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IRELAND GOLF ON THE EMERALD ISLE
DRIVE SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT
Golf Breaks in France & northern Spain
2020 Early Bird Offer
With the 2020 season approaching, now’s a great time to consider a few days’ golf in France or Spain.
Plan and book next year's break by 31 October and you can
With Brittany Ferries Golf you can play some fine links or beautiful park-land courses, staying at comfortable hotels – and all an easy drive from our arrival ports in France or northern Spain.
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Call 0330 159 5418 email golf.desk@brittanyferries.com or visit brittanyferries.com/golf 2
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WELCOME to the latest issue of Exclusive Golf and Travel – your onestop guide to the best golfing destinations around the world and packed with ideas for your next golfing getaway, no matter what your budget. If you are after ideas for your golfing break in the UK, Europe or much further afield, then Exclusive Golf and Travel has everything you need to make your trip a memorable one. Our new enhanced video function allows you to learn more about destinations, resorts and courses so you can make a more informed decision about which fairway you walk next. We also have plenty of news and features from the UK, Europe and around the world to help you find your next dream golf destination. Why not sign up to receive our monthly email promotions packed with latest golf holiday offers and features from us and our partners. Enjoy the read!
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CONTENTS
THE ALGARVE CROWNED WORLD'S NUMBER ONE
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CLICK ON IMAGES TO GO DIRECT TO PAGES
RING IN THE NEW YEAR IN TUSCANY
EXTREME MAKEOVER FOR THE ELS CLUB 4
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THE MASTERS STAY AND PLAY PACKAGES MINI BROCHURE STARTS ON PAGE 15
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IRELAND GOLF ON THE EMERALD ISLE
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GOLF IN
SRI LANKA 49 ISSUE 11
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CORNWALL
ST MELLION BENEFIT FROM BREXIT
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ornwall’s 36-hole St Mellion International Resort is soaring after reporting a 20% rise in group golf in 2019, as an increasing number of golfers take their holidays on home soil during a time of Brexit uncertainty. This year, groups who would normally book golfing trips in Spain or Portugal have instead been turning to St Mellion, a ‘bucket list’ destination for many golfers because of its famed Nicklaus Signature Course, as they look for value with the pound falling to a ten-year low against the Euro in summer 2019. “With two European Tour courses and an award-winning hotel with all the facilities you could ever want, more golfers than ever before have simply been coming to St Mellion, parking the car, and enjoying a worry-free golf break for a few days” said
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David Moon, the resort’s Golf Manager. “Like all of us, I’ve had countless conversations about Brexit this year and the message from our golfing guests has been coming through loud and clear. As the debate rages on about the EU, they know they’ll have a great time and get good value here at St Mellion, especially now their money doesn’t go as far over on the continent. “And anyway, how could you ever get tired of playing The Nicklaus?” he said. “With Cornwall firmly established as the UK’s #1 holiday destination, location-wise we are sitting pretty of course, and the Brexit situation has certainly helped UK golf resorts this year. But you can’t rely on politics or the economy to help you out! We have been rewarded by a rise in the number of golfers heading down here in 2019 after a lot of hard work by our amazing staff.” Similar increases in roundage, food, accommodation and retail sales have made 2019 a banner year ISSUE 11
for St Mellion, a decade on from a £20m revamp in 2009 which saw its new 80-room four-star resort hotel open to universal acclaim. With a second AA Rosette awarded to its An Boesti restaurant in 2019, and ongoing upgrades to its bedrooms, fleet of golf buggies and bunkers, the resort’s General Manager, Ian Davies, has overseen a successful period at St Mellion since he arrived in 2018. “St Mellion’s reputation has been earnt over many years, with The Nicklaus celebrating its 30th Anniversary last summer and our hotel celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year” he said, “but it is incredibly rewarding to see our popularity continue to soar. “We really look after our guests, whether or not they are golfers, and we have all loved to see a growing number of familiar faces returning to St Mellion in 2019.” Ranked in GB & Ireland’s top 15 golf resorts, St Mellion International Resort is rated as the #2 fourstar golf resort in the UK, and continues to grow its reputation as one of Europe’s surest bets for a memorable golf holiday. See www.st-mellion.co.uk for all information, and to book your next visit. ISSUE 11
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PORTUGAL
THE ALGARVE CROWNED WORLD'S NUMBER ONE
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he Algarve is officially on top of the world after it was named as IAGTO Golf Destination of the Year for 2020 The golfing hotspot of southern Portugal has beaten an array of world-class golf destinations around the globe to scoop the prestigious title, bestowed by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) – the global trade association of the golf tourism industry. The Algarve continues to provide a superb selection of world-class layouts and there is also real value for money and huge variety with 43 outstanding courses stretching along its stunning coastline. It’s also a destination which is within easy reach for golf tourists with frequent flight connections with Faro airport. With a broad selection of accommodation options, year-round sunshine and an array of additional attractions for families, couples and golfers alike, it’s a destination which delivers on all fronts. João Fernandes, the president of Algarve Tourism, said: “I’m very proud to accept this award, on behalf of everybody working within the golf tourism industry in the Algarve and we would like to offer our thanks to IAGTO and the golf tour operators who voted for us. “We believe the Algarve has so many reasons for visiting us: the weather, the people, the beaches, accommodation choice and of course, the golf. But even if all the ingredients are present, it still needs dedicated, passionate and highlyskilled people to serve it up correctly. And that’s what the people who work in the Algarve have done, not just this year, but in previous years and will do for many years to come.
