Gv#004

Thailand Edition vol. 4

Choice Resort

Casa De Campo Lumine

The 19th

The Wines of Napa Valley

TOP 10 Exclusive Golf Clubs

PRONGHORN Oregon’s Luxury Resort and Academy magazine of the gm group golf vacations thailand vol.4 MAY-JUNE 2014 180 baht

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Moments Bangkok Golf Centre, the largest indoor

golf centre in Thailand and the best in Asia, opens its doors to offer the state-of-the-art technology and top golfing instruction to both Thai and international golfers.

“Conveniently situated on Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok Golf Centre is the largest and most modern indoor golf centre in Asia equipped with the latest technology in precision swing and ball flight analysis,” said Mr. Shane Wilding, executive of Bangkok Golf Centre (BCG). “With a dedicated indoor short game area that includes premium greens for chipping and putting coupled with a sand bunker, BCG provides a perfect environment for golf training. We also have international PGA Certified instructors who can provide unrivalled feedback on any golfer’s game immediately which will effectively improve his or her golfing skills. As a result, BCG is the best place to seek improvement in any golfer’s game and is the desired destination for golfers around the region.”

Bangkok Golf Centre unofficially started operations in September 2013 and has developed its facilities until perfectly served golfers with 15 high-tech simulators comprising GC2 and Trackman technology as well as the Foresight software for state-of-the-art colour video capture and swing analysis.

Bangkok Golf Centre provides a total golfing experience encompassing a full size indoor chipping and pitching green, indoor bunker, SAM Putting Lab, a separate putting studio with state-of-the-art video technology and putting analysis software to identify and improve the key areas of putting. One of its most important feature is “Club Fix”, the epitome of custom club fitting. Club Fix provides the most advanced and complete way to get your clubs fitted, just for you.

“Drawing on two decades and 40,000+ hours of coaching top pros, plus 15 international PGA accredited trainers coming from Australia, Norway, Japan and Korea who collectively have coached over 100,000 clients with over half a million lessons given, BGC is able to effectively improve any golfer’s game” Shane concluded.

Bangkok Golf Centre opens daily with operation hours starting from 8.00-22.00 hours on weekdays and 8.00-21.00 hours on weekends.

For more information, call 02 259 6086 or visit http://www.bkkgolfcentre.com

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21st April 2014

↓ Bangkok Golf Centre opens its largest indoor golf center in Thailand and best in Asia

ELABORATING THE LUXURIATED LIFE 2014

GOLF VACATIONS THAILAND MAGAZINE LAUNCH Golf and Exclusive Party at Khao Yai

The launch of Golf Vacations Thailand magazine was celebrated with various exciting activities under

the theme “Life Luxuriated’. Golfers who like to travel and enjoy life were invited to an 18-hole game at the Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club in Khao Yai during March 21-22, 2014 under the title “Elaborating the Luxuriated Life 2014”. Participants were challenged with activities and special rules on selected holes where they received prizes from leading Luxury Brands.

The event started at 11 A.M. when golfers were asked to register and received customized shirts which had each person’s initials.

Lunch was then served at the Rancho Charnvee dining hall. After tummies were filled, it was tee-off time for the golfers. Inspired by gimmicks from the event’s sponsors, activities were set up on selected holes to challenge golfers throughout their journey on the course. Some of the activities included determining who had a golf swing speed closest to that of the newest model of the Maserati Ghibli, hitting the golf ball towards the newest destination offered by Thai Airways to win a free trip to Bali, playing golf like a fearless knight by the Round Table model of Roger Dubuis, raffle draw for a golden golf ball in celebration of Cortina’s 10-year anniversary, hitting a golf ball with a croquet mallet by Hendrick of Italasia, and other prizes from Dtac Trinet.

The “One Day Trip at Khao Yai” activity was organized as an alternative choice for those who did not join activities at the golf course. Attendees visited the Khao Yai Art Museum, where they had the chance to appreciate art by renown Thai artists and other fascinating sculptures. After the tour, the group enjoyed afternoon

tea at the exclusive Toscana Valley. Toscana Valley serves as a landmark of Khao Yai where visitors can enjoy the scenery that resembles the architecture and nature of southern Italy.

After a whole day of fun at the golf course, and a trip to Khao Yai for the non-golfers, it was time to start the special dinner party.

Since it was the launch of Golf Vacations Thailand magazine, the party couldn’t be less than extraordinary. The evening started with music by Echo Opera Stefan Sanchez and luxurious dinner by the Michelin Star Chef Julien Lavigne, owner of famous restaurants such as Oskar Bistro and Gossip Gastro Bar on Thonglor Road.

The music and food were supplemented with Italasia’s Solerno and Glenfiddich beverages served at the live bar.

The night ended with results from the golf competition and awards from our generous sponsors, making the night joyous and filled with laughter. Guests then went back to their luxurious rooms at Rancho Charnvee for a night’s sleep.

After the whole day of fun at the golf course, half day trip and night party, the morning of Saturday, March 22 was spent test driving the Maserati Ghibli on a 2-kilometer airport runway at the Rancho Charnvee golf course. This was also the last activity participants enjoyed before returning back to Bangkok.

The official launch of the Golf Vacations Thailand magazine has definitely marked a memorable experience for all the guests.

Golf Vacations Thailand magazine will continue to offer interesting stories for golf lovers, as well as columns on professional and casual lifestyles, fashion, design, art, collections, luxurious watches, prestigious automobiles, and travels and accommodations.

the first Golf 1 Million Buy a shirt, and win a trip to Vegas, St Andrews and a US$1,000,000 trophy.

- BY Be n n Y t e o

golf1million.com

No, this is not the next PGA Tour or European

tour season-ending event. In fact, it is only open to amateurs around the world. Whether it’s an online apparel store, or event company, nobody really knows as there is only one model of golf shirt retailing for €27 in four colours and three sizes (medium, large, extra large) and one event, albeit a big one, to play for.

How it works is very simple. Buy a shirt before June 10, 2014, post a picture wearing the shirt in the most interesting place you could think of on www.facebook.com/Golf1million, and the best picture wins a trip to this year’s Open Championships at Hoylake including flights for two. Obviously, all entries have to be posted before June 25th 2014 and you are only allowed one entry per shirt.

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Additionally, there is also a chance for 50 randomly picked players to play in an event to win a US$1,000,000 trophy designed by jeweler Mike Shorer. the deal comes with an all-expense paid trip for two to Las Vegas, Nevada in October 2015 that includes seven nights accommodation and a host of hospitality goodies, including an opportunity to play in a Celebrity Pro-Am event that is also happening then.

Interesting fact, or a story too good to be true? It really only costs €27 to find out.

Metamorphosis, an Hermès story

« Dressage » chronograph in steel, silvered dial, matt alligator strap Hermès Boutiques: Siam Paragon - Central Embassy Tel: 662 108 2300-1 Hermes.com

contents

ON THE COVER

GOLF VACATIONS THAILAND VOLUME 4 MAY-jUNE 2014

PrONGHOrN OrEGON’S LUxUrY rESOrT AND ACADEMY

Contents

GM MULTIMEDIA PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED Chairman & CEO: Pakorn Pongvarapa Executive Vice President: Finance Pornjitt Pongvarapa Executive Vice President: Editor niPan kulprasoot Executive Vice President: Business Development ritnarong kulprasoot Executive Vice President: Marketing Suebwong kaewthipharat General Manager: Panuwat Pongvarapa Finance Manager: wiMonLak asaiphanit New Media Director: PeSiLP Pongvarapa Executive Art Director: PrateeP Putchimtuck Art Staff: kornratH ngamprasit Accounting Manager: niCHaPa buparanond Editor-in-Chief: Suebwong kaewthipharat Editorial Staff: SiraYa Pongvarapa Computer Artist: PraSit anakananthpun Advertising/Marketing Manager: kongwarong Somsa Advertising/Marketing Staff: SantiPat Suksinchai Production Manager: ratana khow Marketing Development Manager: rattiYa Somchit Color Separation: kanoksilp (thailand) tel. +662 215 1588 Printing: Sirivatana interprint tel. +662 675 5600

Editor's Page Not Only...But Also "Costa daurauda, Spain, 15 november 2013 – Hua Hin, the laid-back seaside town on the Gulf of Thailand that has been the Thai Royal Family’s holiday headquarters for more than 80 years, now has another claim to fame: Asia and Australasia’s 2014 Golf Destination of the Year.

Hua Hin, 200 kilometres south of Bangkok, received the award this week at the International Association of Golf Tourism Operators’ annual convention (IGTM), held in Catalonia, Spain.

It is only the second time a region, rather than a country, has been named Golf Destination of the Year in Asia/Australasia. Thailand has twice won the award and in 2012 the Thai city of Pattaya was the winner.

The accolade recognises Hua Hin’s rapid recent ascendancy to the pinnacle as a golf tourism destination in Asia Pacific. The site of the first golf course in Thailand, Royal Hua Hin Golf Club built in 1924, the region’s golf credentials have risen since the opening in 2007 and 2008 of Black Mountain Golf Club and Banyan Golf Club." Paul Myers of Asian Travel Media reported last year.

This year in June 15-21, Hua Hin will host the Centara World Masters Golf Championship. The event is predicted to attract more than 600 golfers from 20 countries, and will be Asia's biggest week of amateur golf with US$ 30,000 in prizes to be won.

Hua Hin is a premier beach resort city in Thailand. It is popular among Thais and foreigners for a weekend getaway and ex-pat retirement.

Hua Hin is also the location of the king of Thailand's summer palace.

Hua Hin features a beautiful white sand beach, numerous seaside seafood restaurants, international restaurants, 5-star resorts, hotels and village night market, wineries and more. let's go to hua hin.

Suebwong Kaewthipharat editor-in-chief

Singapore Company: Pacom Media Pte Ltd Address: 801 Toa Payoh Lorong 7, #06-08, Wearnes Building, Singapore 319319 Tel: (65) 6323 9600 Publisher: Karen Chan Managing Editor: Benny Teo China, hong Kong & MaCau Company: Senasia Publication Group Ltd Address: Unit 832, 8/F, Metro Centre II, No. 21 Lam Hing Street, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2570 6123 Website: www.senasia.com.hk Publisher: Alan Mok Managing Editor: Alex Tam CzeCh republiC Company: Resort Media s.r.o.

Address: Škroupovo námestí 1255/9, 130 00 Prague 3, Czech Republic Tel: +420 271 773 934 Website: www.golfvacations.cz Publisher: Vera Hartmanova Managing Editor: Cenek Lorenc MalaySia Company: Big Shot Media Sdn Bhd address: 31-5, Block E1, Dataran Prima, Jalan PJU 1/42, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Tel: +603 7880 2788 publisher: Louis Foo Managing editor: Tony Francis

Thailand

Company: GM Multimedia Public Company Limited Address: GM Group Building, 914, Rama 5 Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300, Thailand Tel: +662 241 8000 Website: www.gvthailand.com Website: www.gmgroup.in.th E-mail: thepooh.gvthailand@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/ golfvacationsthailand Publisher: Pakorn Pongvarapa Editor-in-chief: Suebwong Kaewthipharat

TO BREAK THE RULES, YOU MUST FIRST MASTER THEM. IN 1993, AUDEMARS PIGUET CHANGED THE WORLD OF THE SPORTS WATCH FOREVER. THE POWERFUL ARCHITECTURE OF THE ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE BECAME THE ULTIMATE STATEMENT IN PERFORMANCE HAUTE HOROLOGY. THE 2014 ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE COLLECTION MOVES THE GAME ON ONCE MORE; THE HAND-ENGRAVED 22 CARAT GOLD OSCILLATING MASS NOW VISIBLE THROUGH THE SAPPHIRE CASEBACK, A WINDOW ONTO 139 YEARS OF HOROLOGICAL MASTERY.

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contributors

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Adelin Toh

dAn GrAnnAn

For Adelin, writing has always been a lifestyle. She loves to travel and write and started her career as a travel writer.

A self-confessed foodie, Adelin loves to go around Singapore to discover good joints where she can spend time with her family and friends. She also has a lovely golden retriever by the name of Hapi, who has jet set with her all over the United States while living there.

After spending some time in Singapore, Dan is looking to head back to the US and continue penning his thoughts for us, covering the gamut of what is the world’s most populous golf nation.

We wish him all the best and will be missing his steaks at the American club, if not his company.

chriS Folley

ShAun McGuckiAn

Our contributor from the English Standard in the UK shares his love for all things Spanish, especially the golf in Lumine, just outside of the vibrant city of Barcelona. A megaplex of golf designed by Greg Norman and integrated entertainment resort, surprisingly, it’s not just football and tapas that this major European hub is known for.

He’s Scottish by descent, English by nurture and Brighton by culture. The current editor of GolfPunk UK shares his Irish expedition up north in this issue, as well as a compilation of the world’s most exclusive golf clubs.

Does he know how to get in? We’re still trying to figure that one out.

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contributors

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tony smArt

Jerome AwAtshi

Video producer, golf photographer and correspondent, David made his first ever trip to the annual PGA Show in Orlando this year and came back wide-eyed and wonderstruck by the immense amount of equipment innovation and cool gadgets that he’s seen. Accompanied by the multitalented LongBoat Key head pro Roberto Borgatti, he then partook of a weekend witnessing golf instruction in a different, sensitive light.

A golf vacation is always something to look forward to, but the real fun begins, and ends, on transit, in the airport lounge, or people watching at the boarding gate. Our stylish fashion stylist shows us how to dress for it; tongue firmly in chic, of course.

Joseph LAncAster

DAviD J. whyte

The ex-travel editor of GolfPunk in the UK, Joe Lancaster is also an avid trivial-geek, especially when it comes to golf trivial. He delves into the life of one of golf’s living greats, Gary Player, and discovers his generosity has to do with a hard life growing up.

What more could life offer a golf aficionado except, well, more of the finest the world has to offer? Tony gets busy this past season playing across America’s fabled courses along major eastern hubs of Boston, New York and Washington, before sailing across the caribbean Sea to casa de campo. Then he flies to Morocco, experiencing Moorish culture and fantastic golf. Some life.

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Postcard

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Korineum, North Cyprus Par 3, Hole 13

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cartogolf

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Special Places Five very special golf courses and some you’ve never even heard of.

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Birch Grove, SuSSex

QueenWooD, uk

Brookline country cluB, BoSton

Wolf point, texaS

camp DaviD, WaShinGton D.c.

This ‘lost’ golf club has only one member. Former home to ex-British PM Harold MacMillan, it is now in the hands of Chinese billionaire Larry Yung who spent £10m developing the course to his taste. Then injured himself and no longer plays so the course is deserted.

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Mingle with film stars, tour pros and the rest of the 350 members and sample what are meant to be some of the most impeccable conditions and facilities in this most exclusive club in the UK. "We are not a golf club in the traditional manner," said a Queenwood employee.

A wealthy Texan called Mike Nuzzo simply said, The first Country Club “Build something I will in the US, dating back want to play every day to 1882. It was the scene for the rest of my life.” of one of golf’s most The detail neglected romantic tales, when was that the site was flat a young and unknown with just a solitary creek Francis Ouimet took on winding through it but the the might of Harry Vardon result is something that and Ted Ray and won. is being raved about in architecture circles. Adam Lawrence, editor of Golf Architecture, called it “the best debut course I have ever seen”, while others sing the praises of a track that at first glance looks tame, but is anything but on closer inspection.

It has only one green and four differing tees and measures no more than 140 yards at its furthest point, but the four-hole course at the presidential weekend retreat is undoubtedly one of the most exclusive in the world.

Journal ★ Home Away

Trump SoHo @ New York Standing tall in a hip and trendy district is a billionaire’s project for a friendly mix of lifestyle and investment.

Ubiquitous. That’s what Donald Trump is to New York and vice versa. Needless to say, this particular project of his, Trump SoHo New York, offers the sort of high living that the billionaire is known for, literally. Located at the heart of the fashionable SoHo district in downtown New York, the 46-storey glass-walled building sticks out and up with its 360-degree views across the other lower structures in this preeminent Manhattan neighbourhood.

Up there, it’s easy to spot landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Hudson River with floor-to-ceiling windows spread out across its 391 large sized rooms (starts at 422 square feet to more than 2,000 for suites) and suites furnished by luxury furnishing brand, Fendi Casa.

Built as a condominium-hotel by Handel Architects with loft inspired interiors by The Rockwell Group, this property, opened on April 9, 2010, now sees occupancy averaging 85 percent throughout the year, according to general manager Andreas Oberoi. It’s easy to see why.

Apart from its unique locale and build, there is much to say of its software as well. Like “Digital Downtime”, a service that provides complimentary Kindle reads for books from Random House, the world’s largest publisher. Then, there is the Trump Kids program where the juniors get their own personalised business cards, events, nanny services and even their own Trump

Kids Attaché, which is a kid’s version of the butler service offered to adult guests.

A deluxe room may go for only US$95 per night during low season, with suites at US$595, and penthouse, US$7,500; but they are sold from around US$600,000 for a deluxe room, which, at 422 sq. ft. equates to roughly US$1,400 per sq. ft. for a freehold Trump property in Manhattan.

“We sold 140 units without really putting them in the market,” said Oberoi. He also said that more than 90 percent of them are international buyers, which suits them just fine considering that they can only stay for up to 120 days a year here.

“It is more of an investment where, minus the cost of operation and taxes, the rest of the revenue from the room goes back to the buyer, and judging by our high occupancy rate, it is a fairly secure real estate to have,” said Oberoi, whose 25 years of experience includes managing such luminary brands as St Regis, Kempinski and Waldorf.

If that hasn’t whetted the appetite for a piece of lifestyle investment, how about this: The New York real estate situation has remained stable despite the economic fallout from 2008. According to NYC & Company Research and Analytics department, total visitors to the city has risen from 47.1 million in 2008 to 50.9 million in 2011.

How this translates to the rest of your portfolio depends entirely on you, but for the look on your weekend foursome’s faces when you tell him you’re visiting your new home in Manhattan, that’s well, priceless.

For information on purchasing a hotel condominium at Trump SoHo or to schedule a private appointment, call Gavriel Kahane at (212) 971-0111 ext. 167 or visit www.trumpsoho.com.

By Benny Teo

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Journal ★ Design

Els Club in Malaysia The first Els Club in Asia comprising of two championship courses and premier experiences is right next door.

"Visit an Els Club and you can expect a supreme golfing and leisure experience reflecting Ernie’s own personal tastes and inspired by some of the greatest destinations he has visited around the world in his 20-plus years as a champion golfer… An Els Club represents all the good things in life, delivered with style and authenticity.”The International Memberships are limited to golfers who reside abroad and are a member of a notable overseas golf club. Members in this category are allowed only 12 visits per annum but each can bring three guests on weekdays or one at the weekends. They are also entitled to play in all club competitions.

This, according to Ernie’s ‘Els Club’ website, is what we could be expecting in two years time at Desaru, a familiar beach-front holiday locale just across the border of Singapore.

Els Club Malaysia. Only the third of its kind in the world after Dubai and Copperleaf in South Africa. There will be two championship golf courses, four luxury resorts, hotels and golf residences, complemented with differentiated leisure and entertainment offerings to include a lifestyle retail village, two water theme parks, a convention centre and a hospitality institution in Desaru Coast, southern Malaysia’s first luxury integrated destination to be developed under the aegis of Destination Resorts and Hotels, or DRH for short, whose current portfolio includes the award winning Datai Langkawi.

Offering 54 holes in total, Els Coast Course is a 27-hole championship golf course designed by Ernie Els while Els Valley Course is a 18-hole course designed by, interestingly enough, his longtime friend and competitor, Vijay Singh. Both courses are jointly developed with Els Design, different in character but nevertheless integrated with the natural surroundings.

For the aficionado wanting more, there is Els Residences, exclusive villas resembling Ernie Els’ lifestyle with views overlooking the greens, which are ideal for golf-holidaymakers as they offer convenient accessibility to the club facilities for a complete premium golf experience. The entire golfing facility will be managed by Troon Golf, the global leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing.

Slated to open in 2016, both championship golf courses will be the key attractions for both business and leisure travellers at Desaru Coast.

