GOLF INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE SEPT / OCT 2010
NINTENDO WII / GOLF PROPERTY / COSTA NAVARINO / MOTORING / WATCHES / MEMORABILIA & MORE...
A driver’s dream: the Porsche Boxster Spyder see page 136
SEPT/OCT 2010 GOLFINTERNATIONALMAG.COM 1
COSTA NAVARINO LUXURY RESORT PUTS MESSINIA / GREECE FIRMLY ON THE MAP
For Greece, it’s game on... In a land defined by myth and legend, the philanthropy of one man has not only resulted in the creation of one of Europe’s finest new eco-friendly golfing destinations, but at the same time provided for his homeland and his people a focal point upon which to build a more prosperous future. Richard Simmons reports on the extraordinary story behind Costa Navarino AS ALL EYES TURN TO CELTIC MANOR THIS October, the story of one man’s successful endeavour to invest hard-earned riches in his homeland is one that will be become synonymous with the 2010 Ryder Cup. Clearly a man to be taken seriously, Sir Terry Matthews made it his quest to bring one of golf’s showcase events to Wales, and while the tens of millions it is reported to have cost may be small beer to this self-made billionaire, it is the single biggest personal investment in tourism in the UK and one that has, in the last 10 years, had a profound effect on the economy in Newport and the surrounding area. Fifteen hundred miles and a cultural lifetime from South Wales, a region in the southwestern tip of Greece – otherwise bereft of hope and industry – is in the process of being transformed thanks to a similar ‘the boy done good’ fairytale. The only real difference is in the bottom line: without the diversion of a golf match, rags-to-riches seaman Vassilis Constantakopoulos has poured more than €1 billion (£820m) of his personal wealth into creating a string of resorts that will put the otherwise overlooked Messinia region of the Peloponnese firmly on the tourist map. Known universally as Captain Vassilis, the patriarch of the Constantakopoulos family – so it turns out – had been quietly buying up plots of land for over 20 years. During that time he accumulated over 1500 hectares in four distinct parcels (such is the way of things here it took over 1,000 individual land deals to put his port2 GOLFINTERNATIONALMAG.COM SEPT/OCT 2010
folio together). Taking the name from Navarino Bay, one of the Mediterranean’s largest natural harbours, where an allied armada of British, Russian and French ships overcame the Ottaman fleet – a decisive turning point in the Greek Revolution that led to the country’s independence nearly 200 years ago – the Captain’s masterplan is ‘Costa Navarino’, an eco-friendly development that will see four individual resorts (featuring seven courses) sit within half an hour of each other. Given that golf in Greece previously extended to a course each on Corfu, Crete and Rhodes, with another on the outskirts of Athens, and the implications in opening up the region to a new market in golf tourism are plain to see. “It’s a huge investment,” says Giorgos Chronopoulos, the mayor of Messinia. “In fact it’s Greece’s biggest ever tourism project. And it’s the only positive thing to have happen in our region in years. Villages that were once dead have come alive again thanks to the highquality, year-round tourism. It’s given us optimism for the future.”
Two of the four proposed resorts are now well advanced in the shape of Navarino Dunes, which opened this summer, and Navarino Bay, where Robert Trent Jones II and his trusted ‘shaper’ Doug Ingram recently completed the initial routing on what is a stunning piece of property overlooking the bay (and where Banyon Tree will operate one of two planned hotels – the group’s first European venture). Navarino Bay – with its earth-sheltered villas embedded into the natural terrain – is scheduled to open in late 2011, while the artistry of Trent Jones II, who has identified three distinct loops of six holes (Seaside, Canyon & Grove), promises a playing experience that will sit well with the existing layout at Navarino Dunes. Featuring a Bernhard Langer ‘signature’ course created in association with Ross McMurray and European Tour Design, the Dunes may be billed as a ‘resort’ type course playable for golfers of all standards – which it certainly is – and yet while the fairways may be wide and the greens generous, strategy is para-
TRAVEL / GREECE
(Clockwise from left): The 2nd hole at Navarino Dunes runs all the way to the Ionian Sea; local stone and crafsmanship define the Presidential Suites; the clubhouse bar at Navarino Dunes; a glimpse through the olive trees – over 16,000 have been transplanted to preserve the natural history of the site; one of many sheltered beaches on the gloriously unspolt coastline
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“The Captain’s masterplan is ‘Costa Navarino’, an upscale ecofriendly development that will see four individual resorts – and seven golf courses – sit within half an hour of each other
(Above): The par-five 18th on the Dunes course returns you to the not inconsiderable comfort of the Westin, where the architecture of the low-rise villa clusters is inspired by old Messinian mansions; (left) Navarino Bay, the scene of the battle that secured Greece its independence – and the glorious backdrop to the site of Trent Jonesʼ Bay course; not for nothing is The Romanos a Luxury Collection resort; the near-by fishing town of Pylos
FACTFILE
