Destination Golf - July 2014

YOUR GLOBAL GOLF GUIDE ISSUE 20 • JULY 2014

TRAVEL

GDANSK THE GREAT GOLFING IN THE GDANSK REGION OF POLAND

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IN THIS ISSUE: DESERT GOLF IN THE ARABIAN GULF Al Hamra Golf, UAE

A PORTUGUESE PARADISE Martinhal Hotel & Beach Resort, Portugal

MONTY’S DREAM IN VIETNAM Montgomerie Links, Vietnam

PICTURE PERFECT CALIFORNIA TREES • AT ONE WITH NATURE

PURE POLAND In the face of stiff competition from the likes of Spain, Portugal or Turkey, it

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

is no surprise that countries like Poland are overlooked as golf destinations.

Poland Tourist Board are on a mission to change this. Having recently visited the three main golf area of Szczechin (Western Pomerania), Warsaw and Gdansk (Eastern Pomerania) we are beginning to see what the fuss is all about. Kevin Markham recently visited Gdansk to report on an area that provides the perfect mix of golf, history and culture.

The first of our resort features comes from Al Hamra Golf Club, which is proving to be a popular choice for the travelling golfer to the Arabian Gulf.

Its interesting desert landscape design and strict levels of maintenance provide a truly polished 18-hole course in a fantastic part of the United Arab Emirates.

Our second resort feature takes us to the unspoilt Western Algarve.

Situated beside the charming fishing village of Sagres, a short 1-hour drive from Faro Airport, Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel has rapidly risen in stature to be one of the leading 5-star family resorts in Europe. Our review shows exactly why they have won many prestigious Awards.

Our last feature takes us to the city of Danang, along Vietnam’s fabled Central Coast. Montgomerie Links Vietnam is an award winning course that is located just 15-minutes drive from Danang, Vietnam’s vibrant third largest city. Its uniquely natural beauty makes for a nice read.

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: Sand Valley GC

Enjoy!

Karl Doyle

EDITOR editor@destinationgolf.ie Dermot Synnott

Andrew Marshall

Paul Marshall

Editorial Director

Golf Travel Writer

Golf Travel Photographer

Aidan Bradley

Ronald Montesano

Golf Course Photographer

Golf Travel Writer

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Contents Contentsand andreference referenceguide guide Picture Perfect

AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography

EAGLE CREST- RIDGE COURSE

BRASADA RANCH GOLF CLUB ALISAL GOLF CLUB Powell Butte, Oregon, USA Solvang, California, USA www.alisal.com www.brasada.com Page 12 Page 4-5

CARMEL VALLEY GC Redmond, Oregon,USA USA Carmel, California, www.carmelvalleyranch.com www.eagle-crest.com Page 14

EAGLE CREST-THE RESORT COYOTE CREEK GC COURSE Morgan Hill, California, Redmond, Oregon, USAUSA www.coyotecreekgolf.com www.eagle-crest.com Page 16 Page 8-9

PUMPKIN RIDGE GOLF CLUB MONARCH DUNES GC North Plains, Oregon, Nipomo, California, USAUSA www.monarchdunes.com www.pumpkinridge.com Page 18 Page 10-11

RUNNING RANCH GOLFRANCH COURSE GC STEELYCANYON Jamul, California, USA Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA www.steelcanyongolfclub.com www.runningy.com Page 20 Page 12-13

THE GOLFDESERT CLUB GC THERESERVE VINTAGE Indian Wells, California, Aloha, Oregon, USA USA www.thevintageclub.com www.reservegolf.com Page 22 Page 14-15

ABU DHABI CLUBHOUSE DINGLE GC Tralee, Ireland Abu Dhabi, UAE www.dinglelinks.com www.adgolfclub.com Page 24 Page 16-17

FIRESTONE JASPER CLUBHOUSE GC Alberta, Canada Akron, Ohio , USA www.fairmont.com/jasper www.clubcorp.com Page 26 Page 18-19

