Great Golf Magazine summer 2015

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Great Golf

Magazine

LUXURY TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE

HAWAII South Africa Barbados Carinthia Spain

www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk

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“BEST COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC 2014” Asian Golf Monthly 2014 "BEST COURSE IN THAILAND” Asian Golf Monthly 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 “BEST CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC” Asian Golf Monthly 2014 “TOP 100 COURSES OUTSIDE U.S.” Golf Digest 2012

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WHERE HEAVEN TOUCHES EARTH

Black Mountain Thailand Book your Black Mountain golf holiday at

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Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf

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Great Golf

Magazine

LUXURY TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE

Great Golf

HAWAII South Africa Barbados Carinthia

Magazine

Contents

Spain

Cover photo by Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf

TRAVEL FEATURES

16 On the bucket list 22 Hawaii – On the waterfront 32 Carinthia – Eastern promise 46 Barbados – Cool Caribbean 60 Spain – A Majorcan hideaway 68 France – Golf & the Maginot line 76 South Africa - Zulu dawns

www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk

PRODUCTS

84 Naim Audio – For the love of sound 96 Great Golf Pro Shop LUXURY

40 Watches - British renaissance 54 Aston Martin – Riding high 90 Fashion – Northern soul SPA, FOOD & WINE

100 Spa – The big chill 108 The Savoy experience 114 Wines of the Cape 14 Win a two night stay for 2 people at the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews

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GREAT GOLF ADVENTURES & HOLIDAYS

y a id l o H e h t k o o b w o N Read the article – al: liday Booking Port Ho lf Go ct re Di e Th olfholidays.net s– ct with www.greatg Great Golf Holiday re di ok bo , ay lid ur Golf Ho Take control of yo net Holidays & More: eatgolfadventures. es – Bespoke Golf gr ur w. nt ww ve – Ad ay lf lid Go Ho t Grea an just a Golf Adventure rather th For those want an

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Domaine du Château du Faucon

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La Corrérie Up-market Guest House

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Great GolfMagazine 30 Eridge Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8HR United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1892 544 872 www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk MANAGING DIRECTOR

Mike Kaas-Stock mike@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk CHAIRMAN

Colin Morrison

GOLF TRAVEL

EDITOR

YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE...

WELCOME to the summer issue of Great Golf Magazine. The Open is over, the kids are out of school and it may be time to start planning you’re trips for autumn and winter. With each issue, our purpose is to bring you new and interesting locations as well as some of the regular favourites. We try our best to make sure that as many articles as possible are supported with direct booking offers on our golf holidays portal www.greatgolfholidays.net And what a selection we have for you. The region of Carinthia receives our attention, an area that covers Southern Austria, Northern Italy and North Slovenia. Expect some great courses and much more from this Alpine paradise.

April Tod, does what the song says and goes to Barbados to visit Royal West Moreland and Apes Hill among others. Dena Rochè has Spa treatments in South Africa and Mauritius and also finds time to visit some excellent Vineyards.

Angus Davies drives an Aston Martin and checks out British watchmaker Garrick. South Africa also gets more than one look in with Peter Ellegard visiting KwaZulu-Natal and Robert Kaufman has been to Hawaii and found some spectacular golf courses on the Big Island.

The dedicated Great Golf Properties website launches soon with a feast of “on the course properties" for you to peruse. Our present sites will also be undergoing changes in the next few months to make them more informative and user friendly.

Great Golf ProShop is expanding to make sure that you can find all those Travel & Lifestyle items that you may want or need. All in all, changes are afoot.

We wish you a pleasant and above all enjoyable summer.

Happy Golfing wherever you go.

The Team

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Nils Bjornes nils@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk ASSISTANT EDITOR

Camilla Kaas-Stock camilla@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk ART DIRECTOR

Ketil Plassgaard ketil@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Karim Ullah karim@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk MARKETING MANAGERS

Frazer Cambell frazer@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk Nick Edgley nedgley@nemediaworld.com CONSULTANT EDITOR

Peter Ellegard peter@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk LUXURY PRODUCTS

Angus Davies angus@escapement.uk.com SUB EDITORS

Sophie Morrison Louise Candy CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS ISSUE

Peter Ellegard Angus Davies Dena Roché Robert Kaufman Camilla Kaas-Stock April Tod Chrissie Walker Mike Kaas-Stock Published by IPB Publishing Ltd Company No 6484115 Printed by The Magazine Printing Company www.magprint.co.uk For advertising enquiries please contact karim@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk frazer@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk nedgley@nemediaworld.com All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior written consent of Great Golf Magazine UK

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On the bucket list...

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GREAT COURSES

On the bucket list...

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ADVERTORIAL

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whether I win or lose. But, I’m out to win!” His personal favorites are Sugar Beach (RRP £125), Frigate (RRP £265) and a classic pair of aviators called Mavericks (RRP £235). att Kuchar wear the Banyans style (RRP £165) whilst playing: “Banyans is perfect for golf,” said Kuchar. “I like the Maui HT™ lenses because the light palm green colour is good for sunny or dark days and it increases my view of the variations in the greens and fairways. Overall it enhances everything I see on the course. I love how super light they

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On the

waterfront

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ountless times, I’ve listened to the Fab Four’s playful tune Octopus’s Garden but it wasn’t until my snorkel guide, Ikaika Kanuha, took a 30-foot dive through the turquoise clear waters off the coast of Hawaii did I grasp the scope of the squiggly critter’s ‘little hideaway beneath the waves’.

Trying not to fog my mask, I remained fixated on Kanuha as he transported the octopus up to sea level, where it attached its sticky tentacles around my arm before being released back to its watery bed.

The waters off the island’s coast provide a window to a coral-draped world and an environment that plays a major role in the allure of Hawaii. With an assist from the fiery volcanic gods transforming the geography of the Hawaiian islands (the eruption of Kīlauea volcano currently continues at two locations), this tropical destination is a hotbed for vacationers.

THE BIG ISLAND. Of all the Hawaiian islands, it is no surprise that the most diverse is the largest – and the youngest, at approximately 300,000 years – of the archipelago. In fact, with over 6,437 square kilometers of microclimatic zones, with tremendous variations in elevation and temperature lending itself to a myriad of activities, it is nearly twice as big as all of the other Hawaiian islands (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai) combined, which is why it’s often referred to as the ‘Big Island’.

If you’re a first-time visitor to Hawaii, the view from the plane as it approaches the treeless, black lava landscape might have you concerned. Not to fear. Presuming you’re arriving for golf, your eyes will easily target the green grassy carpets contrasted against the molten black rock. You’ve arrived in mid-Pacific paradise and one of the most desirable golf destinations in the world, the Kohala Coast.

RESORT HOPPING. Once stepping off the pineapple express, my mental state kicks into a higher gear faster than I can say “Humuhumunukunukuapua’a” (Hawaii’s state fish). From that point on, I switch to

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strict Hawaiian time, the perfect temperament to hit the links.

When it concerns golf, however, the only dilemma is where to stay and play. With seven worldclass golf courses surrounded by luxurious beach resort properties, it’s merely a matter of which best fits your style and the only way to decide is to go resort hopping!

After easing out of the Kona International Airport, it’s a 10-minute drive along the unsnarled, two-lane Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway, which splits the moonscape expanse of volcanic bedrock, to the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at historic Kaupulehu.

Once leaving the highway towards the beachfront luxury property, you’re magically transformed into another dimension with assistance from one of the resort’s serenely private 243 rooms, six swimming pools and one saltwater snorkeling pond, all set along a half-mile-long beach.

HUALALAI GOLF COURSE. As the Champions Tour pros find out every January when Hualalai hosts the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, there’s more to this resort than all its pampering amenities.

The Jack Nicklaus Signature Hualalai Golf Course, a 7,117-yard layout available only to guests and members, provides wide enough fairways to deter (most) errant shots from being swallowed by the lava fields. With not a blade of grass out of place, the historic King’s Trail – located on the course along with other significant cultural sites– is carefully preserved.