Costa Navarino, Navarino Dunes, Messinia, Peloponesse, Greece www.costanavarino.com mount to navigate a safe passage, avoiding deep, well-placed bunkers and leaving your ball in a location on the green that gives you a putt – built to highest specifications, the rollercoaster surfaces are dangerously slick. As early as the 2nd hole you are treated to the glorious sight of the Ionian Sea glistening beyond the green, and then you are off on a wonderfully eclectic stretch of holes to the turn, including a terrific short par-three at the 5th, with it’s tumbling green running high left to low right, and the spectacular downhill parfour 6th, reachable under favourable conditions but again hole where all the danger lies in the multi-contoured and stepped green. Making the turn, the 11th is another stand-out hole, a par-four played directly into the prevailing wind, the sea again visible beyond the raised plateau green. It’s the sort of hole you can imagine Langer following a buttoned drive with a flighted long iron, banked against the wind to the heart of the green. Anything else gets short shrift. Strategic partnerships are often key to the success in a resort-style development, and at Navarino Dunes the combination of high-end accommodations and guest amenities from Starwood properties – in the shape of The Romanos Luxury Collection and Westin brands – along with Troon Golf’s expertise on all things related to the condition of the course and the service off it guarantee standards you’ll want to enjoy again and again. Families will be particularly drawn to the Westin, where the specially designed children’s areas – including the Cocoon care centre (for children up to 3) and the fantastic SandCastle playground and pools (up to 12s) simply underline Westin’s commitment to being a true family destination. 4 GOLFINTERNATIONALMAG.COM SEPT/OCT 2010
GETTING THERE? Costa Navarino is 40 minutes from the international airport of Kalamata, which is served with direct internal flights from Athens (approx 50 minutes). The resort if just under three hoursʼ drive from Athens
ACCOMMODATION THE ROMANOS: 321 exquisitely appointed sea view rooms, 121 with infinity pools; spa & health centre WESTIN: 445 deluxe rooms and suites, 123 with private infinity pools; one-of-a-kind kids entertainment centre with theatre, games, bowling, restaurant & water park
GOLF – NAVARINO DUNES Designed by Ross McMurray of European Tour Design, this diverse 18 holer treats you to a variety of challenges, with wonderful sea views on both nines and a diverse landscape of dunes & olive trees. Greens are exceptional and, in addition to a fully serviced clubhouse and pro shop, guests have use of a secluded range and golf academy. The Trent Jones II Bay course is due to open in 2011
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS Explore the areaʼs Neolithic settlements, Mycenaean palaces, classical temples, byzantine churches and medieval castles are all within easy reach. Take a day trip to Ancient Olympia or the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae, all part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. The picturesque fishing village of Pylos is just 20 minutesʼ by car.
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19TH HOLE Q&A WITH JEREMY DARROCH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE BSKYB
Three years into his role as the chief of BSkyB – a job that has often led to him being described as “one of the most powerful men in sport” – Jeremy Darroch is embracing the challenges that face Britain’s biggest pay-to-view TV provider. And, like most of us, he wishes he had more time for his real passion: golf. Editor Richard Simmons popped the questions Gi: Where and when were you first introduced to the game? JD: I first got into golf as a kid growing up in Northumberland. A lot of my mates at school played. Golf in the northeast is a workingclass sport, and you find the golf courses in a lot of the little villages on the Northumberland coast – places like Alnwick – are central to the community, so it was a great time in my life. The thing I love about golf is that it is inter-generational game. I was introduced by my father, and now I play with my son. Gi: What's best golf lesson you ever had? JD: I can still recall my dad telling me to slow down! I’ve not actually had many formal golf lessons, although we were recently down at Celtic Manor with the Sky Sports team and I had two very good tips: Tim Barter told me to grip a little softer, and Ewen Murray suggested I stand with my feet a little wider with a driver, both of which really helped me. The thing about good coaching, I think – and it’s equally true in business – is the really good coaches give you simple thoughts and uncomplicate what you have made a very complicated issue! Gi: What other parallels do you draw between golf and business? JD: I think there are quite a lot actually. First of all, both are about positioning yourself. Often in business, ‘Route A’ isn’t always the best answer – you have to think through two or three decisions, and it’s the same in golf, how you hit the ball and how you unlock a hole. They are both essentially long-form activities, so you have to accept that things can go wrong, and not get too worried about that. But when things do go wrong, it’s vital you don’t follow a bad decision with another bad decision. In other words, you don’t follow one bad shot with another bad shot. So thinking clearly in those situations is critical. And then the third thing that springs to mind is that you have to be willing to embrace risk. You can play conservatively, both in golf and in business, and do well, but there is a point at 6 GOLFINTERNATIONALMAG.COM SEPT/OCT 2010
which you have to be willing to be more aggressive and take a risk. In business you have to be willing to invest. When I think of the development of HD or 3D television technology, these are markets we have effectively created in the UK – and at a time when many people were saying they would never work. So there’s a point when you have to say, ‘Right, now’s the time to the attack!’. Gi: Where is your favourite golfing destination? JD: It would have to be playing links golf in Scotland. I’ve actually just returned from a trip with my brother-in-law and my son. We played five times, including the Old Course in St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. It was very special. We were lucky with the weather, too. We had very little rain, a gentle