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els Teluk daTai, langkawi

Theme parks – Ocean QuesT and Ocean splash

www.elsclubs.com www.drh.com.my/destinations/desaru-coast

By Benny TeO

144 Golfers joined this tournament

KomKrit nonGsawat (General manaGer for marKetinG and CommuniCations)

siam Country Club Plantation Golf Course, Pattaya, Chonburi

Mercedes Trophy 2014 continuously popular

Mercedes-Benz Thailand organized the 15th MercedesTrophy at the Siam Country Club Golf Course in Chonburi on May 2nd, 2014 attracting entries over 130 Mercedes-Benz customer golfers. This year, Mercedes-Benz celebrates its 25th anniversary of MercedesTrophy worldwide.

Winners from Country Final round will fly to Australia to compete in regional level. Regional winner will be able to tee-off in the World Final stage in Stuttgart, Germany. What makes it special than previous years is that golfer who scores Hole-in-One in the Country Final will own the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Moreover, representatives of Thailand in Asian Final stage will have a chance to experience The Open Championship as Mercedes-Benz’ s VIP guests in “Drive to the Major” program, a worldwide unique highlight reserved for selected golfers in this tournament only.

Komkrit Nongsawat, General Manager for Marketing & Communications extended warm welcome to Mercedes-Benz customers where this venue underlines the close relations between the brand Mercedes-Benz and golf.

Results of competition Men type Division A (handicap 0-9) No reward Division B (handicap 10-18) Mr.Punya Wongjindapun Division C (handicap 19-24) Mr.Seksan Turongthanakul Women type Division D (handicap 0-36) Mrs.Yupadee Choopraphanon

Journal ★ Travel

Clubs For Hire

Saving on time, space and effort when playing around the world.

Taylormade rockeTBladez for hire

cluBSTohire Shop aT malaga airporT

cluBSTohire Shop aT faro airporT

Have you ever been discouraged from taking a golf holiday in Europe,

particularly in Scotland, the Home of Golf, or the fabulous courses in Ireland, by the excessive cost charged by many airlines for transporting your golf clubs? Because many Asian airlines will charge you up to £200 each way for the privilege of taking your golf clubs with you on any long haul golf holiday.

If this is a problem then help is at hand from none other than this year's European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, who helped to launch Clubstohire.com back in July 2010 offering the very latest golf clubs from as little as €35 per set, per week. The company has outlets at 16 European destinations and recently opened another in Cape Town, South Africa.

What’s on offer include a TaylorMade RBZ driver, 3 and 5 woods, Rescue 5, Rocketbladez 4-SW irons, Odyssey putter and TaylorMade SLDR stand bag for €60 a week; or a 2013 Mizuno JPX 825 irons and woods, Odyssey putter and Mizuno cart bag for €50 a week; or a set of Callaway Diablo woods and X22 irons, Odyssey putter and bag for €45 per week. Budget sets

by Wilson and John Letters are available from €35 a week and there are plenty of ladies and junior selections as well.

The brainchild of Tony Judge and Gerry McKernan, they approached McGinley with the idea and he loved it. “I know how inconvenient and costly it can be to bring clubs with you when travelling. I immediately invested and enjoyed watching the business grow from a single location to over 17 locations in Europe and Africa,” he told me.

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“Tony and I attended college in Dublin and Tony had a strong golf background. The fact that golfers now have access to the latest clubs in the market and without all the hassle and cost of bringing their own is a major positive. I use the service several times a year when travelling with my wife and kids.”

Their top rental sets tend to be the latest from Taylormade and Callaway as most clients often use the service to try out the new kit anyway, according to Judge. He says, “We have ordered 300 sets of the new TaylorMade Jet Speed woods and Speed Blade irons.”

Not all the destinations have shops in the airport with some operating a meet and greet system, like Dublin and Edinburgh.

“It’s a six-month season so a shop is unviable. We meet clients at the airport or their hotel,” says Judge.

In addition to investing, McGinley has helped the company grow in other ways. “My role was to make sure the company had access to the latest clubs in the market place,” he says.

“With over 20 years on tour, I was able to open doors for Tony and Gerry. I act as the company's brand ambassador and this helped in giving the golfing public confidence to sample the service.”

The Clubstohire.com success story has been a team effort, which bodes well for McGinley's next team involvement – the Ryder Cup in September. www.clubstohire.com

By To n y S m a rT

Journal ★ Tranquiliser

Lush Respite A spa partisan Remède Spa at St. Regis Bali Resort heightens spa experiences.

Located in the St. Regis Bali Resort, Remède Spa is positioned as a lush exotic

spa with international appeal. By virtue of its name, the spa aims to provide a total relaxation and healing experience that draws a parallel with the artistic and creative process of creating a fine work of art.

Likewise, its therapists are trained to execute their strokes with the finesse and precision of an artist to create the best therapeutic experience.

Nestled in the midst of a koi pond in one of the island’s most serene locations, Remède Spa exudes tranquility, calmness and relaxation – an alluring haven for weary urbanites. Here, a moon and butterfly theme runs through the 11 well-equipped treatment rooms and the main walking areas where, through the magic of lighting, butterflies actually seem to gently flutter around.

For guests who desire locally inspired experiences, Remède Spa offers an exclusive selection of treatments featuring techniques and ingredients that reflect traditional Balinese approaches, employing gifts of nature including silken oils, soothing fragrances, and lush vegetation. This sublime convergence of local ancient and modern-day Remède products gives guests a true appreciation of the beauty and mysticism of the Balinese culture.

The Luxury Champagne Treatment that I went for left me utterly rejuvenated. The session started off with a simple foot soak, followed by a refreshing gentle massage using previous Duval Leroy Champagne. Once the prep work was complete, the experienced therapist began the signature Reméde massage using unique brushing techniques and natural ingredients such as grape seed scrub and grape seed oil.

The massage, which was executed using gentle to medium pressure, definitely soothed the discomfort in my tight muscles and left me feeling absolutely refreshed and recharged. I was told that grape seed oil and scrub were chosen for this treatment as the powerful antioxidant of the grapes will tone and fortify dry malnourished skin, fight free radicals, boost circulation and increase cell hydration to regenerate the skin. The massage ended with a detoxifying Champagne body mask made of white clay mixed with Duval Leroy Champagne. The entire treatment concluded on a high note with an intimate flower bath coupled with a glass of Duval Leroy Champagne under the private gazebo.

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ButterfLy Garden at remède spa

reLaxation BaLe at remède spa

The outstanding professionalism at Remède Spa was also something I truly appreciated. My therapist kept communication at a minimum throughout the treatment and spoke only when she was explaining the procedure, which allowed me to truly relax and be lulled to sleep. Good recommendations of products and advice from the therapist thereafter also reaffirmed the fact that I was in good hands. It was a great personal touch that scored points with me.

Other treatments available at Remède Spa include the Couple’s Revitalizing Ocean Journey, Couple’s Honeymoon Spa Experience, St Regis Signature ‘Bloody Mary’ Inspired Ritual, Four Hands Ayus Lomi, Express Rejuvenation, and many others – all of which target different problems depending on the individual. Treatment prices range from US$115 for a basic 90-min treatment massage (individual price) to US$710 for a 180-minute relaxing therapy treatment (for a couple). www.stregisbali.com

By Joseph Lancaster

Journal ★ Suitespot

Royal Suite at The Maxx Royal Belek Golf & Spa Hotel A quaint city that boasts over 300 days of sunshine and is home to 14 golf courses, and staying at the right place can further enhance that experience.

Situated on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey,

3 hours from most European cities and a short transfer from Antalya Airport, visitors to Belek can now check into The Maxx Royal Belek Golf & Spa Hotel, one of the newest and most luxurious hotels in the city. It is also the proud owner of the world-class, 18-hole Montgomerie Golf Course, designed by the 8-time European Merit winner himself.

This luxurious hotel offers only suite rooms in its main building, and terrace family suites and villas outside. Guests are greeted with a nut platter, champagne and flowers upon arrival and all of its accommodation boasts views of the stunning Mediterranean Sea or the picturesque Turkish landscape. The Terrace Family Suites that connect to the main building are perfect for the family vacation but for the ultimate in luxury and convenience, book the Royal Suites consisting of either one or two bedrooms that can accommodate up to six adults and two infants. Of course, if your cell-size is bigger than that, there are always the villas, which can house up to 10 adults.

Located in the main building with the option of 100 or 170m2 space, the Royal Suite’s custom design feels more like a modern one or two-bedroom home than hotel. Depending on which you choose, there is either a large lounge area with Jacuzzi within that the Jacuzzi is in the bathroom. All suites of this pedigree come with their own dressing room and balcony, in fact, two balconies for the two-bedroom option.

For booking and reservations, visit www.maxxroyal.com.

The MAxx RoyAl

The MonTGoMeRie MAxx RoyAl 14Th hole

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And speaking of bedrooms, there is a turndown service in the evenings and complimentary chocolates left in the room for winding the night down. Young guests up to the age of 12 will be provided a complimentary Nesquik milk bar (milk for kids up to 6 years old) and toiletries in their suites. And when it comes to sleeping, everyone has different preferences for their pillows and the hotel offers not three, but five pillow selections to ensure you have a good sleep prior to tee-off the following day.

All well and good, but that’s not it. The Maxx Royal does not forget the nice little details that make a stay a memorable one for their guests. For those who love a tan, or simple walk at the beach, but hate it when lotion or perspiration stain their sunglasses? Well, there is actually a sunglass cleaning service out there so you needn’t bother with carrying (and ultimately soiling) your cleaning cloth, or worse, risk losing it. This is a perfect case of a little effort doing so much.

The same goes with their room cleaning for late check-out so guests can enjoy those last few hours packing up stress-free and in a neat, clean room, or simply kicking back some more at the balcony. But that’s not all. Cold towel service at the beach, raincoats that automatically appear in the room on rainy days, the daily news catered specifically to your nationality, and together, they form a living experience that is hard to beat.

A paradise for golf and sports, this is also the location that hosts the European Tour’s Turkish Airlines Open, and one that its designer, Colin Montgomerie is very proud of. Set amidst undulating fairways set in mixed pine forest and sandy ridges, there is an open terrace that overlooks the gorgeous 18th hole for those who want to relax in a serene atmosphere with amazing views of the mountains and Mediterranean Sea after their game.

This is one hotel that has done it right for sure.

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The MAxx RoyAl Golf & SpA MAldiveS villA

By A d e l i n To h

Journal ★ Travel

New Waterside Course to Open in May

When Siam Country Club’s new Waterside course officially opens to visitors in May, the golf complex near Pattaya will become the largest in Thailand with 63 holes and an expected 120,000 golfers playing its three courses during the next year.

Described by the developer and owner as a unique and different experience to the existing Old Course and Plantation layouts, the IMG-designed Waterside course sits between the existing two high-quality courses.

Waterside is aptly named with 10 of the 18 holes playing over or beside lakes and ponds, while another two holes have creek crossings. Despite this, Waterside is expected to be more forgiving than the 27-hole Plantation course and the superb 18-hole Old Course, where the Honda LPGA women’s event, won by Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist, was held last week.

“Each of the three courses is different in style and thinking,” Siam Country Club’s managing director, Praserthchai Phornprapha, said while showing the course to

By Pau l My e r s

selected visitors last week. "It’s all about happiness. We want everyone who plays Waterside to really enjoy the experience.

People will play Waterside for the quality, happiness and standard of service.”

Waterside, which features paspalum fairways and Tif Eagle greens, is a par-72 layout that will play 7454 yards (6816 metres) from the championship tees, 6608 yards (6042 metres) from the blue tees and 6058 yards (5539 metres) from the white tees.

“There’s a lot of room,” IMG’s associate design director, Steve Shepherdson, explained during the preopening inspection. “The bunkers aren’t as deep as on the other two courses and there’s not as much run-off from the greens. Also, there’s only 12 or 13 metres of elevation change, compared with 40 metres at Plantation.”

A separate clubhouse, overlooking the greens on the spectacular 9th and 18th holes, will be ready by the end of April. Among notable other features are a 2300 square-metre practice putting green that is four times the size of a normal green, a 330-metre driving range and separate chipping green.

Owned by the Phornprapha family’s Siam Motors group, Siam Country Club isn’t stopping its development plans with the opening of its third course.

Next on the agenda is a 4-star boutique golf lodge that Khun Chai expects could be built within the next two years.

Because Siam CC is 20 minutes’ drive from Pattaya, on-site accommodation is bound to be popular, especially as other sought-after courses in the Pattaya area, including Laem Chabang International Country Club, are nearby.

Currently, Siam Country Club welcomes more than 90,000 golfers a year, mostly Thai and international visitors. When Waterside opens, the number will immediately rise above 120,000.

Golfers wishing to play the Old Course, dating back to 1971 when it became Thailand’s first privately-owned golf club, will have to play either the 27-hole Plantation or Waterside course first.

Siam CC is a member of Golf In A Kingdom (www. golfinakingdom.com), a collective of Thailand’s leading golf courses, hotels and resorts.

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Cover Story

Pronghorn Located in Bend with a blend of natural beauty and lively atmosphere.

- WO R D S a n D p i c t u R e S by DaV i D j. W h y t e

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Bend is one of the Pacific Northwest’s young towns with many settling here for the lifestyle with golf just one of the many outdoor activities on offer. David McLay Kidd, the designer of nearby Tetherow Golf Club and many other iconic courses around the world such as Bandon Dunes and St Andrews’ Castle Course has made Bend his home.

In the evening, it is lively with brew pubs (17 of them) providing great food as well as astounding ales. With 300 days of sunshine, the Cascade Mountains and the expansive High Desert skies, there is a wonderful, ever-changing backdrop to the town.

The Auberge Pronghorn Resort is a luxurious private residence club just outside Bend. It offers two exceptional Nicklaus and Fazio designs. The Fazio course is for members but word has it that the accessible Nicklaus layout is the superior.

With an array of fully equipped, luxurious 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom residences that is fully furnished, you have all you need to feel completely at home. Overlooking the Nicklaus Course, views of Mount Bachelor and Cascade Mountains, it is simply breathtaking to stay and play here.

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There is also the spa and three dining options, including the fine-dining Chanterelle and plenty of trails to walk or bike. But what really set Pronghorn apart is quality service. The staff are always ahead of the guests such that they do not just anticipate needs, they go out of their way to surpass them.

With golf, Jack Nicklaus did such a great job crafting the course into the natural surround that each hole blends beautifully into the setting, accentuating its beauty.

OPENING PAGE: Nicklaus course - Hole 13.

RIGHT PAGE FROM TOP: Nicklaus course - Hole 7; Deschutes River.

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Sunset at Nicklaus course - hole 15

“When you finish your round on the Nicklaus course, you can usually remember every hole. It is that unique,” says Luke Brosterhous, Director of Instruction here.

And interestingly, the further back you get from the mountains, the better the view.

At 20 miles out, the views of the Cascades are spectacular with a high desert terrain consisting of Juniper Trees and lots of sagebrush so that even the rough looks beautiful.

“But as far as playing the course, if you are hitting the ball well, especially off the tee, you’ll give yourself a fantastic opportunity to score. If you’re not, you’re still going to enjoy the great views and delightful design,” says Brosterhous.

There are a couple of holes that will either make or break your round. Hole 13 is a short par 4 with water bordering the entire right side. It is tempting to cut off some of the corner and take a wedge for your approach but the risk is high for any misplaced hit. Holes 15 and 16 are back-to-back Par 5s and these are the ones that golfers remember the most, particularly 15.

The key here is, if you’re directionally off-line you’re going to be penalised. Nicklaus can be very forgiving in his designs if you’re on line but short on distance. If you go off-line, you’ll be struggling and scrambling to make pars and that’s one of the key messages to playing a round at Pronghorn. www.pronghornclub.com Golf Vacations

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Troon Golf Academy at Pronghorn Located in Central Oregon, within the golfing haven of the Northwest, sits an academy that teaches for a lifetime.

With 35 years of experience and over 500 published golf articles as well as TV exposure through the Golf Channel, NBC, ABC and CBS, Tim Mahoney has been consistently ranked among the top 50 of golf coaches in the U.S. Some of his better known students include David Duval, Kevin Streelman, Billy Mayfair and Blaine McCallister. He also currently has a dozen nationally ranked junior golfers under his wing.

As director of education here at Troon Golf Academy at Pronghorn Resort, Mahoney’s philosophy is simple.

Preparation is the key to success. Six pre-swing fundamentals shape the in-swing, namely, grip, posture, ball position, aim, mind-set and tension level.

95 percent of golfers with swing defects are caused by incorrect pre-swing.

Build your set-up correctly and the rest - plane, shape, motion and impact -will be improved.

Each student is treated as an individual with differing abilities to learn and progress. The emphasis is on understanding the student and assisting with the learning of their ideal golf swing.

To facilitate this learning, Tim establishes www.pronghornclub.com/ a perfect set-up position and then works to troongolfacademy perfect a swing shape that complements the

student’s body type and time commitment for practicing the preferred swing.

The Troon Golf Academy at Pronghorn is designed purely to make you a better player.

It only has three teaching bays, which focuses on individual attention given to students by Mahoney and his team. Tim’s purposes is to ensure that the golfer have fun, get better at playing golf and have a better understanding of his or her golf swing.

There are two hitting bays with three cameras hooked up to the latest JC Video, a motion analysis software that helps compare each swing to previous data or to touring professionals. The system also gives Tim and his team the opportunity to communicate when the student leaves the property. The philosophy here is that once you’ve attended the academy, you’re always their student and they’ll help any time they can. There is a fitting station with Nike and Titleist clubs and a full range of gym equipment available within the resort.

The Troon Academy at Pronghorn utilises TrackMan technology that is used for touring professionals for fitting and teaching. They also use ‘TrackMan Combine’ technology where students can simulate tournament conditions on the range.

This is a good way to test the individual’s ability by hitting to different targets at specific distances. By focusing each individual’s game on a specific targets and distances, they can better define strengths and weaknesses. There is also an expansive bent grass outdoor practice range and an extensive short game area to hone scoring skills.

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Š Bettmann/CORBIS

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Legends

Byron Nelson A Gentleman Who Quit Whilst He Was Ahead. - By To n y S m a rT

Byron Nelson, or ‘Lord Byron’ as he was popularly known, was one of the greatest golfers who ever lived.

Between 1937-1946, with 13 Majors cancelled during that period due to World War Two, he won five Majors – two Masters, two PGA Championships and one US Open – and recorded 14 other top ten finishes in Majors.

He also won 64 tournaments worldwide, including 52 US PGA Tour wins, in his entire professional career which ran from 1935-1955. At one point his dominance of the US PGA Tour was so great that he won eight tournaments in 1944, then an incredible 11 consecutive tournaments and 18 in total in 1945, a record that still stands to this day. And in 1946 he won six more US PGA tournaments. Also during this period he recorded a stunning 113 consecutive top 20 finishes in US PGA Tour tournaments.

That you may not have heard of Nelson is due to the fact that at the end of 1946, he effectively retired from professional golf to become a rancher when he was still only 34 years old and could easily have had another decade at the top of the game. He did continue to play in the Masters until 1959, gaining a further six top 10 finishes at Augusta during that period, and he also played three more times at the Masters in the 1960s but failed to finish better than tied 15th. He also played in the occasional golf tournaments around the world, winning the Bing Crosby Pro-Am on the US PGA Tour in 1951 and the French Open in 1955.

Nelson’s dominance during his record years wasn’t down to lack of competition. He was born within seven months of Ben Hogan and Sam Snead and throughout the 1940s, these three would be battling it out in almost every tournament with Hogan and Snead winning their fair share of tournaments that Nelson also played in.

John Byron Nelson Jr. (his full name) was born in Waxahachie, Texas, on 4th February 1912 to deeply religious parents and he quickly became a committed

churchgoer. He was a member of his parents’ church, the Roanoke Church of Christ, and did a lot of service at the church, even performing janitorial services there from time to time long after he became famous.

Like Hogan and Bobby Jones, ‘Lord Byron’ was also a golfer who suffered a lot with illness throughout his life. At the age of 11 his family moved to Fort Worth, where he barely survived typhoid fever after losing nearly half his body weight to the disease, which also left him unable to father children.

In later life, when he had become a very successful professional golfer, he developed a blood disorder that caused his blood to clot four times slower than normal, which prevented him from doing military service during World War Two. He discovered golf early when he started caddying at Glen Garden Country Club just outside Fort Worth.

