisbon Golf Coast, Benjamin is occupied with organising golf tournaments in Northern African countries and incoming business with Premium Leisure & Events. His diverse range of experience, knowledge and skills will provide an invaluable asset to Destination Golf, and we’re thrilled to call Benjamin a member of our team. 'Golf & beer’ – some things in life are just meant to go together, and few places combine these twin pleasures quite like Belgium. Our travelling duo of Andrew and Paul Marshall report back from a recent Press Trip to Belgium, sinking a few putts and a few brews on a golfing journey through the historic Flanders region. Our golf club feature for this issue brings us to The Belfry. Globally recognised for its Ryder Cup heroics, the stunning Championship course has provoked some of the most dramatic moments in the history of golf. Our first resort feature takes us to Hyatt Regency Hotel in Hua Hin, a relatively unknown golf destination in Thailand – just waiting to be discovered. Our second resort feature brings us to the South of France to review the 4-star Dolce Fregate Provence Hotel, set on the edge of a clifftop with stunning Mediterrean views. Enjoy!
Karl Doyle
EDITOR editor@destinationgolf.ie Dermot Synnott
Andrew Marshall
Aidan Bradley
Follow Us!
Editorial Director
Golf Course Photographer
Golf Travel Writer
Paul Marshall
Golf Travel Photographer
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Contents and reference guide Picture Perfect
AIDANBRADLEY
Golf Course Photography
BAJAMAR-OCEANO GOLF CLUB Baja, Mexico www.bajamar.com Page 4-5
COSTA BAJA GOLF CLUB La Paz, Mexico www.costabajagolf.com Page 6-7
COSTA BAJA GOLF CLUB La Paz, Mexico www.costabajagolf.com Page 8-9
PARISIMO DEL MAR GOLF CLUB La Maz, Mexico www.iberostar.com Page 10-11
TURTLE DUNES GOLF CLUB Acapulco, Mexico www.turtledunescc.com Page 12-13
PUNTA MITA GOLF CLUB Punta Mita, Mexico www.puntamita.com Page 14-15
CINCO RANCH GOLF CLUB
FOSSIL CREEK GOLF CLUB
Katy, Texas www.golfclubatcincoranch.com Page 16-17
Fort Worth, Texas www.thegolfclubatfossilcreek.com Page 18-19
TPC FOUR SEASONS LAS COLINAS Irving, Texas Page 20-21
PAINTED DUNES GOLF CLUB El Paso, Texas www.painteddunes.com Page 22-23
RIVER PLACE GOLF CLUB Austin, Texas
CIMARRON HILLS GOLF CLUB Georgetown, Texas
www.riverplaceclub.com
www.cimarronhills.com
Page 24-25
Page 26-27
www.fourseasons.com/dallas
Features BEERS & BIRDIES IN BELGIUM
HYATT REGENCY HUA HIN
Andrew Marshall reports from Flanders Page 28-33
Thailand www.huahin.regency.hyatt.com Page 34-39
HOTEL DOLCE FRÉGATE PROVENCE Provence, France
THE BELFRY Sutton Coldfield, England
www.golfdolcefregate.com
www.thebelfry.co.uk
Page 40-45
Page 46-51
Bajamar-Oceano Golf Clu Baja, Mexico • www.bajamar.com
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Costa Baja Golf Club
La Paz, Mexico • www.costabajagolf.com
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Costa Baja Golf Club
La Paz, Mexico • www.costabajagolf.com
AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Parisimo del Mar Golf Club La Maz, Mexico • www.iberostar.com
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AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Turtle Dunes Golf Club
Acapulco, Mexico • www.turtledunescc.com 12
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AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Punta Mita Golf Club
Punta Mita, Mexico • www.puntamita.com
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AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Cinco Ranch Golf Club
Katy, Texas • www.golfclubatcincoranch.com
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Fort W
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Fossil Creek Golf Club
Worth, Texas • www.thegolfclubatfossilcreek.com
AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Painted Dunes Golf Club Irving, Texas • www.fourseasons.com/dallas
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Painted Dunes Golf Club El Paso, Texas • www.painteddunes.com
AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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River Place Golf Club
Austin, Texas • www.riverplaceclub.com
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AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Cimarron Hills Golf Club
Georgetown, Texas • www.cimarronhills.com
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Beers & Birdies T
his is the scene. It’s late July and the sun is still shining as we walk off the 18th green after our opening round at Kampenhout Golf Club, a forgiving parkland course around a 20-minute drive from Brussels Airport.
