World Golfer

Page 1

THE GREAT GOLF GUIDE 2015

WORLD GOLFER

Dream long-haul golf destinations

GB pp 1 World Golfer Cover.indd 1

03/03/2015 12:06


THE GREAT GOLF GUIDE 2015 | WORLD GOLFER

Come fly with us… Golfbreaks.com offer fully flight-inclusive packages Why go flight inclusive?

Our flight packages include:

• Travel in comfort and style – with Golfbreaks.com preferred flight partners including British Airways

• Return, direct transatlantic flights & internal connections where required

• No need to pay full price upon booking – just £100pp deposit required* • Book with confidence – Golfbreaks.com are fully ATOL and ABTA protected • Keep it simple – Golfbreaks.com are a one-stop-shop for your golf travel needs • No hidden extras – all carriage, taxes and charges are included

• 1 x checked bag • 1 x golf bag • All taxes • All surcharges

Travel in style • Don’t forget to ask us about upgrading to World Traveller Plus and Club World flight packages

For more information, please contact us on 0845 250 8415 * full payment of balance required 8 weeks before travel

Many more great value breaks available online at GB pp 2 World Golfer Flight Inclusive.indd 2

05/03/2015 14:29


Le Paradis, Mauritius

Welcome Visit somewhere that will make you happy when skies are grey at home HERE are many things that make golf such a special game but surely the fact that you can play it all over the world is high up the list. Better still, there are no two courses the same and by the same token no two countries the same. Playing in far-flung destinations is therefore a voyage of discovery – and the fact that you can enjoy the experience with the sun on your back no matter what the conditions back home is a

T

huge bonus. Long-distance travel requires a little more planning and anyway, the anticipation can almost be more enjoyable than the trip itself. We’re pretty confident that the contents of this brochure will whet your appetite and maybe even pique your curiosity. Perhaps a trip to the Indian Ocean and the island paradise of Mauritius sounds like your idea of holiday heaven? Or, on the other side of the world, you might have set your sights on a dream trip to the Caribbean.

Well, both are great choices. But there are also other alternatives, perhaps to destinations you never previously considered for a golfing holiday. For example, Thailand is certainly up and coming while new courses and resorts are plentiful in the Middle East. For me, it’s still hard to beat the United States for a golf holiday that provides on all fronts. For sheer convenience, Florida remains the obvious choice. But for something slightly different, I’d recommend

flying direct from London into Phoenix, Arizona, and experiencing some desert golf. You will be phenomenally well looked after both on and off the course – I guarantee it. Wherever you choose, though, rest assured it will provide an experience to remember.

ANDREW STANLEY, CEO

or call us on 0845 250 8415 – we’re open 7 days a week GB pp 3 World Golfer Welcome.indd 1

05/03/2015 14:33


THE GREAT GOLF GUIDE 2015 | WORLD GOLFER

Mauritius The Indian Ocean island will enchant you

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

7 nights’ half board Unlimited Golf

7 nights’ half board Unlimited Golf

from £1,269

from £1,725

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

CONSTANCE BELLE MARE PLAGE 5★

CONSTANCE LE PRINCE MAURICE 5★

Play at: Legend & Links • Includes transfers

Play at: Legend & Links • Includes transfers

POSTE DE FLAQ

POSTE DE FLAQ

Many more great value breaks available online at GB pp 4-7 World Golfer Mauritius.indd 2

05/03/2015 14:34


T is impossible to write about Mauritius without summoning up a few cliches, for this is a paradise island of white sandy beaches, azure-blue sea and gently swaying palm trees. They conjure an attractive image of the island and the reality is not a disappointment. There are no nasty surprises on Mauritius – but there are some pleasant ones.

I

“Mauritius has a golf club dating back to 1902”

Heritage Golf Club

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

In addition to the qualities you’d expect from a high-end holiday resort – the food, the spa, the luxuriant toiletries – Mauritius also boasts a portfolio of courses that surpasses other areas of the planet of significant renown. In the next few months, The Heritage Golf Club will host Mauritius’s first European Tour event, complete with a €1m prize fund. The event will showcase the country to a global audience and confirm what those in the know have long been aware of – that this is a stunning golfing destination. The Heritage Golf Club is a stiff Peter Matkovich waterinspired examination. This championship course on the Domaine de Bel Ombre was crafted with the utmost care to incorporate the features of a naturally hilly landscape.