In later life, reflecting on his caddying days, Nelson said, “I knew nothing about caddying at first, but it wasn’t difficult to learn. The other caddies, though, didn’t like to see any new ones, because that might mean they wouldn’t get a job sometime.”

And waiting around for a job in the caddy yard could certainly be tough with the established caddies frequently beating up the new boys to try and stop them coming and taking their jobs. One of this mob’s favourite forms of bullying was to stuff a new caddy in a barrel and send it rolling down a hill.

At that time, caddies were not allowed to play the course but that didn’t stop Nelson, who would often practice in the dark, putting a white handkerchief over the hole so he could see it. The club later changed its policy and even sponsored the Glen Garden Caddy Tournament where the 14-year-old Nelson beat fellow caddy and future golf rival Ben Hogan by one shot after a nine-hole playoff. Nelson and Hogan Golf Vacations

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© Bettmann/CORBIS

Nelson was among the first of a new generation of players who developed a full swing with increased leg drive leading the downswing, and this was the forerunner of modern golf technique as practised by top players.

Byron Nelson shot a 69, three under par, on the opening day of the Victory National Open at Calumet Country Club.

became good friends and rivals which lasted into the early part of their professional careers until Nelson’s early success proved too much for the struggling Hogan and they gradually grew apart.

Nelson turned pro in 1932, working as a club professional in Texas, and playing in as many significant tournaments as he could afford, to develop his game. Money was tight as Texas had been hit very hard by the Great Depression. A pair of top-three finishes in important Texas events encouraged him and then, in 1935, he took a club professional’s job at the Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey.

He worked hard on his game, having realized that with the technological change from hickory to steel shafts, which was gathering momentum in the early 1930s, the golf swing would have to adapt as well.

Nelson was among the first of a new generation of players who developed a full swing with increased leg drive leading the downswing, and this was the forerunner of modern golf technique as practised by top players. Indeed Nelson is sometimes credited as being the father of the modern golf swing and he refined the changes for a couple of years at Ridgewood before taking his game to the highest level of competition the US PGA Tour.

Within a couple of years, all Nelson’s hard work paid off as he won his first Major, the 1937 Masters, having already won a couple of US PGA Tour events.

Two years later, he won the US Open, then the US PGA Championship the next year, a second Masters in 1942, and a second US PGA Championship in 1945, his last Major victory and just one of 18 tournament wins in his record-breaking year. And then one year later, this great golfer was officially retired.

Although Nelson’s blood disorder stopped him from doing military service during World War Two, he still managed to do hundreds of golf exhibitions across the country to raise money for charitable causes. And even after he retired, he continued to give back to the game that had given him so much success, mentoring players like Ken Venturi and Tom Watson in the early days of their careers.

He later became a golf commentator and was the first professional golfer to have a tournament named after him, the HP Byron Nelson Classic. He was also one of the honorary starters at the Masters for many years. In the 1960s, the United States Golf Association (USGA) honoured the consistency of Nelson’s swing by naming the electro-mechanical machine used by them and golf manufacturers to compare and test clubs and balls for conformity to official standards, “The Iron Byron”.

Byron Nelson died in 2006 at the age of 94 and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in the same year, the highest award that can be bestowed by the Legislative Branch of the United States government, for his “significant contributions to the game of golf as a player, a teacher, and a commentator.”

One of golf’s great gentlemen ‘Lord Byron’ is sorely missed.

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The Interview Series

DYE HARD Don’t be fooled by his cuddly exterior. Golf course designer Pete Dye is a ruthless genius hell bent on making golfers cry.

- By G AV I N N E W S H A M

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It is March, 1982, and the field

at the inaugural Players Championship at the PGA’s new Stadium Course at Sawgrass are finding the going tough. Among the sufferers is Ben Crenshaw, who has walked off 18 in search of a calculator. The damage? A wretched 74 to go with a 75 in the opening round. He has missed the cut by some distance.

Taking his place in front of the waiting press pack, the eight-time winner on the PGATour shakes his head as one hack asks him about the new course. His face is a picture of abject misery. “This,” he shrugs, “is Star Wars golf. This place was designed by Darth Vader.” For Star Wars, read a dining table in Indianapolis. For Darth Vader, read Pete Dye. Darth Vader is one of the kinder names Pete Dye has received during his 45 year career in golf course architecture (others include the Marquis de Sod and Dyeabolical). But at 79 years old and with over 120 menacing courses to his credit, Dye is long past caring. “Unless a few golf professionals are bellyaching about my course design,” he says, from his home in Delray Beach, Florida. ”I wonder whether I've done enough to challenge them."

Certainly, Dye’s resume reads like the rap sheet of an incurable sadist: the TPC at Sawgrass Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; Whistling Straits in Mosel, Wisconsin; the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, South Carolina; Crooked Stick, Carmel, Indianapolis; the PGA West Course at La Quinta, California and his own Pete Dye Club in Bridgeport, West Virginia.

“Truth is,” says Dye, “I just like to see the best players tested.

You know, there may be one guy in the field who breaks 70 but that one player has shown that it can be done. I just want players to think, that’s all.”

Born in 1925 in Urbana, Ohio, Pete Dye took up golf at the age of three and spent his youth hitting balls and helping with maintenance at the local nine-hole Urbana Country Club, a course designed by his father Paul Dye. At age 15, and with World War II taking the club’s staff away, Dye was promoted to head greenkeeper, a position he held during his high school years.

By 1944, Dye himself was in the army, signing up for the parachute infantry. Stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina (the camp where Tiger Woods recently spent a week), Corporal Dye’s primary duty was tending the base’s golf course. He would also make regular excursions to a resort some 20 miles away, Pinehurst, where he would spend his days playing the famous No. 2 course and chatting with the resident professional and influential course designer Donald Ross.

When the war ended, Dye enrolled on a business course at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, and it was here that he met Alice O’Neal, the star player on the women’s golf team and the woman that would become his wife. After college, the couple both took jobs with Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance, spending any free time they had playing golf.

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“Everything is on the professionals’ side now. Golf balls that fly 40 yards further. I keep screaming and yelling but no one’s listening.”

LEFT PAGE: Tom Watson, La Quinta.

In 1959, the Dyes landed an unpaid job designing a new nine-hole course at the El Dorado Club in Indianapolis. They built the course themselves, digging up the bent grass in their front yard, taking it to the site in the boot of their car and then re-bedding it for the greens. The following year, as word spread of the fine job they had made at El Dorado, they were hired to build an 18-hole course across town in Heather Hills. Their first cheque – for $8,000 – signalled the beginning of the end for their careers in insurance.

Though Pete Dye enjoyed a successful amateur career – he qualified three times for the matchplay stages of the US Amateur Championship and played in the 1957 US Open at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio – he never considered turning professional. “I was good but not good enough,” he reflects. “And anyway, what chance would I have stood with the likes of Hogan and Nicklaus around?”

It was a prudent move. After all, he had first hand experience of the gulf between the amateur ranks and those in the professional game. As an amateur, Dye twice played the teenage Jack Nicklaus; the first time in an exhibition at Urbana CC (with Sam Snead making up the trio), and the second occasion in the TransMississippi Amateur at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas. Dye lost four and three. “He was just incredible,” he recalls. “Mind you, if I’d beat him, it might have changed golf history.”

But Pete Dye was always the second best golfer in the Dye household, Alice being one of the leading lady amateurs of her era, winning 50 amateur titles, including two USGA Senior Women's Amateur Championships, competing on the 1970 Curtis Cup

Team and serving as captain of the USA’s 1992 Women's World Cup. While the memory of those afternoons spent with Donald Ross at Pinehurst fuelled Dye’s desire to forge a career in architecture, it was a trip to Scotland in 1963 that instilled in him his traditionalist approach to course design. While flat-track parkland golf was all the rage in early 1960s America, Dye was in Scotland playing classic links like Carnoustie, Turnberry, and Prestwick, taking notes of the unkempt rough, the tiny, strategically placed pot bunkers and the impossibly undulating greens.

On that trip he also played the Old Course at St. Andrews for the first time. He was singularly unimpressed. “I defy anyone to say that St Andrews is a great course when they’ve played it only once.

First time I played it I came away thinking it was nothing special.

It was only when I went back and played it again and again that I realised what a great course it is. It’s only when you begin to realise where all the subtle curves and the pot bunkers are and when the wind really picks up that it becomes a real challenge.”

Dye returned to the States with a clear vision of what he wanted from a golf course. He wanted smaller tees, smaller greens and smaller landing areas. He wanted players to think their way round his courses and not just blast away. He wanted subtle, more natural looking layouts (his course at Harbour Town is a case in point). But above all he wanted to intimidate golfers. “I believe in making my golf courses the most difficult from the back tees while still offering other tees for the players that are going to shoot 90 or 100. I think you’ll find that some of the courses that people have said are too difficult are actually some of the most popular ones among average players.”

But in an age where technology has seen clubs the world over Tiger-proofing their courses in a bid to combat the longer hitters, Dye’s approach to course design remains at odds with the current trends in golf architecture. He prefers to build his courses with an emphasis on finesse and strategy rather than extra length and brute force. If that means Golf Vacations

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The story behind the 17th at Sawgrass It is a hole unlike any other in modern golf. It is a par three measuring just 132 yards – a solid wedge for most professionals – yet it is Pete Dye’s most infamous creation. Or to be precise, it is his wife Alice’s most infamous creation.

Contracted by the PGA and their commissioner Deane Beman to build a new course at their Ponte Vedra headquarters, Dye set about the swampland site and soon discovered that he needed additional sand to develop the fairways elsewhere on the course.

As luck would have it, there was a huge pocket of it in the area around what would become the 17th. So they started digging. “And we just kept digging and digging until there was this big old hole in the ground.”

While Dye had already earmarked the 17th as a par three he had no idea how to reconstruct the area after the excavation of so much sand. Then his wife Alice intervened. “She said, ‘Pete, why don’t you just make it an island green?” and it seemed like the perfect thing to do.”

Not everybody agreed, least of all Jerry Pate, who hit four balls in the water at the 17th but still managed to win the inaugural TPC at the course in 1982.

What was his verdict?

“Unplayable.”

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RIGHT PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Ocean Course, Kiawah Island; The 16th at Teeth Of The Dog, Dominican Republic.

they’re too difficult, too testing, then so be it. It’s part of a wider campaign he’s been waging to force the game’s authorities into curtailing the kind of developments that have seen 300 yard drives becoming the norm, not the exception.

“Everything is on the professional player’s side these days. They have these golf balls that go 30, 40, 50 yards further than the old ones. I’ve designed courses where the landing areas off the back tee were 260 or 270 yards but now you’ve got these guys who can hit 330 yards plus and go straight over. Even club golfers hit the ball 300 yards now.

“The net result is you’ve got people waiting around on tees longer just so the groups in front can get out of range. It’s making the game so much slower and you’re looking at five or six hours to play a round. I think the ball manufacturers, the USGA and the R&A should get together and do something fast. I keep screaming and yelling but nobody’s listening.”

Pete Dye has no office; he works from his dining table. Nor does he have any great corporate strategy. Indeed, he once turned down a partnership with Jack Nicklaus, sparking rumours of a feud between the two. There wasn’t.

He just likes doing things his way. That means walking the site and picturing each and every hole he wants to build and, if the need arises, Alice will sketch some plans. “I don’t really make detailed plans or look at other people’s work. I know when I see the land what I want to do with it.”

Dye’s reputation in the golf world ensures that, even as he approaches 80, he is still in as much demand as ever. Moreover, his projects seem to be becoming increasingly ambitious, at a time when you would expect them to be more conservative. In the early 1990s, for example, Dye was hired by the millionaire owner of the 84 Lumber construction company, Joseph Hardy, to build a course worthy of hosting a PGA Tour event at his Nemacolin Woodlands Spa resort in Farmington, Pennsylvania. When Dye surveyed the site, he found a construction job that made the Channel Tunnel look like a weekend project for Ground Force. With no usable soil on site and faced with more rock than he had seen in his entire designing career, Dye told Hardy that while it wasn’t impossible, it would a) take a lot longer than average, and b) it would cost him more than any other course that Dye had ever built. Hardy was adamant.

“OK I said, I’ll build it on one condition. He [Hardy] said, ‘What?’ I told him, ‘Never ask me how much it’s costing.’He said, “OK.” So I built it, but I stopped counting how much it cost about half way through the build.”

The result, which opened in 1995, was nothing short of astonishing. Huge, undulating greens, fairways lined with boulders and a signature hole – the par-three 17th – that is up there with the best (or worst) of Dye’s work. The PGA liked it too and in September 2003, Joseph Hardy’s dream of hosting a Tour event was finally realised when the 84 Lumber Classic of Pennsylvania took place at Mystic Rock.

Forty-five years since his first design came to life, Pete Dye is still getting his hands dirty. He is, by his own admission, a “digger”, a man who prefers to get out there with a rake and shovel and shape the greens himself. He still averages two builds a year, while the likes of Jack Nicklaus’ and Arnold Palmer’s design companies are knocking out 20 a year. It’s a pace of life that suits him and Alice. He has a house alongside the 18th fairway at Crooked Stick, Indianapolis (a course his wife describes as their “first born” even though they have two sons, Perry and PB, who are also course designers) and they spend their winters in Delray Beach.

Currently, he is dividing his time between a new course for the University of Virginia and another course in the Dominican Republic, where he has already built four. These include the celebrated Teeth Of The Dog course at Casa de Campo, a layout that was created entirely with hand labour and used not one piece of mechanical earth-moving equipment. He harbours no thought of retirement and still makes regular trips to most of the 120 courses he has designed, just to see how they’re shaping up. “They never change that much.

I guess that’s a compliment of sorts.”

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Destination Focus

Moroccan Links Mystical, magical, a land where kings and princes still rule, and a panoply of golf to be savoured. - By to n y s m a rt

Most golfers will not think of Morocco as a golf destination yet the north-west African country is rapidly developing a reputation for golf, with 21 great 18-hole championship courses and four more under construction. Indeed it is such a good golf destination that it once again has a tournament on the European Tour schedule, the TrophĂŠe Hassan II which debuted on the Tour in 2010 though it had been played as a small invitational event since 1971.

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Despite previously being a small event, the tournament has drawn the likes of Ernie Els, Seve Ballesteros and Padraig Harrington who all came at the invitation of golf fanatic King Hassan II, as did three-time Major winner Billy Casper who was also the King’s golf coach in the 1970s. In fact Morocco’s growth as a golf destination is entirely down to King Hassan II who instigated the creation of more than 10 new courses during his 38-year reign. Sadly, he died in 1999 but golf has continued to prosper in Morocco under the patronage of his youngest son, Prince Moulay Rachid.

The jewel in Morocco’s golfing crown is undoubtedly Royal Golf Dar Es Salam near to the Imperial City of Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Rabat, a beautiful white city located on a river estuary facing the Atlantic, is also known as the Washington of North Africa for its parks, boulevards, monuments, embassies and government buildings. It is also the home of the royal family and therefore full of beguiling palaces and mosques.

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Dar Es Salam consists of 45 holes - the Red and Blue courses (both 18 holes) and the Green nine - designed by the late Robert Trent Jones Snr. In the late 1970s and early ‘80s, the Red Course was twice voted one of the world’s 50 best golf courses. It also hosted the initial Trophée Hassan II on the European Tour in 2010 and, for many years, the Moroccan Open, which ceased to be a European Tour event in 2001.

The Red is a stunning challenge for golfers of all levels, perfectly manicured and with some of the best greens one can ever put on. The course winds its way through a forest of cork trees whose fairways are also lined with eucalyptus, cypress, orange and pine trees, whilst three lakes come into play at the 172 metres par 3, 9th, which happens to be the course’s signature hole, the 11th and 12th. And between the latter two, there is something you don’t see on many golf courses - Roman column ruins transferred to the course from the nearby ancient city of Volubilis. Of the three, Red is definitely the one to play.

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OPENING PICTURE (PREVIOUS PAGE) : Oued Fes Golf Club.

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Royal Dar es Salam, Red Course - 10th green; Palm Golf Course - Double green for 8th and 10th holes with Atlas mountains in the background; Samanah Country Club Clubhouse.

RIGHT PAGE : Mazagan Golf Course.

golf in Morocco that one of the new courses, the Gary Player designed layout at the Mazagan Beach Resort near Casablanca, is vying with Dar Es Salam’s Red Course to be Morocco’s numero uno.

Opened in 2009, the par 72 Mazagan course measures 7,484 yards from the back tees making it the longest in Morocco, though there are a variety of tees on each hole that allow golfers to play a much shorter course.

Flowing down from the hotel to the Atlantic Ocean, this is a true links course with no water hazards, no trees, large bunkers, huge undulating greens, and wide fairways where golfers are likely to be buffeted by strong winds from the sea. Native grasses and iceplant make up the rough and the most spectacular holes are the four that run right beside the Atlantic. It is indeed a worthy adversary to the Red course.

Another great course just four kilometres from Mazagan is Royal Golf El Jadida, which is also right beside the Atlantic Ocean. Designed

by Cabell Robinson, El Jadida is for the most part a gorgeous parkland layout that plays through avenues of pine and eucalyptus trees with several picturesque lakes coming into play on five holes. But it is the final three that really take the breath away as the course suddenly becomes a links and the par three 16th, par four 17th and par five 18th play right by the foaming white breakers of the Atlantic.

The 16th tee provides the best views, most notably of a huge shipwrecked trawler that stands right out of the water about 100 yards off-shore. Here the hotel and spa were completely renovated in 2012 and are a great place to stay right beside the golf course.

Several hundred kilometres further south, there are three courses at

The jewel in Morocco’s golfing crown is undoubtedly Royal Golf Dar Es Salam near to the Imperial City of Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Rabat, a beautiful white city located on a river estuary facing the Atlantic, is also known as the Washington of North Africa for its parks, boulevards, monuments, embassies and government buildings.

Agadir, Morocco’s main seaside resort. Agadir, on the Atlantic Coast is Morocco’s top tourist centre with over 340 days of sunshine a year, and is also the country’s most modern city after the old town was flattened by a powerful earthquake back in 1960. Rapidly rebuilt with wide boulevards and pedestrian walkways, Agadir is a welcome break in an antiquated country with a white sand beach that is the best this side of the Mediterranean.

Golf de l’Océan is the newest of the three, just opening in 2009 and designed by Belt Collins. The 27 holes are beautifully routed over and around natural sand dunes in the heart of a eucalyptus forest and are in great condition.

The Golf Club Med les Dunes is another Robinson design which opened in 1991 and also has three nines for the golfer to choose from, the Yellow, Blue and Red nines. All three nines have a par of 36 and play through eucalyptus trees, clumps of tamarisk and broom, and around or over several lakes.

Golf du Soleil is located next door to the Dunes and has two 18-hole courses, one designed by Fernando Muella and opened in 1999 and the other designed by Gérard Courbin and opened in 2005. Both courses measure over 6,000 yards, par 72, with fairways surrounded by tamarisk, mimosas, eucalyptus and palm trees. The greens are well guarded by bunkers, on top of which four lakes bring water in play on six hole locations. All three Agadir clubs are located close together and have the wonderful southern Atlas Mountains as a backdrop.

Morocco’s two other golf centres are contained within the fabled red city of Marrakech, which has seven courses with another two due to open soon; and the northern coast with two courses around Tangier in the east, three more being developed at a new resort near Berkane, and another one under construction near Tangier.

At Marrakech, the Royal Golf Club of Marrakech is the country’s second oldest course, founded in 1923, and yet still a beautiful challenge. Its fairways are lined with thousands of trees of all varieties. The other six courses around the red city are much newer. The Palm Golf Club is another Trent Jones Snr. design which opened in 1993 and, which as the name suggests, has fairways lined with palm trees plus seven lakes and plenty of white sand bunkers to test accuracy. It also has a huge double green for the 8th and 10th holes, great caddies and magnificent views of the Atlas Mountains.

Opened two years later, the Amelkis course is another Robinson design, a typically American style course with lots of bunkers and water hazards, and huge, undulating greens that place a premium on putting. Its fairways are lined with luxurious residential villas, century old palm trees, palm groves and giant papyrus reeds.