Words: Andrew Marshall
Photos: Paul Marshall
(Except where indicated)
We quickly settle down at a table outside the clubhouse to run through our scorecards and order two Leffe Blondes, which duly arrive in their uniquely embossed glasses, individually shaped to enhance the aroma and taste. We both take a sip, grin at each other and raise our glasses – it’s a great start to our five-day ‘Golf and Beer’ journey through the historic towns and cities of the Flanders region, staying in top-drawer accommodation, teeing it up on a variety of courses with plenty of beers along the way.
‘Golf and beer’ - so and few places co Brothers ANDREW brews on a golfing
From Golf Club Kampenhout in Wildersedreef, we drive 15km to the well-preserved city of Mechelen, an excellent base for golfers with over 30 courses being within a 45-minute drive. We check in at the fabulous Martin’s Patershof (Karmelietenstraat 4) for two nights - a wonderful church that has been brilliantly transformed into an unprecedented 4-star hotel. Many of the original church elements like stained-glass windows, the altar and stone pillars feature throughout the hotel and its signature suite is one of the most photographed in Europe.
After a shower, a siesta and a beer in the hotel bar we head out to explore charming Mechelen, which is similar to Bruges – but without the crowds. The residents of Mechelen take great pride in their quartet of UNESCO World Heritage sites, the most famous of these being the iconic St Rumbold’s Tower that took some 300 years to complete. Climb the 538 steps to a skywalk at the top of the 97 metre-high tower for
Continued over...
28 Destination Golf TRAVEL
The centuries-old town of Leuven
EL E AV R R U T AT
FE
s in Belgium
ome things in life are just meant to go together ombine these twin pleasures quite like Belgium. W & PAUL MARSHALL sink a few putts and a few g journey through the historic Flanders’ region.
n
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The ‘Abbey No. 8’ Beer Shop in Antwerp sells a superb range of Belgian beer and brews
The 13th century Medieval castle of Het Steen near Antwerp
30 Destination Golf TRAVEL
The inland links of Millennium Golf
Golf du
From previous page breathtaking views. The Grote Markt, or main town square – the 14th century belfort (belfry) and Lakenhalle (merchants’ cloth hall) complete the UNESCO listed sites. Mechelen is also famous for its local beers, and there’s plenty of bars and eating options within a well-struck drive of the hotel. The brewery Het Anker (Guido Gezellelaan 49), situated next to a rambling brassiere serving the brewery’s main beers, is well worth a visit. Het Anker won double gold at the World Beer Awards 2012, with its Gouden Carolus Tripel: ‘World’s Best Belgian Style Tripel’ and its Gouden Carolus Classic: ‘World’s Best Dark Beer’, which was also selected as one of the ‘World’s Best 7 Beers’. "For me, beer means friends, happiness, and enjoyment," says parttime brewery guide and cathedral bellman, Francois Schouwer, as we share some beers with him at the brassiere’s bar. The following morning we drive 20 minutes to nearby Keerbergen Golf Club for our second round. Designed by Ken Cotton, Frank Pennick and Charles Hawtree in 1968, this fine trio of golf architects have created an intriguing course for players of all levels routed in and around the shores of Lake Keerbergen. Although it’s a short layout by today’s standards, measuring a modest 5,503 metres from the back tees, Keerbergen’s tight tree-lined fairways, numerous dog-legs and sizable water hazards (including Lake Keerbergen itself) provide a stern technical test.
s
Amazingly, I finish with a birdie after a well-positioned drive, a laserlike 6-iron to the putting surface and a holed eight-footer to finish in style. Keerbergen is a local members club, and being fairly forgiving and easy to walk, it’s a popular course with more mature players. Visitors are warmly welcomed and the clubhouse bistro is a great place for a drink or a bite to eat while discussing the day’s golf. In the late afternoon we take a side trip to nearby Antwerp. The heart of this cool, cosmopolitan city is the historic city square known as the Grote Markt, which features lovely 16th century Guildhouses and the Statue of Brabo with the giant’s hand. Just around the corner
Continued over...