LANSDOWNE NORMAN GC GAILLARDIA CLUBHOUSE Lansdowne, Virginia, USA USA Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, www.lansdowneresort.com www.gaillardia.com Page 28 Page 20-21

PALM OLDVALLEY HEADCLUBHOUSE GC Kinsale, Ireland Ponte Vedra, Florida, USA www.oldhead.com www.palmvalleygolf.com Page 30 Page 22-23

PORT ROYAL SAN CLUBHOUSE RANCHO MARCOS GC Santa Barbara, California, USA Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA www.rsm1804.com www.portroyalgolfclub.com Page 32 Page 24-25

THE VINTAGE CLUBHOUSE THE PERFECT FOURSOME Page 34 Indian Wells, California, USA

GOLFING WILD ATLANTIC GDANSKTHE THE GREAT, POLAND Kevin Markham visits Gdansk WAY, IRELAND

AL HAMRA GOLF, UAE CHATEAU D’AUGERVILLE www.alhamragolf.com France42 Page

Page 6-7

www.thevintageclub.com Page 26-27

Features Features in Poland.

Andrew & Paul Marshall visit the Page 36 North West coast of Ireland Page 28-33

MARTINHAL HOTEL & BEACH INTERCONTENTINAL SANYA RESORT, PORTUGAL www.martinhal.com China48 Page

www.intercontinental.com Page 42-47 4

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www.chateau-augerville.com Page 36-41 MONTGOMERIE LINKS, VIETNAM STOKE PARK www.montgomerielinks.com England Page 54

www.stokepark.com Page 48-53

TORRES TIME

SPAIN’S MEDITERRANEAN COAST

Superstars Heading To Mission Hills Hollywood superstars, sporting legends and golfing greats will converge on China in October for the year’s biggest sports and entertainment spectacular, the Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am. The guest list for the eagerly-awaited week of golf, glamour and gala events reads like a Who’s Who of global show business and elite sporting endeavour.

Oscar winners Morgan Freeman and Nicole Kidman are being lined up to appear, together with Hollywood heartthrob Chris Evans.

Dazzling actress Jessica Alba is confirmed to take part, as is music maestro Kenny G. Sporting icons heading to the globally-televised World Celebrity Pro-Am include two Olympic legends, Russian ice skater Evgeni Plushenko and Chinese gymnast Li Ning, and Portuguese former international footballer Luís Figo.

China’s basketball legend and former NBA star Yao Ming will also take part in the tournament for the second time. The retired athlete remains one of the most influential sporting figures in China and his revisit to Mission Hills will further popularize the game of golf in the nation.

professional golf victories, including 15 Majors.

China’s entertainment industry will be well represented by the country’s top film director, Feng Xiaogang, acclaimed actors Chen Daoming and Wang Zhiwen, and singer Sun Nan. Hong Kong celebrities taking part include film director Sammo Hung, actors Donnie Yen, Eric Tsang, Simon Yam, Natalis Chan, Michael Wong and Ruco Chan, and actress Miriam Yeung.

The third edition of the World Celebrity Pro-Am will be held from 2426 October at the fully-integrated Mission Hills Haikou Resort on the tropical island of Hainan.

The tournament will see 24 professional golfers and 24 celebrities come together for a bonanza of action and entertainment – including the first-ever staging in China of the new combination sport that is taking Europe by storm, football-golf.

For the first time, the World Celebrity Pro-Am will feature a Ryder Cup-style format, with the 24 celebrities divided into two teams for an Entertainment v Sport showdown. Each celebrity will be paired with a professional golfer and the teams will face off over two rounds of fourball betterball.

Top golfers confirmed for the tournament include reigning US Open champion Justin Rose, the flamboyant Ian Poulter, multiple Major winners Gary Player, Greg Norman and John Daly, and Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley

While assisting their celebrity playing partners, the professional golfers will also be competing for an individual prize fund of US$1 million.