7 nights’ half board Unlimited Golf

7 nights’ half board Unlimited Golf

from £1,499

from £1,699

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

ANAHITA THE RESORT 5★

LONG BEACH 5★

Play at: Four Seaons Anahita & Ile aux Cerfs • Includes transfers

Play at: Four Seaons Anahita & Ile aux Cerfs • Includes transfers

BEAUCHAMP

POSTE DE FLAQ

or call us on 0845 250 8415 – we’re open 7 days a week GB pp 4-7 World Golfer Mauritius.indd 3

05/03/2015 14:34


THE GREAT GOLF GUIDE 2015 | WORLD GOLFER

Mauritius

When it comes to visual impact, Le Touessrok is the island’s most famous venue, with its course on the beautiful Ile aux Cerfs laid out among lush vegetation with several holes lapped by the ocean. That makes for one of the most spectacular golf courses in Mauritius – if not the world. Visitors will enjoy the short boat ride from the Le Touessrok’s 5-star hotel to this world-renowned championship course. Bernhard Langer designed the 18-hole, par-72 layout to challenge advanced players, but it certainly remains exciting and playable for recreational golfers as well. An authentic and inviting Mauritian restaurant with

exceptional panoramic views of the course just adds to the charm of this location. Nearby Belle Mare Plage offers two more superb championship courses while Anahita, an Ernie Els design in 2008, is another of the east coast’s big attractions. Set between land and sea, this challenging layout is not to be missed. Six stunning ocean-front holes culminate in a final shot that is among the most spectacular in the world. On the west coast – but take note that all of the resorts are within 90 minutes of the small, bustling airport – Tamarina is a highlight. Cleverly designed by Rodney Wright, it sits in a scenic

“Heritage Golf is a stiff, water-inspired examination” spot between iconic Mount Rempart and Tamarin Bay. Measuring over 7,500 yards from the professional tees, the course is laid out with four par 3s and four par 5s. Each hole offers five different teeing options, catering for all level of golfers. A fantastic practice range is also provided with large putting greens and chipping and bunker facilities. Also on site are 119 luxury villas, a Golf Academy, tennis courts and a clubhouse with a pro shop, a bar and a restaurant – Le Dix-Neuf.

Slightly further south, Paradis has a stellar back nine and a growing reputation. Built within the resort’s grounds, the 18-hole par 72 course stretches along 6,500 yards between the iconic Morne mountain and the crystal-clear lagoon of the Morne peninsula. Much of the creative design of the bunkers and fairways is attributable to international golf legend Tony Johnstone, from Zimbabwe, who spent several years playing the course through its evolutionary stages. Mauritius, then, has an awful lot of golf to offer – you see, it’s not all about sand, sea and spas on this paradise island off the east-African coast!

Many more great value breaks available online at GB pp 4-7 World Golfer Mauritius.indd 4

05/03/2015 14:34


Ile aux Cerfs

7 nights’ half board Unlimited Golf

7 nights’ all inclusive Unlimited Golf

from £1,355

from £1,425

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

HERIAGE LE TELFAIR 5★

HERITAGE AWALI 5★

Play at: Heritage Golf Club • Includes transfers

Play at: Heritage Golf Club • Includes transfers

DOMAINE DE BEL OMBRE

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

DOMAINE DE BEL OMBRE

7 nights’ B&B 4 rounds

7 nights’ all inclusive Unlimited Golf

from £1,329

from £1,455

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

PARADIS HOTEL & GOLF CLUB 5★

TAMARINA GOLF, SPA & BEACH RESORT 4★

Play at: Paradis Golf Club • Includes transfers

Play at: Tamarina Golf Club • Includes transfers

LE MORNE PENINSULA

TAMARIN

or call us on 0845 250 8415 – we’re open 7 days a week GB pp 4-7 World Golfer Mauritius.indd 5

05/03/2015 14:34


THE GREAT GOLF GUIDE 2015 | WORLD GOLFER

The Masters 2016 Follow your heroes around Augusta National’s hallowed turf

Augusta National

T

HE Masters could aptly be described as the greatest golf show on the

planet. For many years, the season’s opening Major was viewed as elusive for British visitors, with cost and accessibility preventing people from travelling to Georgia to watch the stars in action. Happily, times have changed and Golfbreaks.com can now look after all the arrangements.

