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ISSUE 14
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BACK IN THE
SWING SPOILT FOR CHOICE AT
SHANGRI-LA, MAURITIUS
GOLF IN DEVON & CORNWALL TOURNAMENT GOLF IN FRANCE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF IN AND AROUND BRISTOL DAZZLING DOHA
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ISSUE 14
WELCOME
A WORLD OF GOLF AWAITS S
o, we are back out on the fairways! We’ve gone through the first tee nightmares and sprayed our tee shots far and wide but we did it with a big smile on our face. So much for all those YouTube videos we’ve watched and worked on in the garden! Golfers have flocked back to the fairways as a respite from stay-at-home guidelines and lifestyle prohibitions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. OK, it’s not the game we left behind before lockdown, but none of us care about that at the moment, do we? And now we can extend that playing group from one other to three and fourballs. Those ‘social mediaists’ among us have been fed daily images of courses looking stunning in the fine weather with messages showing work being carried out by the staff and boy they have not let us down have they! Golf club managers in England are reporting a surge in membership applications as there has been a huge demand to play golf after the lockdown. The demand has been so strong that one manager, who has said his club received 35 signups in just three days, added that this could be the opportunity the golf industry has been hoping for, following years of declining membership numbers. English golf courses were the first in the home nations to reopen, and almost all have reported heavy usage. Many clubs have restricted play to members only and in some cases only allowing 9 holes to cope with demand. But let’s not forget, there are a lot of clubs who have lost members due to the lockdown and personal financial situations.
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Hopefully, once we come through the other side of these hard times we will see the return of those previous members, or schemes introduced to assist them with this. The UK tourism business has and continues to take a hammering financially and the next announcement we are awaiting is a date for the opening of hotels, restaurants, cafes, and bars, all of which we know are essential factors for that golfing getaway just as much as the choice of courses to play. Foreign travel will follow soon we hope, yes there will be restrictions of sorts, but again this is something we are all willing to deal with I’m sure. Confidence in safety will of course play a huge factor in the numbers of us who seek to explore the fairways in other countries as will the costs associated with traveling. Here at Exclusive Golf & Travel, we will continue to explore superb venues to play and stay here in the UK, across Europe and Worldwide. Golf travel companies we work with report an increase in queries and bookings for August, September and October, and a significant increase in interest for UK based golf breaks. Inside this issue, we bring you some superb offerings at fantastic courses and venues across the UK, two great tournaments hosted by Brittany Ferries over the channel in France, and a great selection of destinations further afield to whet your appetite. Enjoy the read, play safe, and stay safe! MIKE STAFFORD
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CONTENTS I S S U E 14
J U N E 2020
THE ALGARVE
BACK IN THE SWING
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9 DEVON & CORNWALL EXPERIENCE GOLF IN
ROYAL PORTHCAWL 2 NIGHTS B&B & 3 ROUNDS playing at the superb Royal Porthcawl, Pyle & Kenfig and Southerndown
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From only
£350.00 Per Person*
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24 TOURNAMENT GOLF IN FRANCE THIS YEAR
CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF IN AND AROUND BRISTOL
32 SPOILT FOR CHOICE AT
SHANGRI-LA, MAURITIUS
DAZZLING DOHA ISSUE 14
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NEWS
EUROPEAN TOUR
SWINGS INTO ACTION
T
he European Tour has announced plans for the resumption of the 2020 season with the launch of a new six-week ‘UK Swing’ as well as the confirmation of new dates for four Rolex Series events. Following the suspension of the season on March 8, the European Tour will return to action initially behind closed doors in July and run through until December. All tournaments will be subject to stringent safety and testing protocols set out in the Tour’s comprehensive Health Strategy which will continue to evolve, aligned with international Government guidance and health guidelines. The first tournament in the ‘UK Swing’ is the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood, which will be played at Close House, in the north east of England, from Wednesday July 22 to Saturday July 25 – a week earlier than originally scheduled. It will be followed by the English Open at the Marriott Forest of Arden and the
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English Championship at Marriott Hanbury Manor, before The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport hosts back-to-back European Tour tournaments – the Celtic Classic and the Wales Open. It is a timely return to the south Wales resort as this year also marks the tenth anniversary of Europe’s dramatic victory against the United States in The 2010 Ryder Cup at the same venue. The UK Swing will then conclude with the UK Championship at The Belfry, another venue rich in Ryder Cup history. Details of subsequent tournaments on the European Tour from September through to November will be announced in due course, with a variety of scheduling options currently under consideration as the global situation continues to evolve. However, rescheduled dates have been announced for four Rolex Series events; the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club which now ISSUE 14
NEWS
takes place from October 8-11 and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club which moves to the following week, October 15-18. There are also new dates for the final two tournaments of the year. The Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player is now scheduled for December 3-6 at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, with the seasonending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, now due to take place from December 10-13 at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where the 2020 Race to Dubai Champion will be crowned. All tournaments played in the reshaped 2020 season will be governed by the Tour’s comprehensive Health Strategy which has been developed by Dr Andrew Murray, the European Tour’s Chief Medical Officer, and advisers in many of the 30 countries the Tour plays. This strategy will continue to evolve, aligned with international Government guidance and health guidelines. All European Tour tournaments from July until December will also be part of the Tour’s new ‘Golf for Good’ initiative, a narrative which will underpin the season and one which aims to give back in three key areas: • Supporting the Communities where the
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European Tour plays. • Rewarding the true heroes, such as the front line workers. • Promoting the many health benefits that golf offers. The ‘Golf for Good’ initiative will be launched at the new ‘UK Swing’ in July and August, six weeks which will culminate in £500,000 from the European Tour being distributed equally between charities local to the tournament venues and charities chosen by the leading ten players in a mini Order of Merit which will run across the six tournaments. Keith Pelley, European Tour Chief Executive, said: “We have taken a measured approach in reassessing our schedule, informed every step of the way by our medical advisers and government guidance. “We have consistently said that safety is our absolute priority and that is why today we are announcing our resumption supported by a comprehensive health strategy. “Without question we have had to think differently about the remainder of our 2020 season which is reflected in today’s announcement.