Every hole at Hualalai is appended by an ocean view with the best sightings saved for the last three holes. After battling the usual stiff breeze on the 440-yard, dogleg right 16th, the par-3, 164-yard, 17th sets up right alongside the crashing Pacific waves and, as such, will keep you gazing as long as possible before attempting your tee shot into a oneor two-club wind over lava rocks.

WAIKOLOA. Continuing along the highway past

immense blankets of crusty rock lands you at a 546hectare Pacific playground, Waikoloa Beach Resort, resting over the lava flow from the Mauna Loa eruption in 1859.

Once entering this enormous retreat, the road leads by a variety of shops, galleries and restaurants before confronting a 25-hectare oceanfront Hilton Waikoloa Village. It offers the most rooms (1,240) of any resort on Hawaii. But thanks to its own monorail

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system and canal boats that connect the three separate low-rise towers, there is never a problem getting around in comfort.

Along with entertaining activity amenities like giant-sized pools, equipped with waterslides, paddling in a 1.5-hectare lagoon and Dolphin Quest (only hotel in Hawaii with a dolphin encounter), golf is a major asset at this quintessential Hawaiian experience with two 18-hole choices – the Beach Course and the Kings’ Course.

BEACH COURSE. The 6,566-yard Beach Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., weaves a colorful path through lava beds with strategically placed water features and 74 bunkers guarding the greens. It’s classic Hawaiian golf with risk-reward opportunities. And if you’re carrying a camera, No. 7 provides an upside as one of the most photographed holes throughout Hawaii.

The green sits on a lava peninsula, framed by a sweet curve of coconut palms, while waves crash on the rocks below to send sea spray billowing into the air. During the winter months, this may be the premier golf spot to cast your eyes on a breeching whale.

KINGS’ COURSE. On the adjoining Kings’ Course, golfers won’t

be treated to any magnificent ocean views but they will be tested

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by a Tom Weiskopf/Jay Morrish layout demanding respect with its length (7,064 yards), six lakes, and 83 bunkers.

With a collection of Weiskopf-signature short par-4s (327-yard 5th and 332-yard 13th) plus the ever-present trade winds, there’s enough challenge to get any golfer’s attention.

Due to enormity of this resort, there is also an extensive selection of dining options but the one that got my attention was Roy’s Waikoloa in the Queen’s Marketplace, which came recommended by the congenial general manager, Arnie McLain.

FUSION CUISINE. Since his first Hawaii location on Oahu in 1988, chef Roy Yamaguchi has been serving Hawaiian fusion cuisine combining the island’s best local ingredients and artfully composed dishes that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the stomach. I feasted on a sampling of Roy’s classics such as of spicy ahi roll, teppanyaki Szechuan shrimp and grass-fed Kulana filet mignon.

Without having to return to the main highway and just a chip down the beach, neighboring Mauna Lani Resort serves another 36 holes on an oceanfront platter. This golfer’s feast doesn’t disappoint, whether playing the Francis H. I’i Brown North or South, both sculpted by Robin Nelson.

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NORTH AND SOUTH. The South, built on the 16th-century Kaniku lava flow, was the first to open in 1981. For a number of years during the 1990s, it played host to the Senior Skins games with the likes of Trevino, Nicklaus, Palmer and Watson taking aim at the pots of cash.

Contributing to the overload of sensory distractions while navigating the course’s 6,924 yards is hole No. 15, an oceanside par-3 requiring your tee shot to rise over the surf and sometimes through treacherous winds.

The sister North Course is tucked within a myriad of lava fields and kiawe (mesquite) forests. Created in 1988, it emphasises rolling fairways with all 18 holes inland and is somewhat sheltered from the coastal winds.

the crescent-shaped beach, where you may be lucky enough to encounter the native green sea turtles basking on the shoreline every afternoon.

OCEANFRONT SEAT. When it’s time to dine at the Fairmont

Orchid, guests also get the comfort of an oceanfront seat. While sitting at tables under swaying palms surrounded by beautiful gardens and just steps from the Pacific, Brown’s Beach House delivers classic Hawaiian cuisine as amazing as the open-air ambience with live music playing in the background.

With a seasonal menu consisting of items ranging from kabocha prawns, ahi poke, Kona Kampachi, wild boar to lava flow bread pudding, every ingredient is sourced locally by chef Hubert Des Marais, an avid horticulturalist.

THE FAIRMONT ORCHID. For a change in accommodation

atmosphere from the grandeur of Waikoloa, adjacent the Francis H. I’i Brown courses lies The Fairmont Orchid nestled in a quiet cove on the north end of the Kohala Coast.

While the 540 oceanfront rooms and suites are appointed in the luxurious Fairmont fashion, it’s the exterior that makes the Orchid stand out. No matter where you roam, the 13-hectare tropical grounds are beautifully designed – all the way down to

ROKEFELLER. At the end of the Kohala Coast golf trail is the development that gave birth to resort golf in Hawaii. Following a visit in the 1950s to a remote piece of property adjacent the crystal clear waters and white sands of Kauna’oa Bay, financier and philanthropist Laurance S. Rockefeller (grandson of American business magnate, John D. Rockefeller), fulfilled his vision to create Mauna Kea Resort.

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However, lacking any golf expertise, he brought in Robert Trent Jones, Sr., to survey the terrain. As the two stood on a craggy bluff, the architect asked if he could create a golf course. Jones, Sr. replied, “Mr. Rockefeller, if you allow me to build a golf course here, this will be the most beautiful hole in the world.”

That exact spot was transformed into the par-3, 272-yard, third hole and christened on December 8, 1964, with a televised match featuring golf’s Big Three – Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

A KODAK MOMENT. This legendary hole, one of the golf world’s premier Kodak spots, demands a tee shot that begs nerves of steel and confidence from both professional and amateur golfers attempting to conquer an intimidating body of water and crashing waves separating the tee box and putting surface.

Given its setting, Nicklaus claimed it was a hole that could not be manufactured. Indeed, all 18 holes are cleverly integrated into the contours of the land, a primary feature of Mauna Kea’s ultimate greatness.

Since its creation and with the opening of the hotel one year later, the 7,370-yard layout (completely restored by Rees Jones in 2008) has remained the Big Kahuna by which all Hawaiian golf courses are judged.

That includes its adjoining sister course, the Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay-designed Hapuna GC (1992), 6,875-yard layout. It begins at sea level and rises to 700 feet throughout rugged desert terrain on the slopes of Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest mountain (9,966 meters) when measured from the ocean floor to the peak.

While taking advantage of such an astounding variety of golf on Hawaii, I also allowed for plenty of beach time with eyes fixated on the Big Blue, preferably with a beverage in grasp. While doing so, I couldn’t help but wonder if I were an octopus… “I’d ask my friends to come and see an octopus’s garden with me.” After all, even a multi-armed marine mollusk deserves to live the dream.

GGM

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01/07/2015 13:09:41

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AUSTRIA/ITALY

Promise EASTERN

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t’s going to hit 30 degrees in the UK today and for a change I am looking forward to going somewhere a little cooler – not by much, though, as the forecast for Carinthia and Tarvisio is in the high 20’s.

So, the first question you are going to ask yourself is, “where are Carinthia and Tarvisio?” Well, Carinthia is the southern area of Austria and Tarvisio is a town to be found just across the border in northern Italy. With Slovenia nearby as well, you have three locations and a wealth of opportunities for the British golfer.

Strangely though, there are no other golfers from our green and pleasant land to be found here!

My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to find out what we are missing and why. I have a feeling that I am about to find something very special.

CARINTHIA. There are many choices of course within the

some beautiful Alpine towns and villages and must apologise now for the fact that it’s just not possible to fit everything from this region into one article. For example, Venice is only one and a half hours away – easily reachable but, sadly, outside my scope for now.

I arrive at Ljubljana airport in Slovenia and am soon heading for the Austrian border, my trusty satellite navigation guiding me through the breath-taking scenery of the eastern Alps. About 20 kilometres from my destination, that trusty navigation packs up.

Why, oh why, did I not bring a good old-fashioned map?