A visit here is truly a once-ina-lifetime experience. There are a variety of different packages available, from breaks which solely include practice round tickets to those which allow complete access to all four tournament days. All will provide you with unforgettable experiences and a lifetime’s worth of memories to share with your friends. A visit to the Masters also provides a great opportunity to play some top-quality golf

of your own. There are many wonderful nearby courses including five outstanding layouts at Reynolds Plantation, Forest Hills and the River Club. Or, within a few hours’ drive are the Carolinas – packed with amazing courses. Above all else, the Masters provides a unique opportunity to watch the world’s best players compete for one of the game’s most coveted prizes at of sport’s great arenas. What more could you want?

PRACTICE ROUND PACKAGE AUGUSTA, GEORGIA

3 nights’ B&B (Sunday arrival) & return flights

from £2,299 2-day Masters Pass (Monday & Tuesday practice days) FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

• Includes car hire

“A visit to Augusta National is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience”

WEEKEND PACKAGE

GREEN JACKET EXPERIENCE

3 nights’ B&B (Friday arrival) & return flights

Play at: Forest Hill and River Club - Tuesday and Wednesday 7 nights’ B&B (Monday arrival) & return flights

2-day Masters Pass (Saturday & Sunday)

4-day Masters Pass (Thursday to Sunday)

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA

from £3,329

• Includes car hire

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA

from £5,629

• Includes car hire

Many more great value breaks available online at GB pp 8-9 World Golfer Masters & Qatar.indd 2

05/03/2015 14:35


I

Qatar Lush green fairways in the midst of the desert

Doha’s stunning skyline

5 nights’ B&B 3 rounds

from £1,479

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

THE ST REGIS DOHA 5★ DOHA

Play at: Doha Golf Club • Includes All transfers & shared buggies

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

F a ‘new’ but exciting golf destination takes your fancy, get well off the beaten track and discover the superb sand courses of Qatar. Although it may not yet be recognised as a golfing powerhouse, the state’s golf association claims the sport has been played since 1949, when the Iraq Petroleum Company bought the region’s first course. Qatar has the third-largest GDP in the world, is investing heavily in sport tourism and will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Once the preserve of Bedouin traders, Qatar has steadily modernised over the past 30 years and is renowned for its desert sand courses, still favoured by locals. Of the three 18-hole courses currently open in Qatar, one very much stands out – Doha is home to the Qatar Masters, a feature on the European Tour since 1998 and part of the early-season Desert Swing, and a 9-hole academy course is open to non-members. Designed by Peter Harradine, the 7,374-yard championship course provides a variety of challenges. Eight strategically positioned lakes, 65 giant cacti, imposing limestone rock formations and an abundance of lengthy green fairways present a startling contrast to the desert that lies beyond.

5 nights’ B&B 3 rounds

5 nights’ B&B 3 rounds

from £1,475

from £1,499

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA 5★

THE W DOHA 5★

Play at: Doha Golf Club • Includes All transfers & shared buggies

Play at: Doha Golf Club • Includes All transfers & shared buggies

DOHA

DOHA

or call us on 0845 250 8415 – we’re open 7 days a week GB pp 8-9 World Golfer Masters & Qatar.indd 3

05/03/2015 14:35


THE GREAT GOLF GUIDE 2015 | WORLD GOLFER HERE was a time when Dubai was the only glittering oasis in the sands of the Middle East. But things move fast in this part of the world and the desert destination now finds itself being challenged in both size and grandeur by its fellow Emirate, Abu Dhabi. What this has brought is choice – do you visit the well-established courses of Dubai, where the Desert Swing and Race to Dubai events bookmark the European Tour season, or do you take a pioneering venture into Abu Dhabi, where three world-class courses make the sheikhdom an attractive Arabian golf option?

T

“Dubai remains a hotbed for the affluent traveller” Abu Dhabi is staking a firm claim to be the Arabian destination of choice, but Dubai refuses to be counted out. With sunshine on basically every day of the year, the original 21st-century UAE city remains a hotbed for the affluent traveller. Known as the ‘city of merchants’, almost 85 per cent of Dubai’s near one million population are expatriates, many of whom come to play the relatively ancient Emirates Golf Club, now in its 26th year. Ever since Dubai Golf unveiled this inaugural course,