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NEWS
“As golf’s global Tour, diversity is ordinarily one of our biggest strengths, but in this instance it has become one of our biggest challenges. “Initially, therefore, based on the expert guidance we received, playing in clusters, in one territory, is the best option in terms of testing, travel and accommodation. “I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank Betfred, Close House, Marriott, The Forest of Arden, Hanbury Manor, The Celtic Manor Resort and The Belfry for sharing our vision for this ‘UK Swing’ and we look forward to returning to tournament play in July with this innovative stretch of six events. “I also want to pay tribute to Rolex, BMW, Aberdeen Standard Investments, the Scottish Government, Nedbank, Sun International and DP World, for their continued commitment to the European Tour which allowed us to move four hugely important tournaments on the European Tour into new dates later in the year. “Not only did they show flexibility, they also showed understanding of the current global situation and we are truly fortunate to have them as partners of the European Tour.” While the intention remains to crown a new Race to Dubai Champion on Sunday December 13, as part of the changes to the end of the 2020 season caused by the impact of COVID-19, the European Tour’s Tournament Committee recently agreed that all Members’
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2020 Categories, and their ranking within that category, will be retained in 2021 with related playing rights being protected to the absolute maximum possible in the 2021 season. That decision was passed unanimously by the Committee, as was the fact that there will no longer be a ‘Minimum Tournament Regulation’ for the 2020 season. Pelley added: “We recognise that when we resume playing golf, each player’s circumstances will be different. We therefore do not want to put anyone in a position whereby they feel they have no choice other than to play in certain events in order to protect their livelihood. “Similarly, the feeling was that it was not fair to disadvantage any member who might want to play in an event but who might not be able to due to ongoing travel restrictions. Therefore, in consultation with our Tournament Committee, it was agreed preserving their exempt status for 2021 was the fairest solution in these unprecedented times. “As a consequence, there will be no Qualifying School this year and no formal graduation from the Challenge Tour, although the Tournament Committee has agreed to reward exceptional performance on both the European Tour and the Challenge Tour in 2020, precise details of which we will announce in due course.” Find out more at www.europeantour.com
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CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED GOLF TEAM ON 01822 618181 ISSUE 14
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PORTUGAL
THE ALGARVE
BACK SWING IN THE
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I
n a progressive step, golf courses in the Algarve – voted the world’s favourite golf destination 2020 by the golf tourism industry – have re-opened their doors. The emerald swathes of land across the Algarve have once again been providing the natural habitat for enthusiastic golfers to experience what they have missed so dearly during the Covid-19 lockdown. What they have discovered is courses presented in excellent condition at what is an optimum time of the year for play. Each golf venue is following strict public health guidelines and has implemented new measures under the Portuguese Golf Federation’s ‘The Game’ guidance, to ensure safety and responsibility for players and staff, with the initial demand for tee times proving very encouraging. President of the Algarve Tourism Bureau (ATA), João Fernandes, commented: “We are delighted
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that our trusted golf course partners have shown such resilience and diligence in preparing our golf courses and implementing changes, which allow all golfers in the Algarve to play safely and enjoy the game. “Coupled with the new national ‘Clean & Safe’ certification stamp from Turismo de Portugal for tourism-related businesses, we are making a huge effort to bring confidence and security to our incredible golf tourism industry. “Portugal – and particularly the Algarve – has been relatively lightly affected by the coronavirus. However, for now, the message from the Algarve to all its admirers is to follow the rules on social distancing and to protect the most vulnerable in their communities. Then, when the time is right, we will meet again under the sun.” www.visitgolfalgarve.com
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IRELAND
ADARE MANOR NAMED AS ONE OF THE BEST
T
he Golf Course at Adare Manor is celebrating its second birthday, as the 5* resort reflects on a year of more awards and accolades and the headline news of being announced as the 2026 Ryder Cup venue.
greeted with a stream of accolades, awards and high praise from those most engaged in the sport. Most notably, The Golf Course at Adare Manor was named as the 2026 Ryder Cup host venue, in what will be only the second time Ireland has hosted golf’s biennial contest between Europe and the USA.