Luckily for me, I ran off some rather sparse pages from the internet. I know that the resort I will be staying at is conveniently situated on the southern shore of the Drava River, just south of the town of Klagenfurt. So as I figure it, all I have to do is keep heading for the town and, when I see a river, turn left. Sure enough, that’s exactly what happens. I make a mental note to purchase a proper map first thing in the morning.

Carinthia region so I have to prioritise which I visit. This is golf in an Alpine environment and my first impressions indicate a wealth of stunning scenery. I’m going to be travelling through

WAHAHA RESORT. This really should be a family-oriented article and I should have my wife and kids in tow. But it hasn’t worked

I

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out that way and it’s just me on my lonesome. The Wahaha Sports & Family Resort might have a strange name, but this is a great choice for any golfer in need of a holiday location where all members of the family are going to have a good time.

There are a plethora of golf courses within a short distance, all with enough alpine views to make you take up yodelling. And while you are spoiling yourself sinking some golf balls, your family are taking part in countless other activities.

Where to begin? Well, there is the natural setting, which is outstanding. The resort sits on the southern bank of the Drava River, surrounded by forests and with mountain peaks on all sides.

Boats are moored ready for use. Nature trails lead off in all directions, tempting walkers and bike riders alike. Swimming, in either a regular or organic pool, is available. Tennis courts, football pitches, sports halls, you name it, it’s here.

My room overlooks the large swimming pool and restaurant with views to the far bank of the river. Boats are making their way lazily along and families are relaxing by the pool.

After a meal in the restaurant, I decide to make use of the

gym and finish off with a trip to the spa to try the sauna. A perfect end to the day.

GOLFCLUB SCHLOSS FINKENSTEIN. The following morning, I reacquaint myself with the old art of map reading. My first destination is just a shortdrive on exactly the same road as the resort.

Golfclub Schloss Finkenstein is easy to find. I am driving through a valley and it’s obvious that the course will be where the valley opens out – unless it's uphill golf, that is. This picturesque course sits in beautiful surroundings with mountains on both sides, and its wide, open fairways make it comfortable to play at all levels – a nice course just to relax and enjoy. Being a sucker for par-3’s, it's hole number sixteen that comes out as my favourite, with a narrow fairway to a green with a lake behind.

GAILTALGOLF KÄRNTEN. About a twenty-minute drive north-

west of Finkenstein is Gailtalgolf Kärnten Golf Club. It is located in the town of Waidegg, which lies on the sunny side of the picturesque Gail Valley. This course does not profess to offer a

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taxing game, but what it does have in abundance is the opportunity to play a round in a great setting.

It would be worth staying in one of the excellent, authentic alpine hotels in town to really enjoy a round and then relax, drink some Austrian beer and taste some of the delicacies.

GOLF SENZA TARVISIO. Time for another border, not that you really notice as they are all open and require you only to slow down as you cross. Within a few minutes, I have entered Italy and am heading a mere five kilometres into the country to the town of Tarvisio and the Senza Golf Club.

My first thought as I drive into this picturesque town is, where are they going to have a golf course? It seems like the mountains come down to the town, making eighteen holes of golf seem impossible.

It all becomes apparent as I take the road towards the course and the mountains open out into another valley. I am met by Stefan Sulzbacher, the golf director, and after a chat we are off to view the course.

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The initial holes are in the valley, but from the eighth onwards you are heading into the forested foothills, the sort of terrain that creates some tricky but impressive holes. The eighth is a lovely par-4 which Stefan tells me is actually not owned by the golf course at all, but in fact is the property of the Vatican!

The Catholic Church owns vast swathes of land throughout Italy, including this very hole. Obviously, it’s advisable to say a few Hail Marys before you tee off and ask for divine intervention.

To this date, no one has seen anyone from the Vatican play this hole, but you never know.

The course then continues into the mountains, providing a chance for some fantastic shots while enjoying the stunning scenery.

GOLF SENZA RESTAURANT. Afterwards, we head off to the clubhouse and the Golf Senza Restaurant, which is owned and managed by head chef Ilija. People come from far and wide to taste Ilija’s food and I soon find out why. With mouth-watering dishes a plenty, it’s no wonder the food is as big a crowd puller as the golf. When you see how affordable the prices are, it’s enough

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to make you jump for joy.

Ilija is, so I am told, a pretty good golfer too and has a habit of wearing a pair of golfing trousers in the kitchen, just in case he gets a chance to play a few holes in between services.

An overnight stay in the ancient town of Tarvisio – or even longer – would be well worth it to truly soak up that northern Italian vibe and explore the area, as well as play some more golf.

Just a little further south, many more courses are to be found that are well worth a visit.

KLAGENFURT. I bid farewell to Stefan and head back to

Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, to use its correct title. Wörthersee is the name of the large lake on the shores of which the town sits.

Klagenfurt has a long history dating back to the twelfth century, and its position next to the lake makes it a fantastic place to visit.

It’s a hot day and the sandy beaches around the lake are full of people lounging in the sun. But, unfortunately, I don’t have the time to work on my tan; I am on a tight schedule as I have another course to visit.

KÄRNTNER GOLF CLUB. The Kärntner Golf Club is located on the southern shore, in the village of Dellach, on the opposite side of the Wörthersee to Klagenfurt. This gives you the option of arriving with your clubs by boat (tempting) or taking the equally spectacular route by road around the lake and past beautiful houses with gardens that stretch down to the water.

Like Golf Senza, this course meanders up into the hills and through a rich and ancient forest. The surroundings are just spectacular. To stay in Klagenfurt and not play this course would really be to miss out. Streams make their way down towards the lake and the surrounding landscape is truly breathtaking.

The front nine works its way into the forest while the back nine guides you back down towards the lake, giving you wonderful views over the water on holes thirteen and fourteen.

There are other golfers on the course but it’s by no means crowded. Everyone is content to take their time and enjoy the immense pleasure of being lucky enough to be out playing a round on such a perfect day.

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WORTH THE VISIT. The region of Carinthia has so much to offer it begs the question, why are no British golfers coming here? It really comes down to having almost zero exposure in the UK. It’s easier for a British tour operator to entice us off to somewhere in Spain or Portugal. But do you really want yet another holiday in a location that’s going to be packed and will cost you an arm and a leg?

The Carinthian region gives you an opportunity to play truly wonderful courses for a fraction of the price that you would pay at more well-known locations.

During my brief stay, I have travelled though magnificent Alpine mountains, followed the shores of lakes and rivers and travelled to golf courses in three separate countries, all less than an hour from each other. Given another day or two I could have driven down to Venice or made my way to a Mediterranean beach.

It’s all here, the question is, when will you be?

GGM

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GOOD TO KNOW ­

TEST Annonser_Layout 1 02.07.15 16.15 Side 2

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Klokker_St Enodoc 17.07.15 10.35 Side 1

GREAT WATCHES

renaissance

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GREAT WATCHES he cachet of three special words ‘Made in Britain’ has enjoyed a renaissance in recent times. The general public has thankfully forgotten the British Leyland cars of the 1970s, which were blighted by poor quality. Indeed, the very notion of purchasing a luxury product from our ‘Great Nation’ has a strong lure for many overseas clients, especially those affluent buyers from the BRIC countries.

Looking through the window of a high-end watch and jewellery retailer, Swiss watches often dominate but the annals of watchmaking started in Blighty and, in particular, John Harrison.

John Harrison (1693-1776) was born in Foulby, West Yorkshire, and was responsible for creating timekeepers suited to life on the sea. Whilst clocks already existed in the late 17th century, they proved unsuitable for maritime use. Further to a major naval disaster near the Isles of Scilly in 1707, when over 2,000 people died, the need to establish accurate longitude became urgent. A few years later, the British Parliament passed the Longitude Act 1714 and the Board of Longitude was formed.

T

PRIZE MONEY. The Board of Longitude offered huge monetary rewards for the invention of a device capable of accurately determining longitude. Attracted by the prize on offer, Harrison spent the rest of his life developing marine timekeepers and he was awarded over £20,000 for his designs.

