Destination Golf - May 2014

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CLASSIC SCOTTISH LINKS GOLFING IN THE HOME OF GOLF

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IN THIS ISSUE: STAR OF THE SEAS GRAN HOTEL ELBA ESTEPONA & SPA, SPAIN

LAND BELOW THE WIND DALIT BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, MALAYSIA

A SWEDISH SURPRISE MAURITZBERG RESORT, SWEDEN

PICTURE PERFECT NEVADA (USA) – NORTHERN IRELAND

Golf travel season in ‘full swing’

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) • Ronald Montesano (USA) • Peter Barnes (UK) • Gene Oberto (Sweden) • Gianni Attanasio (Italy) • David Cooney (China) • Maarten Hageman (Netherlands) • Benjamin Oosterveer (Tunisia & Morocco) • Kevin Markham (Ireland)

Front Cover: Turnberry Golf Course.

(PHOTO CREDIT: TURNBERRY RESORT, SCOTLAND)

F

or many of us the long, cold, unrelenting grip of winter is finally coming to a welcome end, and we can now start dreaming of strolling casually along some sun-drenched fairways as the golf season starts in earnest.

Now is the time most of us get serious about booking our golfing holiday, so let us inspire you with some suggestions in this issue.

Where better to start your research than the Scottish Links courses in the ‘Home of Golf’?

From dramatic links courses steeped in history, to hidden gems and some new layouts, Scotland may just have everything that a true golf lover could wish for. Our travelling duo of Andrew and Paul Marshall travel to Scotland to experience the difficulties and delights of Scottish links golf.

Our first feature takes us to the Gran Hotel Elba Estepona Hotel & Spa in the town of Estepona. The Costa del Sol is well known for its wide range of accommodation options, making it a difficult task to find the right base for your next golfing trip. Our spotlight on this deluxe resort will provide a splendid option for those who enjoy the finer things in life.

We then focus on Malaysia as we review Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club, part of the world renowned Shangri La hotel chain. The rugged beauty of this eco-friendly resort delivers an experience like no other.

Our last feature takes us to Mauritzberg Resort, tucked away in the picturesque Swedish countryside. It is a majestic hotel and golf course that has grabbed our attention. We look at this charming resort that Swedish golfers have been keeping under lock and key until now – which is no surprise given its idyllic location and array of facilities.

Enjoy!

Karl Doyle

EDITOR editor@destinationgolf.ie Dermot Synnott

Andrew Marshall

Editorial Director

Golf Travel Writer

Aidan Bradley

Ronald Montesano

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

ANTHEM COUNTRY CLUB Henderson, Nevada, USA www.anthemcc.com Page 4-5

ARROW CREEK GOLF CLUB Reno, Nevada, USA www.golfarrowcreek.com Page 6-7

BADLANDS GOLF CLUB Las Vegas, Nevada, USA www.badlandsgc.com Page 8-9

CONESTOGA GOLF CLUB Mesquite, Nevada, USA www.conestogagolf.com Page 10-11

SOUTH SHORE GOLF CLUB Henderson, Nevada, USA www.pacificlinks.com Page 12-13

TUSCANY GOLF CLUB Henderson, Nevada, USA www.tuscanygolfclub.com Page 14-15

ARDGLASS GOLF CLUB Ardglass, Northern Ireland www.ardglassgolfclub.com Page 16-17

BELVOIR PARK GOLF CLUB Belfast, Northern Ireland www.belvoirparkgolfclub.com Page 18-19

PORTSTEWART GOLF CLUB Portstewart, Northern Ireland www.portstewartgc.co.uk Page 20-21

ROE PARK RESORT Limavady, Northern Ireland www.roeparkresort.com Page 22-23

ROYAL COUNTY DOWN GOLF CLUB Newcastle, Northern Ireland www.royalcountydown.org Page 24-25

ROYAL PORTRUSH GOLF CLUB Portrush, Northern Ireland www.royalportrushgolfclub.com Page 26-27