Since reopening in early 2018 following a spectacular renovation, spearheaded by renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio, the course has quickly become one of the most recognised on the world stage, welcoming 15,000 rounds per year to its pristine fairways.
Furthermore, the course also collected the title of ‘Ireland’s Best Golf Course’ at the World Golf Awards, IGTOA’s ‘Parkland Golf Course of the Year’ and ‘Golf Resort of the Year’ awards, along with several other high profile listings amongst the rankings from some of golf’s most reputable media outlets.
The course’s second-year reception has been
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Adare Manor’s CEO, Colm Hannon, remarked: “The achievements this year have been nothing short of unforgettable and the golf course goes from strength to strength since reopening. The course continues to exceed expectations, which is the team’s goal here every day. “To be chosen as the 2026 Ryder Cup host venue really did cap off another brilliant year, and we’re very proud to be bringing the tournament back to Ireland for the first time in 20 years and, in particular, to the Limerick region. The announcement was a great honour for the team and just reward for their commitment and shared passion to deliver a world-class golf course and guest experience. It really was a magical moment for Adare Manor, and simply motivates us to keep on delivering a golfing experience like nowhere else in the world.” Upon stepping off the Tom Fazio-designed golf course visitors will experience a warm Irish spirited welcome within the striking, gothic-
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inspired Manor House. Where guests are treated to effortless luxury like no other which now includes Michelin star dinning in The Oak Room, making it the only starred restaurant in County Limerick. Guests who have visited the 842-acre estate over the year have not only experienced a championship standard golf course and the matching timeless grandeur of the Manor House, but they experience the entirety of a magical resort. With an exciting summer ahead, the team are very much looking forward to welcoming guests and golfers back once the resort has reopened and hopes everyone is staying safe and well at this time.
To find out more about The Golf Course at Adare Manor and the resort visit: www.adaremanor.com
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FRANCE
TOURNAMENT GOLF IN FRANCE THIS YEAR
Pleneuf-Val-Andre
St Malo Golf Club
Dinard Golf Club
I
f you enjoy a little friendly competition, why not join Brittany Ferries and play in one of their autumn tournaments at some stunning venues in France? The Brittany Ferries Golf Desk is now in its 16th year of organising these events in which they welcome club professionals with groups, mixed and individuals. Many golfers return each year and contributing to a great atmosphere. The Brittany Ferries 2020 tournament schedule is dependant on travel restrictions at the time but is looking in great shape with some fantastic courses to play and lovely locations to stay. They are taking their Pro-Am for 2020 to Northern Brittany staying in St Malo and
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Golf de la Baie de Saint Brieuc
playing 3 stunning courses Dinard, St Malo and Pleneuf-Val-Andre on the 15th-19th October. A team of 4 consisting 1 x pro (£135) and 3 x amateurs (£459pp) gives a team price of £1512.00. Next stop will be the Brittany Challenge in Northern Brittany where entrants will stay in Dinan and play Golf de la Baie de Saint Brieuc and St Malo on 22th-25th of October. Prices start from only £239pp this event is a 4 player team event. CLICK HERE if you require any further information or would like to book your team(s) onto one or more of these great events contact the Brittany Ferries Golf Desk on 0330 1595418 WWW.EXCLUSIVEGOLFANDTRAVEL.CO.UK
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GOLF IN 2020 VIEW OUR DIGITAL DESTINATION GUIDES CLICK A PUBLICATION BELOW TO VIEW
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
DESTINATION GUIDE
DESTINATION GUIDE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
GOLF IN
GOLF IN
GOLF IN
DESTINATION
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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LINKS GOLF AT ITS BEST ENGLAND’S ATLANTIC LINKS, A COLLECTION OF SIX ANCIENT CHAMPIONSHIP LINKS COURSES IN SOUTH WEST ENGLAND
ATLANTICLINKSGOLFTOUR.COM TEL: 01822 618181 EMAIL SALES@ATLANTICLINKSGOLFTOUR.COM
*Prices correct as of 1st Jan 2020, any increases by the courses or hotels could alter these prices. Based on twin/double rooms & travel during April to September. 20
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LEGENDARY LINKS ESTABLISHED AS ONE OF ENGLAND’S PREMIER GOLFING DESTINATIONS
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ENGLAND
GOLF IN KENT
EMBRACES OPEN CHANGES
T
hough the golf industry is facing challenging times at present, Golf in Kent has embraced the recent news that The 149th Open will be held at Royal St George’s in 2021 following the cancellation of the event in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Partnership, which is comprised of some of the finest golf clubs in the county and Visit Kent, has spent the last year gearing up to stage the prestigious major but despite the disappointment of the cancellation, it is
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keen to look to the future and focus on the positive aspects of hosting The Open next year from 11 to 18 July instead of this July. “We are of course disappointed about the cancellation of The Open at Royal St George’s (pictured below) this year, but it was the right decision given the current circumstances,” said Tim Checketts, Secretary at Royal St George’s Golf Club, a member of the Golf in Kent Partnership. “However, we now have an opportunity to build on the huge amount of work already in place, to ensure that The 149th Open at Royal St George’s will be the biggest and