Other British horological luminaries included John Arnold (1736-1799), Thomas Tompion (1639-1713), George Graham (1674- 751) and Thomas Mudge (17171794). Mudge, a former apprentice to George Graham, remains a personal hero of mine. Mudge invented the lever escapement, a device that collaborates with the mainspring of a watch to proportion energy at a uniform rate, causing the hands to move at a pre-determined speed.

Most impressively, the lever escapement still features in the majority of fine mechanical watches to this day.

DECLINING FORTUNES. Despite Britain leading the way

with the Industrial Revolution and being at the vanguard of mass production techniques, British watchmaking suffered decline as both the Swiss and the Americans embraced industrial manufacturing processes, using machinery to achieve lower production costs. The outcome of this approach was the democratisation of watchmaking and Britain’s once dominant position suffered steady decline.

A legacy of this period was the lack of funds and investment to compete with the Swiss. A major aspect of creating new watches is the research and development costs necessary to produce an in-house movement. Quite simply, the investment required to create a new engine for a watch is huge and has been a barrier to any significant homegrown horological revival.

Some British companies have tried to add value domestically but economic necessity has dictated they procure many components from Germany and Switzerland.

BIRTH OF A COMPANY. However, the times are changing with a few British watchmakers hoping to buck the trend.

David Brailsford, CEO and founder of Garrick Watchmakers, for example, has set out to create luxury,

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GREAT WATCHES

handcrafted British watches. Whilst he has found it to be financially prohibitive to use 100 per cent local content, he has vowed to create watches with “as much domestically produced content as possible”.

After collaborating with Simon Michlmayr – a talented clock and watchmaker, based in Norwich, and a Fellow of the British Horological Institute – plans quickly began to take shape, resulting in the company’s inaugural model, the Shaftesbury sm301, launched in February 2015.

In creating the Shaftesbury sm301, Michlmayr and his colleagues had their challenges. Firstly, there was a desire to add as much value domestically as possible. Moreover, the talented team of watchmakers wanted to enhance an existing vintage Swiss-made movement, suffusing it with specification highlights for added value.

SUPERB ACCURACY. Part of the brain of any mechanical watch is the ‘balance’, a series of small components connected to a wheel which oscillates to and fro. It is the balance which determines the accuracy of the watch.

Some watches are described as chronometers, indicating a high-degree of precision. In some cases, in order to receive independent certification of accuracy, the watch movement is tested both uncased and ‘cased-up’. The watch is tested in various states of inclination and orientation, and at different temperatures. Only the watches that pass muster are labelled chronometers. However, not all super accurate watches are assessed because the expense of testing adds significant cost to a timepiece – the Shaftesbury is currently priced at £3,995.

The watch surprised several industry experts because it features a ‘free sprung balance’. Due to a small, specialised spring (the hairspring or balance spring), it can be held in any position and still deliver accuracy of +3 seconds per day, surpassing the chronometer-certified requirements of COSC. HIDDEN TALENTS. Other highlights of this watch include the

finely finished movement. Similar to many modern-day car engines, where components are hidden from view, watch companies often hide much mechanical beauty behind solid casebacks. In some cases, a panel of sapphire crystal is fitted in order to reveal the movement, but the view is often impaired 44

GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE

by the large metal-plates (bridges) so much of the added value is still hidden.

As a purist, I can think of nothing more enjoyable than whiling away the hours, loupe in hand, admiring the surface decoration of minuscule components. Garrick has created its own movement bridges, which are ‘open-worked’ to expose the mechanical manoeuvres of cog-like wheels.

The dial of the Garrick watch is made in-house. This is quite unusual as many watch companies are mere assemblers of components, sourced from a myriad of suppliers. However, this is not the case at Garrick. The paradigm is simple, make it inhouse or locally, if required, and only if absolutely necessary, procure it from overseas.

If the dials require additional treatment to achieve a specific aesthetic, a local artisan is hired – reinforcing the uniqueness of Garrick watches. Vivid and vibrant hues imbue the Shaftesbury sm301 with a notable degree of individuality.

THE HOXTON SM302. Following the positive reaction to the Shaftesbury sm301, it seemed only logical that a second range of models would join the Garrick collection.

The Hoxton sm302, released in June this year, eschews the costly to produce the free-sprung balance of its older sibling and dispenses with the small seconds display above 6 o’clock.

However, the Hoxton sm302 looses none of its visual prowess of the Shaftesbury sm301 and, yet again, sports an attractive chiseled face. Simplicity accords more accessible pricing, with a current asking price of £2,495.

BESPOKE. Similar to an exquisitely tailored suit, crafted in Savile Row, Garrick recognises the desire of some clients to express their personality with a unique creation.

The manufacturing prowess of this British brand means the company is able to accept unusual requests and craft timepieces which evince a very individual character. Indeed, in the rarefied world of fine watchmaking, Garrick’s unpretentious approach to acceding to the specific desires of clients has led to distinctive dial designs at comparatively affordable pricing.

Based on the performance of Garrick to date and with more new models in the pipeline, the renaissance of British watchmaking is very much alive and ticking.

GGM

Barbados for birdies and beaches Fly Virgin Atlantic to some of the best championship courses in the Caribbean.

And to some of the best beaches to relax on afterwards Barbados is a fantastic destination for a golfing break, with world class clubs and courses, beautiful sunshine and lots to do if you’re travelling with a non-golfer.

Virgin Atlantic offers daily direct flights to Barbados from London Gatwick and weekly flights from Manchester over the summer.

Sports equipment flies for free One of the biggest reasons to fly Virgin Atlantic on a golf break?

You get to take your clubs for free*.

No surprise charges, no need to hire. So here’s to happy, active holidays, doing what you love. * P lease note that Virgin Atlantic carries sports equipment free of charge. However, if you connect onto the Delta network, you’ll need to check your sports equipment in and pay for it.

Start your holiday in style Fly Virgin Atlantic Upper Class or Premium Economy and you’ll enjoy the ideal start to your golf break.

Upper Class

Premium Economy

– Enjoy complimentary chauffeur driven car* transfers.

– Whizz through the Private Security Channel at London Heathrow.

– Relax with preflight Clubhouse access**.

– Settle into your luxurious, private Upper Class Suites.

– Lie back on one of the longest fully flat beds in business class.

– Tuck into a restaurant style menu, served with fine wine.

– Mingle at the onboard bar.

– Enjoy London Heathrow Revivals lounge access.

– Speed through dedicated check in and priority boarding.

– Relax preflight with a complimentary glass of bubbly.

– Recline in your purple leather seat with 38in (95cm) seat pitch.

– Choose from three meals, including a vegetarian option.

– Finish with an after dinner liqueur.

– Receive a complimentary amenity kit on night flights.

– Plug in with laptop power in every seat.

* C hauffeur driven car service available at most destinations with selected Upper Class fares (J, C, D & I class). Mileage restrictions apply. **Lounge facilities vary at each destination.

7420 Great Golf_Advertorial_A4_v2_HiRes.indd 1

To find out more, please head to virginatlantic.com 13/07/2015 10:12

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BARBADOS

Cool Caribbean

April Tod returns to a much-loved Barbados, fearful of change, but discovers only improvements on this tropical island in the sun…

By April Tod, photo Royal Westmoreland, Apes Hill and Sandy Lane

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the small, quaintly coloured houses remain and while the hotels of my former visits have had vast amounts of money spent on refurbishment, the welcoming Barbadian charm is still in evidence. No wonder that so many enjoy coming back to this little piece of paradise.

THE PLATINUM COAST. This time round my destination was the plush golf resort of Royal Westmoreland on the west coast, known as the ‘Platinum Coast’ because this is where most of the exclusive and expensive hotels and elite villas reside.

Nevertheless, along the narrow coastal roads from the airport

PALATIAL VILLA. Large rum punches were waiting for us on our arrival at the villa where we were staying on the Royal Westmoreland estate. I soon discovered from the little black guest book that the owners are a certain Mr and Mrs Rooney, but apparently actual visits are quite rare – they prefer to stay at the even plusher surroundings of the nearby Sandy Lane Hotel.