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TUSCANY
RING IN THE NEW YEAR ARGENTARIO
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he Argentario Golf Resort & Spa is offering a New Year’s package that will give guests the chance to ring in 2020 with an unforgettable holiday in a magical atmosphere of this luxury Resort in the mesmerizing Maremma in south west Tuscany - and of course some golf over the Resort’s championship course.
Pros and amateurs alike regularly travel from all over Italy and abroad to participate in this prestigious competition which offers an impressive 10,000 Euros in prize money for the Pro winners and golf equipment and a silver trophy for the amateur winners.
In addition to a gastronomic dinner, celebratory party and fantastic fireworks, guests will be able to indulge themselves in the extensive spa and wellbeing centre, play golf and other sports and explore this undiscovered region of Italy whilst also enjoying a variety of local unique seasonal traditions.
The jogging enthusiasts can also join a traditional fun run at the nearby Porto Santo Stefano that takes place every year on 24th December when a group of runners transport the statue of Baby Jesus from the Convento dei Padri Passionisti all the way to the Church of Porto Santo Stefano arriving at midnight exactly. For sailors, Argentarola’s Cup Boat Race is a longstanding regatta that is staged against the stunning backdrop of Porto Santo Stefano on 27th December 2019.
For the most committed golfers, there’s the chance to compete in the annual Christmas ProAm on 27th & 28th December over the spectacular 18-hole “PGA National Italy” golf course. 10
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In line with Argentario’s love of sport in the great outdoors, guests can also participate in a variety of physical activities available at the Resort such as tennis, padel, mini football and jogging.
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seasonal traditions of the region, there is the “Presepe Vivente” or Living Nativity, for example, which recreates the events that took place in Bethlehem in the nearby sea hamlets of Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano whilst an unusual Underwater Nativity is enacted in the Mediterranean Aquarium in Porto Santo Stefano from early December until 6th January 2020. Music lovers can make their way to the “Morellino Classica” International Music Festival in Scansano on 29th December when Madame Butterfly will be performed at the Teatro Castagnoli. Whilst the day before the New Year’s celebrations begin in earnest, nearby Sorano holds a “Night of Light” when a bonfire is lit in the Piazza Busatti in the early evening whilst guests sample local cuisine, listen to live music, sip vin brulé (mulled wine) and savour roasted chestnuts. For more information and to book your Tuscan vacation call the Resort on Tel: +39 0564 810292 or email: booking@argentarioresort.it ISSUE 11
PACKAGE DETAILS The rates per person for Argentario’s New Year’s Eve package, based on two people sharing a Superior Room, are priced from 1,508 Euros for a four-night stay and for a seven-night stay from 2,121 Euros, whilst for those wishing to choose one of the seven uniquely-appointed Suites in the Resort, the rate for two people for a threenight package starts from 3,631 Euros.