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best yet and a true celebration of the return of major golf to this country.” The Kent clubs and Visit Kent are indeed looking forward to ensuring The 149th Open is a huge success after its absence of a year and to continuing to encourage golfers to come, stay and play in Kent in the run-up to the Championship. After all the county, recognised as one of England’s premier golf destinations, has a wide range of good quality courses for golfers to enjoy. “We are determined to use the fact that Kent will now host The 149th Open in 2021 as a positive and build on the excellent preparation we have undertaken over the past nine months to deliver the very best Open possible in our county next year,” advised Deirdre Wells, chief executive of Visit Kent. “We look forward to welcoming golfers from all over the world to enjoy our golf courses and all the other wonderful attractions and activities that Kent has to offer. The 149th
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Open will be an excellent opportunity to support both the clubs and Kent businesses and support them in rebuilding the visitor economy, which is worth nearly £4 billion to the county.” Indeed, Kent’s rich variety of off-course attractions, such as its iconic castles, historic cathedrals, world-renowned gardens and miles of stunning coastline including the White Cliffs of Dover, has been attracting golfers to the county for over a 100 years. The county has more recently developed a reputation as a gastronomic destination thanks to the array of local produce such as Dover Sole and Whitstable oysters and its plethora of Michelin-starred restaurants and gastropubs. Kent is also home to Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, and the Wine Garden of England which produces some of the country’s finest wines. For more on Golf in Kent, go to www. golfinkent.co.uk and follow us on @ GolfInKent.
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bristolgolfbreaks.com CHIPPING SODBURY
THE KENDLESHIRE
KNOWLE GOLF CLUB
STUNNING CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSES WITH A WARM WEST COUNTRY WELCOME
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WESTON-SUPER-MARE GC
To discuss your preferred ininerary let us make some recommendations to you based upon your requirements, simply contact us on 01822 618181
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STADIUM HOLES
SPAIN
GET GOLFERS VOTES
T
he spectacular golf experience offered by PGA Catalunya Resort’s award-winning Stadium Course has been recognised in a new Catalan Golf Federation poll that ranked three of the course’s holes in the region’s ‘Best 18’. Aggregating social media votes from thousands of golfers, fans and followers, The Stadium Course, a three-time host of the Open de España, was voted to have the best 1st, 9th and 11th holes. It also received more nominations than any other venue in Catalonia. The poll was championed by Tony Enciso, President of the PGA of Catalonia, with support from the Catalan Golf Federation, Federación Catalana de Golf (FCGolf ). Thousands of people submitted their selections on social media by voting for the best opening hole on day one, followed by their favourite second hole on day two and so on, building up to the final ‘Best 18 in Catalonia’ when voting concluded.
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The Stadium Course’s 1st hole, a 435-yard (398m), par 4 dog-leg left, boasts a memorable elevated tee with striking views of the Mountseny mountains at the foot of The Pyrenees. The 9th hole – the course’s longest par 4 – is a dog-leg right with an uncompromising elevated green. Completing the winning trio, the picturesque 11th, an inviting par 3 that falls 15 yards (13m) to a well-guarded green, is flanked by sweeping bunkers to the front and sides and water at the back. The Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya Resort, near Girona, has been a long-established Spanish no.1 layout*. It forms part of a critically-acclaimed, 36hole resort that also offers two accommodation options – the 5* Hotel Camiral, a member of The Leading Hotels of The World, and LAVIDA Hotel, aimed at the active traveller. For further information about PGA Catalunya Resort, please visit www.pgacatalunya.com WWW.EXCLUSIVEGOLFANDTRAVEL.CO.UK
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FRANCE
RANKINGS SUCCESS AT
LE TOUQUET A
s a multi-million Euro investment programme continues across Le Touquet Golf Resort and Golf d’Hardelot, the sister venues enjoy new success in course rankings from both Golf Digest, the world’s most widely read golf publication, and Top100golfcourses. Le Touquet Golf Resort’s La Mer course, already acclaimed as France’s No.1 links, has been further decorated by Golf Digest, ranking it among France’s 10 Best Courses (8th). A 1,700+ strong group of Golf Digest raters from North America and a panel of 350 golf enthusiasts from around the globe helped put together the latest and most comprehensive country-by-country list. This ranking coincided with Top100golfcourses’ release of its new French course listing, which
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revealed rises for three out of four of the 18-hole courses across the two Opal Coast venues. Golf d’Hardelot’s Les Pins held its position at 7th while its sister course Les Dunes climbed four spots to no. 60. At Le Touquet Golf Resort, La Mer also moved up one spot to secure 9th and La Forêt jumped five places to finish 44th. France’s Le Figaro also recognised Le Touquet Golf Resort’s La Mer course among its Top 10 national jewels. These latest accolades come as work on France’s No.1 links, La Mer, has seen all but one of its greens entirely reseeded with bent and fescue grass, making them less susceptible to disease and requiring less irrigation and fertilizer. Charles Debruyne, Golf Director at Le Touquet Golf Resort, said: “Our courses continue to make headlines around the world as must-play layouts ISSUE 14