The combination of an eight-hour flight, the heat and the humidity soon took their toll, but a cooling dip in the villa’s reasonably sized swimming pool took priority over an afternoon nap and proved a perfect antidote to sagging energies. My cosy downstairs bedroom was conveniently a few yards from the pool

y last visit to this quintessentially Caribbean island was back in the late 90s, but since those days Barbados has gone through a number of significant improvements and changes. My worst fears were of discovering the island I had fallen in love with had succumbed to the blight experienced by other holiday destinations of rampant ‘modernisation’ resulting in ghastly convoluted mazes of concrete monstrosities.

What a relief to find little had changed with this friendly and fun island, and even the Grantley Adams (enlarged and vastly improved) cavernous airport had lost little of its former old-fashioned charm.

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and perfectly located for early morning swims. That evening, the club’s in-house chef Silvan turned up to cook us a delicious barbeque, but bed soon beckoned and the moment my head hit the pillow I was sound asleep.

FUN IN THE SUN. It’s not all sun, sea and sand in Barbados, there’s a compelling range of scenic surprises, fascinating historic stories and rich architecture to discover. The island is slightly bigger than the Isle of Wight but has two very contrasting coastlines.

The west coast is where the calm seas, endless sandy beaches and plenty of swimming, snorkelling and sailing can be found, while the east side is more rugged, far less populated and features wild Atlantic winds and choppy seas. This is where itinerant windsurfers spend time hoping to catch their ultimate wave and where, with the help of a chauffeur-driven car, we spent a day exploring this beautiful but slightly less accessible side.

We drove across the island through stunning verdant green hills

similar to the English countryside, before stopping off at the historic St Nicholas Abbey with its fascinating Jacobean structure and panoramic views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. From here we meandered along the pretty coastal road to the quaint seaside village of Bethsheba for a light lunch at the popular Round House before returning via a different route to our villa late afternoon.

SPAS, MASSAGES AND HAIRDRESSERS. The Indulgence Spa, across the road from Mullins restaurant, is now part of Royal Westmoreland. Here I had one of the best full-body deep tissue massages ever – it left me totally relaxed and ready to play my first round of golf.

Should the need arise, there is also an extensive range of beauty treatments and a small gym for workouts. A mobile masseuse or hairdresser can also make a home visit to your villa. Some provide a wide a range of other beauty treatments, including manicures and pedicures.

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GOLFING PARADISE. For such a small island, Barbados is truly

blessed with an incredible variety of golfing opportunities. On the south coast is the Barbados Golf Club; providing an enjoyable 18hole championship course or a 9-hole course, both are open to the public. On the west coast, the plethora of PGA courses in the area presents a remarkable golfing paradise.

Royal Westmoreland’s 18-hole, Par-72 championship course is a firm favourite. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, the worldrenowned golf architect, he has skilfully incorporated local natural features into the course’s overall design. It is consistently rated as one of the top courses in the Caribbean, and is surrounded by beautiful scenery, with stunning views of the ocean from most holes.

There are an astonishing number of bunkers carved out of the lush green turf which makes for a decidedly ‘thinking man’s’ course and the need for every club in the bag to be used. Roger Beale, the club’s knowledgeable Director of Golf, drove me around and gave me a personal guided tour of the entire site, 50

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pointing out its many challenges, idiosyncrasies and the undulating shape of the greens. For our sins, we played a few holes but the highlight of my day was definitely the one-hour lesson from Roger, which I found tremendously helpful and inspirational.

APES HILL. Apes Hill Club is a mere 10 minutes drive from Royal Westmoreland, and has a stunning Par 72 course, which opened six years ago. Ben Hatch, the head pro (who once worked for Wentworth), thoughtfully arranged an early 8.30 tee time and agreed to play the back nine with me.

Ben’s intimate knowledge of the course proved very useful, particularly on the 12th par-4 hole. Somehow I managed to par when my ball conveniently bounced off a bump and rolled directly onto the green within four feet of the flag and, much to Ben’s amazement, followed this with a perfect putt to finish in four.

This course is a joy to play. It has generous fairways and

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requires considerable accuracy to avoid the many strategically placed bunkers, but with the help of Ben’s knowledgeable input my confidence soared, especially on the 12th green. Interestingly, ladies tees are referred to only as ‘forward tees’ and the others ‘backward tees’.

For nine holes we almost had the course entirely to ourselves, bar many black-faced, shy monkeys – the only spectators to witness me paring the 12th hole. They peered curiously at us and watched us briefly play from a distance and then leaped off through branches and disappeared into the dense vegetation surrounding the course.

SANDY LANE. Sandy Lane’s two championship courses are mostly for the exclusivity of hotel guests, although tee times are available between nine and 10am. What’s appealing is that the 15 minutes that separate the groups allows you the luxury of playing without having anyone in view. The mystical Green Monkey is another

Tom Fazio design and is regarded as the ‘millionaire’s golfing experience’.

The Country Club is renowned as another challenging course, but it is the original ‘old’ nine course that meanders through the magnificent estate that is the most charming, even though the fairways are tight and greens vastly smaller, which makes the course challenging in its own right.

SMOOTH SAILING. Sailing on Cool Runnings, a 60-foot catamaran (probably named after the famous Jamaican bobsleigh team), was a wonderful way to spend a day. We left Bridgetown’s historic harbour at 10am, fully equipped with sun hats, sun lotion, towels and even seasick pills, although catamarans are notorious for their smooth sailing. Fortunately, the boat was only half full which left plenty of space for sunbathing and lounging on deck.

With favourable light winds, sails and spinnaker were unfurled.

As soon as the harbour had disappeared behind us, we headed

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north before anchoring in a small bay to snorkel and swim alongside dolphins.

After another stop for turtles, we remained anchored for a leisurely lunch of a delicious mixture of local dishes, served with a variety of fresh salads and all kinds of drinks from rum punches to wine. And if snorkelling is not your thing, then there’s always the Atlantic submarine to take you 40 feet below sea level. Here you can view a fascinating collection of marine life through large lighted windows.

hang out there many years ago. It is part of the Royal Westmoreland resort and has a private beach and dining area for owners and guests’ exclusive use. We enjoyed a splendid lunch of coconut shrimp, served with julienne vegetables and a coconut curry sauce.

Finally, if you like fish, you must head to the Fish Pot. It’s further up the coast, near Speightstown, and has several delectable fresh dishes available.

With so many delightful restaurants, stunning courses and luxury hotels on this island, it definitely won’t be another 20 years before I return to this delightful golfer’s paradise.

GGM

FINE DINING. Something that has unquestionably changed for the

better since my last visit is the number and quality of restaurants available, ranging from fine dining to friendly beach bars and bistros. The beachside restaurants were wonderful, all serving delicious gourmet food with nearby lapping waves part of the romantic setting.

The popular Cliff Restaurant is one the most sought after in the Caribbean. Paul Owens is its creative head chef and now has a worldwide following. That evening we started off with a selection of exotic rum punches in the cosy bar upstairs, overlooking a litup sandy beach, and then descended to a beachside table for a memorable gourmet experience.

For my main course I chose the popular fillet of dolphin (known locally as mahi-mahi) with mushroom duxelle, wilted spinach, Parmesan melted cheese sauce and creamed potatoes – a truly delicious dish that comes highly recommended.

LONE STAR. Our next gourmet experience came by way of the

Lone Star restaurant. Its name conjures up burgers and fries, but how wrong I was. This is another gourmet beachside restaurant, where the sound of the sea harmoniously mingles with the background music. This time I enjoyed another popular local dish, Blackened Chicken Breast, as my main course.

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RIDING

HIGH

Sleek, sinuous and sexy, the Aston Martin Vanquish is a head-turner as soon as it hits the road. Angus Davies enjoys being the centre of attention as he takes this car out for a rideâ&#x20AC;Ś

By Angus Davies, www.escapementmagazine.com,

photos Astom Martin

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here is something very appealing about driving a gorgeous car and, quite simply, octane-fuelled transport does not come more gorgeous than the Aston Martin Vanquish. Each line of its sinuous body sensuously engages with ambient light, throwing shapes which beguile onlookers.