In total, participants in this year’s star-spangled event have collected more than 160 acting awards, over 100 music awards, 35 Olympic and World Championship medals and a staggering 335

The list of celebrities and golfers confirmed for the event was announced in a packed press conference at Mission Hills Haikou today (Sunday) that was attended by Feng Xiaogang, his actress

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wife, Xu Fan, and Miriam Yeung, among other VIPs. Jessica Alba shot to stardom more than a decade ago in the hit TV series Dark Angel, which launched her into a successful movie career that has included Sin City, Fantastic Four and Valentine’s Day.

taking part in a football-golf challenge on a specially constructed course. Players will be kicking a football towards the pin and aiming to outscore each other on a series of par-three, par-four and par-five holes.

“I’m excited to be taking part in the Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am in October,” she commented. “I love visiting China and this will be my first time playing golf there. I’m really looking forward to enjoying the incredible facilities at Mission Hills.”

The traditional pro-celebrity-amateur practice round will take place on Friday 24 October followed by Red Carpet, Cocktail Reception, Opening Ceremony and Gala Dinner, all taking place at Mission Hills Haikou • Lan Kwai Fong, the resort’s new entertainment district.

Celebrated jazz saxophonist Kenny G is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time with global sales totalling more than 75 million records. In addition, he has collaborated with countless singers including Andrea Bocelli, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Frank Sinatra.

The World Celebrity Pro-Am itself will be played over two rounds at the weekend, while Saturday evening will also feature a Celebrities and Players Appreciation Party at Mission Hills Haikou • H. Brothers • Feng Xiaogang Movie Town, the recently-opened tourist attraction that features vintage street settings from Feng’s classic movies, state-of-the-art film studios, an array of shopping and dining options and countless other entertainment and leisure features.

Luís Figo won 127 caps for Portugal and played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid – with whom he won the Champions League in 2002 – in a glittering soccer career. He was named European Footballer of the Year in 2000 and FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001.

Yao Ming put Chinese basketball on the world sporting map when he was chosen by the Houston Rockets as the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft. He spent nine years with the Rockets before retiring in 2011. During his final season, he was the tallest active player in the NBA at 2.29m (7-feet-6).

Yao returns to the World Celebrity Pro-Am after proving such a huge hit at the previous edition, when he was specially taught to play golf by Mission Hills and acted as event ambassador. On that occasion the tournament raised US$500,000 for the Yao Ming Foundation and UNICEF. Evgeni Plushenko is regarded as one of the greatest ice skaters of all time, having won four Olympic medals, including two golds, and three world titles in a 14-year career at the top.

Li Ning, meanwhile, became a national hero in China when he won six medals, including three golds, at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. It was China’s first appearance in the Summer Games.

Another Chinese sporting great taking part will be badminton star Li Yongbo, winner of two world titles and an Olympic bronze medal in men’s doubles and now head coach of the Chinese national team.

Other professional golfers confirmed to join the Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am are Major winner Rich Beem and top female players Danielle Montgomery, Carly Booth, Joanna Klatten, Linda Wessberg, Caroline Martens, Sharmila Nicollet, Maria Balikoeva, Diana Luna and Lee-Anne Pace.

“The World Celebrity Pro-Am will, once again, bring together some of the biggest stars in show business and sport for a golf-andentertainment spectacular that will make headlines around the world,” Mission Hills Chairman and CEO Dr. Ken Chu and Vice Chairman Mr. Tenniel Chu said in a joint statement.

“We are delighted to have announced today some of the globally famous personalities who will be taking part in our signature event and we anticipate confirming more household names in the months leading up to the tournament.”

The World Celebrity Pro-Am will be played on Mission Hills Haikou’s signature Blackstone Course which hosted the World Cup of Golf in 2011, “The Match at Mission Hills” between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy last October and the recent World Ladies Championship, won by world No.1 Inbee Park.

The fun will start early, on Thursday 23 October, with celebrities

The previous edition of the World Celebrity Pro-Am, in 2012, was won by top American professional Matt Kuchar and actor Andy Garcia, while Kuchar also captured the individual trophy.

The Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am is sponsored by American Express, Porsche, Stella Artois, Kohler, Lindt, San Pellegrino and Appletiser.

“At American Express we harness our global network of resources and capabilities to deliver exclusive, uplifting experiential leisure and lifestyle events to holders of American Express branded products,” said Mr. YC Koh, President, Asia, Card Services of American Express.

“Crafting of pre-eminent events from golf championships such as the World Celebrity Pro-Am, private showings, fine dining to pre-sale events of prestigious brands are just some of the activities which underscore our commitment to service excellence and constant innovation in delivery of inspiring lifestyle experiences.

“I look forward to extending compelling exclusive packages for the World Celebrity Pro-Am to holders of American Express branded products where they can enjoy a magnificent weekend of golf, wellness and entertainment at a stunning venue.”

President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche China, Mr. Deesch Papke, said: “Thanks to the support of China’s many Porsche enthusiasts, China has become our second largest global market.

Porsche is dedicated to bringing them not only sports cars, but sports cars culture and lifestyle.

“Since the Porsche enthusiast in China, as everywhere around the world, appreciates finer things in life, we feel we should introduce one of life’s finest pleasures: a gorgeous drive to a satisfying game of golf.”

Mr. Wei Huang, VP, Marketing, AB InBev APAC, commented: “Stella Artois’ partnership with the Mission Hills Group dates back to the highly successful 2012 edition of the World Celebrity Pro-Am. “This long-term co-operation is a natural extension to our global portfolio of top sports and entertainment collaborations which includes the Cannes Film Festival in France, the Wimbledon Championships in England, the Open Championship in Britain and the Polo Tournament in Argentina.

“We are working together with the Mission Hills Group to ensure that the fans attending the World Celebrity Pro-Am will have a fun and most enjoyable experience as they witness some of the world’s great entertainment and sports stars partake in the golf competition, numerous parties and various social events.”

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California Trees Solvang, California, USA Alisal Golf Club • www.alisal.com

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AIDANBRADLEY AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography Golf Course Photography

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California Trees Carmel, California, USA Carmel Valley GC • www.carmelvalleyranch.com

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AIDANBRADLEY AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography Golf Course Photography

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California Trees Morgan Hill, California, USA Coyote Creek GC • www.coyotecreekgolf.com

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AIDANBRADLEY AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography Golf Course Photography

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California Trees Nipomo, California, USA Monarch Dunes GC • www.monarchdunes.com

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Jamul, California, USA Steel Canyon Ranch GC • www.steelcanyongolfclub.co

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California Trees Indian Wells, California, USA The Vintage Desert GC • www.thevintageclub.com

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AIDANBRADLEY AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography Golf Course Photography

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At One with Nature Tralee, Ireland Dingle GC • www.dinglelinks.com

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AIDANBRADLEY AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography Golf Course Photography

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At One with Nature Alberta, Canada Jasper GC • www.fairmont.com/jasper

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AIDANBRADLEY AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography Golf Course Photography

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Lansdowne, Virginia, USA Lansdowne Norman GC • www.lansdowneresort.co

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AIDANBRADLEY AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography Golf Course Photography

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At One with Nature Kinsale, Ireland Old Head GC • www.oldhead.com

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AIDANBRADLEY AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography Golf Course Photography

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At One with Nature Santa Barbara, California, USA Rancho San Marcos GC • www.rsm1804.com

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AIDANBRADLEY AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography Golf Course Photography

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Gdansk The Great

The Royal Way in Gdansk.

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by Kevin Markham

EL E AV UR TR AT FE

Perhaps you’re thinking that Poland is not the obvious choice for a golfing holiday. When golfers want a week away they tend to flock south to Spain and Portugal, not east. I confess to having my doubts when I was invited to visit the region around Gdansk, but not anymore.

Besides, I felt like a trailblazer. Poland is unknown for golf and that should lure golfers looking for new experiences, great value green fees and fairways that are practically empty. And let’s be honest, a few beers are an essential part of a golf break away, and Poland is not lacking in that department.