breeze and a fair bit of sunshine. You really can’t beat it. Gi: What piece of new technology has most improved your game? JD: Probably the driver. I suspect it hasn’t had such a big effect on very low handicap players but for someone like me who plays off 8, and who doesn’t get to play as often as he’d like, you can pick up these modern drivers and feel pretty confident that you’ll be fairly OK. Gi: A dream fourball? JD: OK, so it’s me and Seve versus my son Matthew and Graeme McDowell. But here’s the deal – both Seve and me are time-warped about 20 years back. And the thing is, I’m guessing that we would spray it all over the place and then spe-
MEDIA
Following some good advice from Sky Sportsʼ expert analysts Tim Barter and Ewen Murray, Jeremy took his A game to The Twenty Ten Course at Celtic Manor (left); this year Skyʼs wall-to-wall Ryder Cup coverage will be available for the first time in 3D; (below) three birdies over the closing five holes turned a so-so round at Loch Lomond into a truly memorable outing
Gi: And weaknesses? JD: A couple of things – off the tee I tend to hit at least one destructive shot in a round, which says something about my technique. The other thing I’ve found more difficult recently is maintaining concentration for a full round. I tend to play nine holes more often these days, and when I do get to play 18 I struggle to stay focused. I might play 13 or 14 holes fairly well and then lose concentration. The time it takes to play 18 holes, I think, is a real long-term threat to the game. Four or five hours is just too long. There is no excuse for a twoball not being round in anything less than three hours. Gi: What’s your favourite gadget? JD: My iPad. In fact, I have to show you this [cue demo as he calls up Sky Sports News]. You have basically all of the main sports, upto-the-minute news, video streaming. You can go to the mobile TV app, which gives you all of the channels. There is an additional fee over and above your domestic subscription for the Mobile TV, but it’s a great facility for those who want to stay connected.
cialise in getting up and down – which would really get right up their nose! Gi: What’s the best round of golf you’ve ever played? JD: I’ve had a few rounds where I’ve finished a couple over par. Probably the best of those was at Loch Lomond a few years ago – I actually birdied three of the last five holes, including holing a bunker shot, which is unheard of for me. It reminded me that in golf, just as in business, you never really know what’s around the corner. Good or bad. Gi: What’s the main strength of your game? JD: I’d say from 100 yards and in. I’m usually quite consistent with my wedges and can normally get the ball close enough to give myself a chance with the putter.
Gi: Who do you most admire in your own field of business? JD: Rather than any single individual, the people I admire most are the generation we have coming through at Sky. We have some really outstanding people and we’re a young company. We have a great pool of talent and if you look across the organisation, well, it’s just going to keep getting better. I am constantly impressed by new people – how complete they are. They have no glass ceiling and they are very positive. Gi: Management Today recently ranked Sky as one of the most admired businesses in the UK – to what do you attribute that? JD: We are a fundamentally positive business and we try to control our own destiny. We are always open to new ideas and we do interesting things – we are trying to do more in terms of putting something back. We are currently involved with schools, using our power in sports to work with young kids with social or behavioural problems, using the power of Sky Sports to help them get their lives back on track. Golf is a part of that programme. And
we are getting some incredibly strong results. Gi: Being such a terrific visual spectacle, golf must be one of the sports likely to benefit most from 3D TV, which you are rolling out at the Ryder Cup. How challenging is filming golf in 3D? JD: It’s challenging and exciting because it’s the next real frontier. The 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club was the first time we shot golf in HD, which was fantastic at the time. 3D takes it to the next level, as you really do get perspective of the course, you can see the contours and the details of each shot. At Celtic Manor we will shoot all of the games on the 1st tee and then jump to the 4th or the 5th hole and catch them up again. We will also have a number of roving cameras to follow any particularly exciting match. The thing we are learning with 3D is that it provides an entirely different perspective on the game. The camera angles are different, the art direction is different. So producers and cameramen have a blank canvas in terms of what we deliver. I think our audience will be fascinated by it. There is just so much more richness in terms of what you – the viewer – sees. Gi: When you look at the issues facing golf, with falling participation numbers and golf clubs struggling to attract members, what can Sky do in terms of helping the game and attracting new players? JD: Sky can help in a number of ways. First of all, it would be a mistake to overlook the investment we make in terms of securing broadcast rights. That really is a significant financial commitment. The relationship that we have with the European Tour has been one of the most productive partnerships of any sport, anywhere, and it’s no surprise that the European Tour has done so well over the last few years. The Ryder Cup is a good example, I think, of where the dedicated coverage we can give an event resonates broadly with advertisers – you never miss a shot. We will cover 150 tournaments across five continents in a season, showing the world’s best golfers week in and week out, and we can create on the back of that really interesting stories – which hopefully will attract people into the game. Gi: But is showing a diet of 72-hole tournament golf really the way to grow the game? There is nothing on the Sky schedule at the moment dedicated to teaching golf, or educating people on how to take up the game? JD: A year ago when we didn’t have the PGA Tour we had a programme called Golf Night, which was more of a magazine-style show, featuring analysis, teaching in the studio and so on. Now we have the US golf with the regular advertising breaks, we are very aware that SEPT/OCT 2010 GOLFINTERNATIONALMAG.COM 7