I recently had the opportunity to drive the Vanquish over a number of days on an array of roads, at differing speeds. Based on this experience, one aspect became abundantly clear, wherever this British motoring thoroughbred travelled it provoked admiring glances. The very sound of the baritone V12 led numerous heads to swivel around with amazing alacrity, their curiosity piqued by the rich timbre of the 5935cc engine.

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BORN TO SEDUCE. Over the years, I have driven a plethora of

prestigious cars, but nothing, absolutely nothing, has ever coquettishly charmed me like the Vanquish. The lithesome torso of this car features a myriad of swooping angles, judiciously positioned trim embellishments and perfect proportions. Every millimetre of the aluminium and carbon fibre body structure entices eyes to admire.

In 2012, shortly before this car was released for general sale, I visited Aston Martin’s HQ. There Marek Reichman, chief creative officer and design director of Aston Martin Lagonda, unveiled the 56

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Vanquish to unanimous applause. He explained each nuance of the design and left me aghast at the painstaking attention to detail manifest with every element of the Vanquish’s make-up.

RICH HISTORY. The eye-catching Vanquish is a piece of

automotive art. It is the distilled creation of a company that knows much about producing incredible motorcars, always at the vanguard of design. Its origins trace back to January 1913, when Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin established a small workshop in Knightsbridge, London. The following year, after Martin succeeded in winning the Aston Hill Climb in Buckinghamshire, the company changed its nomenclature to Aston Martin.

With success came expansion and Aston Martin relocated to Feltham, London in 1947, before moving to Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire in 1955. The company was attracted to this latter location by the plethora of skills found within the town.

Aston Martin acquired Salmons Coachworks, a prodigious producer of coaches and carriages harking back to 1860. This company brimmed with talent. Time-served hands, accustomed to creating objects of peerless creation, proved wonderfully adept at working on Aston Martin models. Indeed, it was the talents of these local artisans who could adroitly work with an array of materials that would prove most useful in acceding to personal requests from the company’s well-healed clientele.

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Marek Reichman, chief creative officer and design director

BESPOKE. In 2003, Aston Martin relocated to its present-day car

production facilities in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Even with stateof-the art facilities, much emphasis is still placed on traditional expertise and craftsmanship. Potential purchasers are indulged with a breathtaking choice of options to tailor their new Aston Martin to personal and precise requirements.

Irrespective of whether your Aston Martin originates from Gaydon, or it is a restored ‘heritage’ model imbued with a new lease of life at Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell, a passion for progress has not seen the luxury marque eschew individuality.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS. I was reminded of this bespoke aspect as I

appraised the numerous optional extras fitted to a gorgeous Midnight Blue Vanquish a few days before its arrival. I perused the lengthy specification sheet, detailing both the standard equipment and the numerous additional features. As a selfconfessed ‘petrol-head’, I enjoyed this ritual – salivating at the very prospect of being entrusted to drive this automotive beauty for a few days and aching for the moment to arrive.

My press loan was generously equipped and fitted with several extras, hence the priced had climbed to £211,985. I took a friend and fellow motoring enthusiast for a drive and as ridiculous as it may sound, he remarked that the car represented incredible value for money. He was correct.

It is when you look at the overall blend of attributes of this supercar and its no-compromise composition that it appears to be a logical choice. Contrast the Vanquish with property and investments and you realise that few purchases costing £211K deliver anything like the same return on capital. No, I am not advocating the Vanquish as an investment, but consider for a moment the grin factor… when was the last time the return on your savings made you smile so unreservedly?

A TASTEFUL FUSION. The interior of my press loan was a tasteful

fusion of texture and colour. The Full-Grain Luxmill leather upholstery was paired with vibrantly hued red Alcantara Headlining.

The dashboard featured a Twill Carbon fascia trim (£1,495 extra), with contrasting shades of black and grey. What a car – and it’s relatively lithesome with a kerb weight of 1,739kg.

A PERFECT FIT. The problem with some sporty cars is that they

are simply too confined to be comfortable, especially if you are tall. Indeed, many test drives have seen me contort my body into a painful state, employing part yoga and part corset-like compression.

Thankfully, design director Reichman is a very tall chap; hence the Vanquish accommodated my sizeable frame with ease.

2+2 CHOICE. The interior of this car is the last word in luxury.

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All creature comforts are provided for the delectation of the driver and passenger(s). This car can be specified with a ‘2+2’ option for an additional £2,995. The press loan, KP15BYW, had the additional seats fitted, which may attract some would-be buyers who need to transport small children.

However, average-sized adults will find it challenging to enter the rear of the vehicle and sit comfortably for extended periods. I suspect those owners who have to transport more than one additional passenger may well have another vehicle to fulfill that role. Nevertheless, if you are ordinarily accustomed to driving solo or just with your ‘significant other’, take the keys to the Vanquish because nothing else compares.

JUST DRIVE. The key (or Electronic Control Unit) is unusual and

looks like a prop from a James Bond movie. Placing the device into the dashboard-mounted aperture rewards the driver with a magnificent sense of theatre. Indeed, the key appears to be swallowed and shortly thereafter, bystanders are rewarded with the aural drama of the engine ferociously awakening before settling down to a civilised tick over.

Selecting gear is merely a matter of pressing a button on the dashboard, a highly intuitive system, which makes so much sense.

Why can’t other cars be like this?

I recall Aston Martin models a few years ago and, whilst appreciating their attributes, I was disappointed to recognise the switchgear from a Ford family saloon. The British company has come along way since that time and every aspect of the car oozes quality. The ergonomics are superb, with the fit and finish of each control delivering a welcome solidity.

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RELAXED FEELING. Driving the Vanquish along urban roads at sensible revs rewarded my restraint with incredible civility and a cosseting ride. When I chose to take the car onto the motorway and cruised at legal speeds, I found the experience incredibly relaxed.

There was a welcome absence of jarring suspension, often found with other high performance cars, and there was absolutely no need to shout over the engine. I appreciated the progressive action of the accelerator, with no trigger-happy whiplash resulting from careful heal and toe action.

Conversely, the Vanquish plays very hard when required.

Press the throttle and it will lift its hem and run to the hills with breathtaking alacrity. Steering wheel mounted controls allow the driver to firm up the ride and hold the car in gear for longer.

SUBLIME COMFORT. This brings me to the raison d’etre of the

Vanquish. It was conceived to devour autobahns with consummate ease; pampering occupants with sublime ride comfort. Yet, on the other hand it proved that it could engage enthusiastically with S-bends with scalpel-like precision, rewarding the driver with a profusion of pleasure.

Yes, I enjoyed the reaction of the public who smiled at the Aston not with envy or disdain, but with a friendly wave and well meant thumbs up. I don’t know whether this reaction was due to patriotism for a British masterpiece or merely recognition of excellence in their midst, but the same reaction was witnessed time and time again. Drive the Aston Martin Vanquish and you feel like you are king of the hill.

GGM

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MALLORCA

ed un-kiss s a n o idyll away, a rural Not far d n i f l l you wi nd island, ature a n y b d de ide surroun he outs t y b , d re allorca M s unhinde i d n r The isla onnabe M e world. h t is al idyll . the rur e Hotel u q i t u o oB Nou Ec

rcan o j a M A

Y A W A HIDE anada, Golf Alc lub de l & Spa C s to o tock, ph Nou Eco Hote Kaas-S er

By Mike ual, Monnab G n o S lf o G

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Monnaber Nou Eco Hotel & Spa

A

vid readers of Great Golf will already know that there is no island like Mallorca. With over twenty golf courses on a land mass that you can drive from end to end in about an hour, you are never going to be short of choice.