Le Touquet Golf Resort
that offer very unique experiences to our visitors. “We are always very grateful for any accolades we receive and Golf Digest’s ranking is a strong endorsement of what we offer on La Mer. With continued work to improve the greens and provide golfers with consistent playing surfaces, we remain determined to restore the classic 1930s Colt & Alison course to its best.” Occupying the dramatic terrain between the Côte d’Opale’s expansive duneland and swathes of pine forest, Le Touquet Golf Resort and Golf d’Hardelot sit just 12 miles apart in the southern region of France’s northernmost department, Pas-de-Calais, and are both managed Open Golf Club. For more information visit www.letouquetgolfresort.com www.hardelotgolfclub.com ISSUE 14
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thebucketlist VISIT WEBSITE
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TREVOSE GOLF CLUB CONSTANTINE BAY, PADSTOW , CORNWALL Trevose Golf & Country Club is arguably the finest golfing destinations in Cornwall and the South-West and boasts 36 glorious golf holes which includes an 18 hole championship course and two fantastic nine hole loops, Throughout every round at Trevose, guests are provided with stunning views of the rugged coastline which can provide as much of a distraction as they can inspiration. With the UK being renowned for having some of the world’s best links courses - many of which feature on the Open Championship rota. Trevose Golf Club fits into the same category as the likes of Prince’s in Kent and is one of the country’s hidden gems.
TREVOSE GOLF BREAK 2 NIGHTS B&B - 3 ROUNDS OF GOLF AT NEWQUAY, PERRANPORTH & TREVOSE
PRICES FROM ONLY £225pp VIEW PACKAGE
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MAURITIUS
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SHANGRI-LA MAURITIUS NOW OFFERS TWO OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR GOLF COURSES WORLDWIDE ISSUE 14
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Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club
S
hangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius announces its new partnership with Anahita Golf Club, granting its guests to access not one, but two worldclass championship golf courses in Mauritius, with complimentary transfers and daily green fees. Set amidst stunning tropical settings, the golf courses offer spectacular views and distinctive challenges for both beginners and seasoned players. Guests staying at the resort already had the privilege to play on Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club, a spectacular state-of-the-art 18-hole championship golf course designed by legendary pro-golfer Bernhard Langer and named as part of the top 10 golf courses in the world. Only a few minutes away from the resort by boat shuttle, Iles aux Cerfs Golf Club is set apart from the mainland resort by a shimmering turquoise lagoon and boasts an unparalleled golfing experience. The island’s
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natural beauty defines an exquisite course that includes volcanic outcrops, lakes, gullies and rich, lush vegetation, with every hole offering breath-taking views of the stunning seascape beyond. Each hole has a minimum of four tees, Langer tees, championship tees, tournament tees and forward tees, and is suitable for beginners and pro-golfers alike. The par 72 golf course spreads across 6,476 metres and offers a challenging, if not difficult, level. The golf club also features a fully serviced clubhouse with pro shop, spacious locker rooms, a signature restaurant offering international cuisine with a spectacular view, a floodlit driving range with five target greens and Ile aux Cerfs Golf Academy. With the new partnership with Anahita Golf Club, Shangri-La’s guests can now also access the Ernie Els-designed 18-hole golf course, making the most of its tropical setting. Set out on generously proportioned fairways on a former sugar plantation in two distinct loops of nine, the Anahita Golf Club ISSUE 14
MAURITIUS is constructed to USGA standard and incorporates some old dry-stone walls and a links-like stream into the layout, backed by lush mountains and fringed by the crystal-clear lagoon. The par 72 golf course spans across 6,828 metres with five tee options for adults and a junior tee for a challenging level with wide fairways.
Anahita Golf club
Guests can also enjoy a fully serviced clubhouse with a pro shop, locker rooms with bag storage space and delight in Mediterranean specialities at the restaurant. A driving range with nine target greens and Anahita Golf Academy complete the offering for a memorable golfing experience. Shangri-La’s guests can benefit from complimentary daily green fees – one round of golf per person per day – at these two stunning golfing destinations, a seamless shuttle to the golf courses located only a few minutes away from the resort and chilled water bottles. For beginners and those who want to try their hand at golf, a one-hour discovery session is offered at Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club and at Anahita Golf Club daily. Located on the east coast of Mauritius, in one of the island’s most breath-taking bays, Shangri La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius offers infinity views across the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The hotel boasts two swimming pools, access to two 18-hole par 72 championship golf courses, and a kids’ and teens’ club. CHI, The Spa focuses on ‘sense of place’ treatments and relaxing massages which help ease muscle tensions after a day on the golf course. The resort also features Ilôt Mangénie, an exclusive private island, three iconic Beach Villas, and six trendy restaurants and bars with cutting-edge dining concepts and vibrant atmospheres.