we have a lot of time to fill and we intend to do more of that. We are currently in the process of moving all of Sky Sports production into a brand new facility here on campus and that will enable us to deliver the studio production you talk about. It’s all about trying to strike the right balance in our output. I think one of the things we have increasingly done well at tournaments is feature the activity on the practice ground – i.e. talk to the players and show a little bit more of what goes on behind the scenes. Whether it’s golf, another sport or the arts, if you are passionate about something you want to learn about it and we see our job as being to really get under the skin of the sport. That’s a big opportunity for us. Gi: How easy a decision was it for you to pick up the PGA coverage when it became available with the collapse of Setanta? JD: Pretty straightforward. I think any time a major sporting event becomes available we would be interested in it. We have a good relationship with the PGA Tour and we were disappointed to lose it. We want every major golf event on Sky. So when the rights to the PGA Tour became available again we were very keen to do it.
Darroch, a member at The Wisley and St Georgeʼs Hill, nominates links golf in Scotland as his favourite destination, with Carnoustie (above) on the list of courses played on a recent road trip; (left) testing his touch on the pristine greens at Celtic Manor
have not invested a penny. That is fundamentally wrong. When you write out a cheque for, say, three years of coverage of the Premiership, these are huge sums of money. These are big commitments and not for the fainthearted. Which is why I think what Ofcom is proposing is just wrong and why we are taking them to court.
Gi: Do you think certain sports events should be protected and shown free to air – the so-called ‘Crown Jewels’ JD: I think it should be down to the sports’ governing body. And in my experience the governing bodies are very capable, and really they are best placed to determine what is in the best interests for their sport. So I think there are a variety of factors, and actually some events will stay free to air. Others will like the investment we can put in and the security we can give – golf being a good example. Cricket is another, where the economics are quite challenging. But it should be for the governing body to decide. All we can do is go in and show them what we can offer. Gi: You are often referred to as one of the most powerful men in sports – how do you react to that responsibility? JD: My responsibility is to BSkyB and all of us at Sky Sports take our commitment to sport very seriously. About half of our broadcast hours would be dedicated to the major sports (football, golf, tennis, cricket, rugby) but the other half are minority sports – the schedule today, for instance, features schools athletics, women’s netball and women’s cricket. These are sports that would not ordinarily get much in the way of broadcast coverage – we are giving them oxygen and with that they can expand. We have a heavy commitment to UK cycling and in addition to elite riders we hope to get a million more people cycling regularly. So, yes, I’m very aware of those broad responsibilities. We are here for the long term. Gi: Consumers are increasingly being tempted by Sky Sports packages on other 8 GOLFINTERNATIONALMAG.COM SEPT/OCT 2010
Gi: You played Celtic Manor recently – what did you think of the golf course? JD: I thought it was really good. I wasn’t sure before I went, but I think it is going to work really well. There are certain holes, particularly near the end, where you get a wonderful vista of the entire course, and you can imagine multiple games with the crowds. I think it is going to be a fantastic event. platforms (Virgin, BT). What is your position on Ofcom's ruling on the sale of your services to a third party? JD: The sort of intervention Ofcom proposes, where, in effect, you cap the value of sports, is fundamentally bad for sport. I don’t think anyone should be under any illusion about that. All that inevitably does is restrict the appetite for businesses to invest. If you say you are going to cap a return then you are going to limit investment, and this is something golf recognises very clearly. The risk of that flowing through in terms of sports rights – which directly impacts the amount of money going into the game – is really quite acute. I also think that businesses that do invest and take risks should have the prospects of a fair reward, and that’s all we ask. What Ofcom is effectively saying is, we can see you’ve been successful, you’ve taken risks, and now what we are going to do is top-slice that and hand it to one or two of your big competitors – who
Gi: What sort of CEO do you think Monty would make? JD: Ah, I’ve really never thought about that. He seems extremely smart guy and would be pretty good. Inevitably, in any large organisation, the role of the modern-day CEO is less to say, ‘I’m at the top of the organisation’ and more to say ‘My job is to get the best out of the whole organisation’. Really good CEOs have the ability to position themselves within the team as opposed to above the team, and I would assume it’s quite similar to the role of being captain in the Ryder Cup. From everything I’ve seen, I’d say he’s very aware of that. Gi: We’re conducting this interview on the Friday before Monty’s Sunday press conference – who would be your selections? JD: I would pick Harrington, I would pick Justin Rose...no let me think about this, I would pick Harrington, Luke Donald and I would pick Molinari.