Dubai has quickly risen to the top of many golfers’ worldwide destinations and it was recently proclaimed ‘Golf Destination of the Year – Africa, Gulf States and Indian Ocean’ in IAGTO’s annual awards. The Fire and Earth courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates are also well worth a round or two, offering two challenging layouts to enjoy. Each hole is a design gem blending effortlessly into the natural desert landscape. Elsewhere, the par-72 Al Badia course was designed on an oasis theme and features abundant water, rivers of sand and plants indigenous to the Arabian Gulf. Courses such as Majlis, the Faldo and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club have continued to enhance the peerless luxury of Dubai, that can be found nowhere else in the world – apart from, perhaps, in Abu Dhabi. But while Abu Dhabi remains one of the world’s wealthiest regions, thanks in main to its oil reserves – the third-largest on the planet – Dubai remains the UAE’s commercial centre, where first-class service and duty-free shopping offers an alternative for those who would like a break from golf. As you would expect, there are also many alternative ways to wile away the hours, from water parks and desert driving to dune buggies and even skiing, meaning that Dubai can entertain the entire family.

5 nights’ B&B 3 rounds & return flights

5 nights’ B&B 3 rounds & return flights

from £1,119

from £1,179

• Includes buggies and range balls

• Includes buggies & range balls

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

PARK HYATT 5★

THE MEYDAN HOTEL 5★

Play at: Dubai Creek Golf Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates - Fire Course, Al Badia Golf Club

Play at: The Track Golf Club, Dubai Creek Golf Club • Includes buggies & range balls

DUBAI, UAE

DUBAI, UAE

Many more great value breaks available online at GB pp 10-11 World Golfer Dubai.indd 2

05/03/2015 14:36


Dubai Gulf meets golf in this stunning Arabian oasis

The Track Golf Club

5 nights’ B&B 3 rounds & return flights

5 nights’ B&B 2 rounds & return flights

from £1,039

from £1,369

• Includes buggies & range balls

• Includes all transfers, weekend tournament tickets, buggies & range balls

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

JA JEBEL ALI BEACH HOTEL 4★

RACE TO DUBAI PACKAGE 5★

Play at: Jebel Ali Goilf Club, The Els Club, Emirates Golf Club - Faldo Course

Play at: The Els Club, Emirates Golf Club - Faldo Course Stay at: Media Rotana

DUBAI, UAE

DUBAI, UAE

or call us on 0845 250 8415 – we’re open 7 days a week GB pp 10-11 World Golfer Dubai.indd 3

05/03/2015 14:36


THE GREAT GOLF GUIDE 2015 | WORLD GOLFER HE United Arab Emirates form a cosmopolitan country of seven states, but with 80 per cent of the land belonging to the capital, the past decade has seen Abu Dhabi emerge as the clear economic and political powerhouse. During January temperatures sink to a moderate 20˚C, making the winter months the ideal time to leave the air-conditioned paradise of the city and head out on to the fairways.

T

“Abu Dhabi GC introduced golf to the emirate” The Abu Dhabi Golf Club has hosted the European Tour since 2006, while the Gary Player-designed Saadiyat Beach is the region’s first ocean course and Yas Links is, as the name suggests, a links course that offers incredible views of the Arabian Gulf on every hole. Any fear of January blues due to sub-zero temperatures and relentlessly miserable weather is firmly abolished in a country where there is on average just 12cm of rainfall a year. Although the mercury can drop to 10˚C, a more pleasant 24˚C is the norm during Arabia’s subtropical ‘winter’. Abu Dhabi GC introduced golf to the Emirate and the 27hole course weaves through undulating terrain, with holes bordered on either side by seven spectacular saltwater lakes or the typically vast bunkers that call to mind the dunes from which this paradise arose. Nine of the 27 holes are floodlit – perfect for golf in the evening when temperatures are cooler, especially during the summer months. Yas Links may be a half-hour journey away, but reasonably

priced taxis take the stress away from driving. And speaking of driving, the course not only offers views of the city’s upwardly expanding skyline, but the area is also host to the Yas Marina circuit, home to the Grand Prix and Ferrari World, which both sit alongside the course. When Gary Player designed

the course at Saadiyat Beach, he struggled to find one favourite hole, saying all 18 were like his little children. There can be few opportunities in the world of golf to tee off into the night with the sound of evening prayers echoing in the background. Fifty years ago the UAE was

home to just 100,000 people and was a desolate band of sand and dune. How things have changed, and with the unrivalled investment made by billionaire Emiratis, a winter trip into the deserts of the Arabian Gulf now offers the traveller an opportunity to live and play like a sheikh.