Bercuit 343 metre par-4 10th
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The 17th green and clubhouse at Golf Club Kampenhout
A colourful selection of St. Bernardus Abbey Ales
32 Destination Golf TRAVEL
The signature room at Martin’s Patershof - a wonderful church in Mechelen. PHoTo: MArTiN’S HoTeLS.
is the 14th-century Cathedral of our Lady, the tallest building in the city and home to several triptychs (a work of art consisting of three hinged panels) by Baroque painter Rubens. Tucked away in backstreets and cobbled lanes around the Grote Markt are a host of bars and taverns (the city has around 2,500 taverns - one for every 200 inhabitants), providing plenty of options to further your Belgian beer education. A good place to begin is the Den Engel (Grote Markt 3), an atmospheric place with wooden benches, mirrored walls and coloured mosaic flooring. Join the locals at the bar or, if the weather is pleasant, sit outside with your beer of choice and laze away the afternoon people-watching. Before leaving Antwerp don’t forget to peruse the shelves inside Abbey No.8 (Handschoenmarkt 8), a specialist beer store selling hundreds of Belgian varieties including Abbey beers (Leffe and Brugge Tripel), Trappist beers (Chimay, Orval, Westmalle and Rochefort) and beers from micro breweries such as De Dolle Brouwers, St. Jozef and ter Dolen. It’s just the place to buy a selection of brews to take back home, the only question being – will there be enough room in the golf bag? On the third day of our trip, a very different test
From previous page
of golf from the previous two rounds awaits us in the form of Millennium Golf – a well-groomed 18-hole championship course with an inland links character, about 85 km west of Mechelen. Built on a site that was once a peat bog and laid out on a largely flat and open landscape bordered by artificial lakes, water is never far from proceedings and comes into play on several holes. Millennium’s closing hole, ‘Home Challenge’, is a beauty. With water all the way to the green, it’s drivable if you hit it like Tiger Woods but most people, including ourselves, take the safer route to the fairway on the right, leaving a mid to short iron to the dance floor. Millennium’s main 18 holes are ably supported by the 9-hole ‘Compact’ course, a 6-hole ‘Bambini’ course and a superb two-tier driving range and practise area that duplicates the conditions of the main course, with greens situated among bodies of water. After a cold, refreshing beer at Millennium’s fine 19th hole, we drive 56km to the old Burgundian university town of Leuven (situated only 33km from Brussels and 27km from the main airport), to spend the night at Martin’s Klooster (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwstraat). The former residence of Guy Morillon, secretary to Charles V, Martin’s Klooster boasts 39 rooms in the original 16th century monastery and 64 new rooms in the new section and combines the charms of the past with contemporary 4-star comfort. It’s conveniently situated within strolling distance of the town’s historical centre. Few towns in Flanders have as much appeal as Leuven (the largest university town in Belgium), where history, culture, architecture, gastronomy and, of course, beer are intermingled to form a compelling cocktail. Leuven offers some key attractions and
Antwerp’s historic square known as the Grote Markt
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Martin’s Hotels wonderful transformed church in Mechelen. Photo: Martin's Hotels.