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I can see clearly now! Having recently taken up golf near her home in the Alpine region around Lake Geneva, Joanne Seagrave decided the time was right to take the plunge and have corrective laser eye surgery. After much homework – and not a little apprehension – Joanne placed her trust in the experts at Ultralase
My first memories of golf are not of the game itself but rather serving ice-cold Pimms in a makeshift refreshments tent behind the 3rd green at Addington Palace Golf Club on Lady Captain’s Day. I worked there for a number of years, though never really took to playing. That was 20 years ago. Things are rather different today. Having moved our family wholesale to the French Alps in 2004, I took an interest in the game and – along with a number of friends – began taking lessons. How could I not? The golf courses 10 GOLFINTERNATIONALMAG.COM SEPT/OCT 2010
around here boast some of the most stunning backdrops you will find anywhere in the world. Fairly early on in my experience as a ‘real’ golfer I felt that deteriorating eyesight hindered my ability to play the game (not to mention take in the detail of the spectacular surroundings). I had tried contact lenses and just could not get comfortable with them. I could not get past the feeling of dryness and scratchiness and would rush home to take them out. The more I played, the more I wanted to enjoy the game with the
freedom to see clearly without relying on my glasses. I was fed up of taking them off and not being able to see more than a few feet ahead without squinting and having blurred vision. As is sadly the case for most of us, the fact was my eyesight had been gradually deteriorating for several years. I hesitated, initially, when laser surgery emerged as an affordable and practical solution – I just could not bring myself to face the prospect of having a laser beam directed into my eyeballs! But with more and more people telling me about their own positive experiences (even the editor of this magazine!) I began to look into the procedure with confidence. Thanks to google I quickly brushed up on my subject and was able to narrow down the key parameters when it came to choosing a specialist clinic. I was looking for a provider at the forefront of laser technology, one with highly qualified surgeons and a proven track record of success. I was also keen to find a company that valued customer support and ongoing customer care. After an extensive search, I found all of the above – and more – in Ultralase. Ultralase has been performing corrective laser eye treatment for more than 18 years, being the first clinic in the UK to offer the procedure.
HEALTH
Left: Thanks to the experts at Ultralase, Joanne now enjoys the spectacular views at Evian and its stunning scenery.
Above: The sights that used to greet her walking to the practise tee at Evian.
Today it operates 31 clinics throughout the UK and Ireland and it is the only national laser eye specialist in Britain to ensure every surgeon is certified by the Royal College of Opthalmologists – the highest level of industry accreditation as well as being the only UK laser eye specialists in Britain to offer a lifetime care guarantee. With their commitment to invest in the world’s most advanced laser technology – partnered with the expertise of experienced surgeons – they are able to produce consistently excellent results. I felt assured and, indeed, confident enough to give them a call. I could have emailed, but I was keen to speak to somebody and I am glad that I did. The staff at the call centre were fantastic, offering a friendly and informative service without being pushy and as all personnel have had some form of laser treatment in the past, they really do know what they are talking about. My consultation appointment was duly booked at their Tottenham Court Road Clinic. The initial consultation (which took just under an hour and a half) consists of eye examinations and talking with your personal advisor to discuss which treatment is best suited to you. It also provides the opportunity to ask all manner of questions face to face, which I found extremely helpful. The treatment best suited to my needs, I discovered, was Ultra Lasik Plus wavefront, a personalised treatment that applies the laser to the eye precisely where it is needed, correcting major and minor imperfections. Barely two weeks after the initial consultation and I was back at the clinic – treatment day! I’m not going to pretend I wasn’t nervous – who wouldn’t be? But following a chat and a final eye examination with my surgeon I was prepared by a nurse who took me step-by-step through the details of the procedure and did her level best to
put me at ease (easier said than done!). But this was it – there was no going back! Twenty minutes later I was back in the recovery suite wondering what all the fuss was about! Seriously, that’s all the time it took in the Laser Suite – 20 minutes. During that time the surgeon and his team talked me through the operation, matter-of-factly easing my nerves. The procedure consisted of me lying on a bed with my head held in a rest. A suction ring was placed on my eye (you feel just a slight pressure) and my vision was hazy (like seeing stars) for 30 seconds or so before I was looking into a red light. Although I felt a little discomfort as the suction ring was applied, the whole procedure was absolutely painless. I was taken through to the post treatment lounge and left to relax for 10
minutes, following which the surgeon checked over my eyes and I was able to leave – all I needed to be on my way was a pair of sunglasses to keep the glare and light out of my eyes. I felt some occasional discomfort and my eyes were very sensitive to light – though this was quickly taken care of with the soothing eye drops you are given. That evening my vision felt a little blurry – I could not focus on close up objects – and I could not really see any immediate difference with long distance. On returning to the clinic the next day for my follow up appointment, the standard eye test revealed that rather than only being able to see the big “A” at the top along with the next 2 lines, I was able to carry on until reaching two lines from the bottom – a vast improvement. My eyes still felt very dry (which I was told was perfectly normal) and I was advised to keep using the artificial tear drops for as long as necessary. The surgeon had told me that the improvement in my eyesight over the coming weeks would be gradual but noticeable – and he was absolutely right. Day by day my sight improved and the dryness wore off, leaving me with sharper and much clearer vision. Since having the treatment the improvement has been outstanding and I can honestly say it has changed my life – just waking up in the morning and opening your eyes to see perfectly is a miracle in itself (no more fumbling around for glasses or contact solution!). From watching the TV to driving the car, every single aspect of my life has been improved. As for my first visit back to the golf club, well, what can I say – it was near perfection. The blue sky and bright sunshine partnered with clear, long distance vision not only enhanced the stunning views of Mont Blanc but gave me greater confidence with my game. I could tee off with a strong sense of direction and actually follow the flight of the ball to where it ended up – I really can see the woods through the trees! For further information please call 0800 9888 237 or visit www.ultralase.com/info Depending on the type of treatment, prices start from £995 per eye.