The package includes: • New Year’s Eve dinner, party and fireworks • Buffet Breakfast • Spa access with use of pools, gym, fitness courses, sauna, Kneipp circuit, Turkish bath, thalassotherapy • Use of tennis and padel courts, jogging paths, driving range and mini football pitch www.exclusivegolfandtravel.co.uk
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NEW BOOK RELEASE
THE LOST ART OF PLAYING GOLF The Lost Art of Playing Golf by Gary Nicol and Karl Morris – with a foreword from Rudy Duran, Tiger Woods’ first coach
T
his new release from the authors of the Amazon bestseller The Lost Art of Putting explores your relationship with the game and asks: when was the last time that you felt your score accurately reflected your true ability as a golfer? Why do you play golf? Do you find the game as fulfilling as it used to be? Do you remember a time when you felt truly comfortable on the golf course? Do you remember a time when you felt truly comfortable on the golf course, treating it as a playground to explore? Can you imagine what it feels like to create unique golf shots in your mind and then execute these intentions? The Lost Art of Playing Golf suggests answers to these profound questions. It will help you to re-connect with the soul of the game. Learn how to approach the game you love in a profoundly different way – and liberate yourself to derive more pleasure from your precious time playing golf. The Lost Art of Playing Golf follows on from the Amazon best-selller The Lost Art of Put-
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ting. It becomes the second title in the ‘Lost Art’ series. It is the belief of leading tour coach Gary Nicol and performance coach Karl Morris, who have 60 years’ combined coaching experience, that despite us having access to more information than ever we are not becoming better or happier golfers. If anything, the opposite is true. The Lost Art of Playing Golf drills down even deeper into your ability as an individual to discover your way of approaching the game rather than being told how to. The message they convey is one of golfers reconnecting with their own creativity and the wisdom of their own body. The ideas and information they share are backed up by the very latest research into how best to utilise the connection between mind and body. With a foreword written by the first coach of Tiger Woods, Rudy Duran, the book is available now at www.thelostartofgolf.com and costs £19.95. ISSUE 11
Karl Morris
Gary Nicol
Paul Lawrie
Karl Morris has been involved in performance coaching for 30 years.
Born in Scotland, Gary Nicol turned professional in 1988.
Paul Lawrie turned professional in 1986 and became a member of the European Tour in 1993.
In that time, he has worked with multiple major winners in golf – including Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell – Ashes-winning captains in cricket as well as Premier League and international footballers. His passion has always been to make mental game coaching both practical and applicable.
Since then, he has travelled the world coaching golfers of all standards from weekend players to tour pros including Ryder Cup players, Olympians and winners of major championships. Gary is a certified TrackMan Master and Mind Factor coach and is based at the stunning Archerfield Links on Scotland’s Golf Coast.
In 1999 Paul’s career was transformed as he famously won the 1999 Open at Carnoustie. He went on to represent Europe later that year at the Ryder Cup in Brookline and would add a further five European Tour v ictories before representing Europe again at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
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DUBAI
EXTREME MAKEOVER FOR THE ELS CLUB
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ne of the best golf courses in Dubai is undergoing a makeover that will ensure you never want to leave (even more-so than before) The Els Club is a thriving golf facility. It has a solid reputation as one of the most prestigious golf experiences in Dubai. Established in 2008, The Els Club, Dubai is one of Ernie Els‘ masterful designs. The course offers 7,538 yards of undulating greens, lush vegetation, and wide fairways. This ‘desert links’ course takes inspiration from the great links courses of the UK. Eleven years later, The Els Club is undergoing renovations. Brand new features will not only serve the avid golfer but also their friends, family, and children. Earlier in 2019, The Els Club, Dubai began working to further enhance their world-class offerings. This is currently commencing with
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work on a brand new state-of-the-art Leisure Facility. The luxurious expansion includes an urban-chic gymnasium across two floors and a large resort-style swimming pool. It will also include a swim- up pool bar, a children’s play area, and an additional restaurant. Karl Whitehead, General Manager of The Els Club Dubai remarks: “We could not be more excited about this incredible development to our club and cannot wait for the changes to be made and for golfers to enjoy next year. This is a fantastic addition to the membership offering at The Els Club Dubai and we are confident of the success that it will bring to our property and the wider community.” Construction is set to be complete towards the end of 2019. The aim is for the whole new facility to be fully operational early in 2020. Once open, there will be an unparalleled social offering for members of the club, the local community, and guests alike.
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A NEW KIND OF SPORTING EXPERIENCE VISION4SPORT.COM ISSUE 11
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E
very second week of April, Augusta National opens its gates for The Masters, arguably the most exclusive and eagerly anticipated golfing event of the year. Since its founder Bobby Jones held the very first Augusta National Invitational Tournament in 1934, The Masters has had a special place in the hearts of all golf fans and enthusiasts alike. The springtime splendour of Augusta National never disappoints and probably never will.