A trip to the incredible Djemaa el Fna square, especially in the evening, is the hotbed of social activity in Marrakech and constantly filled with acrobats, jugglers, storytellers, fire-eaters, snake charmers, fortune-tellers and the ilk; all enhancing the romance of a nation with a history of mystique and magic. Settle down at one of many rooftop cafes and soak in the atmosphere, or walk right through and engage personally. Either way, the charm of the city square promises to enchant night after night, after night.

Another interesting landmark here is the La Mamounia Hotel, famous for being the favourite of ex-British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, who historically met American President Franklin Roosevelt there back in 1943 to decide the Allies’ future path in the Second World War. Marrakech’s next course to open was in 2008 at the Samanah Country Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus. Its green fairways run through areas of desert scrub littered with palms and cacti.

Three lakes test the golfer on six holes whilst a meandering stream comes into play on four more. And, as with all Marrakech’s courses, the awesome, snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas Mountains are always in view.

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After Samanah, a golf boom began springing up around Marrakech every year with Gary Player’s two 18-hole designs at Golf de Mogador opening in 2009 and 2011 respectively whilst Kyle Phillips’ magnificent course at Al Maaden Golf Resort opened up in between them in 2010. In 2012, the Francisco Lopez Ségalès designed, Troonmanaged golf course at the Atlas Golf Resort was scheduled to open but that opening has been delayed, and in late 2013, the Robinson designed layout at the Royal Palm opened.

And, by the time you read this, the Niall Cameron course at the Assoufid Golf Club should be just about ready for its first cries of ‘Fore’!

Next stop, Tangier, is at the crossroads of Africa and Europe, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It used to have a glamorous, cosmopolitan image and was a haven for artists but in recent times, people mainly go there for the beautiful beaches and the modern city, and of course, golf. The Royal Country Club of Tangier, created in 1914, is the oldest course in Morocco and is known as one of the oldest on African soil.

The 6,060-metre par 70 course, modified in 1967 by Frank Pennink, is nestled in a beautiful natural setting, composed of hills and old trees where the holes wander through cypress, pine and eucalyptus trees, crossing a mountain, sloping down and climbing again.

Just over 100 kilometres from Tangier at Tetouan is Royal Golf de Cabo Negro, created by the great design firm of Hawtree & Sons in 1972 and later revised by Robinson.

This friendly and welcoming course, playable for golfers of all skill levels, is a real hidden gem and well worth a visit. Also close to Tangier, the Paradise Golf & Beach Resort is currently still under construction.

Another 100 kilometres away, this time from the border of Algeria, the Saidia Resort is possibly set to become the new golfing mecca in the Mediterranean. With one highly praised golf course, Palmeral Golf Saidia, already open for play and two more courses, Las Lagunas and El Oasis, well into construction, plus six luxury hotels, a 740-berth yacht marina, shopping boutiques, and over 3,000 residential units, the resort looks to be a big boost to Moroccan tourism.

All three courses have been designed by Spain’s Francisco Ségalès and Palmeral, are set in a pristine natural environment with plenty of bunkers, water hazards and island greens to challenge the golfer.

OPPOSITE PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Palmeral Golf Saidia Golf Course; Assoufid Golf Course; Casa Green Golf Club.

THIS PAGE: Royal Palm Golf & Country Club.

And if that is still not enough, there is a Tony Jacklin design at Bouskoura Golf City near Casablanca which is expected to open soon, the Casa Green Golf Club which opened last year and also close to Casablanca, another Troon-managed tract called Oued Fes course near Fez, and the Mohammedia Royal Golf Club, again near to Casablanca. This largest city in the country translated, as “White House”, is located in its western shore on the Atlantic Ocean. With its sprawling cityscape the largerthan-life Morocco Mall featuring a massive one million litre aquarium and many historical landmarks, the sentimentalist amongst visitors may even retrace the steps of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the 1942 movie of the same name.

While there are golf aplently to look forward to, Morocco is evidently a place where cultural and experiential elements must not be missed, with a spectacular amount to see and do, from the mosques and medinas, palaces and gardens of Marrakech and Rabat to the beaches and nightlife of Tangier and Agadir. And of course, for those looking to fall in love again, there is always Casablanca.

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The 19th

The Wines of

Napa Valley An hour drive from the Northern California city of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate bridge and through Sausalito, lies a little strip of heaven that produces some of the finest wines in the world.

- BY da n g r a n n a n j r.

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Upon entering Napa Valley, you will be greeted with a welcoming sign that states, “Welcome to this world famous wine growing region,” followed by a side note that quotes nineteenth century Scottish poet Robert Louis Stevenson, “… and the wine is bottled poetry…”

While wine production dates back to the nineteenth century, it was only from 1960s onwards that premium wine making began to grow here. Today, the wide acceptance of wine in social circles, investment potential, and emerging worldwide markets, has helped transform Napa from a small, idyllic local spot to a premier travel destination for wine aficionados, vacationers, and even investors.

This is already proving to be the right place with the right notions. Nevertheless, if one is expecting to drive across heavenly highlands synonymous with the home of whisky and golf, he may be disappointed; Wine producing regions were never meant to be set upon craggy mountain ranges anyway and this one in particular, spans a mere 30mile range, along equally stunning rolling hills on highway 29 and the Silverado trail in Northern California, not along the A9 to Inverness, Scotland.

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Even with limited space, there are over 400 wineries here in Napa Valley. How is that possible? It is because they utilise the smallish 45,000 acres of vines to their fullest potential, instead of peppering the area of mass-market produce. Perfectly situated in a rare and diverse microclimate zone, it has the ideal environment for superb growing potential. On top of the amazing climate, Napa Valley contains some of the most distinct soil compositions on earth.

As such, the wineries in this region are able to grow some of the world’s highest quality grapes, an essential component for top tier wines. So, despite producing less than one percent of the world’s wine, what is created is considered to be some of the very best Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Franc bottles.

It is also here that you find Opus One. One of the most unique vineyards in the world, and among the first to greet 58

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you in the valley, the Opus One winery is dedicated to producing just one premier Bordeaux style blend year in and year out. CEO David Pearson states, “There is power in simplicity and focus,” and this is exactly what Opus One does. Owners Rothschild and Constellation have created this ultra-premium wine that should be owned in any collection. They focus on making one great wine and do it really well.

The design of the winery is classical and futuristic.

Illustrated by the amazing architecture and ultra modern production areas throughout the facilities, Opus One blends the old and new in a setting that is as impressive as it is unique.

This contrast in styles carries over into just about everything done at Opus One. Utilising traditional techniques together with advanced technology, the cabernet grapes are handpicked and sorted out manually so that only the finest are selected. Using the earth’s gravity through a network of subterranean construction that sometimes gets built upwards above ground, the vines are nourished via gravity feed to conserve energy and minimize impact to the environment.

This is by no means exclusive to Opus One and is widely used for both efficiency and aesthetic purposes.

What is special is that they import new French oak barrels every season to age their finest first and second growths, and thus are able to produce only 25,000 bottles per annum.

“Life is a Cabernet”, and at Silver Oak, it not only certainly is among the finest, but also happens to be home to one of the more enjoyable tasting and tour experiences. Silver Oak is a family-ownedand-operated facility that places priority in making guests feel at home, and that is evident in the service and attitude of the employees who help make the experience truly great.

While a smile goes a long way in enjoying a quaff, the winery really does produce one of the smoothest and most drinkable cabernets in the world for over 40 years. However, like the Opus One, they are very limited with only 30,000 bottles each year.

Tom Walsh, VIP tour manager, Silver Oak says that it is at its best when paired with food. This silky, soft, smooth, and balanced wine is a hit with aficionados and clearly has developed a following as the wine tasting area is consistently packed to the brim and alive with chatter, laughter, and an overall great atmosphere.

Surprisingly, Viader winery is still one of Napa’s “best kept secrets”, despite being founded in 1986.

With the exception of wine connoisseurs or residents living in the area, this family-run establishment is still largely off the radar for most visitors. What is doubly surprisingly is not that Viader also offers some of the finest bird’s eye views of the valley standing some 1,200 feet above the floor and coupled with stunning architecture and amazing wines. This is a tasting and tour that should be penned, not penciled, in.

opening piCTURe FRoM THe pReVioUS pAge: opus one Vineyard facing Mt. St. Helena. oppoSiTe pAge : opus one.

THiS pAge CoUnTeR CLoCKWiSe FRoM Top: Springtime view of opus one; Silver oak; Silver oak Fermentation; Viader Cave.

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Like many of the finest winemakers here, they use traditional French planting techniques typically found in Bordeaux, with the slope along the mountain for excellent sun exposure, vine optimization, and supreme soil composition. With optimum climate a given, Viader produces several varietals including a Cabernet Sauvignon based Cabernet Franc, a Cabernet Franc vinified alone, a Bourdeaux style blend with Petit Verdot, and a Tempranillo.

With such an extensive portfolio of wines, there are several tasting options to choose from - the Portfolio, the Reserve Library, or the Cellar Experience. These tasting choices will ensure that your expectations are met, even so far as allowing guests to taste multiple vintages to illustrate the quality and consistency present over the years. The tastings combine current offerings and wines from the library that are rated well over 90 points, many of which should make their way back to your cellar or cabinet.

Of course there are more quality vineyards to visit than these three.

Notables such as Castello di Amorosa, Joseph Phelps, KaDieM Cellars, Quintessa, Duckhorn, Artesa, Twomey, Stags Leap Wine Cellars and Mayacamas are also among the finest and, in some cases, more renowned Napa Valley exports to the international markets.

There are also some very unique properties that produce only sparkling wines, like Schramsberg Vineyards and Mumm Napa. The earlier is representative of a new world order in sparkling wines, producing such varietals as Mirabelle, Cremant and Querentia against traditional Blanc de Blanc and Brut Rose; Measure this vis a vis against the latter, which is a collaboration between the G.H. Mumm and Cie and Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, their location at Napa Valley was founded by Guy Deveaux, who determined that Napa’s long hot days and cold nights is ideal for producing the right amount of acidity and ripeness typical with the traditional heritage of Mumm champagne in France.

The best time of the year to visit is during the “crush”, or harvest time. This occurs typically from mid-September to mid-October, but it will be crowded and prices are usually higher. Why people crowd in during this “crush” season is because of that special feeling you get when you are there, the smells, the bite in the air during cold season, the fog, and even the sunset is different. Napa, during the crush, is one of those rare, special places that should be experienced in person that no amount of effusive flowery exultation can deliver.

However, one of the best-kept secrets from those in the know is that you can visit during the first two weeks of November, after the crush, when it is a little less crowded and the restaurants are easier to access. But if it is grapes on the vines you are seeking, you can arrive a little earlier, before crush season, and experience essentially the same thing with far less people and potential hassles.

Napa Valley may be small in stature, but once you start peeling back the layers and really explore what it offers, you realize how truly impressive this little powerhouse of a place really is. The experience parallels its wine culture. It takes time, appreciation, and understanding to develop a true affinity, just like it does to create an amazing bottle of wine. www.opusonewinery.com www.silveroak.com www.viader.com www.castellodiamorosa.com www.josephphelps.com www.kadiemcellars.com www.quintessa.com www.duckhorn.com www.artesawinery.com www.twomey.com www.cask23.com www.mayacamas.com

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piCTURe FRoM THe neXT pAge: Viader Winery.

LeFT pAge : Chardonnay golf Club.

CLoCKWiSe FRoM Top: Silverado Mansion; Silverado golf north Course - Hole 1; Silverado Ariel north Course.

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GOLF IN THE VALLEY While this may be reason enough for many to visit this wine mecca, the valley is also home to championship golf courses and some of the state’s finest restaurants in California.

Together with an emerging arts scene and luxury accommodation, it represents a slice of heaven merely an hour’s drive from San Francisco.

By Dan Grannan

SilveraDo reSort anD Spa Located in the heart of Napa Valley, the historic Silverado Resort and Spa is home to two of the area’s premiere championship golf courses. The North and South courses, both redesigned by famed golfer and course architect Johnny Miller, feature oak and redwood tree lined fairways, elevation changes, and classic old world styling.

Breathtaking views and vineyard backdrops are scattered throughout each of the 18-hole layouts.

Additionally, Silverado will also once again play home to the 2014 PGA Tour Frys.Com Open in October.

The world’s best golfers will come and put their skills on display at the North Course. www.silveradoresort.com There are over eight accommodation options at Silverado, several of which have golf course views or are on the course itself. This location makes fitting in some golf along side your wine tasting a virtual breeze.

Add to that a spa on location and you start to see why this hotel can fulfill many of your wants on your trip to the Napa Valley.

One final tidbit, if you happen to make your way to Silverado please don’t forget to grab a Burger Dog at the turn. This hamburger shaped like a hot dog and served in a hotdog bun and has generated a cult following in the area, with some locals traveling over 40 minutes to grab one or two for lunch.

CharDonnay Golf CluB Boasting some of the best views and scenery of any golf course in Napa Valley, Chardonnay Golf Club is one that should be on your short list to play. Utilizing an intriguing layout with six par fives, six par fours, and six par threes, Chardonnay allows golfers a chance to not only enjoy their round with amazing views through some 150 acres of vineyards that meander throughout the course. You can also observe amazing wildlife that has found new homes in the designated preserve areas. Course condition is a top priority at Chardonnay and is typically very well maintained. www.chardonnaygolfclub.com

eaGle vineS Golf CluB Eagle Vines Golf Club is yet another great offering for those who are looking to fit in some golf during their vacation to Napa Valley. This Johnny Miller designed course offers a challenging test, amazing views, and generally possesses excellent course conditions. Additionally, the course at Eagle Vines meanders its way through 27 acres of vineyards, so wine country is ever present during your golfing adventure.

If you are able to play during growing season this is truly a spectacular course visually as the contrast with the trees, grapes, mountains in the back, waterfalls, and wildlife all come together to create a unique golfing experience, one you likely will not replicate in many places. Clearly one of the top courses in the Napa Valley region, it should be a must add to anyone looking to get a round in during their trip to the valley. www.eaglevinesgolfclub.com

rutherforD Grill The Rutherford Grill is a great place to enjoy a fantastic meal after a long day of touring and tasting.

Specializing in American cuisine the menu is not overly extensive, but what they do offer is executed flawlessly. Start out with the spinach and artichoke dip appetizer for the table followed up by the local favorite French Dip sandwich and you will not leave disappointed. www.hillstone.com

Gott’S roaDSiDe Gott’s Roadside (previously known as Taylor’s) is a must stop before you indulge in your afternoon of wine tasting and touring. It boasts an amazing selection of burgers (even an Ahi Burger) and other great menu items to fill you up for your day ahead. www.gotts.com

auBerGe Du Soleil If you are looking for a more refined dining experience, look no further than Auberge du Soleil. From the Michelin rated restaurant to the more casual bistro, the Auberge offers all visitors an amazing culinary experience. Amazing views of the valley only add to your dining experience. This is truly a great way to wind down a day of tasting. www.aubergedusoleil.com

Do yourself a favour and make sure to play this golf course if you vacation in Napa. You will be hard pressed to find another course like it.

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My Top Ten

10

TOP EXCLUSIVE GOLF CLUBS Got more money than Greece has debt? Our UK-based correspondent challenges us to join some of the most exclusive golf courses in the world.

- By s h au n m cg u c k i a n

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Yeah, they wrote the Rules of Golf and all that, but it is also true that you’d find more leeway in a Victorian corset that you would in Muirfield. They turn away Open champions. I mean, who does that?

Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club

Muirfield GC, Scotland

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Muirfield GC, Scotland

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Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club

This host to the 2009 Solheim Cup meanders its way around the wetlands, mature trees and prairie grasses on the Illinois plains. The course started out as just one little hole and a practise area amid Jerry and Betty Rich’s 1,820 acre farm – bought with the gazillions Jerry Rich made inventing a software used by stock markets. Rich personally crafted it over a decade, but one thing was clear from the start - this was going to be a private club. Under the ‘Membership’ section of their website, it reads; “National & International Membership at Rich Harvest Farms is by exclusive invitation only. For information, please contact Marcus Fischer or submit a Request form.”

Michael Jordan and Sam Snead are honourary members. Everyone else can either get to know Mrs Rich very well!

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3

A beautiful stretch of land, but one largely reserved for industrialists, judges, doctors and lawyers.

A private enclave for Northern Ireland’s ruling elite and as such fiercely protective about their club given the history of the country over the last century. Don’t apply.

That’s unforgivably rude. Just wait for your invite…

Royal County Down, Northern Ireland

Royal County Down, Northern Ireland

Loch Lomond

Pyongyang Golf Club, North Korea

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With royalty among the membership you’d expect an air of exclusivity. At £40,000 a year you’d also imagine it to be a bit posh. All fair enough. But rumour has it that if they feel you’re playing the course too much; they will tear up your membership. That’s just mean…

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Loch Lomond

Pyongyang Golf Club, North Korea

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If rumour is to be believed, this is the course at which North Korean leader, Kim Jong Il, scored a series of 11 holes-in-one at. Other popular North Korean rumours include their impeccable human rights record, that ‘it’s all South Korea’s fault!’ and what nuclear weapons?

It’s probably best to agree wholeheartedly with all of the above as you will be stood on the 1st tee at Pyongyang GC, while your laptop, mobile or any other recording device eagerly awaits your return in China. Privileged few have walked where you’re walking (Koreans included), so just nod and play. Nod and play.

Turned down Jack Nicklaus’ membership application.

Now wipe the spilt coffee from your page and read that again. Turned down Jack Nicklaus.

Seminole Golf Club

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Ellerston, New South Wales, Australia

Seminole Golf Club

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This was the playground of media tycoon, high rolling gambler Kerry Packer - about as close as you can get to an Australian raconteur.

As such, he had lavish tastes. So he got Greg Norman and his architect Bob Harrison to design it and they produced a course that was ranked No.4 in all Australia just three years after cutting the ribbon. (Took them three years to get enough independent reviewers to rank it.)

Its condition is constantly described as ‘mint’ and that’s owing to the fact that only half a dozen people play it each week. Kerry Packer passed away in 2005, but his son James took over the course and - rumour has it - he must personally invite you if you are to tee it up.

Ellerston, New South Wales, Australia

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Augusta National, Georgia

Among the many things they said no to (Blacks, Hispanics and women among the most distasteful) they repeatedly denied Bill Gates membership because he publicly announced that he’d love to join. Work that one out.

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Les Bordes, France

Les Bordes, France

Deep in the heart of the Czech Republic is a little slice of…

Taiwan. That’s right. Taiwan.

The decadent Casa Serena was built by European Golf Design for the electronics giant Foxconn, who have a huge plant nearby and bought the attached chateau to entertain important clients.

And therein lies the golden ticket. Short of being on the Seniors Tour (who play an event here) the only way you’re likely to get on the tee is if you plan on ordering several truckloads of electronic products at the 19th.

Still, you get to seal the deal with a lovely drop from their amazing wine cellar.

Casa Serena, Czech Republic

Casa Serena, Czech Republic

A fierce reputation as the toughest test in Europe, where even the créme de la créme can go sour. You’d also have a better chance of tap-dancing out of Fort Knox with gold bullion than you would of getting a tee time. To make things worse, the club is privately-owned and the big boss has decided to make it entirely private by 2012.

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Style ★ Vacations

BOARDING Style

The best place to make a fashionable statement on a trip is while waiting to get started. wo r d s: j o s h to r i n o p h oto g r a p h e r: j o e l lo w s t yl i s t: j e r o m e awas t h i

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It’s time to check in and

there’s two hours to strut your stuff around the international terminal. This is the time where multiple cultures collide in a mish-mesh of languages and style. To start a trip right, one has to dress right as well, whether it means making statement while breezing across the duty-free shopping galleria, browsing books at the bookshop, or sipping an expresso at the coffeeshop. But not just that, it is for when you arrive at your destination, and you’re trotting past the luggage aisle and making your first impression to your host country; you want to feel as good as your vacation.

Stand out while you stand waiting to check-in your luggages. Jimi does some innovative pairing with a man’s most basic of colour – blue. He sports a pale blue J.Lindeberg Molaro bug sweater across a similarly pale silk blouson from Stefano Ricci, mixing it up with cobalt jeans from Boss.

His hands are clutching a blue Passport Holder from Cellerini as well as luggage from Tumi.