To book, guests may visit www.shangri-la.com/mauritius Guests can book their tee time in advance by contacting the reservations team ahead of their stay. ISSUE 14
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I N N O VAT I V E G O L F AT T I R E F R O M Q ’ A J A
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P L AY G O O D
Q’aja is known for bringing together quality fabrics and flamboyant design to create trousers and polos that move in the right places, giving the fashion and figure conscious golfers a great look that transcends from the course to the 19th hole effortlessly. Tony ‘The Tailor’ is responsible for the conception of the brand and establishing it in the golf world as cutting edge apparel. It was Tony’s unique approach to golf fashion that captured the attention of Darren Clarke, a partnership that made Darren recognisable as much for his apparel as his golf! Q’aja bespoke is worn by world class athletes, celebrities and businessmen across the world.
£20 O F F Y O U R F IR S T £ 1 0 0 SP EN D U S E CODE: QAJ A2 0
C O N TA C T www.qaja.co.uk E: info@qaja.co.uk
@tonyQaja qajagolf
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Dazzling
Doha
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Host of a European Tour event since 1998, the oil-rich Middle Eastern state of Qatar is ploughing vast resources into broadening its range of sporting, leisure and cultural activities ahead of its staging of the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Nick Bayly went to try out its two world-class golf courses during an action-packed long weekend in Doha.
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G
iven the climate crisis and the impending destruction of the planet, it’s becoming increasingly hard to square the idea that building golf courses in regions where grass doesn’t naturally grow is a sensible use of the world’s fast-depleting natural resources. Yet, here we are in 2020, and tournamentstandard courses are still springing up in countries whose annual rainfall is less than what fell on Wales in halfan-hour during the storms that battered the UK last month. So it was more than a little odd to find myself forced to take shelter from a torrential downpour in the smart new clubhouse at Education City Golf Club in Qatar during my brief visit there last November. Knowing that this had been the first significant rainfall in Doha for over eight months,
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the course manager should have been doing a little jig of delight, but unfortunately, this was the wrong type of rain, the heavy sort that lands on dry ground and immediately runs down the nearest storm drain, and not the gentle drizzle that nourishes rootzones that greenkeepers love so much. Thankfully, Education City’s plush fairways and manicured greens and tees are irrigated in a more controlled fashion, with a state-of-the-art sprinkler system drawing on supplies of desalinated water that are scooped straight out of the Arabian Sea. The course is also sown with something called ‘TE Platinum Paspalum Turf’, a type of grass that requires 20% less water to survive than your standard stuff, so they’re doing their best to mitigate against a climate where summer temperatures nudge 45c on a regular basis. Fascinating high-tech course management programmes aside, it’s fair to say that Qatar is not the ISSUE 14
DOHA
obvious choice for a holiday, let alone a golf holiday. But then again, the same could have been said about near neighbour Dubai 25 years ago, and look at it now. Last year, just over 90,000 UK citizens visited Qatar, with the vast majority no doubt coming to do business in Doha, rather than simply sitting on a beach. That number was 20% up from 2018, and the figures will surely enjoy a further spike in two years time when England fans head out to Doha to watch Gareth Southgate’s merry men lift the Jules Rimmet trophy for the first time since 1966 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. We can but dream, eh? Given the aforementioned summer heat, the tournament has been switched to December, which is also a prime time for golf in this part of the world, with daytime temperatures hovering around the pleasant mid-20s. With all eight football stadiums being used for the World Cup located within Doha’s city limits, it’s going to be one of the most compact tournaments ever hosted, with fans able to hop between venues via a newly-built metro system without having to break sweat. The gaps between matches will give visiting fans plenty of time to soak up the city’s cultural treasures and sporting pleasures, including its two world-class 18-hole golf courses. Domestic golfers are pretty thin on the ground out here, with the membership of Qatar’s two clubs, Doha, which was founded in 1998, and Education City, which opened just last year, largely drawn from the sizeable expat community that has built up around the oil and gas industry. Education City, as the new shiny new toy, took over hosting duties for this year’s Qatar Masters, which has been a mainstay on the European Tour’s now somewhat disjointed ‘Desert Swing’ since 1998. Held between March 6-9, José Maria Olazabal’s 7,300-yard layout proved a suitable challenge for Europe’s elite, with Spain’s Jorge ISSUE 14
■ EDUCATION CITY GOLF CLUB BOASTS A TRUE CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE HAVING HOSTED LAST MONTH'S QATAR MASTERS
Campillo winning after a play-off with a score of 13 under. Although not quite the draw that is once was, the tournament still attracts a decent enough field, and the introduction of a new course, built by a legend of the European Tour, has certainly helped to revive its status in the tournament schedule.