My invitation from the Polish Tourist Board to tour the eastern Pomeranian region, on the Baltic Sea, also included visits to local towns and, in particular, Gdansk. It was a good mix of golf, history and culture.

After arriving at Gdansk’s Mercure Hotel, we had been whisked away by Agnieszka Syroka [www.tourguidegdansk.com] on a two hour walking tour, first to the famous shipyards and the monument commemorating the birthplace of Solidarity and the fall of communism in central Europe, and then to the completely unexpected ‘old city’. The Royal Way is sandwiched between the Golden Gate, to the west, and the Green Gate on one of the waterways. And while much of Gdansk was destroyed during WWII, enough remains to show off the beauty of this 1,000 year old city.

Our hotel was conveniently located between the old district and the industrial and, at 17 storeys high, it promises spectacular views over the city.

Sierra Golf Club [www.sierragolf.pl/en/] is 40 minutes to the north west. We headed straight to the 1st tee as the rain swept in. This elegant and beautifully maintained course starts gently but, as the rain eased off after an hour, so the temperature of the holes increased. The back nine is particularly strong, flowing over gently rolling countryside with water features adding to the attraction. The par threes are especially good, with the Index 2, 16th, presenting a 177 metre carry over water.

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Gdansk Golf Club 4th

The old arsenal in Gdansk – now home to the Fine Art Academy.

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Gdansk Golf Club 13th

St. Hyacin

nth Tower, Gdansk, built around 1400 AD.

From previous page The five golf courses we visited are still expanding, creating the extras that will make this an attractive destination for golfers. Three of the clubs are building self-catering apartments and houses onsite. Sierra is one of these and we spent the night in a very smart apartment block overlooking the 7th fairway. Visitors can rent one, two or three bedrooms… and slip out for a few holes before sunset.

The next day it was off to Tokary Golf Club [www.tokarygolf.pl], 30 km south, the oldest club in the region and currently expanding from nine to eighteen holes. It was the hilliest of the courses and we sped around in buggies that reached G-Force velocity in seconds… not advisable on a course this shapely.

An hour’s drive east of Gdansk is one of the country’s most spectacular courses. As at Sierra Golf Club, signs and scorecards at Sand Valley Golf Resort [www.sandvalley.pl/en/] are in English, something that must be appreciated when you consider UNESCO ranked Polish as the world’s fourth most difficult language.

Sand Valley is a completely sand-based inland links. The course is unlike anything in Ireland or Britain, with fairways up to 150 metres wide in places, bunkers and waste bunkers stretching for a hundred yards, greens of bewitching shapes and ponds scattered about to add a splash of colour. This is a course to be walked and tackled with low running shots. This is old school.

“You will not lose a ball,” Antti, the Finnish CEO assured us with a grin. And, remarkably, given the quality of the golf, we didn’t.

The resort’s lodges are beautifully furnished, sleep four to twelve people and some come with swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room and barbecue pit. It’s an ideal place to stay and Sand Valley focuses specifically on packages for visiting golfers. Given the quality and intrigue of the course, you will want to play it at least twice.

We had rooms waiting for us in Ostroda, 130 kilometres south east of Gdansk, at the four star Willa Port hotel [www.willaport.pl/en/].

This is all part of the Masurian Lake District, an area known as the Thousand Lakes. It is not difficult to see why and Ostroda is almost surrounded by them.

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Mazury Golf Club 18th

Room and lake views at the Marina Golf Hotel

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Ksiazece Beer – a local Olzstyn craft beer

Mazury G

Golf Club Journalists

From previous page The 113-room hotel is impressive, not least because of its location on the Drweckie Lake, its two restaurants overlooking the water and its spa. Watersports are a key attraction not surprisingly and, the following morning, I walked along the paths that trail around the lake, watching kayakers prepare for their day and marvelling at a waterskiing circuit that is a six-acre rectangle of overhead wires. No speedboats required.