Igor, on the other hand, effectively matches the same basic hue with white and brown wearing a Canali patterned sweater, cobalt blazer and white trouser outfit with a Carolina Herrera sand-coloured trench over everything. This matches very well with his brown leather briefcase from Tumi.

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Jimi is now waiting at the boarding gate and while casually reading a magazine with his Super black frame spectacles on; he is decked in a black shirt, grey plaid jacket and trousers with black tie

by Bottega Veneta, with a great tote bag from Cellerini by his side.

He is pensive, perhaps thinking what holds for him at this next destination and who he will meet, but he needn’t be concerned as his stylish get-up will surely make a fine impression on anyone from Milan to Manchester, wherever they might be.

Igor’s mood is serious, but his sense of style evokes a fine balance between straight-laced business and a multi-faceted personality. Decked in an orange striped shirt, rust shepherd’s check blazer and orange straight pants with brown brogues, all from iconic fashion house, Boss, he completes the look with a leather duffel from Cellerini.

Igor and Jimi meet again, after yet another power broking trip while the other, back from a golf vacation. Igor is clearly more relaxed now as he makes a transit to a more social spot, possibly a party in Ibiza? He has on a black and white knitwear, black checked trousers and black brogues from Bottega Veneta paired with Stefano Ricci’s black and violet blouson with ostrich panels and carrying an understated rustcoloured luggage by Tumi.

Jimi, cool as a casual cat as always, relishes in his favourite Boss denim short sleeve shirt under a shepherd’s check leather sleeve military jacket of the same brand. He walks with a pair of striped trousers by Canali with his trusty Porterline hardcase golf bag wherever he goes, and a made-inJapan, official Superman driver.

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Now, with the tables turned, it is Jimi who needs to fly for work, and he does it really well with a Canali grey-striped shirt, maroon trousers and purple silk tie under a Carolina Herrera red, white and blue checked blazer over. He carries a Boss tan tote bag.

Igor, on a much-deserved vacation feels not a million dollars, but a billion, after power-broking his deals have gone through. He wears a maroon printed shirt from Billionaire Couture, a J. Lindeberg maroon jacket, Cananli tan striped trousers and Bottega Veneta brown loafers.

Many chance meetings later, the two friends on transit finally decided to make a trip together. And a sporty one at that. Going up to Greenland for a unique Ice Golf experience, nothing beats UV protection than a pair of UVEX shield sunglasses.

Igor decides to go with a J. Lindeberg Jave Allover braid top under a green parker and printed scarf by Carolina Herrera, while Jimi gets preppy with a Boss rust jacket over a Carolina Herrera green argyle v-neck sweater and printed scarf.

Photographer: Joel Low Stylist: Jerome Awasthi Styling Assistance: Stephanie Pang Grooming: Fion Tan Models: Igor & Jimi D, Ave Golf Vacations

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Choice Resorts

Lumine

The newest Greg Norman playground in Barcelona is also a megaplex of entertainment for one and all. - By c h r i s fo l l e y

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Barcelona is such a splendid city in its own right that the golf-loving tourist could be forgiven for forgetting about trying to get on a fairway. Head north and the Stadium course at PGA Catalunya stands out, but it’s actually more than an hour away, and is much nearer to Girona, another fine city. There are other courses of course but none that stands out.

Head south and it’s the same story – until you get to Lumine, just south of Tarragona, which is starting to get noticed.

Lumine is one of the newest golfing set-ups in Spain and has the illustrious name of Greg Norman attached to its 45 holes. Only in September did it welcome more than 400 golfers across its two championship courses in a single day. And in November, this corner of Catalonia, the Costa Daurada, was put even more in the golf industry spotlight when Lumine hosted the 16th International Golf Travel Market.

You read that correctly - we’re talking a huge project not just one course. The 170-hectare Lumine site is home to two 18-hole layouts, the Hills and the Lakes, and a nine-holer, the 2,853-yard Ruins, so named because it runs through Roman archaeological ruins. Lumine also has a Performance centre where your game can be analysed by video and with the help of an instructor, as well as a driving range (free balls provided, and you play off grass) and practice putting green.

The 6,908-yard Hills is certainly the more picturesque, with several early holes starting at high elevation and offering excellent views, and fairways snaking through pine forests, olive groves and old quarries. You’re more likely to need a buggy here though as there is a fair amount of walking between holes.

Much is made also of the Lakes’ environmental appeal – the course won the Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary Certificate for its responsible management of water.

PREVIOUS PAGE OPENING PICTURE: Lumine Hills - 10th hole.

TOP RIGHT PAGE: Lumine Ruins.

LEFT PAGE, CLOCkwISE FROM TOP : Lumine Hills - 18th hole; Lumine Hills - 13th hole; Lumine Hills 14th hole.

You start with views of the Med off the first tee, and a dogleg right 344-yarder which goes sharply downhill. If you hit your straight drive too far you’re immediately in bunker trouble. A 502-yard par 5 comes as early as the second hole, this time dog-legging to the left, with bunker positions just 200 yards from the tee needing to be cleared or else you face a difficult shot over trees and long-iron accuracy needed to hit give yourself a birdie or par chance.

Things carry on reasonably painlessly until you hit the 8th - if you’re thinking you might go out with a half-decent score because this is a par 3 then it’s a false sense of security.

This is a stroke index 1, an accurate drive of almost 200 yards required over a big expanse of water with the green protected by four bunkers. Another highlight is the par 5 11th – you must drive long and straight – not left, or you’ll be building sandcastles - because the hole the turns right and narrow on an approach to a small green. And the 13th, where the green is framed by water to the left and a rocky cliff overlooking the back of the green.

One of the curious features about Lumine is the number of weird landmarks you’re likely to encounter. One hole you’re aiming a drive straight for a huge chemical gas plant behind the main entrance to the resort, the next you’re hitting towards a rollercoaster - when Lumine was built it was part of the huge Port Aventura complex which included a spectacular water park, still one of the biggest tourist attractions for the nearby resorts of Salou and La Pineda. It is now under new ownership and managed by Troon Golf.

The Lakes course, which Norman designed around the Sequia Major nature reserve, is much flatter, on some holes quite nondescript. But as its name suggests water is the biggest obstacle. Distance is less of an issue – it’s a par 71, 6984 yarder in total - but club selection is key, with reeds, marshes and water everywhere. The lakes come into play as early as the 3rd, a 298-yarder where if you slice at all you’re going swimming. Drive too straight and true, though, and you’re in bunker trouble. The 162-yard par 3 4th is equally treacherous – you can drive over the water to hit the green easily enough but are unlikely to see a low flat bunker behind the reeds protecting the green.

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Much is made also of the Lakes’ environmental appeal – the course won the Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary Certificate for its responsible management of water.

The complex as a whole is dominated by two clubhouses - a single storey structure for the Hills, next to the main car park, and a more dramatic hillside building with a terrace overlooking the 18th and surrounding countryside for the Lakes: this clubhouse is only open during the key summer months.

The main Lakes clubhouse has a rather Scandinavian feel to it – pine ceilings, huge glass panes everywhere, with an informal dining area leading out on a terrace and a more formal restaurant tucked around the back. It was no surprise to hear that most of Lumine’s clientele in fact come over in the northern European winter months from Finland and Sweden. Even the club’s general manager is a Stockholm native - Calle Carlsson is a bubbly, hospitable character who is forever shooting breeze and making visitors welcome.

Lumine also has its own Beach Club (open May to October only), set amid the pines and overlooking Tarragona’s Playa Del Llarga, with access to a private stretch of the beach, with swimming pools, with a bar and restaurant area. You don’t even have to be playing at Lumine to spend time here – a day pass is available for 20 euros.

Many golfers choose to stay in Salou, a lively, night-club dominated resort which may not appeal to those looking for refinement but offers a good choice of three to five-star hotels. The five-star Grand Palas, complete with spa, is probably the pick. You can alternatively stay in Cambrils, a more refined fishing village with hotels such as the Monica.

Head inland from Salou though and there are gems such as La Boella, a beautiful 12th-century country house converted into a hotel with elegant suites and a relaxing courtyard. La Boella is also a working vineyard – it has its own olive press, a wine cellar and gourmet shop.

And if you’ve got time to enjoy non-golf activities there’s plenty of cultural interest. The city of Tarragona enjoys UNESCO world heritage status thanks to its Roman amphitheatre and old town, Reus is the birthplace of Antoni Gaudi (and has an excellent museum paying homage to the great architect) while an hour inland, and via a spectacular drive through mountains, is the acclaimed Priorat wine region. www.lumine.com 80

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TOP RIGHT PAGE: Lumine Lakes - 7th hole.

LEFT PAGE, CLOCkwISE FROM TOP LEFT: Lumine Lakes; Lumine Lakes - Clubhouse; Lumine Lakes - Clubhouse's interior; Lumine Lakes 8th hole.

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Destination Focus

Eastern Board Golf

The three major business hubs of America’s east coast shine as golf hubs surrounded by legendary golf courses that have hosted Major championships and Ryder Cup competitions. - By to n y s m a rt

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OPENING PICTURE: Granite Links Golf Club, Milton nine - 7th hole.

THIS PAGE: Red Tail Golf Club - 18th hole.

Boston Some 200 miles north of New York, the city of Boston has some great public courses of its own with Red Tail Golf Club ranked as Boston’s top layout. The Brian Silva design, located roughly 45 miles northwest of downtown Boston, opened in 2001 and measures 7,006 yards, par 72.

Named after the hawks that fly overhead, the course is located on a site of great natural beauty, flowing over rolling wooded hills and meandering among numerous streams and ponds. The terrain varies from classic landscapes of maples, birches, oaks and pines to tall grasses and sands reminiscent of links courses, testimony to the fact that environmentally responsible practices can be harmonious with striking beauty. This is a stunning golf course that was chosen by the USGA to host the 2009 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links championship.

About the same distance west of Boston, The International Golf Club & Resort boasts two great courses, one of which, the Oaks is open for visitors after 9am. Designed by Tom Fazio and opened for play in 2001, the course measures 6,944 yards, par 72 from the back tees but there are a variety of tees that allow you to play this lovely course at shorter distances.

With five par 5s and five par 3s along with many elevation changes, this lovely course makes for an interesting round with no water hazards, just fescue-lined bunkers and veritable forests of trees to avoid. Stay-and-play packages are available at the club’s lodge and the resort has a Rick Smith Golf Academy, a TaylorMade Performance Lab and the highly regarded Fireplace Room Restaurant to impress guests.

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OPPOSITE PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Crystal Springs Resort, Crystal Springs course - 2nd hole; East Potomac Park Golf Course; Shaker Hills Country Club; Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course.

THIS PAGE - TOP TO BOTTOM: Crystal Springs Resort, Great Gorge Rail nine - 3rd green; Bethpage Black Golf Course - 18th hole.

In Brookline, on the outskirts of Boston and literally across the road from The Country Club, which has hosted the 1913 U.S. Open and 1999 Ryder Cup, is the Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course. Though only stretching to 6,317 yards, Par 71, the course tends to play much longer with several uphill holes. The lovely clubhouse is about as old as the 1931 golf course, which has undergone a few modifications from its original John Van Kleek and Wayne Stiles design, and a great place for a quick 18 holes not far from Boston city centre.

Close to Red Tail Golf Club is another public gem, Shaker Hills Country Club which has a great 6,952 yard, Par 72 course that is rated the number one public course in Massachusetts. This follows extensive renovations in 2012 that have included replacing the 444-yard 18th hole with a sweeping 560-yard dogleg par 5. Other changes include seven fairway extensions and several new tees to stretch the course to its new length and revamped bunker complexes. The clubhouse has also undergone some major changes and now overlooks a new 10,000-square-foot practice green. The course is always perfectly manicured, has superb greens, white sand bunkers, fairways lined with mature trees, and well-placed water hazards. In short, it looks great and, providing the weather is good, probably merits the club’s tagline of ‘Hawaii in New England’.

The 27-hole Granite Links Golf Club at Quarry Hills is equally good looking and offers some public tee times. The club is located just 11 miles south of downtown Boston with sweeping views of the city skyline as well as the harbor islands. Course architect John Sanford transformed a former landfill and quarry into an intriguing modern golf course.

The first nine holes, the Milton nine, opened in 2003. The Granite nine came a year later and the Quincy nine opened in 2006, the same year as the clubhouse. The shingled Nantucket-style clubhouse and its outdoor balconies overlook a water-filled quarry. The Tavern Restaurant is ranked among the best “19th Holes in the World” in 2013 and Granite Links was named to the 2009/2010 selection of the “100 Greatest Public Golf Courses in America”. As the name suggests, this is a links style course where remnants of the quarries are visible on the course in the form of granite outcroppings and some rather impressive water hazards, which can be 40-400 feet deep. Hit your ball in these and don’t even think about trying to retrieve it.

440 miles south of Boston by car is the US capital, Washington DC, which has some great public golf courses of its own. Possibly the best of these is East Potomac Park Golf Course where you tee off within sight of the Washington Monument.

One of only three courses within the city limits the flat, wide open 6,599 yard par 72 layout makes it playable as well as convenient. The course is a Walter Travis design from the early 1900s and, as

well as the Washington Monument which can be seen from anywhere on the course, you can also catch sight of the Ronald Reagan National Airport, Fort McNair, the Naval War College, and the Jefferson Memorial from various holes. East Potomac is a fair and challenging course and the club also has a nine hole par 34 executive course, a nine hole par three course, and a driving range that’s open until 10 p.m. during the summer.

New York Bethpage Black is the best of five courses in the State Park and has hosted the US Open in 2002 and 2009. It will stage the 2019 PGA Championship as well as the 2024 Ryder Cup. To play this A.W. Tillinghast masterpiece, which measures 7,426 yards par 71 from the US Open tees but which can be played at 6,684 yards from the whites, all you have to do is use Bethpage Black’s tee time reservation system which only operates two days in advance for visitors from outside New York, or turn up at the crack of dawn and queue up in the car park.

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But it’s worth it for golf aficionados, especially at a golf course with a sign by the first tee that reads: “WARNING: The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers.” What golfer could resist that challenge?

Of the other courses at Bethpage – the Red, Blue, Yellow and Green courses – the 7,092 yard (back tees), par 70 Red, also designed by Tillinghast is generally recognised as the second hardest whilst the 6,678 yard, par 72 Blue (also by Tillinghast), the 6,324 yard, par 71 Yellow and the 6,522 yard, par 71 Green are all good tests of golf.

Located just one hour outside NYC, Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, New Jersey is the only all-season resort of its kind in the Tri-State Area. Amenities include four luxury hotels – Grand Cascades Lodge, Minerals, the Appalachian and Black Creek Sanctuary, seven renowned golf courses and 15 acclaimed restaurants highlighted

by Restaurant Latour and its Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning (since 2006) 135,000-bottle wine cellar. There are also two full-service spas, a state-of-the-art Minerals Sports Club with its distinctive Biosphere Pool Complex to ensure that visitors will have plenty to do whatever time of year they drop by.

440 miles south The golf courses are exceptionally diverse of Boston by car but what is probably a big draw in itself is that celebrated coach David Leadbetter has an is the US capital, academy there that helps train golfers of all Washington DC, levels better their game. And what game they find here at Crystal Springs. Start a which has some great would round at Ballyowen, a 7,094 yards par 72 Irish links-style layout designed by Roger Rulewich public golf courses of in 1998 and rated as New Jersey’s No. 2 public its own. Possibly the golf course, before proceeding to Black Bear, an inviting mix of tumbling terrain and risk/reward best of these is East options for players of all abilities that measures Potomac Park Golf 6,673 yards par 72 from the back tees and where you might just encounter a family of real black Course where you bears; Cascades, the newest 9-hole course which tee off within sight stresses playability and features junior tees is great for families while Crystal Springs, ranked of the Washington in the ‘Top 50 Toughest Courses in America’, is created by Robert von Hagge in 1992 and Monument. stretches to 6,816 yards from the tips.

Then there’s Great Gorge, featuring vintage 70s golf on the legendary Playboy course (27 holes) designed by George Fazio, and Minerals, another 9-holer that is voted among the ‘Top 12 Short Courses in America’. Finally, Wild Turkey, built in 2001, is a spectacular resort course that is also a Rulewich design with a ‘basin and ridge’ topography that undulates the entire way across an evergreen expanse. A challenging par of 71 that measures 7,202 yards from the tips, this is voted one of New Jersey’s ‘Top New Public Course’ by the New Jersey Golf Course Owners Association.

While Crystal Springs offers all the trappings of luxury amidst some amazing golf, for a walk on the wildside, the Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course in the Bronx back in NYC could be surprisingly adventurous. Built in 1895, it is the country’s oldest public course and measures 6,192 yards par 70 from the back tees. Over the years, many famous people have played at Van Cortlandt, including Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Joe Louis and the Three Stooges. Golf here is at its most basic and the course is in the heart of the Bronx, probably the city’s most dangerous area, but it nevertheless is draw enough for many to venture to.

If you don’t have time for a round of golf when in NYC but still desperately want to hit some balls, why not visit the iconic Chelsea Piers located between 17th and 23rd streets along Manhattan’s Hudson River. The massive sports and entertainment complex has a four-tiered outdoor driving range that’s open all year round with some heated bays for winter practice, a 200-yard fairway, 1,200-square-foot putting green, a full-service teaching academy, and Full Swing simulators. You may already have seen it as Chelsea Piers has appeared in some movies and TV shows like “Law & Order” and Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice”.

OPPOSITE PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Lake Presidential Golf Club - 6th hole; Laurel Hill Golf Course.

Washington D.C. One of the best public golf courses around Washington D.C. is Laurel Hill Golf Club, which received recognition in 2010 as one of the top 15 best municipal courses in the US. Open park space and rolling hills provide for scenic play on this challenging and well-maintained 7,102 yard par 71 course, located southwest of DC just outside the city less than five minutes off Interstate 95.

Before opening in 2006, the property was actually home to the notorious Lorton Penitentiary which closed in 2001, making Laurel Hill probably the only golf course in the world built on land that previously housed criminals and now only sees the occasional ‘criminal’ golf shot. Surrounded by mature forests the layout features many elevation changes and some well-placed water hazards, and is a good test for golfers of all skill levels.

Just over 10 miles east, Lake Presidential Golf Club, considered one of the best golf courses around the city, opened in 2008 to rave reviews.

A favorite of local business people, Lake Presidential is convenient to all the hotels and attractions at National Harbor and features a championship golf course with challenging slopes and five sets of tees ranging from 5,660 to 7,230 yards, par 72. Stunningly beautiful the course has some superb par threes, beautiful yet dangerous water hazards and, like most courses on America’s east coast, forests of colourful mature trees lining the fairways. In addition to an 18 hole course, Lake Presidential provides an 11,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, pro shop, a topof-the-line training facility, a full-service bar and grill and a banquet hall.

This has been just a small selection of the many golf courses available to visitors in and around Boston, New York City and Washington DC. To find out what else is available you’ll need to Google each city.

But if you’re a golfer and looking for a round you’ll always find one when in any of these three great cities.

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Choice Resorts

Casa de Campo Consistently voted the world’s best golf resort is an accolade that is hard to match, and this Caribbean classic score on every aspect.

- By To n y S m a rT

It is official. Casa de Campo in the

Dominican Republic is the world’s best golf resort. This magnificent resort that boasts three tremendous Pete Dye golf courses amongst its many luxury facilities has just been voted the ‘World’s Leading Golf Resort’ in the prestigious World Travel Awards, for the seventh year running.

Located on the south-eastern corner of the Caribbean island, this Leading Hotels of the World property has, first and foremost, a legendary golf course called, Teeth of the Dog, which hugs the coastline with seven holes that play over or right beside the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea; holes that, according to Dye, were “created by God.” The 7,478-yard, par 72 course was opened for play in 1971 but was completely renovated by Dye in 2005 to meet the demands of the modern game. The renovation was a stunning success with a lot of strategic fairway and greenside bunkering plus some trademark Dye waste bunkers. There is even one par 3, the 201-yard 13th, where the green is an island completely surrounded by sand. Avenues of trees including many palms line most fairways and the greens are firm, fast and undulating.