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Stay and Play in Columbia Green Jacket Tour
Practice Rounds
Opening Rounds
Final Rounds Tour
3 Nights 1 Round of Golf Sunday Masters Badge
4 Nights 1 Round of Golf Monday Masters Badge Tuesday Masters Badge
4 Nights 1 Round of Golf Thursday Masters Badge Friday Masters Badge Friday Hospitality
4 Nights 1 Round of Golf Saturday Masters Badge Sunday Masters Badge Sunday Hospitality
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Georgia Masters Packages Practice Rounds
Golf and Masters Package
Tournament Package
Enjoy the Springtime splendour of Augusta with 2 days at The Masters and 2 rounds of golf on top local golf courses. Be sure to bring your camera for those all important Augusta National photos.
Be there for the start, be there for the climax and enjoy some golf of your own in the middle. This is a great chance to see honorary starters Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player get proceedings underway on Thursday.
Don’t miss a minute of the action as you enjoy all four tournament days at Augusta National and the Champion slide on his Green Jacket on Sunday whilst enjoying all that Augusta has to offer during Masters Week.
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The Golfers Tour The perfect match between playing on top local courses and sampling all the action from Augusta. The six night stay really enables you to get a feel for the atmosphere during Masters Week and enjoy all that it has to offer. Many of our guests also like to upgrade their golf on Wednesday to a Masters Badge and take in the famous Par 3 contest. • 6 Nights • 3 Rounds of Golf • Friday Masters Badge • Sunday Masters Badge • Sunday Hospitality VIEW PACKAGE
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Kiawah Island Experience 6 Nights • Friday Masters Badge • Sunday Masters Badge • 2 Rounds of Golf at Kiawah Island • 1 Round of Golf in Columbia • Friday and Sunday Hospitality included • VIP Experiences
US Open Winged Foot, New York
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18th - 21st June • 2020 VIEW PACKAGE HERE
The Open
Royal St Georges, 16th - 19th July, 2020.
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TAILORED TRIPS FROM START TO FINISH Vision4Sport Events was founded to merge your love of the sport and the unique thrill that comes with the opportunity to see the world’s best compete for the biggest tournaments and titles on the planet. A NEW KIND OF SPORTING EXPERIENCE 18
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FORMULA ONE
"WE SET OUT TO CREATE WORLD-CLASS EXPERIENCES YOU CAN'T GET ANYWHERE ELSE" We have experiences that enable you to do what you thought was impossible, from playing with the world's best golfers, running against an Olympic world recorder holder, or taking on a heavyweight world champion in the ring. Whatever you thought was impossible, let us create the experience for you which just might have been only your dream in the past. We work alongside you to understand this, then bring the vision a reality.
RUGBY INTERNATIONALS
Get in contact with us to start planning the most outrageous and truly unique sporting experience you could ever imagine.
HORSE RACING
TENNIS
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WE ALL PLAY SPORTS FOR THE SAME REASON – BECAUSE WE ENJOY IT . . . We're not out there trying to win major championships or world titles; we can leave that to the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Lewis Hamilton or Andy Murray. Born out of a passion for sports, Vision4Sport Events specialise in making the most exclusive events on the sporting calendar, your must-see events. As we offer a trusted, complete and bespoke service, your dream trip can be tailor-made from start to finish.
Meet your trusted team
T · 07712 647670 E · karl@vision4sport.com
T · 07824 565346 E · chris@vision4sport.com
Karl Wesson, a former PGA Professional, has gained experience in coaching, retail, management, hospitality and tournament play in his professional career, the skills established help the clients of Vision4Sport to experience a truly unique service.
Chris Newbold enjoyed many years playing on The Mastercard and EuroPro Tour. In 2006, Chris discovered the wonders of Augusta National for the first time. He has returned each year since he now has the pleasure and privilege of taking you to Augusta as well!
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VIEW OUR DESTINATION GUIDES DESTINATION GUIDE
DESTINATION GUIDE
UAE
BIENVENIDO A
ABU DHABI • DUBAI • AJMAN • RAS AL KHAIMAH
A burgeoning hotbed of world-class courses, Mexico has become a golfing destination pulled straight from links lovers’ wildest dreams. With luxury resorts, lavish spas and global VIPs lining their seaside fairways, the country’s legend-designed courses sit amongst more than just palm trees and offer far more than just golf.
2112 www.chakatravel.com Call our specialists 028 9023 www.exclusivegolfandtravel.co.uk
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DESTINATION GUIDE
GOLFING YOUR WAY
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
GOLF IN
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NORTHERN
NORMANDY
NORTHERN IRELAND
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SEVE COUNTRY
BRITTANY
Just across the Channel, Normandy has many historical connections, from William the Conqueror to the D-Day landing beaches of World War 2. It also boasts great food and drink, stylish beach resorts, the stunning Mont St Michel - and some wonderful golf courses!