Tour the Stella Artois brewery in Leuven and learn all about brewing
32 Destination Golf TRAVEL
Mechelen's most iconic landmark is the imposing St rum
From previous page
activities including the dazzling Gothic Town Hall, the own special flavours and characteristics. ‘Beers and Birdies in Belgium’ – it makes a vibrant atmosphere of the Old Market Square, the refreshing change from the more familiar European demure magnificence of the Sint-Pieterskerk, the golfing destinations. herbal gardens and, finally, a visit to the Stella “Cheers!” – or, as the locals say, “à votre santé!” Artois Brewery, the largest in the world. Arguably the best 18 holes of our trip and not to be missed is the last one – Golf du Bercuit. Designed by the renowned Robert Trent Jones Snr in 1968, this top-notch course is routed through a beautifully hilly area of mature woodland. Featuring numerous elevation changes, narrow tree-lined fairways, blind shots and fast undulating greens it requires good physical and golfing form with a strategic approach to plotting your way around. From forgiving parkland courses and tight forest layouts to Trappist ales and lambics, both the golf and the beers of the Flanders’ region have their
mbold's Tower
Golfers’ Guide to Belgian Beers..is.light, cloudy, • BLANCHE OR WHITE - Often called wheat beer, it
and with a hint of citrus. Example: Hoegaarden by • LAMBIC - A non-malted draft wheat beer naturally fermented wild, airborne yeasts. Specific to the Brussels area. • GUEUZE - A blend of two or more Lambic beers to create a secondary fermentation and a Champagne-like sparkle. r • FARO - A sweetened variety of Lambic with some of the flavou but less of the intensity of other Lambics. ht • KRIEK - A Lambic beer in which further fermentation is broug about with the addition of cherries or raspberries. • BROWN - These beers interplay caramel-like malty sweetness and a sourness gained from several months of maturation. • RED - Produced from red barley, these beers are aged in oak. Fruity, sweet and sour, very thirst-quenching! Example: Rodenbach • GOLDEN - Similar to Pilsner lagers, made using very pale malts and hops, while retaining ale yeasts. Example: Duvel • TRAPPIST – Only beer brewed under the direct supervision of are Trappist monks may be designated as “Trappist” beer. There ple: Exam um. Belgi in currently seven such breweries , six of them Westmalle
WHERE TO STAY
There are a total of 9 Martin’s Hotels in various parts of Belgium all providing unique and comfortable bases for golfers including: Martin’s Patershof (Mechelen), Martin’s Klooster (Leuven), Martin’s Manoir & Chateau Du Lac (Genval), Martin’s Grand Hotel & Martin’s Lodge (Waterloo), Martin’s Brugge & Martin’s Relais (Brugge) and Martin’s Central Park (Brussels). www.martinshotels.com
WHERE TO PLAY
Golf Club Kampenhout: www.golfclubkampenhout.be Keerbergen Golf Club: www.golfkeerbergen.be Millennium Golf: www.millenniumgolf.be Winge Golf & Country Club: www.wingegolf.be Golf du Bercuit: www.golfdubercuit.be
Further Information from
www.martinsgolfpass.com www.visitflanders.co.uk Volume 1 • Issue 11
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Hyatt Reg Th
36 Destination Golf TRAVEL
ailand • www.huahin.regency.hyatt.com
EL T RE O U H AT FE
gency Hua Hin Resort
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Hyatt Regency Hua Hin Re
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esort
A path of discovery H
Hua Hin is a traditional Thai resort which
blends popular tourism attractions, such
as its five mile long beach, with the old world
charms of its active fishing port. Although
relatively unknown as a golf destination, Hua Hin
does in fact provide the highest concentration of
world class golf courses of anywhere in Thailand
– all just waiting to be discovered.
Golfers traveling to this area will enjoy low
green fee rates on any of the nine local courses,
with the nearest course just a 10-minute drive
from the Hua Hin beach resort.
Hyatt Regency Hua Hin is set in lush
landscaped gardens on the beachfront. Its 213
elegantly appointed guestrooms include
residential spa suites with private balconies.
Continued next page Volume 1 • Issue 11
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Hyatt Regency Hua Hin Resort
40 Destination Golf TRAVEL
From previous page
The resort offers a family-friendly environment
that features the largest recreational facilities in
Hua Hin, including the fun and apparently never-
ending interconnecting free-form swimming
pools, which include a 22 metre long, seven
metre high water slide and a unique beach pool. Hyatt Regency Hua Hin offers everything you
need for a perfectly memorable stay. Four restaurants and bars provide home-style
traditional Thai and Italian cuisine, as well as fresh seafood specialties and tasty Asian
noodles. In addition to the resort, THE BARAI - an
award-winning residential spa - is located on the
beachfront land adjacent to the resort and
provides eight exclusive residential spa suites
and 18 exotic treatment rooms. Other activities
at Hyatt Regency Hua Hin include tennis lessons
from pros and Thai boxing classes.