Ultralase is the UKʼs longest-established vision correction specialist, with 18 years experience and 31 clinics in the UK and Ireland. It is the only national laser eye specialist in Britain to ensure every surgeon is certified by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists – the highest level of industry accreditation as well as being the only UK laser eye specialists in Britain to offer a lifetime care guarantee. Prices start from £995 per eye. For further information please call 0800 9888 237 or visit www.ultralase.com/info
SEPT/OCT 2010 GOLFINTERNATIONALMAG.COM 11
Watching brief Today’s leading sportsmen and women are natural partners for the world’s luxury watch-makers, as Caragh McKay reports
I
f you like a watch to do more than tell the time, then you really need to know about the Royal Oak. Not only is Audemars Piguet’s key timepiece a benchmark in watch design, it is one of the most important sports watch designs ever created. The perfect fit, then, for a sportsman of Lee Westwood’s stature. Westwood has been an AP ambassador for five years now and, like the World Number Three’s recent form, the association is going from strength to strength. And Lee is only one of AP’s golfing ambassadors – the esteemed Swiss watch brand also counts Nick Faldo and Rory McIlroy as figureheads. Designed by Gerald Genta – one of the most significant watch designers of all time, who created benchmark models for Patek Philippe, IWC and Omega, among others – the AP Royal Oak was launched in 1972. Up until then, watch design had been relatively straightforward: 38mm round faces were the norm and high-end materials, such as gold, and the Swiss Made stamp, were what set your watch apart from affordable Asian quartz models. But then along came Genta with his super-strong, heavy hexagonal dial design – its macho nature further heightened by the distinctive “bolted” bezel. Genta was said to have taken his design lead from the octagonal portholes of the HMS Royal Oak and, in so doing, imbued his design with all the components that make up the tough, modern sportswatch aesthetic – big, bold and tough enough to hold its own on even the most sizeable wrist. Qualities that pretty much sum up the steely nerve required by exceptional modern sports stars. Whether or not the distinctive AP logo appears on Westwood’s left shoulder in his Ryder Cup team outfits, the model he currently wears out of preference – the Royal Oak Offshore Survivor – will surely be on his wrist the moment he wraps up another convincing point for Europe. It may look a tad heavy metal with its futuristic, hollowed-out push-button guards, but because its made using blackened-titanium, this self-winding chronograph is surprisingly light. Another top-sportsmanlike touch.
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Omega and the Wie factor
The face of women’s watches is changing, with more brands cottoning on to the fact that today’s woman is interested in colours other than pink, actually likes multi-functions and prefers a watch dial sizeable enough to see the time. No wonder the “boyfriend watch” has become such a hit in fashionable circles. These days, wearing your other half’s Rolex – loosely around the wrist – is as much style statement as it is a means of telling the time. Female sporting ambassadors such as the remarkable Michelle Wie – who is a face for Omega – have done much to alter the traditional view: a tiny watch on a wrist as dynamic as hers just wouldn’t cut it. Her current favoured timepiece, the self-winding Seamas-
WATCHES THREE OF THE LATEST…
Divers’ Watches
Whether you are looking for a watch that can take you to the depths of the ocean or the height of style, you can take your pick from these current models:
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor £29,290 • www.audemarspiguet.com Omega Ladies Seamaster Planet Ocean £9,860 • www.omegawatches.com
SEIKO KINETIC DIVERS’ WATCH £350 • www.seiko.co.uk This smart timepiece is powered by the movement of your body and comes at a pretty smart price too. Water-resistant to 200m
Bremont watches range from £2,300 - £6,450 www.bremont.com RM021 model, with manual winding tourbillon movement – £271,500. www.marcuswatches.co.uk
ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL SUBMARINER DATE £4,910 • www.rolex.com Water-resistant to 300m, this classic timepiece, with green ceramic bezel and dial is a contemporary classic
ter Planet Ocean in steel and red gold hits just the right note. The somewhat masculine 42mm dial is elegantly offset by the warm gold tones and diamond bezel. It’s also equipped with Omega’s co-axial movement – a benchmark component in precision time-keeping – and is water-resistant to 600m. Omega credits this timepiece as combining feminine grace with power and technique. Just like Michelle.