CLASSIC LINKS OF SCOTLAND

GRAN HOTEL ELBA ESTEPONA AND SPA

Features Andrew Marshall makes the trip to the ‘Home of Golf’ Page 28-33

Spain www.hoteleselba.com Page 36-41

DALIT BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

MAURITZBERG RESORT

Malaysia

Ostergotland, Sweden

www.dalitbaygolf.com.my

www.mauritzberg.se Page 48-53

Page 42-47

Anthem Country Club

Henderson, Nevada, USA • www.anthemcc.com

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AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography

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Arrow Creek Golf Club

Reno, Nevada, USA • www.golfarrowcreek.com

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AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography

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Las

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Badlands Golf Club

Vegas, Nevada, USA • www.badlandsgc.com

AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography

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Conestoga Golf Club

Mesquite, Nevada, USA • www.conestogago

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olf.com

AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography

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South Shore Golf Club

Henderson, Nevada, USA • www.pacificlinks.com

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AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography

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Tuscany Golf Club

Henderson, Nevada, USA • www.tuscanygolfclu

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ub.com

AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography

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Ardglass Golf Club

Ardglass, Northern Ireland • www.ardglassg

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golfclub.com

AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography

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Belfast, No 18

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Belvoir Park Golf Club

rthern Ireland • www.belvoirparkgolfclub.com

AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography

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Portstewart Golf Club

Portstewart, Northern Ireland • www.portstew

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wartgc.co.uk

AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography

Volume 2 • Issue 18

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Lima

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Roe Park Resort

vady, Northern Ireland • www.roeparkresort.com

AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography

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Roya

Newcastle, 24 Destination Golf TRAVEL

al County Down Golf Club

Northern Ireland • www.royalcountydown.org AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography

Volume 2 • Issue 18 25

Royal Portrush Golf Club

Portrush, Northern Ireland • www.royalportr

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rushgolfclub.com

AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography

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The classic Links G

Words: Andrew Marshall

olf comes in no greater dramatic abundance than in Scotland – the Home of Golf.

This is where the great game started and everyone wants to experience the difficulties and delights of Scottish golf, especially the links. All the key ingredients are here - towering dunes, elevated greens, blind shots, deep pot bunkers, tumbling fairways, slick putting surfaces, howling winds and the taste of salt in the sea air. Some courses are old classics laid out by legendary designers such as Old Tom Morris and James Braid, whilst others are recent creations that still look as though they have been part of the landscape for centuries. Here’s a selection of top-quality links throughout different regions of Scotland:

From dramatic gems and some everything a tru ANDREW MAR

AYRSHIRE TURNBERRY. The venue for the British Open Championship 2009 came to international Photos: Paul Marshall prominence with the infamous ‘Duel in the Sun’ (Except where indicated) between Tom Watson (champion) and Jack Nicklaus over four sweltering days during July 1977. Since then, Greg Norman (86), Nick Price (94) and most recently Stewart Cink (09) (when Tom Watson narrowly missed out on becoming the oldest winner in history) have made up the quartet of golfers to lift the Claret Jug there, and polls now regularly acknowledge the Ailsa course as one of Britain's top three courses, with regular rankings within the world's top 20.

The ninth (Bruce’s Castle) is a contender for Turnberry's trademark hole.

Adjacent to the famous lighthouse and the remains of Robert the Bruce’s Castle (Scottish King from 1306-1329), this 452-yard par-4 has no bunkers, yet is a daunting par-4 especially from the Championship tee which is perched on a rocky premonitory on the edge of the sea.

Other golfing options: Royal Troon, Prestwick, Western Gailes.

EDINBURGH/EAST LOTHIAN MUIRFIELD: Home to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and the 2002 Open Championship, this very exclusive seaside links course features long narrow fairways, fast undulating greens, innumerable pot bunkers and thick rough. Architecturally, it’s a gem. A clockwise outward half surrounds the inner anti-clockwise holes, an arrangement that ensures that players have to make incessant adjustment for wind direction.

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Machrihanish Dunes is the first 18

EL E AV R R U T AT

FE

of Scotland

links courses steeped in history, to hidden e new layouts, Scotland may just have ue golf lover could wish for, says RSHALL. Photographs by PAUL MARSHALL.