YOUR GUIDE TO GREAT GOLF IN NORTHERN SPAIN
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MALLORCA
ALCANADA REACHES ‘NEXT LEVEL’ WITH TREBLE SUCCESS
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lub de Golf Alcanada is celebrating treble success after achieving some of its long-held ambitions in quick succession. The outstanding Mallorca course in the north of the island near Alcudia, is finally receiving the recognition it deserves in the wake of the announcement that it will host its maiden high-profile professional event: the Challenge Tour Grand Final. But it has also made another welcome breakthrough after it climbed into the influential Golf World Top 100 golf courses in Continental Europe for the first time. Alcanada director of golf, Kristoff Both, said: “It has always been an ambition of everyone at Alcanada to deliver on our primary objectives and this has been many years of hard work in the making from everyone
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associated with the club. It takes huge commitment and dedication from everyone and I believe this takes us on to the next level as a golf course. We already knew how good it is at Alcanada, so it’s fantastic that now everyone else in the golf industry is agreeing with us. “Any awards and rankings voted for by experts and our valued guests are always important to us and we never take them for granted. We’re privileged and honoured to be selected but the work doesn’t stop there. We will continue to aim for the highest standards possible.” Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr and opened in 2003, Alcanada was already at a superb standard and had received multiple awards throughout the golf industry. But there was a collective will to raise the bar even higher, which paved the way for an extensive €700,000 renovation project over ISSUE 11
the winter and included the replacement of all 18 greens. And that work has been recognised as Alcanada was placed at number 94 in the Golf World Top 100 and it was selected by the European Tour as the first host venue of the new season-ending Road to Mallorca event for the second tier of European golf, where TV golf fans will be treated to those famous views over the Bay of Alcudia and the iconic lighthouse. Both said: “Thankfully, the owners shared the same vision on what we wanted to achieve. We had to look at the bigger picture and we understood that meant some short-term pain for long-term gain. But this is further proof that we made the right decision. Find out more here: www.golf-alcanada.com
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IRELAND GOLF ON THE EMERALD ISLE
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A treasure chest of golfing gems, which lays claim to over a third of all the world’s true Links golf courses.
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PORTMARNOCK HOTEL & GOLF LINKS DUBLIN
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J
ust fifteen minutes away from Dublin International Airport, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links is the only coast resort and links course in Dublin. As one of Bernard Langer’s magnificent designs, the course is set in the grounds of the old Jameson Estate of St. Marnocks. The 16th is known as the ‘signature hole’, which requires an accurate shot from an elevated tee box. This is undeniably one of the most challenging holes at Portmarnock. Moreover, the challenging round is made worthwhile by the incredible hotel amenities. These include an award-winning spa and two highly awarded restaurants.
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CARTON HOUSE KILDARE
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nly a 25-minute drive from the city center and Dublin International Airport, Carton House is a serene getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Whether you’re looking for a challenging inland links-style course or a classic parkland experience, both set a challenge like no other. As one of the preferred golf courses in Ireland, the Montgomerie offers numerous bunkers and impeccable greens. Diversely, the O’Meara surrounds you in ancient woodlands. It is also home to a golden river and a breathtaking, historic backdrop on the 18th hole. With 3 outstanding eateries, wellness facilities, and a premium spa, Carton House presents you with a memorable experience where historic charm meets contemporary luxury.
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FOTA ISLAND RESORT CORK
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F
ota Island Resort is home to three worldclass championship golf courses – Deerpark, Belvelly, and Barryscourt. Beautifully set in parkland scenery, you’ll find yourself wandering through tall oak trees and magnificent woodlands. Padraig Harrington’s favorite hole is the 18th island green on the Deerpark course – one of Ireland’s most remarkably picturesque golf holes. Adding to that, the resort has a luxurious 5-star hotel & spa, residential lodges, as well as an exceptional golf academy.
The setting is gorgeous… you get to the top of the hill and it is all presented to you… the clubhouse, the lake, mature trees, bunkers, shrubs – magnificent. And doesn’t everybody like being faced with a downhill shot to a big green! – Padraig Harrington
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TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF LINKS DOONBEG
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pread across miles of crescent-shaped beach, Trump International Golf Links is a world-renowned championship golf course. The course earned its ‘must play’ status internationally following Dr Martin Hawtree’s design philosophy of ‘least disturbance’. The design results in flourished land as well as enhanced playability. With distinguished identities for each hole, players simultaneously feel rewarded and challenged. Golfers have the opportunity to experience the unusual combination of five par 3s and five par 5s. Moreover, the luxurious 5-star hotel suites, furnishings, and mesmerizing antiques will leave you in ultimate grace and comfort.