■ QATAR'S TWO GOLF CLUBS, DOHA AND EDUCATION CITY, WILL BE A POPULAR OFFCOURSE ATTRACTION DURING THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP
The course itself is a tough challenge for the club amateur with a sea of bunkers greeting players off virtually every tee, while water – yes, that rarest of commodities – is a strong feature on the layout, coming into play on many holes. WWW.EXCLUSIVEGOLFANDTRAVEL.CO.UK
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DOHA
■ DOHA GOLF CLUB
The huge greens are slower than they look, but you certainly don’t want to be putting on the wrong side of the slopes. Fulfilling its remit to bring on fledgeling domestic talent and live up to its rather ‘does what it says on the tin’ name, Education City boasts of two other courses — a full-length six-hole course, and a nine-hole floodlit par three, while the world-class academy boasts five indoor swing studios and a putting studio, all featuring the latest swing analysis technology combined with a team of PGA-qualified coaches, headed up by Director of Golf Rhys Beecher, a Welshman who took who the role following a stint at Celtic Manor. There’s also double-ended driving range fitted with Toptracer Range, a number of practice greens, a dedicated ladies-only green with its own entrance so that local Muslim women can practice in private. Doha Golf Club offers a distinct contrast to its arriviste golfing rival, and has a much more relaxed, livedin feel that you’d expect given its 20-year head start. No longer the only golf show in town, its members will probably enjoy not having their course taken over for a month each year now that the Qatar Masters has switched to Education City.
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The 7,374-yard course, which was designed by Peter Harradine, is not quite at the same level of presentation as its neighbour, although we had arrived during the dormant season for grass, so the course was by no means at its best. That said, the layout is excellent, with generous fairways and contoured greens routed through numerous lakes, big bunkers, limestone outcrops, dunes and desert. Among the highlights were the ninth, a 600-yard par 5 that will test your stamina and patience; the par-4 12th, whose impressive limestone formations guard the entrance to the green; the tough par-four 15th, which requires a lengthy second shot over water; and the drivable 16th, which requires a lusty blow over a huge rocky outcrop to reach the putting surface. The 140-yard 17th requires a pinpoint shot over a deep, duck-filled pond to reach a shallow plateaued green, while the 527-yard 18th is a suitably challenging par-5 with water down the left-hand side. Played off the whites, which take the course down to a more manageable 6,640 yards (the yellows are 6,300 yards), it was a very enjoyable test, with a good mix of risk-and-reward holes all played in front of the backdrop of Doha’s impressive city skyline. In addition to the Championship
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course, there is a 9-hole floodlit course, which we didn’t have time to play, although we did factor in a lunch in the characterful clubhouse, which boasts an excellent bar (alcohol is served here, although not at Education City) and restaurant, which is popular with golfers and nongolfers alike at weekends – Friday and Saturday in this part of the world – when the course is buzzing. Between rounds of golf, we were treated to a whistlestop tour of Doha’s many and varied attractions, including a trip to the Waqif Souq, a bustling warren of alleyways housing small shops crammed with everything from spices, perfumes and Arabian coffee pots, to jewellery, leather goods, and even a live falcon, if that grabs your fancy. These elegant, intelligent birds are highly prized in Qatar, with the best specimens changing hands for five-figure sums. After a memorable Persian meal at the mosaic-bejewelled Parisa restaurant in the souk, we boarded a motorised dhow for a night-time tour of the harbour, which gave us the chance to take in the sheer scale of the city, with our eyes craning up to the vast number of high-rise offices, hotels and apartments that have created a skyline that is fast rivalling that of Dubai or Hong Kong. As a pleasant escape from the bustle of the city, we also enjoyed a desert ‘dune-bashing’ trip an hour’s drive away, to the shores of the Khor Al Adaid inland sea, on the border with Saudi Arabia, where we thundered up, down and occasionally sideways on steep, golden sand dunes in a Toyota Landcruiser. Chaperoned by an experienced driver, it was certainly exhilarating stuff, although I’m not the most relaxed of passengers when hurtling over a sandy precipice! The cultural highlight for me was a visit to the National Museum of Doha, which is housed in an award-winning building that resembles dozens of concrete discs that have collided
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into each other at varying angles. It’s a jaw-dropping structure, while the art, natural history and culture contained within its sloping walls and floors are equally impressive. Art lovers should also visit the Museum of Islamic Art, whose stunning collection of jewellery, paintings, textiles and ceramics are housed in a magnificent five-storey tower that pays homage to Islamic architecture both inside and out.