8-hole links to be built on the west coast of Scotland in 100 years.

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Turnberry Golf course. (PhoTo CreDiT: Turnberry reSorT, SCoTlAnD)

Duke’s golf course near St Andrews.

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Carnoustie (Championship course).

Castle

e Stuart Golf links

From previous page It can be quite tricky securing a tee time at Muirfield and currently, visitors may play on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, with the 1st tee reserved for two-balls and the 10th tee reserved for fourballs. Times fill up very quickly during the peak season from May to September, but the good news is Muirfield has ideal full course playing conditions all year round.

Other golfing options: North Berwick, Gullane No.1.

FIFE KINGSBARNS GOLF LINKS: Designed by leading golf architect Kyle Phillips, Kingsbarns is a tribute to classic Scottish links and has come on in leaps and bounds since opening in 2000. The course meanders along more than one-and-a-half miles of rugged seashore offering ocean views from every hole. Featuring spacious fairways rolling and twisting through dune ridges and hollows, true links turf and large greens, the course is challenging yet playable. “At Kingsbarns it’s all about risk and reward,” says David Scott, Director of Golf. “You can play to a safe area but it’s likely to be a tough angle to the green. If you take a gamble and go the Tiger line, you will have the choice of playing a running shot or one through the air.”

Other golfing options: St Andrews Old Course, Castle Course, Duke’s Course, Kittock’s Course, Torrance Course & Balcomie Links (Crail).

EAST COAST CARNOUSTIE GOLF LINKS. There’s nothing to match the experience of playing one of the most famous and challenging courses in world golf, and the finishing hole with the clubhouse in the background is a highlight. A scene of major drama in the ‘99 and ‘07 British Opens, this 510-yard par-4 will play as a par-5 for the majority of golfers - even from the front markers. Faced with a tee shot most likely into the wind, you must negotiate the notorious Barry Burn that winds across the fairway like an agitated snake. A five is good here and a six would have won Jean Van de Velde the 1999 Open. Originally laid out in 1840 by Allan Robertson, with major changes being introduced later by Old Tom Morris and James Braid.

Other golfing options: Royal Aberdeen, Murcar Links, Cruden Bay. HIGHLANDS ROYAL DORNOCH: Golf was first played here at least as far back as 1616 when the Earl of Sutherland ordered clubs and balls to take up the game that was becoming so popular further south. This makes Royal Dornoch the third oldest golfing community in Scotland.

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Kingsbarns Golf links. (PhoTo CreDiT: KinGSbArnS)

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From previous page “After the second hole, you round a corner, pass a hedge and golfing heaven breaks loose.” These words on the club’s website are temptation enough, but once you go around the said corner, everything about this world top-20 course is right in front of you. Framed between the hills and mountains to the left and the wild North Sea is a rich tapestry of undulating fairways and plateau greens interspersed with flowering yellow gorse. Magical stuff.

CASTLE STUART GOLF LINKS: The brainchild of Mark Parsinen, the American who gifted the world Kingsbarns, this new championship links course overlooks the Moray Firth and well-known landmarks that are synonymous with Inverness – the Kessock Bridge, Chanonry Lighthouse, Fort George and Castle Stuart itself - and enjoys similar topography to Royal Dornoch further north, with an old sea cliff creating two tiered plateaus with six holes running alongside the inner Moray Firth.

The course has been designed with wide fairways to offer plenty of lines of play on ground that is perfect for links golf.

The great thing about Castle Stuart is that you get a real sense of seclusion and most of the time you are not aware of other golfers out on the course. The views all around are fabulous, and from some tees and greens, the 1930s style white ’Art Deco’ clubhouse can be seen sitting prominently atop its viewing perch. Castle Stuart Golf Links is destined to become a future classic.

Other golfing options: Nairn, Brora & Tain KINTYRE PENINSULA MACHRIHANISH OLD: It’s a claim that’s often made – ‘Machrihanish Old’ situated miles from anywhere on the craggy west coast of the Kintyre Peninsula has the best opening hole in Scottish golf. With the Atlantic Ocean pounding away to the left, ever-present cross winds and a long beach carry, the 436-yard par-4 is certainly a nerve-jangling start to any round.