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And then, there are those spectacular seven holes “created by God� - which begin at the par 3 fifth and continue through the par 4 sixth, par 3 seventh, and par 4 eighth before taking a break until the course returns to the Caribbean at the par four 15th, par three 16th and par four 17th. On these seven, the Caribbean is one vast water hazard that adds to the stunning beauty of the holes but also acts as a magnet for golf balls. At least on these par fours, play is alongside the ocean, but on all par threes, the tee shots need to carry almost entirely over the water to reach the green.

Some four years after opening Teeth of the Dog, Dye created his second course at Casa de Campo called the Dye Links, a 7,003-yard, par 71 inland links course that nevertheless provides spectacular views of the Caribbean and the resort. This is the friendliest of the three courses, a regular resort course with fairways surrounded by residential villas. Sand, in the form of fairway, greenside and waste bunkers, is the main hazard here though two man-made lakes pose a big problem for five holes on the back nine.

The resort had to wait almost 40 years before getting its third course, Dye Fore, in 2003. It is also here that Pete Dye added an additional nine holes called Dye Fore Lakes in 2011. The main 18 holes consisting of the Dye Fore Marina and Dye Fore Chavon can stretch to 7,714 yards, par 72 from the back although it can play as short as 6,070 yards from the whites. This 18 consists of vast sweeping fairways that plunge down into valleys from the tee before rising up to an elevated green on many holes.

THIS PAGE, FROM TOP : Marina aerial view; Resort entrance at night .

LEFT PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP : Altos de Chavon and Dye Fore course; River kayaking; Swimming pool .

As the names suggest, the Marina nine has some spectacular views of the resort’s marina in the distance whilst the Chavon nine plays along cliffs a hundred feet or more above the wide and majestic Chavon river which feeds down to the Caribbean. Nature is in all its glory here and many peregrine falcons hover overhead, wheeling around whilst they hunt for breakfast.

To complement these superb 63 holes of golf, the resort also has a Jim McLean Golf School, created by the man who is consistently ranked among the top five golf teachers in the world. McLean himself visits Casa de Campo at least once a year to give lessons with the other periods fielded by an experienced teaching staff led by Eric Lillibridge, its director of instruction.

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However, golf isn’t the only sport this wonderful resort has to offer. The key theme here is ‘The Sporting Life’ and with it, facilities that showcase worldclass standards, much like its golf – equestrian, polo, shooting, tennis and watersports.

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However, golf isn’t the only sport this wonderful resort has to offer. The key theme here is ‘The Sporting Life’ and with it, facilities that showcase world-class standards, much like its golf – equestrian, polo, shooting, tennis and watersports. The Equestrian Centre is internationally renowned for the quality of its four polo fields and during the polo season of November to July, there can be up to 400 horses stabled there at any one time. It also has excellent show jumping facilities and can provide horses for trail riding as well as Donkey Polo for children and anyone who has never ridden a horse before.

The 245-acre Shooting Centre has over 200 shooting stations for trap, skeet and sporting clays including one of the largest towers in the world, and is the largest shooting centre in the southern hemisphere. And the La Terraza Tennis Centre, with its 13 fast-dry Har-Tru courts (10 of them floodlit) and more than 25 USPTR-certified teaching professionals, has been called the Wimbledon of the Caribbean and has staged an international tennis tournament for more than 30 years, the Casa de Campo Cup, which attracts 250 entrants from 14 countries around the world.

Naturally enough, as befits a resort located on the Caribbean, water sports also play a big part in this sporting life. Deep-sea fishers can chase wahoo, tuna, kingfish, sailfish, marlin and barracuda in the ocean or go fresh water fishing on the Chavon River. Kayaking can be enjoyed at sea or on the river. The snorkeling off the resort’s private Minitas Beach or on excursion to one of several offshore islands is first class in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, as is the sailing which can be done on hobie cats or on larger vessels available from the Casa de Campo Marina, where you can also take sailing lessons from globally recognised professionals of the Scuola della Vela, direct from Italy.

When all the exercising leaves guests feeling a little weary, the masseuses at the Casa de Campo Spa are trained in a wide range of treatments from aromatherapy to reiki and reflexology to soothe away your aches and pains. The Spa also offers a private Water Sanctuary with steam room, sauna and two hot/cold plunge pools, and a serene Meditation Garden.

Rounding out this magnificent resort are luxurious accommodations in the form of ensuite rooms and villas with maids and butlers, and a wide variety of restaurants, which serves succulent seafood and Spanish cuisine at La Casita restaurant, nestled amongst the yachts, high power speedboats and deepsea fishing vessels at the marina where there are also Italian (La Piazzetta) and Chinese (Chinois) restaurants. At the main hotel, enjoy Mediterranean and international cuisine at the Lago Grill or La Caña by Il Circo restaurants.

A final, intoxicating experience that is part of Casa de Campo’s 7,000 acres is Altos de Chavon, a replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village located high above the Chavon River. The village was opened in 1982 with a concert by Frank Sinatra at the open air amphitheatre that is the centrepiece of Altos de Chavon and since then, musicians like Sting, Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Julio Iglesias and Placido Domingo have all performed here.

THIS PAGE, FROM TOP RIGHT: Casa de Campo, Dye Fore course - 10th hole; Links course 15th hole; Links course - 16th hole.

BOTTOM : Altos de Chavon aerial view.

LEFT PAGE FROM TOP: Teeth of the Dog course and villas; Teeth of the Dog course - 5th hole.

Undoubtedly, the village was created as a cultural centre for the Dominican people and filled with quaint shops, boutiques, art galleries, six dining options, museums such as the Archeological Museum and the Amber World Museum, and the Altos de Chavon School of Design where working artists can be observed at work in the cobbled streets, expertly creating their craft in all earnestness, oblivious to the prying eyes of admirers around them.

With all that on offer, it is not surprising that Casa de Campo has been a favoured resort for a global ‘Who’s Who’ list including Hollywood stars, professional athletes, heads-of-state and financial wizards, and of course, a lot of golf to ‘Dye’ for. www.lhw.com/hotel/Casa-de-CampoLa-Romana-Dominican-Republic

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Destination Focus

home of Champions

NortherN IrelaNd

Shaun McGuckian returns to Northern Ireland in search of the secret for Major glory and rediscovers his love for the sacred links of his hometown instead.

- By s h au n m cg u c k i a n

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When someone asks why they should holiday in Ireland, they

are normally given two answers: The ‘Craic’ or The Guinness.

To the uninitiated, that sentence makes Ireland sound like either a junkie or a drunk-strewn hellhole. It is not. ‘Craic’ is the Gaelic expression for having a laugh but admittedly, the drunk part largely holds true.

Strange as it may be, craic and booze have been the main selling points of Ireland. “Where the fun starts,” as the Discover Ireland slogan entices, rather glossing over the fact that, until very recently, the ‘Fun’ could be a stroll in the emerald green countryside or could involve you running for your life, wondering why they’ve just blown up the Post Office.

To put meaning by way of personal reference, about 10 years ago, I was enjoying a family get together in Neds bar, Holywood (famous home of Rory McIlroy). My uncles, father and I were having pre-dinner pints when the pub phone rang. It was the police. They had been informed that there was to be ‘bullets in bars’ that day and were passing on the message. Quietly and quickly, everyone supped up and left.

Now, I don’t wish to be dramatic. Neds is about the size of a living room. And we strolled home. We didn’t clamber into an armoured jeep. But the point I’m making is the threat of violence.

In the wake of a Loyalist funeral that day came the threat of retribution, however misplaced.

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I was reminded of this story when I recently visited Belfast, because it seemed so hard to place such mindless violence with the city as it stands now. The Queen and Barack Obama visited the Republic of Ireland in 2011, or pointedly, the MTV Europe Music Awards were held here as well. Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Coldplay all performed at the Odyssey Arena. 2011 was a defining moment for the Northern Irish capital.

There is something unique about Belfast. The Holiday Inn I stayed in on the Waterfront wasn’t there a decade ago. In fact, nothing was. It was a part of town that you drove through quickly and never looked back. Now it’s a thriving district packed full of bars, restaurants and hotels.

These were all ‘legitimate targets’ during The Troubles – a 30-year civil war. Ironic then, that the war which so blighted the landscape and culture for as long as it has existed, has actually allowed a fantastic late blossoming of the city, attracting business headquarters, Hollywood productions, new jobs and a vibrant new culture. To that end I’d recommend taking the infamous ‘Black Cab’ tour for a first-hand account of some of the history of the area.

The development in the docklands area alone is enough for me to recommend you go and see it for yourself.

Listen, you wouldn’t get in a taxi in this area for fear that it would be the last journey you ever make. Now my cousins go clubbing, my aunties have posh lunches and the sports and music venues on the Waterfront are jam-packed. But that’s not your concern. You, like me, are here to find out why Northern Ireland has suddenly become the world’s golfing hotspot and how it has yielded three Major champions.

Beginning at Royal County Down The golf in Northern Ireland is amazing. The weather, sadly, isn’t. The day I turned up to Royal County Down they were canceling football matches and rescuing old ladies from flooded houses. That, and the fact I am literally leaning back into the wind with all my weight and still being held up, should be enough reason to go in search of ‘craic’.

But a 45mph wind whipping around the Mourne Mountain strangely doesn’t deter you. One glance down the thin fairway of the first hole and you know the real grade ‘A’ euphoric ‘craic’ is out here; what Tom Watson called, “as fine a nine holes as I have ever played.”

Watson’s remark is due to the majesty of the setting and knowing that this course is the craft of some of the greatest minds the game has known. A sketched layout by Old Tom Morris began it all in 1889, and it was nudged and refined by J.H. Taylor, Harry Vardon, James Braid before Henry Colt made some final embellishments that elevated it into the glory you play today. The equivalent would be like taking a painting class with Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Monet and Picasso.

You whistle down the opening bumps and mounds, quickly getting acquainted with links golf. The gorse tipped banks rise and drown out the rest of the world.

They are partly your guide, partly your enemy for the next four hours as you develop a deep-felt lust for closely mown turf that borders on obsessive.

OPENING PICTURE FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE: Portrush OPPOSITE PAGE: Royal Portrush Golf Club THIS PAGE: Bushmills Inn, Bushmills

Blind tee-shots encourage this lust as you try to manoeuvre your way around the course ‘fairways and greens’ (meaning, keeping out of the bushes), occasionally popping your head above the dunes to catch sight of other golfers trying to gamefully do the same. Then you get to the 9th. A hefty belt you hope sails over the hill and to a fairway beyond it. Upon that hard-earned success you then survey a raised green protected by hillock and sand. It is a par you will speak of forever.

The back nine of RCD I find a more enjoyable experience. Last time I played it was with a teenage Rory McIlroy, which might explain why, but it offers more chances as well. You still have to abide by your fairways and greens task, but doing so will be more rewarding and give you a few shorter irons to bang into the greens, particularly from holes 12 to 16, before a tough closing par 5 offers either an ecstatic or agonising finish.

RCD is in Newcastle, about an hour’s drive from Belfast, but the beauty of Northern Ireland is that you can cover the length and breadth of it in no more than two hours.

The downside is that the weather is pretty much the same. We drive through soot black skies in the direction of Bushmills. Whiskey Town. In fact, the first ever town licensed to distill whiskey. But a trip to the distillery is not what Major champions are made of and so we’re headed for Royal Portrush.

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The playground of Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell that bejewels the Antrim coastline between Bushmills and the natural wonder that is Giants Causeway, it is also where a 16-year-old Rory McIlroy showed his intent, shooting a course-record 61.

Portrush has been making headlines since Clarke’s Open victory. A course he regards as “every bit as good as any venue we play now,” he has led the calls to bring the Open back to Northern Ireland. It was last here in 1951, when Max Faulkner won. It since fell off the rota citing poor infrastructure, though it was bolstered by the announcement of the Irish Open heading there this year and the British Amateur in 2014. If those events go well, then the local government have said that they will “provide substantial financial backing” to bring the Open back to Portrush.

You could say they are simply jumping on the bandwagon. But they are set to unveil a £100m visitor centre at Giants Causeway and about to decide whether new golf course, hotel and housing development can go ahead at Runkerry nearby. Antrim was also Donald Trump’s second option, if planning permission for his Aberdeenshire resort fell through.

My tip to you is that a lot of these good shots are on the fairway. Portrush demands a lot of good drives, allowing you to play to the right parts of greens. This might sound like a dazzlingly stupid thing to say, but from the fairway, the course is a lot easier.

It explains, for example, how young Rory could shoot 61. Even with a 25mph crosswind, I found a way to get round this course with some dignity intact. Taking the more cavalier approach will make for a long afternoon, so enjoy the view and save your best effort for ‘Calamity’, the 14th. I’ll leave the surprise for you to savour.

This far in your journey you would have already spent £300 on two rounds of golf. It’s an expensive lesson.

The result of supply and demand and a large influx of American golfers being shepherded around. It forces it into that ‘once in a lifetime’ bracket, not representative of the warm hospitality of the area.

Playing Portrush An inauspicious start loosens you up as you stroll down towards the Strand and the fifth tee. There, you’ll have a moment that will form the basis of every description you give as to what links golf is like. It’s a view, much like the 10th at Turnberry, 5th at Lahinch, 10th at Ballybunion, 9th at RCD or 17th at the Old Course, that makes you flush with majesty and fear.

Mounds of marram grass confront you. Beyond them, a strip of fairway that shimmers in the light. The green seems tantalisingly reachable, but truly isn’t. The sea crashing against the Strand for added effect.

I once played Portrush with one of their greenkeepers, Eul. He explained to me the concept of the ‘links yard’, which is the kick or bounce that will work for or against you. There’s a lot of ‘yards’ to discover on Portrush and I learnt of one on this fifth hole, playing for safety where my partners braved the challenge. ‘Knowing where the good shots hide,’ as Eul described.

Causeway Coast Golf Challenge But Ireland is not like Dubai or Florida. Its appeal is not in the cleanly constructed attractions and air-conditioned hotel rooms. You’ll love Ireland for the pokey corners, winding country roads, the smack of the sea on your cheeks, cosy snugs and random conversations. An altogether humbler and more intimate experience.

We visited Dungannon Golf Club, where Darren Clarke first learned to play, for a breakfast of scones and jam. It’s a simple members club, but one that exudes a warmth and friendliness that is uniquely Irish. The same experience you can find at Holywood Golf Club.

In June they host an event called the Causeway Coast Golf Challenge (www.causewaycoastgolf.com). It’s a week-long event over Ballycastle, Portstewart, the Valley Course at Portrush and Castlerock, and if you’re looking for that affordable Irish golf trip, then this might be the ticket.

I should say that I find the front nine at Portstewart to be among the finest I’ve ever played, but on this trip, we visited Castlerock Golf Club, near Coleraine. It’s about a 40-minute journey, but looks shorter as you find yourself once again on the Antrim coast looking towards Portstewart harbour.

Castlerock is another members club that bowls you over with its warm hospitality, particularly from club secretary Mark Steen, whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting twice now. It sits quietly on the banks of the River Bann and, while the limelight shines firmly on Portrush, you will not miss out on a glorious links experience by playing here.

A scrappy start guides you out to the coastal rail line before looping back into the Dunes around the river’s mouth. To say they are daunting is to say that King Kong was a bit ripped. Best to focus on staying on the fairways and avoiding the bunkers that Ben Sayers annoyingly sprinkled in all the right places.

Castlerock teaches you ‘take-your-medicine’ golf. I found myself often playing short for the chance of getting up and down and focusing on just hitting the glassy greens rather than aiming at pins for the simple pleasure of

“The Holiday Inn I stayed in at the Waterfront wasn’t there a decade ago. Nothing was. It was a part of town that you drove through quickly and never looked back.”

OPPOSITE PAGE: Royal County Down

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WHERE TO GOLF & STAY WHERE TO GOLF ROyaL COunTy DOWn 36 Golf Links Rd, newcastle, Co. Down, BT33 0an Tel: +44 (0)28 4372 2419 www.royalcountydown.org Par: 71 Details: Visitors are welcome on Mondays (am and pm), Tuesdays (am and pm), Thursdays (am), Fridays (am and pm) and Sundays (pm).

Green Fee: £165 (am), £150 (pm) May - October

ROyaL PORTRuSH GOLF CLuB Dunluce Road, Portrush, County antrim, BT56 8JQ Tel: 028 7082 3335 Email: info@royalportrushgolfclub.com Par: 72, 7,143 yards Details: Phone in advance to book a green fee.

Green Fee: £140

CastleroCk

CaSTLEROCk GC 65 Circular Road, Castlerock, Co Londonderry BT51 4TJ Tel: 028 7084 8314 www.castlerockgc.co.uk Par: 73, 6,805 yards.

Details: Try the ‘Fingers’ course.

Designed by two farmers, it’s a wee 9-hole track that is as tough as you will ever find. Great fun.

Green Fee: £65

WHERE TO STay HOLiDay inn, BELFaST, ORMEau aVEnuE Right in the heart of the newly transformed town, this hotel delivers the unfussy 3* treatment required for people stopping in for business or using it as a base from which to explore. There are a lot of restaurants, bars and shops to access in a short walk and the Waterfront entertainment venues are just around the corner. www.holidayinn.com

BuSHMiLLS inn, BuSHMiLLS Whenever anyone mentions they are taking a trip to ireland, i urge them to stay here. it is a magnificent irish experience that has been providing a warm and comforting rest to travellers since the 19th Century.

Open log fires, snug bars, deep leather chairs provide sinking relaxation made all the better with a pint of the black stuff, while the creature comforts of deep baths, soft beds and an absolutely stupendous restaurant make it thoroughly deserving of it’s place as one of the best boutique hotels in the world. www.bushmillsinn.com

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having a putt against a tricky up and down. The weather, once again, played an instrumental role in our round, but you come to accept that this is part of the very nature of playing golf in Ireland where a change of wind can see the sun turn to hail or where a dodgy kick can see a birdie become double-bogey.

Links courses teach you a refined way of playing the game. The natural amphitheatres of the dunes force you to focus on precision, the cavernous threat of pot bunkers enforce strategy, blind shots force you to trust your swing. All of these talents are required in the closing stretch of Castlerock as you emerge from the valley, over the ridge and head home. I find the 18th to be one of the most delightful holes I played on this entire trip and for half the cost of RCD and Portrush (even less if you play in the Causeway Golf Challenge), it’s well worth the value.

Secret of Success I can’t honestly say that I found the secret to becoming a Major Champion on this trip.

It wasn’t hidden on a rock or in a bunker and if so, it was blown away. However, I can definitely see where this renaissance has come from. Northern Ireland, as a whole, is going through a period of regeneration. Since the peace agreement of 1995, the province has slowly been piecing together elements that will make it a strong and vibrant country.

Even in these austere times, they are seeing new developments being built, new businesses relocating, new jobs being created, creative industries moving into the old textile factories that have lain derelict for years.

This physical regeneration has given rise to a cultural change. Fear still exists, but in isolated pockets. The wider society is moving forward and with greater freedom to express themselves. Belfast, for example, has become a new foodie hotspot and the numbers of film productions have rocketed. HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’ is filmed here, for example.

Pioneering US President, John F. Kennedy once said, “The best road to progress is freedom’s road.” In golfing terms, Ireland’s road has always been decorated with fabulous courses. But it was a road blocked by armed patrols and politics. Now that they have largely disappeared, a new generation is beginning to emerge having honed their skills on some of the finest tests that golf has to offer.

It used to be about the ‘Craic’ and the Guinness. Now it’s about so much more. Go on, enjoy yourself. Preferably in Spring or Summer.

Saturday May 31st, 2014 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm W Hotel Bangkok, Great Room

G R A N D I T A L I A N W I N E & F O O D F E S T I VA L Tickets available now for 1,500 Baht/Person Contact. K.Suthee (GM Group) 085 603 8559, 094 414 1235 suthee.creative@gmail.com ***Only 50 tickets available!

Festa del Vino 2014 is the ultimate culinary and entertainment event, with an exciting combination of wine tasting, Sommelier Awards 2014, live music, opera show, lucky draw, auctions and the best of Italian wines and cuisines. Grab some friends and get your tickets now.

It’s going to be a night to remember and we want to see you there!

Golf Academy

'A swing you can trust'

At LongboAt Key CLub

Longboat Key in Florida is home to one of the most talented and insightful golf teachers in the world.