■ THE IMPRESSIVE FIVE-STAR RITZCARLTON, DOHA
Visitors to Doha are spoilt for choice when it comes to luxury accommodation, with the city boasting more than 50 five-star rated hotels and another 70-odd that fall into lower categories. Our group stayed at the impressive Ritz-Carlton Doha, a five-star venue built on its own island with its own 235-berth marina, adjacent to the Lagoona shopping mall. For a more central stay, the Mandarin Oriental, located close to the Corniche, is a suitably luxurious affair, while its eighth-floor Mosaic restaurant, which offers nine different kitchens to take you on a culinary journey from countries along the Silk Road, is also well worth a visit in a country that draws its influences from so many different cultures. Qatar Airways flies fly direct from London Heathrow to Doha from £670 return (qatarairways.com). For more information visit www.visitqatar.qa. For the latest green fee rates and tee bookings at Doha GC and Education
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UKGOLFDEALS
NORTH WEST GOLF TOUR
PLAY: ROYAL LYTHAM & ST ANNES 2 NIGHTS B&B 3 ROUNDS OF GOLF Golf at Royal Lytham, Delamere Forest and Wallasey Golf Clubs
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PLAY: FRESHWATER BAY GOLF CLUB 2 NIGHTS B&B 3 ROUNDS OF GOLF Golf at Freshwater Bay, Shanklin & Sandown and Osborne Golf Clubs 42
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PLAY: ST ENODOC & TREVOSE LINKS 2 NIGHTS B&B 3 ROUNDS OF GOLF Golf at Burnham and Berrow, St Enodoc and Trevose Golf Clubs
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PLAY: HINDHEAD GOLF CLUB 2 NIGHTS B&B 3 ROUNDS OF GOLF Golf at Hindhead, Liphook and Hankley Common Golf Clubs ISSUE 14
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE
2 NIGHTS B&B 3 ROUNDS
The Players Club, The Kendleshire and Chipping Sodbury
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3 NIGHTS B&B 4 ROUNDS
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HEREFORDSHIRE
2 NIGHTS B&B 3 ROUNDS
Ross on Wye, Rolls of Monmouth and Kington Golf Clubs
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equipment
FREE BUSHNELL APP GETS A HUGE UPGRADE B
ushnell Golf has announced a massive upgrade to its new app.
FREE to download for all Bushnell Golf product owners and suitable for Apple and Android phone users, the new App provides access to state-of-the-art graphics and technology designed to further enhance a golfers experience on the course. “The new app has loads of game enhancing features” said Andrew Grose, Managing Director YUMAX Golf “and when used together with any Bushnell Golf product a golfers understanding and enjoyment of the game is increased dramatically. “The new graphics are incredible, the hole fly through feature is great when playing a course that is new or if the layout of a hole isn’t immediately obvious and managing performance even during a game is simplicity itself – and it’s all for FREE”. The key features of the Bushnell Golf App, which can be downloaded wirelessly from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to a smartphone or tablet, include: Play Golf: Access to over 36,000+ professionally mapped golf courses worldwide. Front, centre, back measurements to the green, custom points and 3D graphic layouts of each hole and fly throughs on every hole.
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Scoring: Enter your score on the golf course while you are playing, and the score will register on the app, enabling easy tracking of total scores and putts. Performance: track fairways and greens hit in regulation, putts taken for review after the round plus shot distance measurement. Seamless Updates: Wireless courses updates on your compatible GPS devices through Bluetooth connection on your phone. Once downloaded the new FREE App can be used with both lasers (Pro XE, V5 Shift and Tour V5, V4 shift, Tour V4) and the Excel GPS watch and Phantom GPS device. The App can be used with or without a Bushnell device, enabling golfers to benefit from its many features even if they aren’t using their laser or GPS. Downloading the App couldn’t be easier, with Bushnell owners required to delete the previous version from their device, download the new version, enter the serial number of their device when prompted and add in a suitable email address and password. View the latest range of Bushnell Golf laser rangefinders and GPS devices, visit www.bushnellgolf.com ISSUE 14
EXCLUSIVE FREE DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE FOR ALL BUSHNELL GOLF PRODUCT OWNERS.
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equipment SKECHERS GO GOLF LAUNCH NEW DIAL CLOSURE SYSTEM
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T
he Skechers GO GOLF footwear collection for 2020 combines award-winning Skechers Performance technologies and exciting new designs to help golfers play and look their best whenever they step onto the golf course. The Skechers GO GOLF collection boasts innovative designs for men and women influenced by the players who wear them. As with past launches, the 2020 Collection was developed with the benefit of valuable insight and feedback from a wide range of elite tour players and this is amply demonstrated in the brand new Torque Twist shoe from the 2020 men’s collection. The Skechers Torque Twist shoe has a synthetic upper that features a unique rain jacket construction of molded panels that provide complete waterproof protection. No over lapping panels or stiching to allow water to seep in. A low drop design helps keep the foot low to the ground in a neutral position and the high performance Ultra Flight & Goga Max cushioning provides outstanding in shoe comfort. With an added stability sole featuring a 6 Softspike configuration, the shoe has multiple gripper lugs to provide the ultimate in traction no matter what the conditions. Skechers pride themselves on ‘Out of the Box Comfort’, no wearing in, no need to soften them up just put them on and go play golf. Skechers Performance GO GOLF is available at golf pro shops, highstreet golf retailers and skechers.com
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FEATURES • Skechers® H2GO waterproof protection • Waterproof design with 1 year warranty • Smooth synthetic upper with nearly seamless design • Molded rubber grip bottom plate • Ultra-lightweight, responsive ULTRA FLIGHT™ cushioning • Skechers GOGA MAX® technology insole for high-rebound cushioning • Replaceable Softspikes® for maximum grip • Spikes are replaceable using Softspikes® Stealth PIN system • Smooth synthetic upper with leatherlook finish • Contrast colored side designs • Twist dial precise adjustable front closure for ideal fit • Soft fabric shoe lining • Cushioned comfort insole • The Torque-Twist is offered in white with a grey trim. • RRP: £99
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