Four-time British Open champion Old Tom Morris described the quirky dune land of Machrihanish as ”Created by the Almighty to play golf on” and little has changed since he marked out his traditional links using seagull feathers during one weekend in 1876. Although it’s a devil to get to, it’s surprising how many golfers find there way to Machrihanish, and professional golfer Brad

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Kingsbarns Golf links.

The delightful seaside links of Dunaverty, Kintyre Peninsula.

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Turnberry (457-yard par-4 10th) (PhoTo CreDiT: Turnberry reSorT, SCoTlAnD)

From previous page Faxon, who’s passionate about golf course design, once drove the 189 miles from Turnberry to Machrihanish, just to check it out and play a round during the build-up to the Open.

Other golfing options: Machrihanish Dunes & Dunaverty Golf Club SCOTTISH ISLANDS (Inner & Outer Hebrides) ASKERNISH OLD: If Machrihanish is remote, then Askernish Old on the Outer Hebridean island of Uist is at the end of the world. First laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1891, in recent years it has been unearthed and restored to its former glory by Gordon Irvine (Master Greensman) and Martin Ebert (Canadian course architect) using entirely traditional design principles. Enviromental experts have already hailed Askernish Old as "the most natural links course in the world": the dunes' natural contours form the fairways, no artificial chemicals are used in maintenance, and during winter months sheep and cattle graze the course.

Irvine, who worked for free on the project, believes that based on his ability to distinguish natural landforms from man-made ones, he has correctly exposed and re-created the original layout. “We’ll never know for sure,” he says. “We can’t bring Old Tom back. But this course is as close as you’ll get to an original Old Tom Morris layout.”

The 6,164-yard layout begins and ends in understated fashion, but from seven through to seventeen it’s a roller coaster ride through terrain as violent as a storm-tossed sea. The par-4 7th runs south along the shore from a dune-top tee to a green sheltered by even taller dunes, and the green at the 11th, a long and spectacular par-3 played directly into a sea wind, looks as if it could only be reached using rock climbing gear.

Perhaps the star of the Askenish show is the 16th, called Old Tom’s Pulpit, a memorable short par-4 with a two-level green, the back half of which forms a punchbowl, where most approach shots are likely to end up.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:

www.visitscotland.com & www.visitscotland.com/golf Volume 2 • Issue 18

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Gran Hotel

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Estepona, Spain • www.hoteleselba.com

EL T RE O U H AT FE

Elba Estepona & Spa

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Gran Hotel Elba Este

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epona & Spa

Star of the seas...

L

ocated in the town of Estepona, 60km west of

Malaga Airport, lies the Gran Hotel Elba

Estepona & Spa, part of the prestigious Elba Hotel

Chain. Given its central location, the hotel provides

the perfect base in the heart of the Costa del Sol –

not to mention the abundance of quality courses in

the area.

Regarded as a typically traditional Spanish hotel,

it’s the modern-day touches of design that add a

touch of class throughout the whole hotel. It is true

to say that one of the best assets of this exclusive

hotel is the Thalasso Spa, with an area of more than 1,400m2 offering a wide range of health and

beauty package deals. There is also the business

area - with a capacity of up to 300 people in the Gran Elba Hall.

The modern and exclusive Spa Centre has a wide

range of treatments, all with fresh sea-water.

Thalasso Therapy is a well-known ancient method for stress treatment and well-being.

It’s not short of space either: 138 Double Luxury

rooms, 43 Junior Suites, 21 Suites and 2 Luxury

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Gran Hotel Elba Estepona & Sp

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pa

From previous page Suites, most of which provide spacious private

terraces or balconies with magnificent vistas out to the Mediterranean Sea.

Food lovers will be very happy, starting with a very

elaborate buffet breakfast spread, and a choice of

six different dining options throughout the day and

night. Personal favourites are the ‘Paris – Roma

Restaurant’, serving the best of cuisine with French and Italian influences, or the ‘Asia Fusion

Restaurant’ which serves up the finest of Asian cuisine.