Many more great value breaks available online at GB pp 12-13 World Golfer Abu Dhabi.indd 2

05/03/2015 14:36


Abu Dhabi Where you can live and play like a sheikh

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

5 nights’ B&B 3 rounds & return flights

5 nights’ B&B 3 rounds & return flights

from £769

from £1,079

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

THE WESTIN ABU DHABI GOLF RESORT & SPA 5★

THE ST. REGIS SAADIYAT ISLAND RESORT 5★

Play at: Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club • Includes buggies & range balls

Play at: Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Golf Club • Includes buggies & range balls

ABU DHABI, UAE

ABU DHABI, UAE

or call us on 0845 250 8415 – we’re open 7 days a week GB pp 12-13 World Golfer Abu Dhabi.indd 3

05/03/2015 14:37


THE GREAT GOLF GUIDE 2015 | WORLD GOLFER

Dominican Republic The legendary ‘Teeth of the Dog’ course is among the attractions

7 nights’ room only 5 rounds

from £1,449 was £1,529

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

7 nights’ room only 5 rounds SAVE

from £1,535

5%

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

CASA DE CAMPO 5★

THE WESTIN PUNTA CANA RESORT & CLUB 5★

Play at: Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore, Pete Dye Links • Includes Transfers & Resort Credit

Play at: La Cana, Corales • Includes Transfers

LA ROMANA

PUNTA CANA

Many more great value breaks available online at GB pp 14-15 World Golfer Dominican Republic.indd 2

05/03/2015 14:37


HE Dominican Republic is famous for whitesand beaches, weddings and honeymoons, but it also has incredible dive sites, diverse nature reserves and some of the greatest golf in the Caribbean. Pete Dye’s “Teeth of the Dog” at Casa de Campo is legendary. Dye claimed to have designed only 11 of the holes with “seven holes created by God”. Casa de Campo is a huge 7,000-acre resort that hosts two further courses, Dye Fore and The Links.

T

“Pete Dye’s “Teeth of the Dog” layout is legendary”

Punta Espada

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

7 nights’ all inclusive 7 rounds

7 nights’ all inclusive 7 rounds

from £1,089

from £979

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

BARCELO BAVARO BEACH 5★

MELIA CARIBE TROPICAL 5★

Play at: The Lakes Barcelo Golf Course • Includes Transfers

Play at: Cocotal Golf Course • Includes Transfers

PUNTA CANA

In Punta Cana, stay at the Puntacana Resort & Club and play Tom Fazio’s Corales and Pete Dye’s La Cana, plus nearby there’s the Nicklausdesigned course at the Punta Espada Golf Club, where you can stay in the uber-stylish Eden Roc hotel. Also keep an eye on The Lakes Barcelo. Redesigned by Pete Dye in 2010, the fairways wind through a mangrove forest and around 25 lakes. Alternatively, try the Cocotal Golf Course. Here, renowned architect Jose ‘Pepe’ Gancedo designed the course by following the lay of the land, using the natural terrain to provide a route easily remembered long after you have finished your round.

PUNTA CANA

or call us on 0845 250 8415 – we’re open 7 days a week GB pp 14-15 World Golfer Dominican Republic.indd 3

05/03/2015 14:37


THE GREAT GOLF GUIDE 2015 | WORLD GOLFER

Caribbean Relax with palm trees, rum punch and amazing golf

Apes Hill Club, Barbados

HE Caribbean is a classic winter sun destination. Many islands have direct flights from the UK plus there’s the famous laid-back vibe you just won’t find anywhere else. Barbados is an annual pilgrimage for many Brits, and the west coast has 5-star hotels strung like fairy lights. Sandy Lane shines brightest and has two excellent Tom Fazio golf courses – The Country Club and The Green Monkey, the

T

latter only open to guests of the hotel. The Robert Trent Jones Jnr course at Royal Westmoreland is set in lush tropical landscape with ocean views from every hole (as well as a gallery of resident monkeys). Apes Hill Club is the newest gem on the island, offering the most striking views across the coastline. One of the most exciting and original destinations in the Caribbean, the Half Moon Golf

Course was named Jamaica’s Best Golf Resort 2014 at the IAGTO World Travel Awards and Jamaica’s Best Golf Resort at the World Golf Awards. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr, the course was modernised by Roger Rulewich in 2005 creating one of the best walking courses in the Caribbean. Just four minutes away are the White Witch and Cinnamon Hill golf courses, both designed by Robert Van Hagge and Rick Baril.