- wo r d s A N d p i c t u r e s by dAv i d J. w h y t e

Longboat Key Club is set in a wonderful, natural environment on one of the West Coast of Florida’s many barrier islands. Framed with puffy, white sand beaches, it is a perfect habitation for wildlife such as white pelicans, cranes, ospreys, manatees and dolphins. The beaches in this part of Florida are remarkable and rated as some of the best in America.

And this is the setting that celebrated golf coach, Roberto Borgatti imparts golf instruction to the rich and famous including past presidents and movie personalities. He also travels around the world to meet his students when they need him and also operates onboard a very unique luxury cruise line, Crystal Cruises. At the same time he is a classically trained opera singer and this spring, he makes his operatic debut in New York as the lead in Verdi’s La Traviata.

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That is a widely diverse skill-set that Borgatti effectively combines in his vocation as a golf coach. He has built a reputation of working wonders and dramatically lowering golfers’ handicaps. And for good reason; managing sound mechanics with sensitivity to the human spirit is something that cannot be taught. To observe the teacher in action, I shadowed him over a weekend as he worked with two new clients - a wellknown New York neurosurgeon and his wife, New to the game and with a very busy schedule, the couple wanted an intense weekend of instruction to set them on the highroad to good golf. Borgatti knows you cannot rush certain things as he practiced a keen empathy that continually appraises how much his students can take, in between keeping them engaged, knowing when to back off and knowing when to bring on some fun.

Testament to his effectiveness over such a short period of time, the doctor began arranging to meet again at Roberto’s specially-adapted Midtown Manhattan apartment, fully-fitted for coaching, to continue their instruction sessions.

“If Roberto gets me playing to a reasonable level by this summer, I’ll be over to Scotland to give you a match,” he challenged me. I’ll no doubt be seeing him fairly soon.

Roberto’s teaching facilities at Longboat Key’s Harborside Course are simple; a wide, double-ended driving range with its north end reserved for coaching. He is also a fitness maniac who ensures all his clients are warmed up properly before any session either on the course or being coached. “Spending just 5 minutes, warm-up can be the most important 5 minutes of a round of golf,” says Roberto. “It will possibly reduce your score but more importantly will help you enjoy the round more and prevent injury.”

Within Longboat Key is an excellent spa and fitness centre that is strategically located next to the clubhouse on the Islandside Golf complex where state-of-the-art Body Masters equipment and a Mind and Motion Studio offers visitors an array of options with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico outside. Nearby in Sarasota town, he takes his clients to a Sunday morning yoga class at Yoga Shack to build strength and flexibility, and also instill a sense of calm and focus that is important for golf as well as every other aspect of life.

He also employs cutting-edge technology like Trackman and V1 Pro for Video Swing Analysis but at the heart of the matter is his ability to connect with people such that players from the European and US Tour along with top amateurs and beginners alike seek Roberto to bring them to the next level.

LEFT PAGE BOTTOM: Yoga Shack, Sarasota.

ThiS PAGE TOP TO BOTTOM: Roberto & technology with TourPro Miriam Nagl; Roberto with Amateur Arlene McKitrick; Roberto singing in italian restaurant.

His teaching philosophy as envisioned by his e-book and DVD set, ‘A Swing You Can Trust’, is easy. “I work to marry each student’s unique attributes and strengths to their ‘true swing’. Like any effective modern coaching technique, it combines physical training, technical drills, on-course play and technology.

Everything is geared to help you reach your playing goals both quickly and effectively. Unlocking one’s potential involves both a conceptual understanding and actual mechanical training. To perform at your optimum levels, your own body’s vitality, coordination, control, and power is key,” he says.

It is not all hard work with Roberto however. During the weekend, Roberto and I together with his clients, went out to watch the Super Bowl and ended the evening in the bar of a lovely Italian restaurant on St. Armands Circle where the golf teacher ‘extraordinaire,’ accompanied by a pianist with me on the guitar entertained the audience with everything from “O Sole Mio” to “Mustang Sally.” At the end of the night, the tip bowl was full!

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Golf Academy

FouR Key sCoRe sAving tips

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POOR POSTURE

What is Perfect Posture?

Extension through the body at address with long arms and a long spine allows you to engage your core and larger muscles so you set up consistently and hit the ball solidly. This bio-mechanically desirable position is easy to find.

The key is knowing that there are two tilts – not just one. The first is over the ball and the other less obvious, a slight tilt away from the target. It’s always important to hinge from the hips when making both tilts. This puts you in the best position, (hips to head in-line) to deliver a powerful strike.

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hoW close or far should i stand from the Ball?

As we’ve stated, your arms and torso should be long at address. But how far from your body should they be?

There’s plenty of information on this subject and one important observation, i.e. there is no universal position. We see different angles of arms at impact from all the world’s best players. The reason for this is that the angle and distance depends on each individual’s anatomy, his ability to leverage swing speed, and flexibility.

Centrifugal force sends the arms out a specific distance from the body. At address, effective players place the arms at the same distance they will extend to when they swing. To discover this simply make a realistic practice swing noting where the arms pass through the impact area – that is where to place them at address. You can then relax through your swing as you won’t have to make compensating adjustments midswing to get ‘in the slot’.

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BY ROBERTO BORGATTi

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hoW to turn Without slidinG or sWayinG?

Good leg action is key to the hips turning properly.

Start with just a light flex in your knees; don’t start with a lot of knee bend or you’ll have nowhere to go and your individual body segments will be disconnected. Your forward leg should flex toward the ball, not toward the back leg. In this manner, your hips will coil with the rest of your body connected, rather than slide. Combined with the ideal set up (see ‘Perfect Posture’) and a slight angle away from the target, your weight and centre of gravity will shift more naturally during your back swing and stay connected during the forward swing.

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hoW do i achieve short Game excellence?

As much as centrifugal force is key for the full swing, gravity is key for the short game. Again, a good set-up is vital. If you’re properly emulating a pendulum and employing gravity, not muscular force, then your arms will swing almost vertically, close to your body, whether it’s a putt, chip, or pitch. So when you address the ball for strokes around the green, let your arms hang naturally.

The other key for short game success is getting your ball positioned opposite your sternum and making your hands meet where your left arm hangs. This position with the ball back and the hands forward makes the shaft lean forward naturally, which therefore produces a downward strike. From this position you make a ‘laissez faire’ (free from restriction) stroke and know you’ll always make solid contact.

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LEFT PAGE - TOP: Perfect Posture with 3rd image showing poor posture.

BOTTOM: Distance from body.

ThiS PAGE: (LEFT iMAGE): hip turn.

(RiGhT iMAGES): Short Game Pendulum.

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LongboAt Key A perfect escape to recharge your batteries and receive world-class golf coaching.

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The best time to come is the winter months when temperatures average between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The Resort at Longboat Key has a wonderful, natural beachfront with 14 miles of perfect, sandy beaches with unending choices of restaurants connected within and out, offering everything from fresh seafood and homemade pastas to prime-cut steaks and beachfront snacks.

Dine alfresco at Barefoot’s Bar & Grille, Portofino and Spike ’n Tees or enjoy fine indoor dining at Sands Pointe and the Pointe Lounge as well as The Tavern & Whiskey Bar, or get out to the rest of Longboat Key island to find Moore’s, Mar Vista, The Lazy Lobster, The Dry Dock, Patti George’s Restaurant, Chart House, the Longboat Key Club Restaurant, Euphemia Haye, Maison Blanche, Bayou Tavern, and Harry’s.

Nearby, the City of Sarasota is renowned for its vibrant arts activities, excellent restaurants and unique shopping opportunities. It is considered to be the cultural centre of West Central Florida and has a distinct metropolitan flavour.

MAiN PiCTURE: Aerial view of The Resort at Longboat Key .

RiGhT COLUMN FROM TOP: The Resort at Longboat Key Golf Course; Marina Pool; Sands Pointe; Pointe Lounge.

Theatre, symphony and opera combine with frequent art shows make this a cultural hotbed for aficionados of the classics. It is also home to the Ringling Museum of Art and Ringling School of Art & Design.

Closer to Longboat Key is Saint Armand’s Circle, an upscale outdoor shopping area with many cafes, restaurants and bars reminiscent of Europe.

The beaches throughout this area are a major draw. Siesta Key Beach is consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches on Earth. Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach, Lido Beach, and the beach running the 15-mile span of Longboat Key are equally beautiful and accessible.

As for golf, Longboat Key boasts 54 holes of the Harborside and Islandside courses. Harborside’s three distinctive 9’s are firm favourites for visitors. The Blue Heron is perhaps the most challenging, and certainly the most picturesque 9-holer that curves round towards Sarasota Bay with lots of water in evidence.

Holes such as the 2nd and 5th stand out with water hugging their edges and calling for precise play to safe landing areas. There are lots of houses nearby but the natural setting somehow preclude them; with so much wildlife in evidence, you feel like you’re well away from urban life.

Play at the White nine is probably as tough, if not more so, as playing the Blue.

That is due to the tight driving propositions on many of its nine holes. Native Florida trees come in close off the tee and you need solid, straight drives to avoid trouble.

Beyond that, the greens are raised and not easy to hit and hold. The Red is the easiest of the three Harborside loops but possibly the most enjoyable.

Islandside is seemingly easier, but water plays a significant role throughout in the form of lakes and canals. 5,000 palm trees and pink or white oleander line the fairways making Islandside delightful to the eye.

What is also noticeable is the great variety of birdlife that thrives on the many lakes and waterways.

www.longboatkeyclub.com Visit www.aswingyoucantrust.com for more on Roberto Borgatti and ‘A Swing You Can Trust’

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MAJOR CHAMPION DUFNER to star in Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT

The Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT

is poised to raise more excitement for golf fans in Thailand and around the world when it returns for its second edition on the Asian Tour Schedule at the Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai from July 3-6.

Major champion Jason Dufner of the United States, winner of the 2013 PGA Championship, was unveiled as the tournament’s first marquee player while Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan, a former world’s top-10 tennis star-turned-golfer, has also accepted an invitation to compete in this year’s Chiangmai Golf Classic.

With a prize fund of US$750,000, the inaugural tournament was successfully staged in 2013 with long-hitting Australian Scott Hend producing a stunning final day comeback to lift the title ahead of South Africa’s Bryce Easton and local hero Prayad Marksaeng. Major winners Ernie Els and Y.E. Yang were amongst the stars who featured in last year’s tournament.

Such was the success of the Chiangmai Golf Classic that the Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai won the Best Golf Resort Award at the 2013 Asian Tour Awards Gala, which was held in Jakarta.

Dufner, who is a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, said: “I am looking forward to my first visit to Thailand. I have heard great things about the city of Chiangmai and also the Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai and hopefully, I will have the chance to win the Chiangmai Golf Classic.

As golfers, we have the opportunity to travel all over the world to compete and I hope to make time as well to visit some of the interesting places in Chiangmai during the tournament.”

Chiangmai’s Governor Wichien Puthiwinyoo said: “Following the success of the inaugural Chiangmai Golf Classic, we are delighted to announce the second edition will be played from July 3-6, 2014 at the Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai. It is also our pleasure to announce Jason Dufner, the PGA Champion, as our first star player of our prestigious tournament.

“The Chiangmai Golf Classic will continue to promote Chiangmai as a leading golfing and tourist destination through the four days of live broadcasts on the Asian Tour’s global television platform, which reaches over 180 countries and 625 million homes.

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“Through the sanction of the Asian Tour, golf fans in Thailand will have every opportunity to watch Asia’s top stars in action on what is an award-winning golf course. We are truly excited with the return of the Chiangmai Golf Classic.”

PTT Group Company Limited, one of the largest corporations in Thailand, will continue as the event’s presenting sponsor of the full-field Asian Tour tournament. Other backers include Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Toyota, Advanced Info Service Plc and Siam Commercial Bank PCL. The Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai, designed by Ron M. Garl, is located in a valley between mountain ranges in the heart of the San Kampaeng natural forests and boasts of natural beauty.

About the Asian Tour As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised panAsian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Abacus (Official Apparel Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Sponsor), Oakley (Official Eyewear and Footwear Sponsor), Saxo Capital Markets (Official Statistics Partner), Singha Beer (Official Beer), Srixon (Official Ball), Subway (Official Quick Service Restaurant) and Rolex (Official Timekeeper). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

For more information: www.chiangmaigolfclassic.com www.asiantour.com www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf www.twitter.com/asiantourgolf

Accommodation

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Accommodation

Life is Magnifique Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort

Because “Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail!”, • Providing you 238 colonial rooms and suites and offering you the warmest hospitality.

• A selection of restaurants and bars including Khmer and French cuisine, a lobby bar for afternoon tea or a swimming pool bar for evening cocktails.

• Sport facilities with an 18 hole international golf club only 20 minutes from the Sofitel, a free form swimming pool and a kid’s club.

• 4 meeting rooms including the largest ballroom in town for all kinds of events.

•InspiredMeetings concept that combines the latest conference technology with tailormade services provided by a dedicated team.

• A special care for health with our fitness center and wellness with our So SPA with L’Occitane.

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra offers a truly luxurious experience for leisure and business travellers in this breathtaking place – French savoir faire at its finest.

Restaurants

The Citadel All-day dining restaurant with an eclectic western and Asian buffet features everyone's favorite dishes with nightly Khmer dances from May to October.

Dine on the terrace and gaze out onto the scenic gardens and experience our fantastic services Royal Court On a beautiful outdoor terrace, a Khmer buffet is served while the Apsara dancers are performing a sumptuous and traditional show.

Mouhot’s Dream Surrounded by the lake reflects from the clear moonlight through floor-to-ceiling windows, experience the most romantic and luxury French - Khmer fusion cuisines and service in Cambodia.

Try our wine flight or choose your favorite wines.

Bars

Explorer’s Tales Evokes a colonial-era atmosphere. It is a popular place for an appetizer or post-dinner drinks.

Sit back, relax and enjoy cocktails, spirits or a cigar. Our pianist plays everyone's favorite tunes, offering the perfect ambiance with a nice library.

Serpent Bar Order your favorite snacks and dishes or enjoy colorful cocktails at the swim-up bar. Located next to the free-form swimming pool, this is an idyllic place to snack whilst soaking up the sun or relaxing during your stay. How about a pool massage?

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Spa & Fitness

A sanctuary for spa and massages, each treatment is created to revitalize the body and to restore its natural energy in tangible ways. Luxurious private spa suites provide the perfect location to rejuvenate body and mind through sensual indulgence.

A fitness center including all the facilities required for a healthy workout.

Swimming Pool & Villa Des Enfants

The largest free-form outdoor swimming pool in Cambodia. You also can enjoy pool snack & cocktails all day long inside our aquatic bar.

A Kid’s Club for children full of games, books...Sofitel Angkor also provides free daily activities for them.

Phokeethra Country Club – Golf Course

Phokeethra Country Club (23 kms from Sofitel) is the first world class international golf course in Siem Reap that can give the unique golfing experience nearby one of the world heritage site, historical Angkor Wat. Phokeethra Country Club is also ranked amongst the top five of the Best New Courses in Asia by Asian Golf Monthly Magazine and welcomes every year the Johnny Walker Cambodian Open.

For further information, please contact us: H3123-SL1@sofitel.com Visit us on www.sofitel.com/3123

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Accommodation

Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort

Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort is a majestic, luxury resort with 276 rooms and suites, each with spacious balconies overlooking the ocean, towering limestone cliffs and lush and tropical gardens. The resort offers authentic cuisine from four restaurants, Maya Restaurant – all-day dining serving the wide selection of international cuisine, White Lotus restaurant – serving the fabulous Thai-Indian cuisine through the region, Ristorante Venezia restaurant - serving gourmet Italian cuisine featuring traditional recipes and a large selection of wines and Koh Poda swim-up pool bar - serving a variety of cocktails and light lunches and three bars, including a swim up bar at the 7,000 sq.m. pool. A fully equipped fitness centre with steam and sauna, kid’s club, spa, luxury speed boat services, air conditioned marquee, state of the art conference facilities for up to 950 delegates and an exclusive nine-hole golf course with perfect, sweeping views of the Andaman Sea.

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Interior design:

Resort is designed and inspired by Choochart Polakit, presenting the magnificent concept of timeless colonial style with dark paneled wood, soaring arches and lofty high-vaulted ceilings. Rooms and suites are light and airy with polished teak floors, colonial-style wood furnishing, luxurious marble bathtubs and large private balconies overlooking the ocean, pool and garden.

The hotel

Since November 1st, 2006, the Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort has been offering discerning travellers the ultimate in comfort and elegance by combining traditional colonial style architecture with the latest high-tech facilities in a tastefully-decorated and environmentally-friendly five-star resort. In addition to offering the perfect holiday getaway, Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort is the ideal location for local and international MICE events.

In fact, the resort has something for everyone thanks to its choice of restaurants, Spa facilities, golf course, Kids’ Club and luxury speed boat services. With its excellent facilities, finest service and friendly staff, Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort promises you an unforgettable holiday experience.

Rooms

The hotel features 276 rooms and suites including 220 Superior rooms, 33 Luxury rooms, 5 Junior suites, 10 Prestige suites, 7 Opera suites pool access and 1 Presidential suite, in the elegantly designed and decorated in timeless French colonial style, all rooms and suites have a spacious bathroom, imported French bath products, three IDD telephone lines, broadband Internet access, separate modem point and hair dryer, fully stocked mini-bar, coffee & tea making facilities and a laptop-sized safe. Guests can also take advantage of room service, international newspapers, a nightly turn-down service and French luxurious bathroom amenities.

Well-being

So SPA with L’Occitane at Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort created a serene spa oasis in a place as renowned for its natural beauty as it is for the ancient mythical legend of Naga, where all who visit are granted abundant blessings and peacefulness. So SPA with L’Occitane ushers you into this private sanctuary to begin your personal spa journey where everything has been conceived to soothe and harmonise your senses and to nature a deep feeling of wellbeing. The resort provide the gym fitness and various activities during your stay such as fit-ball exercise, Pilates exercise, abdominal stretching, Thai boxing lesson, Tai Chi, aerobic dance, aero boxing, body combat, yoga exercise, aqua exercise and luxury speedboat services to famous nearby islands. For the golf lover, the hotel features the 9-hole golf course next to resort. It also offers you the most comfortable sleeping with MyBed, a unique concept where each component has been designed to ensure made-tomeasure comfort and present the Pillow Menu exclusively for the guests of Suites.

Meeting rooms

InspiredMeetings™, Sofitel’s meetings concept, which combines the latest conference technology with a passion for excellence, is dedicated to making every event an unforgettable success. From an experienced meeting planner and concierge to a dedicated chef, every detail is tailor-made to perfection.

There is a modern business centre with full secretarial services and four meeting rooms, ranging in size from 40-365 square meters. High speed Internet connection and wireless connectivity cards are available for convenient access in the lobby, meeting rooms, swimming pool and common area.

“A La Carte” incentive events and cultural activities can also be arranged. The pre-function room (140 sq.m.) seats up to 150 people; Phokeethra Meeting Room 1 (80 sq.m.) seats up to 70 people; Phokeethra Meeting Room 2 (40 sq.m.) seats up to 30 people; The Grand Ballroom offers 365 sq.m. of space to seats up to 350 people and the elegant air conditioned Phokeethra Marquee (1,000 sq.m.), a perfect venue catering for wedding and events seats up to 950 people for formal or informal receptions.

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Dining

Maya Restaurant: This family-friendly restaurant with soothing ocean views is open for all-day dining, serving a wide variety of contemporary and international cuisine.

Ristorante Venezia Restaurant: Gourmet Italian cuisine featuring traditional recipes, pizzas straight from the wood-fired pizza oven and a large selection of wines.

White Lotus Restaurant: Elegantly designed, the hotel’s chic signature restaurant offers both conventional and Thai style seating, serving exquisite creations from culinary hotspots of India and Thailand.

Koh Poda: Swim-up pool bar serving a variety of cocktails, juices and refreshments as well as lunch while relaxing in the pool.

Explorer Bar: Elegant piano bar serving aperitifs, tapas and after-dinner cocktails with daily live music.

Maprao: Relax and escape the world with your favourite book, sip a sparkling wine and enjoy the stunning Andaman sunsets at the open-air cocktail lounge.