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ADARE MANOR CO. LIMERICK
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ecently re-opened in April 2018, The Golf Course at Adare Manor brings a new standard to Irish championship golf courses. With fewer bunkers than any other Tom Fazio design, Adare Manor is a challenging but fair test. Additionally, all 18 greens benefit from SubAir Aeration System, which removes moisture and guarantees firm play every day. Adare Manor is one of three golf courses in the UK & Ireland to implement this system. Furthermore, the course is located in the charming village of Adare in County Limerick, which is designated by the Irish government as a heritage town. Adding to that, you can immerse in an Irish Gundog Experience at one of Ireland’s leading hotels. You definitely won’t regret it!
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CASTLEMARTYR RESORT CORK
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D
esigned by worldrenowned Ron Kirby, the Castlemartyr Resort houses an 18-hole inland links-style course. Both a visually pleasing and challenging experience, the course offers an excellent round for players of all abilities. Nestled in an old manor estate in East Cork, you can enjoy walking trails while witnessing the birdlife within the beautiful grounds of the estate. The 5-star escape not only features an oasis of calm at the spa but also an array of activities. These include carriage rides, fishing, and clay pigeon shooting!
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COUNTY SLIGO GOLF CLUB SLIGO
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ounty Sligo Golf Club was originally designed as a 9 hole course in 1894. It is now a modern 27 hole complex with an outstanding clubhouse and state of the art facilities. Home to many prestigious events, County Sligo is the annual host of the West of Ireland Championship, played and won by Padraig, McIlroy, and Lowry. Here, you’ll experience antique charm at the clubhouse that still retains the graceful Tudor style facade from the original architecture. Furthermore, the golf club has a 9 hole course and a superb driving range.
A magnificent links and the stretch of holes from the 14th to 17th that run adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean are one of the best finishing stretches in golf – Tom Watson
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TRALEE GOLF CLUB TRALEE
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nown as Arnold Palmer’s jewel, Tralee Golf Club is a daring course settled on a charming rugged coastal stretch just eight miles from Tralee. From towering dunes to clifftop tees, this golfing paradise is widely acclaimed as one of the world’s finest links courses. You can enjoy the magnificent views of the Sliabh Mish mountains backdrop from the clubhouse and practice your game in the purpose-built Academy.
I may have designed the first nine, but surely God designed the back nine – Arnold Palmer
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THE K CLUB KILDARE
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T
he 5 Star K Club Hotel & Golf Resort is one of the best golf hotels in Ireland, world famous for being the top Kildare Golf Club and one of the top golf resorts near Dublin. When you come to The K Club Hotel in Kildare, you are treated to an incredible golfing experience at our luxury Hotel & Golf Resort near Dublin. Located only 30 minutes from Dublin in a beautiful location in County Kildare, The K Club is a luxurious getaway that offers 5 star accommodation, incredible dining experiences as well as an internationally acclaimed spa and world famous golf courses here in Kildare, Ireland. Don’t miss your chance to play the home of the 2006 Ryder Cup, 2016 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, and 13 European Opens.
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OLD HEAD LINKS COUNTY CORK
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O
ccupying a stunning and unique headland reaching out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, the Old Head of Kinsale is home to the most spectacular world-class golf course and luxury Members’ accommodation. Located in County Cork on the South West Coast of Ireland, as the incredible brainchild of the late John O’Connor together with his brother Patrick, the Club has developed into one of the most recognised and sought after golf experiences anywhere on earth. Old Head Golf Links is built on a 220-acre diamond of land jutting out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The promontory is almost an island with numerous caves running beneath your feet as you play the course. It is a piece of golf real estate like no other, that causes many a golfer and visitor to pinch themselves as they drive through the ancient gateway with the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean some 300 feet below.