So, maybe the real question is not whether you will find a good golf course, but where you will base yourself while visiting this myriad of possibilities. And if you are looking for something of a more rural nature, somewhere that may give you a different perspective, then the Monnaber Nou Eco Hotel, set in the stunning Mallorca countryside, is a very good choice.

LIKE A ZORRO MOVIE. I arrive in the late afternoon having driven directly from Palma airport. Within 25 minutes I leave the motorway and find myself on small, rural roads for the final part 62

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Alcanada

of my journey. It’s well signposted and within no time I am making my way up the long drive to the hotel.

Like something out of a Zorro movie, the hotel, which is converted from an traditional finca, appears before me. I can almost make out Catherine Zeta-Jones at the window awaiting my return. The sound of bells and the bleating emanating from the sheep in the fields next to the drive only add to the authenticity; the animals sit in the shade under the olive and fig trees, waiting for the day to cool.

I make my way to the hotel reception, which is located through a traditional-style courtyard complete with central well, where I am warmly welcomed by the owner, Francisco Mayordomo Siquier. I am almost disappointed when he does not appear sporting a flowing cape and black mask.

The property, complete with its surrounding land, has been in

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Francisco’s family since his grandfather bought it in the 50’s. In 1994, the family took on the monumental task of restoring what was then a rundown building in order to create what you see today: a unique, rural hotel set in stunning surroundings. The property oozes authenticity and character.

PLENTY ACTIVITIES. My room is charming, with stone walls and traditional windows that look out over the fields and on to the mountains. There is plenty here on site to keep the active visitor happy, with swimming pool, spa and bike shop where you can rent a bike or, as is the case with some of the more fanatical riders, they will look after your own wheels if you have brought a pair.

Along with cycling, there are plenty of hiking routes nearby of varying degrees of difficulty.

The hotel restaurant is located on a terrace with those all-

important views. It's the perfect place to have a meal and watch the sun set.

The whole building circles the inner courtyard and most of the ground floor rooms open out onto this central area. Having once been a working olive farm, there are remnants of the building's heritage everywhere. One of the guest lounges has, standing in the centre, the original olive press used for making oil. The room is circular as the press was driven by a donkey who walked round tethered to the machinery.

SON GUAL. Located 20 minutes south of my hotel is Son Gual

Golf Course. It’s on my list to visit even though I am concentrating on the northern section of the island; nothing is any great distance away here, and it is a great course. The first hole is a favourite of mine -- a par-4 from a tee on the hill with a shot 63

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Alcanada

into the valley -- it always puts a smile on my face.

Even though the course is close to the flight path for the main airport, you can forgive the noise as it is such a joy to play. The borders of many of the fairways are home to grapevines and contorted olive trees. The clubhouse is modern and sitting out on the terrace after a round is just as important as the game itself. All in all, well worth a visit.

THE CAPITAL. After my round, I make my way to the capital,

Palma. It would be a shame not to experience this historic city with its cathedral looking out over the bay. It’s swelteringly hot and after a brief look around I’m in need of shelter from the sun.

It’s very apparent just how important the trees planted along the main streets are, creating much-needed shade from the intense heat. After a bit of window shopping, 64

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another coffee is called for at one of the many cafes lining the shaded streets.

ON THE BIKE TRAIL. As well as being a bit of a Mecca for golf, the other form of recreation that this sunny isle is known for is cycling holidays. The island has become the must-visit location for those looking to spend a few days in the saddle.

So, more golf courses than you could possibly wave a putter at and an environment perfect for cycling; this sounds like a good combination. Sure enough, the next day I find myself on a bike and heading off into the countryside.

There are defined cycle routes here and it really is the only way to travel. Over twenty years have passed since I last found myself on two wheels, so my mission today is to make it around the route mapped out for me without the need for an ambulance or a search party.

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Son Gual

It becomes clear very quickly just how serious Mallorca’s population take this newly found niche market. The few cars that I do encounter seem to have the utmost respect for their twowheeled compatriots and take the greatest care when overtaking or passing. Compare this to the UK where this pastime involves taking your life in your own hands.

a concerted effort to limit my stops for café con leche. Even though it’s a hot day, the air blowing past me as I cycle keeps me cool.

I return to the hotel several hours later, slightly saddle sore but content with my morning's exploits. Time to throw myself in the swimming pool!

ALCANADA. A trip to Mallorca without a round of golf at Alcanada

NEED FOR SPEED. There are two types of cycling tourist on the

roads of Mallorca: the diehard enthusiast, identifiable by their state-of-the-art bikes and tight clothing, and the regular holidaymakers who just want to go at a leisurely pace and enjoy the view. Both seem to be having fun and I take no exception when a group of lycra-clad speed freaks pass me at somewhere close to double my pace.

The villages that I go through are just stunning and I have to make

would be like going to Rome and not visiting the Coliseum, so I arrive here fully intent on not missing this opportunity. The last time I visited, I managed to pick the only rainy day for months, so I intend to make good use of the clear, blue skies.

Set on a peninsula near Alcudia, this course has it all: mountains and sea. On that fateful rainy day, I managed to lose a ball in the ravine protecting the green on the first hole. I learnt my lesson and this time play safe by laying up well before.

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Son Gual

For me it’s all about surroundings and the quality of the course, both of which Alcanada has in buckets. A cool breeze coming off the bay is a welcome addition as the temperate hits over thirty degrees Centigrade. The front nine winds its way into the mountain and then back again towards the clubhouse giving me some fantastic views over the bay, especially from the tee on the seventh, a par-5 downhill towards the sea.

CAPDEPERA. A visit to the town and golf course of Capdepera, just twenty minutes east of Alcanada, is well worth the time. This beautiful town is dominated by a castle on the top of a hill with the town cascading down around it. If you have the time, a walk up the cobbled streets to this imposing structure is well worth it.

The golf course is located just a few miles west, with the Serra de Llevant mountains as a picturesque backdrop. It is a well-kept course, pleasant to play and has plenty to test any golfer. The first twelve holes span out across the plain to the front of the clubhouse, while the remaining six take you into the foothills.

The views to the sea in the distance are fantastic and I can just about make out the location of Alcanada. The course may not be as pristine as its contemporary further around the bay, but it is a wonderful course. Yes, the paths are in need of repair, but it is a real joy to play and a must visit if staying at nearby Monnaber.

So, what is the real appeal of Mallorca? Well, it really comes down to what you want from a holiday. But one of the things that I really do love is the fact that this Spanish Isle has a style of its own. Everything is reachable and the road system is good, the courses are not crowded and the villages and countryside are charming. Furthermore, there seems to be something here for everyone.

For a short break or a long holiday, it may be worth remembering that Mallorca, only 1 hour and 50 minutes away, could have exactly what you are looking for.

GGM

GOOD TO KNOW

GOLF POLLENCA. It’s been a whirlwind three days, but there is

still one location that I must check out. Rumour has it that a charming nine hole course has slipped my attention. So it’s with interest that I drive north to visit Golf Pollença near the town of the same name. And what a worthwhile trip it is.

Golf Pollença was opened in 1986 and was originally designed

by José Gancedo. Further work was carried out in 2000 by Michael Pinner from the Nicklaus Group. This small but perfectly formed course fits snugly into its surroundings with panoramic views over the Serra de Tramuntana mountains and the bay of Pollença and Alcudia. With the clubhouse perched above on the hill and the course winding its way into the valley below, this is a hidden gem.

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Golf & the Maginot Line

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T

he channel tunnel is an amazing gateway to Europe, time it right and you can be in Calais before you’ve finished reading your newspaper. And sure enough, within 35 minutes I am out, heading east towards the Ardennes and Sedan on my latest escapade.

I want to visit some golf courses in the region of Champagne and, particularly, around the historic town of Sedan. This an area of outstanding beauty, where a golfer can find peaceful courses set in stunning countryside. But go back 75 years and you will discover the tragedy that unfolded here on the Maginot Line.

TROUBLED PAST. Sedan has a long and somewhat turbulent

history. It was once an independent principality, very much like Luxemburg, and a major player in the region. The castle, standing proudly over the city, bears witness to many centuries of military strength. Although the principality was on the winning side against France in the Battle of La Marfée in 1611, within a short period it was absorbed into its larger neighbour.