“The Royal Westmoreland course is set in lush tropical landscape”

7 nights’ self catering Unlimited golf

7 nights’ B&B 4 rounds

from £1,139

from £1,919

• Includes shared buggies FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

ROYAL WESTMORELAND 5★

HALF MOON, A ROCKRESORT 5★

Play at: Royal Westmoreland

Play at: Half Moon

ST JAMES, BARBADOS

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA

Many more great value breaks available online at GB pp 16-17 World Golfer Caribbean & Thailand.indd 2

05/03/2015 14:38


HAILAND – a land of white sand beaches and golden temples; where outstanding natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and superb cuisine are bountiful. In the south east towards Pattaya there are several spectacular courses. Burapha, Laem Chabang International and the three courses at Siam Country Club are some of the most prestigious. Alternatively, for a tropical experience in the south play the excellent Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket. In the north of the country, within easy reach of the capital Bangkok, head for Hua Hin, where you will find the newest European Tour destination, Black Mountain, which recently hosted the co-sanctioned Thailand Classic. It’s a stunning course that you won’t forget in a hurry. Further options in this area include Banyan, Majestic Creek, Springfield and Sea Pine. Finally, no stay in central Thailand is complete without seeing Bangkok. The capital is a humming, neon metropolis where Buddhist monks, businessmen and backpackers live side by side. It is also surrounded by some of the country’s finest courses. There are so many options around Bangkok: Thai country club, Riverdale and Suwan are some of the best around.

T

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

Thailand Paradise in the land of a thousand islands

Black Mountain Golf Club

10 nights’ B&B 5 rounds

10 nights’ B&B 5 rounds

from £1,645

from £1,405

• Includes transfers & caddies. Free buggies August & September

• Includes all transfers, buggies & caddies FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

HUA HIN 5★

PATTAYA 4★

Play at: Banyan, Black Mountain, Springfield, Sea Pine & Majestic Creek Stay at: Wora Bura Resort

Play at: Pattana, Laem Chabang, Khao Kheow, Burapha & Phoenix Gold Stay at: Amari Garden Pattaya

PATTAYA

or call us on 0845 250 8415 – we’re open 7 days a week GB pp 16-17 World Golfer Caribbean & Thailand.indd 3

05/03/2015 14:38


THE GREAT GOLF GUIDE 2015 | WORLD GOLFER

Morocco From the Atlas Mountains to the Atlantic Coast

OROCCO is ideal for a twin-centre holiday taking in both Marrakech and the Atlantic coast, and golf has really taken off here over the past few years. No trip to Morocco is complete without a visit to the capital. The famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square at the heart of Marrakech’s hypnotic medina is captivating at nightfall, when snake charmers, tooth pullers and medicine men ply their trade amid a cacophony of musicians, acrobats and storytellers. Don’t miss Yves Saint Laurent’s Majorelle Gardens, a blue oasis in the heart of the Red City. Marrakech specialises in palm-punctuated courses

M

backed by views of the snowcapped Atlas Mountains. The brand-new and upmarket Royal Palm Resort is attracting lots of attention and has a course on site. Rather more established is Royal Golf de Marrakech, which dates back to 1923 and has 27 holes set among cypress, eucalyptus and olive trees. Also worth the trip are courses at the Palmeraie Golf Club and the serene Samanah Country Club, which is arguably the country’s finest layout. At the heart of hilly countryside, facing the Atlas Mountains, Al Maaden Golf Resort is a real strategic challenge for players while

“The Mazagan GC was designed by Gary Player” remaining affordable and enjoyable. This 18-hole championship course extends over a total length of 7,184 yards and was designed by the famous architect Kyle Phillips. From Marrakech, head west to the coast and the old fishing port of Essaouira, a magnet for surfers now attracting a more sophisticated crowd. Bleached white houses contrast with the azure of the ocean, the sky and the painted woodwork of the old town. Here the Gary Player-designed Mogador course has views

of the Atlantic, plus there’s a Sofitel hotel and spa on site. Further south is Agadir, the main seaside resort in Morocco blessed with 300 days of sunshine a year. There are three excellent courses to choose from here: Golf les Dunes, Golf du Soleil and Golf de l’Ocean. North of Essaouira is El Jadida, a beautiful old fortified city, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of Morocco’s best courses is here, the Gary Player designed Mazagan Golf Course at the 5-star Mazagan Beach Resort. At 7,484 yards it’s a real test, but dramatic ocean views will soften the blow for visitors.