We headed deeper into Poland’s Lake District, driving east towards Olsztyn, and the Mazury Golf Club [www.mazurygolf.pl]. We arrived to the sight of a dozen children being given a golf lesson on the putting green.

“We offer a free lesson on Sunday to anyone who is interested,” Dorian, the club’s pro told us. “We’re trying to get more people interested in the game.”

In a country of 39 million, where only 3,300 play golf, that is not surprising.

The golf course flows over undulating countryside, with several water features – none more impressive than the par four dogleg 5th, where ponds lie in wait and only the most accurate of drives will find dry land. The course was one of Martin Hawtree’s final designs, and his name may well add to the appeal for international golfers.

Nearby, the five star Marina Golf Club Hotel [www.marinagolfclub. pl/en/] is perched between two lakes. My room was on the ground level, with a small patio area, but I walked past it, heading to the lake’s edge. Here boats and yachts are available for hire but my destination was the pier and a family of swans posing in the lake.

Our evening was taken up with a tour of Olsztyn, a small town with cobbled streets, an Ordensburg castle and a rich history. The wooden fortifications on the castle are over 700 years old. A slightly disbelieving Scandinavian university took one of the fortifications to have its age verified.

Our final meal of the trip was at Karczma Jana, a restaurant on the banks of Olsztyn’s River Lyna. The food was excellent as we sat

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Karl Tees Off at Sand Valley’s 11th

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Olzstyn Evening Concert

Sand Valle

From previous page in a cosy alcove, with wooden beams overhead, enjoying traditional crab soup and perfectly cooked duck. Beer and vodka flowed and we began comparing the golf courses we had visited. Sand Valley was the leader, but there was one more course to come and we were in for a surprise.

Gdansk Golf & Country Club [www.postolowo.com] is back towards Gdansk, just 30 minutes south of the airport. Set in a rolling countryside of natural beech trees, the course was designed by the British architect, Jeremy Turner, in 1992. It is one of the country’s oldest.

This beautiful course oozes character as it slides through trees, and around glorious ponds and lakes. It rates highly in Europe and has serious credentials… including a par 72 of 7,100 metres from the back tees. Blessed with a number of signature holes it is laid out in two equally impressive and spacious loops of nine… allowing those with a sore head to recharge with a beer from the clubhouse halfway around.

As we flew home I reflected on a trip that had taught me much about Poland. The Poles have been coming to Ireland and the UK for so long that it was good to return the favour. And a 2.5 hour Ryanair flight certainly puts Gdansk and its golf courses within easy reach of those looking for a new adventure.

Further information: www.poland.travel (Polish National Tourist Office) www.prot.gda.pl (Pomorska Tourist Board) www.mazury.travel (Warmia – Masuria Tourist Board)

ey Lodges (sleeps 12)

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e Arabian Gulf

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Al Hamra Golf Club is a popular choice for the travelling golfer to the Arabian Gulf. It’s interesting desert landscape design and strict levels of maintenance provide a truly polished 18-hole course in a fantastic part of the United Arab Emirates.

The course was designed by Harradine Golf, who are responsible for five courses in the Emirates and over 160 projects worldwide.

Originally planned to be built on the salt flats bordering the water edge, some five million cubic meters of sand combined with expert shaping have come together to create gentle elevation changes as the terrain moves around four inter-connected open water lagoons.

The end result – a Championship layout on pristine fairways that sprawls out across 7,325 yards from the back tees, but golfers of all levels are catered for with various tee box choices.

Most tradition links courses start play away from the Clubhouse, providing an air of isolation between golfer and course. At Al Hamra, golfers cover the 3578 yards of the front nine before turning back to home for the 3747 yard challenge around the lagoon.

The unique flood lit 9-hole course at Al Hamra provides the perfect option for the business person after work or for the true golf enthusiast who wants to experience golf under the stars. The course is also complimented by a full range of facilities such as a Par3 Executive course, Golf Academy, Gym, Sauna, locker rooms and Pro Shop.