Richard Mille’s Sporting Greats
It’s been an iconic year for Spanish sport, what with World Cup glory and Rafa Nadal’s exhilarating win at Wimbledon. Talking of which: did you spot the distinctive-looking black timepiece strapped to Rafa’s wrist? It was made by Richard Mille, whose technical team pulled off a major coup of their own
in developing the ultra-light mechanical timepiece which could withstand the rigours of professional tennis while still keeping perfect time. Like Nadal, though, Richard Mille has serious form: the watch that he created for racing driver Felipe Massa, emerged perfectly unscathed from his life-threatening crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix last July. RM watches are turning into the ultimate sportsman’s lucky mascot: no surprise then, that Richard Mille timepieces bear pretty exceptional price-tags: this current RM021 model, with manual winding tourbillon movement costs £271,500. Caragh McKay is editor of the Daily Telegraph watch supplement, Telegraph Time
OMEGA PLOPROF £5,010 • www.omegawatches.com A serious piece of kit, this bold timepiece was originally created for French professional divers (Plongeurs Professional), hence the rather odd-sounding name. Water-resistant to 1200m
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PORSCHE BOXSTER SPYDER
Stripped for pure driving pleasure Shorn of irrelevant creature comforts, the Boxster Spyder is the lightest of all the models to roll out of Stuttgart. It’s also the most exhilarating for the driver who likes to feel at one with the heart of the machine. Gi’s motoring correspondent Anthony Ffrench-Constant reports
Y
ou’d imagine that most manufacturers would think twice about conjuring a new car which automatically evokes thoughts of mangled metal and sudden death. But then, Porsche isn’t most manufacturers and, with the new Boxster Spyder, seems entirely content to rekindle memories of the 1954 550 Spyder in which silver screen legend James Dean lost his life. He called it the “little bastard”, with good reason as it turned out. However, in its 2010 iteration, the Spyder has – with the possible exception of an hilariously complex DIY roof mechanism, which we’ll come to – absolutely nothing of the bastard about it whatsoever. Unless, that is, you consider paying rather more for almost entirely less to be something of an affront. The more includes a price tag of £44,643 – which makes the Spyder the most expensive Boxster variant you can buy – and a modest performance hike. The 3.4 litre flat-six is the same capacity as that of the Boxster S, but boasts an additional 10bhp, now delivering
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The body side graphics are coolly retro, while the addition of a new sports suspension and shorter, stiffer springs gives the Spyder a lower, meaner poise than the Boxster S. As with all convertibles, it’s designed to look its best with the roof stowed
320bhp at a peak of 7200rpm, 950rpm higher than the regular car. Maximum torque is also boosted, from 266 lb ft to 273lb ft at 4750rpm. The less, most significantly, concerns weight and ride height. By dint of aluminium doors and a one-piece rear deck, a folding canvas and carbon-fibre frame roof that weighs just 11kg, carbon-backed bucket seats, the lightest set of 19” inch allow wheels the company makes, and the deletion of every creature comfort including the stereo, air conditioning, door pockets, cup holders, the cowl over the instrument binnacle and even the door handles (replaced with fabric pull straps), Porsche has shaved some 80kg from the Boxster S weight. At just 1275kg, this is the lightest car rolling out of Stuttgart. A new sports suspension incorporates
shorter, stiffer springs, firmer dampers and new front and rear anti-roll bars. Thanks to a 20mm drop in ride height and the lack of bulk from the lightweight roof, the Spyder’s centre of gravity is 25mm lower than that of a Boxster S. Ironically, the less also relates to performance. Though the Spyder will yell to 62mph from a standstill in 5.1 seconds (a frankly imperceptible 0.2 seconds faster than a Boxster S) and on to 163mph, you’ll only be able to manage that with the roof removed. Roof in place, top speed is limited to 124mph, thereafter the complex fabric construction presumably making a decent fist of offering itself up to the slipstream, piece by piece, unaided. Roof in place, the Spyder looks good enough. The body side graphics are coolly retro, and it’s lower, meaner and a whisker less effeminate than a standard Boxster. As with all convertibles, however, it’s designed to look at its best with the roof stowed and, indeed, the transformation is dramatic; from good enough to absolutely fantastic.