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IRELAND Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links in Dublin
Stay in style on the the Emerald Isle
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ot sure where to stay during your golf trip? Luckily, Portmarnock, Carton House, Fota Island, Trump Doonbeg, Adare Manor, and Castlemartyr Resort all include exceptional hotel facilities. In particular, Portmarnock’s Fire & Ice spa treatment will transport you to a sea of calm with a complete holistic experience. Golfers recommend trying the traditional afternoon tea at the charming Seaview restaurant. Coupled with a panoramic view, you’ll never want to leave. If you prefer to participate in outdoor activities, Fota Island Resort will leave you spoilt for choice. From archery to target practice, you’ll be sure to have your days filled with adrenaline and excitement.
on the course rather than in the hotel, you can browse countless options on Airbnb all over the country! Find yourself a cosy place to stay and relax in your home away from home. Explore Ireland outside the course While playing golf in Ireland is enough to fulfill your journey in itself, there’s a whole exciting world of history and culture to explore outside the fairway. Take a trip to the Guinness Storehouse and learn the rich history of the famous Irish beer. Visit one of the many ancient monuments and castles around the region. You might even be playing a round near one! Thanks to the charming Irish hospitality, you’ll not only learn to play like a local, you’ll also discover the ins and outs of the Island.
However, if you’re looking to stay outside the course, there are many more options available. While Dublin International Airport may be your starting point on your visit to the Emerald Isle, you can spoil yourself at the refined Merrion in the heart of Dublin (pictured right). This stylish hotel is home to Ireland’s only two Michelin star restaurant. It is also a short walk from museums, pubs, and galleries. If you’re planning to spend most of your time 46
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NEWS Joe Shannon CEO of G Golf Ireland, Mark Marais of Chaka Travel and Fergus Gannon G Golf Ireland Concierge
Chaka and G Golf team up for VIP Ireland adventures
F
or almost 25 years, Chaka has been the worlds leading Mauritius luxury golf holiday specialist and over that time they have expanded to become worldwide golfing specialists, offering unique holidays to South Africa, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Oman and more. Chaka are now excited to announce that they will collaborate with G Golf Ireland to offer highly personalised VIP golfing tours in Ireland. G Golf are a VIP golf tour operator offering bespoke golf tours around Ireland, Scotland & continental Europe. You can now book a golf holiday in Ireland with Chaka Travel to include a ‘G Golf ambassador.’ Each group will be accompanied by an elite golfer who has played the game to the highest level and acts as a 24/7 on and off course guide, offering golf clinics and a highly personalized service.
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Commenting on the new partnership, Mark Marais, Chaka Travel MD said “I am delighted to welcome G Golf Ireland as a commercial partner to Chaka Travel.” “ I am particularly excited to have added G Golf Ireland’s decades of golf expertise in the British Isles to the Chaka Travel Group. I have no doubt that G Golf Ireland’s unique offering will be of tremendous benefit in developing our golf business within the British Isles and Europe.” Joe Shannon, CEO of G Golf Ireland added “Chaka Travel have been offering very high quality tour group travel to exotic destinations around the world for over 20 years. We at G Golf Ireland are delighted to partner with Chaka Travel as we help them to build their gold travel business in Ireland, Scotland and Continental Europe.” Be one of the first to join a Chaka G Golf Adventure, browse some example itineraries and holiday offers CLICK HERE ISSUE 11
GOLF IN
SRI LANKA How many of you know that Sri Lanka has a long history in the sport of golf? First introduced at the Royal Colombo Golf Club, the island is home to 4 of the finest 18-hole golf courses, each of them located at different elevations against a backdrop of stunning landscapes. The association with golf dates back over a century.
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SRI LANKA
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Although almost certainly adequate in the first half of the last century, the roads are clearly not equipped to cope with modern traffic.
The fact that no life was lost during my perilous four-hour car journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya was little short of miraculous.
Overtaking on blind corners is as big a national sport as cricket and it must be a close call as to whether the suspension or the horn is the first to wear out on those vehicles that aren’t written off in head-on collisions.
hreading through the jungle and winding up the mountain, it’s as well that there is no shortage of caddies. The truly affluent willing to lash out another couple of dollars can engage the services of a spotter, who walks ahead and virtually guarantees that no ball will be lost during the course of a round.
As well as introducing golf, the British planted tea, built railways, laid cricket pitches and constructed roads.
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With a plethora of potholes that stand comparison with many of the more frightening bunkers on the Old Course at St Andrews and with driving practices completely alien to the naturally courteous, getting about in Sri Lanka is undoubtedly hazardous.