As for golfers, the hotel is perfectly positioned in

close proximity to a large selection of golf courses, including the Championship courses of Estepona,

Marbella and Sotogrande. The Golf Desk are able to help arrange green fee bookings and transfers, and their own golf packages are often hard to beat.

Get in touch! facebook.com/elbahoteles twitter.com/Elbahoteles For more information see

www.hoteleselba.com Volume 2 • Issue 18

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Dalit Bay Golf & Country Clu

Malaysia • www.dalitbaygolf.com.my

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Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club

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Land Below The Wind

L

ocated in the Northern portion of the

island of Borneo lies the tropical course of

Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club. Often referred as the ‘Land Below The Wind’ by passing

fishermen, it describes this area which offers protection from the typhoon winds that often hit the coastline in March and again in September.

The resort is located in the main town of

Sabah. Its rugged terrain is largely protected by the large Mount Kinabalu at 4101 metres,

which dominates the surrounding landscape.

The region has a large diversity of flora and fauna, as well as one of the world's largest rainforests.

Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club is part of the

world-renowned hotel chain Shangri La, called

Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort located on Pantai

Dalit Beach. The Malaysian themed hotel is

perched on a hill and set in a nature reserve,

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Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club

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From previous page

with a spectacular beachfront views. An eco-

friendly resort, it boasts a magnificent Spa and a unique Orangutan Education Centre - where you

can get up close and personal with the local

icons. Other attractions include horse riding, allterrain vehicle safaris or deep-sea fishing.

Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club is a part of

Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort. This 18-hole golf

course is designed by Ted Parslow, a wetlands golf course bordered by the Mengkabong and

Tambalang rivers. Golfers can enjoy magnificent views of Mount Kinabalu.

The fully equipped Pro Shop offers a range of

balls, gloves and headwear to complement its personal range of apparel, with a further

selection of premium golf equipment available for rental.

Get in touch! twitter.com/shangrilahotels

www.facebook.com/shangrila For more information see

www.dalitbaygolf.com.my Volume 2 • Issue 18

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Mauritzberg Resort

Ostergotland, Sweden • www.mauritzberg.se

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Mauritzberg Resort

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A Swedish surprise...

Tucked away in the picturesque Scandinavian region of Ostergotland lies Mauritzberg Resort, a place to relax and unwind amongst stunning countryside landscapes.

The idyllic location is framed by the sea, which is dotted with smooth rocks and inviting islands. The archipelago is popular with boaters and, after a day’s sailing, nothing could be easier than to glide into the manor’s guest harbour to tie up the boat for a night or two. Those who venture ashore can enjoy all that the resort has to offer. There are two piers that are located very close to the manor and they have berths for 30 boats.

Visitors to Mauritzberg will be greeted by majestic oak woods and rolling Swedish countryside, but your breath will be taken away at the sight of the 400-year-old manor house as it comes into view on the horizon. The imposing hotel building, which nestles on a hill by the glimmering waters of Braviken bay, is the jewel in the crown of this resort area. The rooms are stylishly decorated with a view of either the sea or the manor’s park. Visitors simply won’t be able to escape their charm. The resort has also added to its accommodation, with a new lodge that looks out onto Mauritzberg’s beautiful golf course.

And golfers are also very well catered for. A round of golf on the famous course will lead you

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Mauritzberg Resort

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From previous page

along meandering fairways that are guarded by bright white bunkers and an alluring sea view. The 18-hole course is not short of challenges, even for the more experienced golfer. If you feel in need of a break, then the atmospheric clubhouse is the perfect place to revive yourself with an enjoyable lunch.

Popular with weddings, groups and conferences, the hotel has captured the hearts of all those who have visited. If it is tranquillity that you are seeking, you will be sure to find it here amid the countryside, simply relaxing in the sauna or enjoying a culinary experience in the restaurant.

For the more energetic traveller, there are a number of activities that you can do such as rowing a boat out onto the clear waters of Braviken Bay, playing tennis in the manor’s park, cycling, horse riding or participating in wine tasting events.

For those who visit, Mauritzberg really will be a ‘Swedish Surprise’.

Get in touch! www.facebook.com/Mauritzberg

For more information see

www.mauritzberg.se Volume 2 • Issue 18

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