Get in touch! www.facebook.com/Hyatt twitter.com/HyattConcierge For more information see
www.huahin.regency.hyatt.com Volume 1 • Issue 11
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Hotel Do
Proven
42 Destination Golf TRAVEL
nce, France • www.golfdolcefregate.com
EL T RE O U H AT FE
olce Frégate Provence
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Hotel Dolce FrĂŠgate Provenc
44 Destination Golf TRAVEL
ce
Ooh la la in Provence
C
lose to the international Marseille-
Provence airport lies the 4-Star Dolce
Fregate Provence.
The hotel’s extensive facilities include
outdoor and indoor pools, saunas, a jacuzzi,
fitness centre, beauty centre and more.
It is an ideal base to explore Provence –
including wine tasting trips, unique sandy
beaches or the quaint fishing village of Cassis. The 18-hole par-72 Dolce Fregate Golf
Course is set among a vineyard, pine trees, rock gardens and sweet-scented shrubs.
Designed by the famous American architect
Ronald W. Fream, it is regularly recognised as one of the most beautiful courses in Europe.
Get the camera ready for hole number 10,
Continued next page Volume 1 • Issue 11
45
Hotel Dolce FrĂŠgate Proven
46 Destination Golf TRAVEL
ce
From previous page as this picturesque hole offers striking views out over the Mediterranean Sea. The second
course is called Fregalon golf course - a short
par-29 9-hole course that is the perfect place
for beginners to practice, while still boasting the same stimulating experience and landscapes. Dolce Fregate Golf Course also offers an
exclusive golf academy which use unique
training concepts from trained professionls.
Using video software and swing simulators, their
training courses help you to learn golf quicker and more efficiently, and is highly regarded.
Get in touch! www.facebook.com/DolceHotels twitter.com/Dolce_Hotels For more information see
www.golfdolcefregate.com Volume 1 • Issue 11
47
Sutton C
48 Destination Golf TRAVEL
Coldfield, England • www.thebelfry.co.uk
B LU C RE LF U O AT G FE
The Belfry
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The Belfry
50 Destination Golf TRAVEL
In the footsteps of legends
F
ollow in the footsteps of legends that
have played at The Belfry and experience
world-famous holes, stunning views and exhilarating match play.
As the UK headquarters of the PGA and spiritual
home of the Ryder Cup, the noble game and The
Belfry are inextricably linked. The stunning
Championship courses at The Belfry, sculpted from
550 acres of lush North Warwickshire countryside,
have provoked some of the most dramatic
moments in the history of golf.
All three courses offer golfers totally different
golfing experiences. The Brabazon – an
internationally recognised tournament course with
majestic fairways and carpet smooth greens. The
PGA National - an inland links with fast-running
greens and deep bunkers. The Derby - a relaxing challenge for players of all abilities.
Experience world-class golf tuition at England’s
Continued next page Volume 1 • Issue 11
51
The Belfry
52 Destination Golf TRAVEL
From previous page only PGA National Academy, a centre of
excellence for golf. Its resources include five
custom fitting suites, a 34-bay floodlit driving
range, short game area, state-of-the-art video
analysis, practice facilities and launch monitor
technology.
Complete your experience at The Shop,
recently voted as the ‘UK’s Best Pro Shop’ by
Golf World magazine, and the largest on-course shop in Europe.
Other Facilities include 22 conference rooms,
Health & Wellness facilities, a Spa, a range of restaurants and bars, a nightclub and 1,000 free car parking spaces.
Get in touch! www.facebook.com/Belfryhotel twitter.com/TheBelfryHotel For more information see
www.thebelfry.co.uk Volume 1 • Issue 11
53
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