Many more great value breaks available online at GB pp 18-19 World Golfer Morocco.indd 2

05/03/2015 14:38


Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort

5 nights’ B&B Unlimited golf & return flights

5 nights’ room only 3 rounds & return flights

from £1,099

from £679 FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

• Include airport transfers. 1 in 8 stay & play free. Includes hold bag & club carriage

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

MAZAGAN BEACH & GOLF RESORT 5★

ROYAL PALM MARRAKECH 5★

Play at: Mazagan Golf Course - Gary Player design

Play at: Royal Palm Golf Club, Samanah Golf Club

EL JADIDA, MOROCCO

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

• Free upgrade to B&B. Includes hold bag & club carriage

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO

5 nights’ all inclusive 3 rounds & return flights

5 nights’ all inclusive 3 rounds & return flights

from £659

from £759

• Includes hold bag & club carriage

• Includes hold bag & club carriage FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

RIU TIKIDA BEACH 4★

KENZI MENARA PALACE 5★

Play at: Golf Du Soleil

Play at: Golf Al Maaden, Samanah Golf Club, Royal Golf Marrakech

AGADIR, MOROCCO

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO

or call us on 0845 250 8415 – we’re open 7 days a week GB pp 18-19 World Golfer Morocco.indd 3

05/03/2015 14:38


THE GREAT GOLF GUIDE 2015 | WORLD GOLFER ROM the arid plains of the Kalahari desert and the wildliferich savannahs of Kruger National Park to the golden beaches of the Garden Route and the epic climbs of Table Mountain, the diversity of South Africa’s terrain is matched only by its wildlife. It is also a golfing powerhouse. South Africans have won Majors throughout the modern era and currently have a strong batch of players; from evergreen Ernie Els to Major champions Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen and Trevor Immelman.

F

“Leopard Creek is the star attraction in Mpumalanga” The country’s 500-plus courses are some of the most picturesque in the world, with the Cape Town and Western Cape areas particularly strong. Leopard Creek is the star attraction in Mpumalanga, located close to Malelane at the southern border of the Kruger National Park. Sunshine Tour supremo Johann Rupert and Gary Player laid the course out 17 years ago. Crocodiles and hippos lurk in the vast water features adding to the excitement of the experience. Stay at the Palace of the Lost City and you can tackle the Gary Player Golf Club as well as Lost City itself. The former is

home to the annual Nedbank Challenge, which attracts an elite field including some of the world’s finest players, while the latter includes a water hazard home to Nile crocodiles. The Garden Route is a stretch of beautiful coastline extending from Storms River, in the eastern cape, to Mossel Bay in the southern cape. Continue west along the arterial N2 highway and you will reach Cape Town. Drive the whole route and balance up close wildlife encounters with beach relaxation, wine tasting and more spectacular golf. Pinnacle Point, Goose Valley, Pezula and George are all top-class courses but Fancourt Links is perhaps the finest. Gary Player based his design on the great Scottish links and succeeded in creating an authentic seaside feel. The backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains and huge dunes make this a oncein-a-lifetime experience. Alternatively, in the Limpopo Province, Legend Golf & Safari Resort is home to the unique ‘world-in-one’ Signature Course where each of the 18 holes has been designed by a world golfing legend. In addition, players can take the challenge of the Extreme 19th. Set high up on the Hanglip Mountain, this hole is accessible only by helicopter and played to a green the shape of Africa 400 metres below!

7 nights’ B&B 4 rounds & return flights

7 nights’ half board 6 rounds & return flights

from £1,859

from £2,499

• Includes dinner vouchers & car hire

• Includes 4 Big Game Drives & car hire

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

FANCOURT HOTEL & GOLF ESTATE 5★

LEGEND GOLF AND SAFARI RESORT 5★

Play at: The Links Course, Outenique Course, Montagu Course, Oubaai Golf Course

Play at: Legend Signature Course & Par 3 Tribute Course

GARDEN ROUTE, SOUTH AFRICA

LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Many more great value breaks available online at GB pp 20-21 World Golfer South Africa.indd 2

05/03/2015 14:39


South Africa The home of the really wild golf experience

The Links at Fancourt

7 nights’ B&B 3 rounds & return flights

7 nights’ B&B 5 rounds & return flights

from £1,999

from £2,029

• Includes dinner vouchers & car hire

• Includes dinner vouchers & car hire

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

ARABELLA WESTERN CAPE HOTEL & SPA 5★

PALACE OF THE LOST CITY 5★

Play at: Arabella Golf Club & Hermanus Golf Club

Play at: Gary Player Golf Club & Lost City Golf Club

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

SUN CITY, SOUTH AFRICA

or call us on 0845 250 8415 – we’re open 7 days a week GB pp 20-21 World Golfer South Africa.indd 3