“There remains nothing quite like a Porsche for plugging the driver right into the heart of the machine. Your relationship with all the major controls is perfect, the levels of tactility not far adrift from what’s available in a respectable racing car” Trouble is, you have to take the roof – or as Porsche variously refers to it, ‘sunsail’ or ‘cap’ – off first… Strict adherence to the family motto – If All Else Fails Read the Instructions – allied to an entirely misguided whiff of intuition saw me start by undoing the windscreen-head lever. Wrong, of course. This is actually the last step in the process, and almost impossible to rectify once released out of sequence.
Happily, Porsche provided a laminated card of roof removal and replacement instructions to avoid excessive rummaging through a phone book-thick glove box manual. Unhappily, this took the form of a 16-panel cartoon featuring more directional arrows than a Day Three map of Operation Overlord and 20 individually numbered actions for roof removal, yet, bizarrely, only 17 for replacement. Mercifully, youthful years of Airfix-sponsored locating tab A on to lug B while ensuring no glue attaches to pin E in order to ensure the free rotation of propeller F came to the rescue. So it only took me about 20 feverish minutes to open the rear deck to free the tension on the rear roof straps, unclip them from the red steel fixing hoops that remain a cheeky, on-display detail thereafter, fold the canvas forward, unfasten the five, old-fashioned poppers that hold the second, rear screen-incorporating canvas in place, release the Big Red tensioning lever in the boot, unhook the steel cable, lift the roof bracing bar off the roll-over hoops, finally undo the windSEPT/OCT 2010 GOLFINTERNATIONALMAG.COM 15
screen head lever and bundle the whole lot together for surprisingly tidy storage in a bespoke boot space rebate atop the engine bay. And then it promptly rained. Well, actually, it didn’t, but I confess that thoughts of being caught out by a sudden shower and the realisation that I was unlikely to top 124mph in the Cotswolds did make me resolutely recalcitrant about ‘popping’ the lid off thereafter. Roof finally off, the Spyder’s svelte shape really comes into its own, the only disappointing glitch being the spanning of the twin fairing humps that roll across the boot lid like a surfacing Loch Ness Monster with a clumsy bar containing a third stop light for myopic Americans. On board, I was surprised to notice that Porsche had re-equipped this particular Spyder with the sat nav, air conditioning and stereo initially removed in the raison d’etre interests of what erstwhile Lotus genius Colin Chapman termed “added lightness”. You can, in fact, have a radio and, um, the cupholders re-instated at no extra cost, but I’d probably just settle for a somewhat less extreme seat. The standard, fixed-back bucket offerings may provide track day levels of lateral support, but there’s no lumbar support on offer at all and, after half a hour or so spent folded up like the victim of a giant, ravenous glove puppet, my back began to seriously protest. In truth, the protest actually began much earlier, but I was so utterly absorbed in what rapidly became a major, flies-on-teeth hoon that it’s a credit to the Spyder’s abilities that I forgot about it for so long… There remains nothing quite like a Porsche for plugging the driver right into the heart of the machine. Your relationship with all the major controls is perfect, the levels of tactility not far adrift from what’s available in a respectable racing car. The steering offers near perfect feel, feedback and accuracy, guidance more a matter of thought than physical input. With every Porsche required to return to a standstill faster than it will accelerate to 16 GOLFINTERNATIONALMAG.COM SEPT/OCT 2010
Through the combination of a lower tuned suspension and Weight-watchers bodywork, the Boxster Spyder performs with an agility perceptibly greater than the already sublime Boxster S. Creature comforts may be thin on the ground, but who dwells on such detail when the driving experience is as absorbing and rewarding as that afforded in this latest iteration of a true Porsche classic?
60mph, unerringly powerful, progressive brake performance is a given. And nothing flatters the driver quite like Porsche pedal placement; even the most ham-footed quickly finding themselves the master of heel-and-toe approaches to tighter corners and roundabouts. I mention this because it’s amazing how many alleged sports cars there are out there a million miles from getting this right; too much brake pedal travel allied to a feeble throttle response and an unbridgeable canyon between pedals determining that, after just one roundabout, you either call the whole thing off, or call a tow truck. Irritatingly expensive optional sports exhaust adding a deliciously rasping character boost, the Spyder’s combination of lowered, tuned suspension and Weightwatchers bodywork awards it incredible agility, and it darts about like a minnow being pursued by a pike. Better yet, although it has terrific responses and unerring poise, it still rides surprisingly
sweetly for one ostensibly stripped for action; sufficiently compliant to preserve body control without destroying your dentistry. In all, then, an exceptionally fine car, and more fun than a clown on fire. Especially if you are lucky enough to own the garage that obviates the ecstasy of fumbling associated with frequent roof removal and replacement. That aside, the only possible gripe concerns the hefty amount you could easily find yourself spending on the options list, and the added heft this will inevitably add to the Spyder’s overall kerbweight, somewhat defeating the object of the exercise. Those hell bent on reintroducing motoring life’s little luxuries should probably stick to the everyday practicality of the Boxster S. Those who can’t resist the Spyder’s more striking packaging should spend £1,249 on the sports exhaust – made all the more audible by that fabric roof – and every other available penny on fuel.
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