Cafe Vienna: Stylish cafe offering a wide selection of coffee and tea, sandwiches and pastries straight from the bakery, and homemade ice cream.

Spa

So SPA with L'Occitane at Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort has a total of 12 exclusive treatment rooms: 2 specifically for Thai massages, 2 for facial treatments, and 4 single rooms as well as 4 double rooms for couples. So SPA incorporates exquisite touches of Thai traditions to heighten your spa experience. The decor of So SPA is designed in ancient Thai style and, when your treatment begins, our therapists will hang an elegant garland on the treatment room door to communicate that the room is occupied.

Kid’s Club

At Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, kids will have entertainment, fun and learning. A non-stop children’s programme, workshops, activities, kid’s pool, sports and games with a professionally trained team of staff are on hand to ensure the utmost safety and security of children from 4 to 12 years of age that enables parents to enjoy a relaxing break.

Luxury Speed Boat Services

Discover the local islands and coves in the comfort and luxury with the private Phokeethra speed boats.

Make the most of the area and explore at your own pace with our excursion trips and enjoy a perfect picnic. Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort is only 7 minutes from Hong Island and Hong Lagoon, 20 minutes from Poda Island, Sand Bank, and Krabi Four Islands, 40 minutes from Phi Phi Islands and 35 minutes from Bamboo Islands.

Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort 200 Moo 3, Klong Muang Beach, Tambon Nongtalay, Amphur Muang, Krabi 81000 Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 75 627 800 Fax: +66 (0) 75 627 899 Email: rsvn@sofitelphokeethrakrabi.com Website: http://www.sofitel.com/6184 116

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Collection ★ Drink

The best worldwide ambassador of Rioja wines Marqués de Cáceres

Marqués de Cáceres is a family-owned and run company founded in 1970 in Rioja Alta, since Enrique Forner came back to Spain after being very successful in the production of great Châteaux from Bordeaux, being owner of Château Camensac and Château Larose Trintaudon in Haut Médoc. Nowadays Marqués de Cáceres is one of the best worldwide ambassadors of Rioja wines and one of the leading brands from Spain with a presence in more than 120 countries over the 5 continents, where the high quality of its wines is unanimously recognized and highly appreciated by its faithful and enthusiastic consumers.

Being the best-selling Spanish wine in the USA and many other countries from Europe and Latin America, Marqués de Cáceres is trying hard to continue to develop its presence in all Asian countries in order to reinforce its global brand leadership for high quality Rioja wines.

Wines from Marqués de Cáceres The vines are over thirty years old and it is mainly the Tempranillo (Red) and Viura (White) varieties that guarantee the grapes required to make the highest quality wines.

Since 2010 Marqués de Cáceres is also producing a white wine for the first time outside of the DO Rioja. Their white Deusa Nai is produced in DO Rias Baixas in North-west of Spain from the finest and the most internationally recognized white varietal from Spain, the Albariño.

All red wines and the barrel fermented white Antea are aged inside a selection of the best French and American oak barrels, producing wines of character and structure but with a nice, fleshy texture.

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Collection ★ Fashion

Wear the shoes, rule the World.

FitFlop presents its Spring/Summer

2014 collection through another fun, fearless, and fresh regional launch this time in the Philippines’ own Queen City of the South, Cebu. In our first six years in business, we’ve built - and sold - over 22 million pairs of shoes.

Our beautiful, biomechanically engineered sandals – followed by fun clogs, fuzzy mukluks, cush sneakers and hybrid-happy-feetmaking ballerinas- have taken off, and women agree with us: YOUR FEET SHOULDN’T HAVE TO SUFFER TO BE BEAUTIFUL™.

So this season, while our focus is still firmly on our high-tech, highcomfort USP - we’re also branching past casual into ‘practical fashion’, by introducing our FF2™ sub-brand, featuring our new SUPERCOMFFTM technology, a double-density midsole designed to maximize comfort while slimming-down- visually what the customer sees in terms of ‘technology’.

What happened…

This year’s summer shindig was held in Shangri-La Resort and Hotel in Mactan Cebu last February 20 and 21 and was attended by the who’s who in print, TV, and new media.

Aimed to provide invited guests with a refreshingly different launch experience, we have gone to great lengths to ensure that everyone will have a delightfully memorable experience. From the fabulous video presentations, a variety of challenges, the event also had a special tie-up with Anthill (a local charity based

Available at Central World Beacon Zone and all department stores nationwide.

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in Cebu) showing how the FitFlop is also very much active in giving back to the local community.

Upon checking in, special FitFlop welcome kits were given to the guests to make their Cebu stay much more pleasurable setting off the fun event to a happy start. Event activities included an Instax Challenge, a charity immersion with the women from Anthill, and wonderful dinners and lunches that showcased the best of what Cebu has to offer. For the two-day event, well-loved model, TV personality and blogger, Kim Jones served as the lovely host.

The event’s fun and festive approach is also a fitting reflection of the brand’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection, as it features a wide range of new footwear that will not only excite fans but every stylish, woman who always want to be on top of her game.

With over 30 fresh styles to choose from – ranging from sneakers, shoes and sandals, this year’s FitFlop event was definitely one for the books.

In addition to a bevy of colors and styles to choose from, we have also injected our new discreet, dualdensity SUPERCOMFF midsole within the Banda Collection, ergonomically designed for underfoot pressure diffusion and exceptional comfort.

However, the brand certainly won’t stop there. Given that the new year has only begun, FitFlop is set to announce more exciting news in the coming months, giving everyone more reasons to stay tuned to this famed footwear brand.

Beauty

AdvANcEd GÉNIFIQUE YEUX Youth Activating Eye Cream

NEW

Fatigue is undoubtedly one of the most global malaises of the 21st century.

We are all aware of its causes: stress, insomnia, overwork, environmental factors… Whatever our age, whatever our skin type, wherever we live, fatigue can affect women according to their features and skin, and make us look older than we actually are. And one of the main zones where it is concentrated is the fragile eye contour area.

Before signs of fatigue could turn into signs of aging, Lancôme offers a solution: new ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE YEUX YOUTH ACTIVATING EYE CREAM. Inspired by our leading-edge genomic and proteomic research, ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE YEUX combines the latest optical technology and blend of anti-fatigue actives specifically selected to the delicate eye area.

The result is a global response designed for women of all ages, all skin types and all ethnicities, who want to fight, not only chronological aging, but also the aging effects of fatigue.

Tried and tested by Asian women, ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE YEUX proved so spectacularly effective that one out of two women who used it found their gaze looking like they had slept three hours more…1

1 Self-assessments - 51 Asian women - 4 weeks.

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WHEN FATIGUES SHOWS ON SKIN Studies show it: sleep deprivation can impact the cutaneous integrity. Diminution of skin hydration, diminution of barrier function’s recovery, impact on external stresses resistance… When sleep deprived, the body fights to maintain its mental and physical shape. People look significantly less healthy, less attractive and more tired.

Drawn features, lack of radiance, lack of puffiness are some of the many visible signs on the skin. The eye contour, being a particular fragile face area, is also impacted: dark circles, eye bags, droopy eyes… Intrinsic clinical signs of ageing also increase: fine lines appear, skin texture is modified.

Inspired by the genomic and proteomic approach of Advanced Génifique, ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE YEUX targets five key signs of youth and five signs of fatigue specific to the eye area. Fine lines are reduced, smoothness, texture, lifting effect and firmness are improved by a formula containing a powerful complex of ingredients, to activate a youthful and well-rested look, and repair visible hints of fatigue.

ACTIVATE FIVE SIGNS OF YOUTH, REPAIR FIVE SIGNS OF FATIGUE Combined with its intensive action on aging, ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE YEUX employs the most advanced optical technology : - new-generation elastomers were selected to provide a powerful soft-focus effect to “blur” tell-tale lines and wrinkles. In addition, these high-tech ingredients provide mattifying effects with a soft powdery skin finish.

- a cocktail of micro particles of different shades was selected to diffuse the light with illuminating and mattifying properties in order to immediately reduce signs of fatigue and make the gaze younger and smoother. Silica resin microspheres enhance light diffusion to visually correct dark shadows and other imperfections; boron nitride increase the quantity of diffused light; nacres subtly add illuminating effects, immediately.

ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE YEUX improves the eye contour area and was specifically conceived for the delicate skin of the eye contour. It lastingly moisturizes for 8 hours and protects against urban pollution.

A DELIGHTFUL TEXTURE In a further remarkable breakthrough, the heavyweight performance of ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE YEUX is achieved with our most amazingly lightweight of textures – a luscious gel-cream that instantly breaks on the skin to create a unique sensation of plumpness and protection, freshness and softness. Astonishingly, the eye contour feels invigorated and intensely reenergized.

WAKE UP LOOKING LIKE YOU HAVE SLEPT THREE HOURS MORE Efficacy clinically proved…

After 4 weeks of use, clinical tests show a significant action of ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE YEUX on dark circles*. Clinical study also shows a significant improvement of crow’s feet wrinkles, the total surface is reduced by 13%* and the number of wrinkles and fines lines is diminished by 14%*. These results prove the powerful efficacy and positive effect of ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE YEUX on fatigue and for a youthful-looking eye-area skin. * Clinical grading - Image analysis - 43 Asian women - 4 weeks.

Discover more on Lancome.co.th and Golf Vacations

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/LancomeThailand

Shop ★ Design

AudemArs Piguet opens its first boutique in Thailand

The Swiss Haute Horology brand, Audemars Piguet, is pleased

to announce the opening of its first boutique in Central Embassy, Bangkok – in a joint-venture with Cortina Watch (Thailand) Co., Ltd. The Audemars Piguet boutique is located in the new Central Embassy along Ploenchit Road. Operated in early May 2014, the 50 sq.m. boutique showcases an original concept design that captures the 139-year old brand’s core values: origins, artistry and extraordinary relationships.

The blend of wood, metal and idyllic landscapes of Le Brassus, immerse clients in theVallée de Joux in Switzerland, birthplace of Audemars Piguet. Designed by the Creative Circle International Corporation of Switzerland in collaboration with Audemars Piguet’s Creative Director, Octavio Garcia, the boutique is divided into two spaces: “The Manufacture” and “The House”.

Committed to the highest levels of excellence in design, manufacturing and service, timepieces from all six major collections will be presented in the boutique, where clients will enjoy an unparalleled level of comfort.

Emblematic timepieces as well as pieces from the new collection such as the Royal Oak Offshore Diver in white ceramic will be showcasesd around the boutique for watch enthusiasts and collectors to enjoy in the new Audemars Piguet “Home away from Home” in Bangkok.

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Moments April 2014

↓ TRUEFITT & HILL The World’s Oldest English Barbershop, Officially Launches in Bangkok’s Central Embassy for the Ultimate Grooming Experience fot Gentlemen.

Central Embassy, Bangkok – Sakorn Thavisin, the

cheerfully brisk, well-groomed owner of P.S. Grooming Co., Ltd., has spent half of his life travelling around the globe searching for the world’s finest grooming experiences and products for gentlemen. Strolling along St James’s Street, one of the most historic and prestigious streets in London, he finally found legendary Truefitt & Hill, the oldest barber salon in the world as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records in April 2000.

He then decided to open the first Truefitt & Hill in Thailand to serve discerning, affluent customers with this old-school barbershop experience that exudes English style, luxury and comfort.

Established in 1805, or over two centuries ago, Truefitt & Hill, founded by William Francis Truefitt, is recognised as the finest traditional gentlemen's barber and perfumer in London.

The company is famous for its unmatchable close shaves, expert haircuts and attentive grooming. Truefitt & Hill has a long tradition and impeccable service, but it is in the skill of its barbers that created its fame.

Throughout Truefitt’s history, the company has had the honour of serving the British monarchs through nine consecutive reigns over the last two centuries and the company has held many Royal Warrants. Today, it holds the British Royal Warrant by Appointment to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, and serves the male line of the British royal family. Regular patrons also include famous politicians, supreme commanders and members of parliament, as well as legendary figures from the literary world. Currently, Truefitt & Hill has expanded to North America, Europe and Asia to serve high-end patrons and celebrities with 10 shops around the world.

Truefitt & Hill grooming products have been distributed to many leading stores, such as Harrods in London and Isetan in Tokyo. The latest Truefitt & Hill barbershop is located on the fourth floor of Central Embassy, where Thai gentlemen can receive the legendary old English barber service without flying to England.

At Truefitt & Hill on the fourth floor of Central Embassy, the 100-square-meter outlet is imbued with a classy old-world English style. The reception room greets its clientele with a luxurious leather sofa and a product display zone showcasing more than 100 of Truefitt & Hill’s premium grooming products. The men’s grooming room is decorated with traditional leather barbershop chairs making for a classic interior within which gentlemen can receive a haircut, hair care, a signature hot towel wet shave, a manicure and a pedicure. Each client can enjoy a legitimate, private ‘me moment’ every time he visits this exclusive barbershop.

Gentlemen are invited to receive this oldschool, traditional grooming experience with its old English barbershop vibe and to try Truefitt & Hill’s premium quality products at Truefitt & Hill at 4th floor Central Embassy, Bangkok.

Please make a reservation three days in advance.

For more information and appointment, call 02-160-5755.

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Moments March 2014

↓ THE WISDOM Golf Society 2014 KasiKOrnBanK creates the world-class tournament.

Kasikorn Bank

arranged ‘THE WISDOM Golf Society 2014’, exclusively for THE WISDOM customers.

The activity was arranged at Red Mountain Golf Club, Phuket, which is one of Asia’s most exciting golf courses.

The course was undoubtedly challenging, numerous risk and reward options created a fun playing environment, an exhilarating test of golf and a breathtaking scenic tour around a course.

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Moments

21st - 22nd March 2014

↓ Maserati Golf Vacations Thailand

hosted the grand opening event with privileged activity under the concept “Life Luxuriated”. We invited golfers to join our tournament at Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club, Khao Yai on March 21-22, 2014 under the theme “Elaborating the Luxuriated Life 2014”.

Maserati, one of the sponsors of this event, offered a great exclusive experience for customers called “Experience the fastest with Maserati” at the tee-off area. The player who made the fastest swing received a Maserati suitcase as a reward.

Furthermore, in the next morning, every customer got a privilege to “Test the Maserati Ghibli” by driving on an airport runway of Rancho Charnvee for 2 kilometers.

New Maserati Ghibli

With the all-new Ghibli Maserati enters the E-segment by combining breath-taking design with exceptional handling qualities and outstanding performance.

Making inspirational motoring more accessible, Maserati’s new 4-door sports executive sedan appeals to the heart, the head and the soul. The launch marks a turning point in Maserati’s history giving the Italian marque two concurrent four-door sedan models for the first time in its 100-year history. It is the second model after the flagship, the Quattroporte.

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Moments

21st - 22nd March 2014

↓ CortiNa Golf Vacations Thailand hosted the grand

opening event with privileged activity under the concept “Life Luxuriated”. We invited golfers to join our tournament at Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club, Khao Yai on March 21-22, 2014 under the theme “Elaborating the Luxuriated Life 2014”.

Moreover, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Cortina Watch Thailand, we offered a game to the golfers in which they must choose a number between 0-9.

The golfer who chose the lucky number would later win a special prize from Cortina Watch at the evening party.

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Moments

21st - 22nd March 2014

↓ thai airways Golf Vacations Thailand hosted the grand

opening event with privileged activity under the concept “Life Luxuriated”. We invited golfers to join our tournament at Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club, Khao Yai on March 21-22, 2014 under the theme “Elaborating the Luxuriated Life 2014”.

Moreover, Thai Airways, one of the sponsors of this event, offered a great exclusive experience and challenge for customers. To introduce new destinations of Thai Airways, we put three national flags of Japan, China and Australia around the 7th hole. The player who could drive the golf ball nearest each national flag, could win a round trip business class ticket to Bali, Indonesia from Thai Airways.

Those who did not win a ticket still had a chance to win a luggage from FPM, Italy.

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Moments

21st - 22nd March 2014

↓ roGer Dubuis

Golf Vacations Thailand hosted the grand

opening event with privileged activity under the concept “Life Luxuriated”. We invited golfers to join our tournament at Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club, Khao Yai on March 21-22, 2014 under the theme “Elaborating the Luxuriated Life 2014”.

Moreover, Roger Dubuis, one of the sponsors of this event, offered a great exclusive experience and challenge for customers. To create unforgettable experiences, we decorated the tee-off area with red carpet and Excalibur models and a part of the green with a dial of Roger Dubuis “Excalibur Round Table” in white and green.

The challenge rule was whoever putted the ball into the white area will receive a present from Roger Dubuis at the evening party.

Furthermore, Roger Dubuis also hosted a fashion show of watch collections and provided a team of experienced watch specialists to give expert advice to customers.

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Moments

21st - 22nd March 2014

↓ DtaC

Golf Vacations Thailand hosted the grand

opening event with privileged activity under the concept “Life Luxuriated”. We invited golfers to join our tournament at Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club, Khao Yai on March 21-22, 2014 under the theme “Elaborating the Luxuriated Life 2014”.

Dtac, one of our generous sponsors, prepared a fun activity called “Dtac Trinet”. The hole was decorated with pillars with the words “further”, “wider” and “clearer”. The rule was that golfers must try to putt the ball close to the pillar. The player who could drive the ball closest to the pillar then would recieve an iPhone5 from Dtac at the evening party.

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The Last Putt KiradECh aphibarnrat Golf is just like life… it doesn’t stop.

As of this moment, it is undeniable that the Thai golfer with the most impressive performance in the Asian, European, and other major golf tournaments is Kiradech Aphibarnrat, or Pro Arm.

He is currently ranked No.1 in the Asian tour,

26th in the European Tour Race To Dubai, and is the fourth Thai golfer to win the European Tour. For the first time in his golfing career, he had the opportunity to play in major tournaments, with impressive results of getting into the last two days of major tournaments like the PGA Championship and The Open.

Golf Vacations Thailand had the chance to meet with Pro Arm before he went to compete. During the interview, he shared his experiences of competing in major events and what he has learned from this sport.

Golf is My Everything

Ever since I was a teenager, I’d start practicing at 6 every morning. I didn’t get to spend time elsewhere like other teenagers did. Before all of this started, I was just another regular kid from a well-off family. I did whatever I pleased and got whatever I wanted. However, my life changed when I was introduced to golfing. I became very determined when I performed very well in a youth tournament. My parents were very supportive of me which pushed me into wanting to become a professional golfer. When the family business wasn’t going very well, it became my motivation to work even harder. I told myself that I had come too far to go back.

We Can’t Stop

Once we’ve chosen our path, we have to keep moving forward.

When I was competing in youth tournaments, I competed against around 30 other golfers from around the world, while there were no more than 10 in Asia. However, when I turned into a professional golfer, I realized that there were 1,000 people better than me out there. In the past 4 years, I have seen other golfers get better through hard work and advancements in technology. Today, I rank in the world’s Top 100 golfers but it doesn’t discourage me from pushing harder. I know I have it in me, otherwise I wouldn’t have made it to this position.

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Every Game is in Our hands

The Open was a truly incredible experience for me. I did very well on the first day and I believed I could make it to the Top 10.

However, things didn’t turn out as expected. I ended up playing my worst game in my professional career with 14 over par. I then realized that my performance was a result of the pressure that I put on myself – not the other golfers or the environment. The experience taught me that every game is in our control. We have to forget the past and keep moving forward.

Once You Fall, You Get right back Up

My impressive performance at the PGA Championship was a result from what I’ve learned from The Open. I was focused and didn’t put pressure on myself. It was just me and the game.

Finishing with a better score than Tiger Woods was a great motivation for me. I didn’t feel that I was better than before or anything but it made me realize that through hard work and determination, anyone can get to where Tiger Woods is standing.

Always remember that hard work and focus must go together.

99% Comes From Us

My entire life has been about golfing. I earn a living from golfing.

The most important lesson I’ve learned from golfing is that the game never stops. There’s always a goal waiting for you ahead, so if you want to succeed you have to be a step ahead of the others. You have to work harder and focus on your goals. Don’t leave your future to chance because it only accounts for 1% of your life.

MUCH MORE THAN GOLF COURSE

Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club

18 holes of Charmpionship Golf Course and European Country lifestyle for your great memorial Pakchong Nakornratchsrima Thailand : www.ranchocharnvee.com : Tel. 044-756-210-3