For apres golf dining, the clubhouse is well serviced with a wide and varied choice of dining experiences through its café, Sportbar or Restaurant. For example, you can go for a modern Italian restaurant that features original Italian cuisine serving hand-made pasta & pizzas, or a lively Sports Bar that serves old favourites such as burgers & club sandwiches. No matter your decision, a cold beer on the expansive terrace that overlooks the 18th green is always a good starting point.

Facebook/alhamragolf

For more information see www.alhamragolf.com

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A Portuguese Para Martinhal Beach Resort • www.martinhal.com

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adise

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You’ve worked hard all year and feel you have earned a luxury break for yourself and your family, consider a trip to the beautiful and unspoilt Western Algarve.

The area features some of the most beautiful beaches imaginable and a rugged, cliff-framed coastline that is distinctively Algarve in appearance. Famously, the iconic Cape St Vincent, with its landmark lighthouse perched atop the headland, is the most southwesterly point of mainland Europe.

And for accommodation, look no further than Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel - situated overlooking Martinhal beach. This award winning resort is located in Sagres – only 1-hour from Faro Airport – which is a quaint little Algarvian town that has kept its authentic Portuguese feel.The centerpiece of the resort is the hotel, featuring 38 luxury rooms, but there is also a huge choice of luxury houses and villas – each seemingly more luxurious than the last one. Spending a holiday in the area is also about taking a culinary journey through the freshest, tastiest and most interesting food and wine in Portugal.

For instance, at Martinhal you can opt for beautifully prepared Portuguese cuisine in O Terraço, or try the delicious seafood in As Dunas - both of which command stunning views over Martinhal Beach and the Atlantic - to the Italian restaurant in Os Gambozinos, all of whom feature a dedicated children’s play area.

So, after all that delicious food you might be feeling a little guilty and want to burn it off. Well, if an activity-filled couple of days are your thing you are truly in the right spot – as the sporty Club 98 can offer an array of sporting pursuits.

It offers four generously-sized swimming pools, tennis courts, padel tennis courts and a multi-purpose sports field. Or how about windsurfing, surf and bodyboarding, kayaking, diving, biking, climbing, trekking, parasailing, horse riding, boating and the more leisurely pursuit of fishing? If all of this is too exhilarating, why not spoil yourself at the resort’s famous Finisterra Spa? All of your family holiday desires are just a touch of a button away.

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Twitter.com/ MartinhalResort For more information see www.martinhal.com Volume 2 • Issue 20

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Monty’s Dream in Montgomerie Links • www.montgomerielinks.com

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Vietnam

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From previous page Montgomerie Links Vietnam is an award winning course that is located just 15-minutes drive from Danang, Vietnam’s vibrant third largest city. It is also this distance from Danang International Airport, which is serviced by direct local and international flights.

Montgomerie Links is ideally situated on Vietnam’s fabled Central Coast. This region has established itself as the country’s premiere leisure destination with hundreds of kilometres of pristine beachfront, and extensive cultural, natural, and recreational amenities. Its location, lifestyle and recreational attractions are unique in every respect.

Its unique Central Coast location is ideal with abundant recreational and cultural attractions all within easy reach. The course and villas are both a short walk from My Khe Beach, named “one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world” by Forbes magazine.

Regarded as one of the top 10 courses in Asia, the Montgomerie Links Vietnams reputation as a world-class course has already reached across Asia and Europe. Designed by Eight-time European Order of Merit winner and 2010 Ryder Cup-winning Caption, Colin Montgomerie, the course is a beautifully presented course that is set in the shadow of the Marble Mountains.

It’s sandy soil, wind-blown dunes and indigenous vegetation made for a superb natural terrain to design a links style course. Numerous sets of tees means the course can test the best players, while being enjoyable for the casual golfer.

Much more than a golf course, the Montgomerie Links Residences are an exclusive gated community of private villas adjacent to the course, making this the most desirable golf and country club retreat your Vietnam.

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Twitter.com/ montylinksgolf For more information see www.montgomerylinks.com

Volume 2 • Issue 20

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