The most popular vehicle is the “tuc-tuc”, a three-wheeled scooter that is a cross between
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a moped and a Reliant Robin with the driver up front holding the handlebars and between one and 25 passengers in the back holding their breath. They scuttle about like demented beetles and add considerably to the overwhelming sense of utter chaos. Both the air and the traffic thins as you climb. After countless harrowing hairpin bends and almost as many near misses, you eventually arrive over 5000 feet up among the tea plantations and the mist-shrouded mountain tops of Nuwara Eliya. At such altitude, the beauty is literally breathtaking, and few who have seen it will begrudge the effort required to get there. For one thing, it’s a lot cooler. The clubhouse is classic colonial with acres of wood panelling, fading sepia prints and
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Victoria Golf Club, Digana, Kandy
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Nuwara Eliya Golf Club in Eliya
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SRI LANKA the smells and corridors familiar to those who have had the misfortune of attending an English boarding school. It comes complete with a library, snooker room and even a badminton hall. Like a family home that’s too large now that the children have left, it rattles and echoes a bit, although in an utterly charming sort of way. The period pro shop even stocks persimmon woods. Although the clubhouse is a tough act to follow, the course is no anticlimax. Towering trees line the tight fairways of this majestic parkland challenge. Elevated tees, fast-flowing streams and a network of irrigation ditches all add to the fun. Be sure to take a caddy. Sadly, only a few are left which is an indication of how much quieter the course is now that the Brits have packed their tea chests and gone. After your round and before you leave, be sure to complete your colonial experience by taking tiffin on the verandah. It’s all part of a gloriously unique experience that is as far removed from the Costa del Sol as Twinnings is from Carlsberg Special Brew. Mind you, a couple of tins of the latter might help you relax before the frightening descent back to sea level. Colombo is the commercial capital. (In case it ever crops up either in casual conversation or Trivial Pursuit, the administrative capital sounds like a Sri Lankan leg-spinner, Sri Jayawardenepura-Lotte. Now you know). The Royal Colombo Golf Club recently celebrated its 125th anniversary and is rightly proud of the fact that there are only 16 older Royal clubs, just three of which are outside the British Isles. Both clubhouse and course have recently undergone extensive refurbishment. Although essentially flat, the course is full of interest. The first is about as tough an opening hole as you will come across anywhere in the world and the lake guarding the green is a foretaste of what ISSUE 11
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SRI LANKA lies ahead. The bad news is that it’s possible to reach water with a weak or misdirected shot from almost anywhere on the course; the good news is that there are a number of “pond boys” standing by ready to plunge in and retrieve your ball for just a few cents. Strictly in the name of research, I tested the service and found it to be working well. The Kelani Valley railway line slices through the course but the regulars are too intent on keeping their balls dry to be distracted by a trundling train. Although the track is generally out of bounds, a free drop from it is available when playing the 6th. Also welcome is the news that you can drop without penalty from ant hills and dung.
Shangri-La Hambantota Golf Club
Shangri-La’s Golf & Country Club in Hambantota,was designed by Rodney Wright on a former sapphire mine, the course is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, set within the hotel grounds of Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa. Spread across a vast coconut palm plantation, it offers spectacular views and distinctive challenges for both beginners and seasoned players. The beautifully-landscaped course takes players on a memorable golfing journey through three zones, each with its own unique character; The Coconut Plantation offers lush fairways and challenging bunkers, The Dune Area, and The Sapphire Mine which showcases generous greens with an abundance of water features. The island nation boasts a colourful heritage, and its southern coast caters to leisurely exploration with historic temples, quaint fishing villages and secluded beaches, wildlife reserves, including Yala and Bundala National Parks. 54
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Royal Columbo Golf Club
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Audi A4 Avant 35 TFSI SE Technik Manual CH 9+35 10kpa
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LINKS GOLF AT ITS BEST England’s Atlantic Links, a collection of six ancient championship links courses in South West England, is set against the dramatic backdrop of the north Atlantic Coast. These legendary links have firmly established themselves as one of England’s premier golfing destinations.
CONTACT 01822 618181 EMAIL SALES@ATLANTICLINKSGOLFTOUR.COM 58
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Packages with 1 night B&B and 2 rounds of golf
Packages with 2 nights B&B and 3 rounds of golf
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UK TRAVEL DEALS
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NORTH WEST GOLF COAST from £345.00pp
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Gloucestershire
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2 nights B&B 3 rounds of golf Golf at Burnham and Berrow, St Enodoc and Trevose Golf Clubs
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2 nights B&B 3 rounds of golf Golf at Hindhead, Liphook and Hankley Common Golf Clubs
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Devon & Cornwall
2 nights B&B 3 rounds from £220.00pp
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Ross on Wye, Rolls of Monmouth and Kington Golf Clubs
Torquay, Stover and Teignmouth Golf Club
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UK TRAVEL DEALS
ATLANTIC LINKS from £325.00pp
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