05/03/2015 14:39


THE GREAT GOLF GUIDE 2015 | WORLD GOLFER

USA From Florida to California, amazing experiences await

7 nights’ self catering 4 rounds & return flights

7 nights’ room only 4 rounds & return flights

from £1,319

from £1,549

• Includes buggies & range balls

• Includes buggies & range balls

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

THE VILLAS AT KIAWAH ISLAND GOLF RESORT 4★

SAWGRASS MARRIOTT GOLF RESORT & SPA 5★

Play at: The Ocean Course, Cougar Point, Turtle Point, Osprey Point Stay at: The Villas at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Play at: THE PLAYERS Stadium Course, Marsh Landing Country Club, Sawgrass CC, Golf Club at South Hampton Stay at: Sawgrass Marriott

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Many more great value breaks available online at GB pp 22-23 World Golfer USA.indd 2

05/03/2015 14:39


ROM cowboy country to West Coast surf dudes to New York society, America is as diverse as it is united. There are pockets – Myrtle Beach or the Monterey Peninsula – where you can’t stretch your legs without seeing a golf course, but otherwise the best way to experience this land is to be nomadic.

F

“Kiawah Island offers 90 holes of stunning championship golf”

Ocean Course, Kiawah Island

The Sunshine State can be thought of in three parts – North, Central and South Florida. The must-play in the north is the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass with its famous island hole – the 17th. Stay onsite at the Marriott Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach. Also seek out the King & Bear at the World Golf Village Resort – a collaboration between Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Central Florida is where Orlando, Disney World and Sea World are found. We suggest staying at the Villas of Grand Cypress, where you will find 45 holes of award-winning Jack Nicklaus Signature-designed golf, all on the doorstep of Disney World and within easy reach of downtown Orlando itself. For southern Florida, base yourself in Palm Beach, home to miles of Atlantic coast

7 nights’ B&B 4 rounds & return flights

beaches and Gilded Age resorts like the Breakers. Stay at the newly renovated PGA National Resort to play one of their five tourworthy courses including The Champion, maybe the toughest course in Florida. While you’re here, we recommend heading further north into South Carolina, although the Palmetto State makes a wonderful destination in its own right. The coastal strip from Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach is rich pickings. Further up the coast near Charleston is Kiawah Island Golf Resort – 90 holes of stunning championship golf and courses by Dye, Nicklaus, Fazio and Player. In California, the San Francisco area includes the Monterey Peninsula to the south. This is a golfing mecca but non-golfers will also be blown away by the views along 17-Mile Drive. Pebble Beach is here, one of the most famous links in the world and surely on any golfer’s bucket list. Stay at Pebble and also play Spyglass and the Links at Spanish Bay. Then, head inland for the desert courses around Palm Springs. At the La Quinta Resort, the TPC Stadium course is the star but the Pete Dye Mountain and Dunes courses are well worth the trip. For many, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Las Vegas are the USA’s best destinations – especially for year-round sunshine.

© Joann Dost

5 nights’ room only 3 rounds & return flights

from £1,149

from £2,499

• Includes buggies & range balls

• Includes buggies

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

FLIGHT INCLUSIVE

LA QUINTA RESORT & CLUB AT PGA WEST 5★

THE INN AT SPANISH BAY - PEBBLE BEACH 5★

Play at: Nicklaus Tournament Course, Norman Course, Dunes or Mountain Couse & Tahquitz Creek GC Stay at: La Quinta Resort & Club at PGA West

Play at: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Del Monte Golf Club, The Links at Spanish Bay Stay at: The Inn at Spanish Bay - Pebble Beach

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA

or call us on 0845 250 8415 – we’re open 7 days a week GB pp 22-23 World Golfer USA.indd 3

05/03/2015 14:39


THE GREAT GOLF GUIDE 2015 Call free on 0845 250 8415 Monday-Friday 8am-9pm; Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday 9am-3pm Email sales@golfbreaks.com Or visit Golfbreaks.com facebook.com/ Golfbreakscom

GB pp 24 World Golfer Back Cover.indd 1

@golfbreaks

05/03/2015 14:40


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.