During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the French emperor Napoleon III, along with 100,000 French soldiers, was taken prisoner at the Battle of Sedan. The defeat ultimately ended the French Second Empire and saw Napoleon lll go into exile in England.

It’s obvious from standing on the battlements that the castle and city hold a strategically important place in the surrounding area Within, and in fact built into part of the walls, is Le Château Fort Hotel, the perfect location to stay and explore the castle and

town. The hotel is in a section that was once the barracks for Napoleonic soldiers, rather more luxurious now than when it served that purpose I think.

DOMAINE CHATEAU DE FAUCON. However, my hotel for the first night is the Domaine Chateau de Faucon, located just a few minutes away from Sedan. Set within beautiful gardens, this is what coming to France is all about; good food, wine and a beautiful chateau where one can rest after a busy day.

As well as being perfectly located for reaching the course I am playing tomorrow, the Chateau has very impressive riding facilities with stables, training grounds and plenty of space to just saddle up and trot off into the French countryside.

That evening, I dine at the hotel – the food is delicious and, as I always find when dining in France, a joy to behold.

GOLF POURSAUDES. The next day, after a pleasant drive, I arrive at

Golf Poursaudes, a mere 20 km from Chateau de Faucon. I’m playing as part of a four ball with two gentlemen from the tourist board and an American, who is the basketball coach for the local team.

We stroll along to the first tee after some coffee and a chat, looking forward to a relaxing round in a perfect setting. The course sits in rural harmony with farmland on all sides. The sun is shining and it looks to be a perfect day.

The first hole is a par-5 slight dogleg right, nothing too taxing and a great way to start a round. In fact, the first five holes are all

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either par-4s or par-5s, with shots to open fairways. I have brought along my faithful Mantis Putter and it’s proving to be very successful as well as eye catching. In fact, comments are made as to my putting prowess, something that I have never encountered before. This club will definitely be staying in my bag if this is anything to go by; it’s my new secret weapon.

LAW OF AVERAGES. I believe we will all get our quota of awe-in-

spiring shots, it’s just a numbers game. You keep hitting a ball and eventually something amazing will happen, and on the ninth, my latest turn comes. This is a par-4 of 300 metres, with a slight dogleg right. My tee shot lands just in the rough on the left-hand side of the fairway and my second takes me into the rough on the right-hand side, about 80 yards from the hole. I now have to get a shot in between two bunkers and then onto the green.

I pull out my trusty, if slightly battle-scarred 7 iron, with a plan to land the ball short of the green and let it roll on. To my surprise the ball bounces onto the green, proceeds to bounce a few more times and then disappears into the hole to the jubilation of my fellow golfers and my complete disbelief.

Nothing can dampen my spirits now, even if I play like an idiot 72

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for the rest of the day. After our round we retire to the clubhouse for a meal and celebratory drink to toast my shot.

THE MAGINOT LINE. It’s a name that you may remember from your history lessons back at school. The Maginot line was a defensive line of fortifications built by the French after the First World War to prevent any future German attack from overrunning the country. France came out of the Great War severely depleted of men and it was decided that a strong defence would give the country time to rally troops. This line runs across the Ardennes not far from Sedan, so a visit to the nearby fort of La Ferté is a must.

LA FERTÉ. The fort La Ferté sits atop a hill overlooking the villages

of La Ferté and Villy. It’s a prominent position that commands the surrounding area, and along with the other forts and gun placements along the Maginot line, it creates an imposing defence.

The thinking for its construction was based upon First World War experience, in which static lines of defence proved very successful. The line was supposed to extend from Switzerland to the English Channel but due to Belgium’s neutrality, it never reached that far. And this was its failing during the Second World

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War as Germany simply invaded through Belgium and around the line.

La Ferté was built to withstand artillery and aerial bombardment, with the structure reaching a depth of almost 30 metres in places. It consists of two blocks that are joined by a connecting tunnel and each block had antitank guns and machine gun positions.

THE GERMAN ASSAULT. When the Germans did turn their attention to the fort, the onslaught was brutal. Having previously invaded Czechoslovakia, where plans for the Maginot Line had been used to construct another line of defence, the Germans already had details of its construction.

The assault involved concentrated fire on the cloches (nonretractable turrets) with artillery. Even though the metal turrets were too thick to penetrate, it was impossible to stay within the cloches under such intense fire and so the French gunners were forced to descend into the fort. On a signal, the German sappers moved in, placed charges on the turrets, disabled the cloches and threw grenades down into the fort.

The explosions in such a confined space were devastating,

setting off ammunitions and blowing open the doors. The air inside the fort soon became toxic and the defenders were forced to retreat to the lower levels. All 107 defenders eventually succumbed to the fumes and when the Germans entered the fort several weeks later, the suffocated bodies were found in the connecting tunnel.

As you descend into the lower levels and walk through the connecting tunnel, it’s a sobering thought to realise that this was the last refuge of those poor trapped men.

LA CORRERIE. That evening I check into La Correrie, a beautiful

building originally owned by the local monastery but now lovingly restored and run as a gîte by Anne Fraipont and her husband. Set in the rolling hills just south of Sedan, this is the perfect location to get away from it all.

The gîte is built from local stone and the enormous beams give an indication to the age of the building. Nearby are lakes and the wide open countryside just waiting to be explored.

MAGINOT LINE GOLF CLUB. During my stay, I hear of a golf

course that was actually situated on the Maginot Line and had a 73

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casemate (fortified gun emplacement) as a clubhouse. This is something that I must check out.

I arrive to find Cyril, the owner, hard at work. He fills me in on the course’s history, demise and soon to be resurrection. His father built the course many years ago; it was a prime piece of land on the Maginot Line, with its very own gun emplacement.

The fortification was placed in an area with clear sight of the surrounding countryside, thus the course has amazing views.

However, having unsuccessfully attempted to expand the 9-holes by purchasing adjoining land, frustration set in and Cyril’s father abandoned its upkeep.

When his father died, the course passed to Cyril, and thus began the rebirth of the Maginot Line Golf Club. Plans are afoot, the land dispute is almost settled and Cyril intends to not only revive the course, but to bring it to new heights, with a small hotel and the conversion of the gun emplacement into unique accommodation for guests.

After a few glasses of champagne on the 9th hole to toast his father, I leave Cyril to his work – vowing to keep in touch.

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The Ardennes region is overlooked. Many of us drive by to the south on our march towards the Mediterranean, with no idea what treasures lie just over the horizon. With further fantastic courses to be found near Reims and also to the south and west of Sedan, there really is no reason not to visit. And for anyone remotely interested in the history of the wars that ravaged Europe, there is every reason to visit.

GGM

GOOD TO KNOW ­

BC_Moroc GolfMonth 03-14_Layout 1 03/03/2014 10:57 Page 1

Marrakech Luxury Golf in Morocco at the Royal Palm Marrakech

Set on an exclusive estate just ten minutes from the centre of the city, Royal Palm Marrakech is the perfect haven from which to make the most of this amazing destination.

Comfort and relaxation are built into the DNA of this exquisite hotel.

Luxury furnishings abound and every suite has its own spacious

terrace or balcony with views towards the Atlas Mountains.

There are also 12 superb Family Villas which come with their own pools. Delicious cuisine is served in four separate restaurants, there’s a Clarins Spa, tennis courts, squash court and complimentary children’s club for 3 to12 year olds.

For golfers the superb onsite Royal Palm Golf Course is an added treat with special privileges for hotel guests. The Par 72 Golf course is a great challenge for all levels of golfer and the views up towards the Atlas Mountains and extensive practice facilities complete the excellent golf experience.

For more information or to book a holiday to Royal Palm Marrakech call Beachcomber on 01483 445 618 Mauritius • Seychelles • Marrakech • Dubai • Abu Dhabi

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SOUTH AFRICA

s n w a d u Zul : tos Pho

tr oun nC a b Dur

ir d, Fa eyon B & ub, y Cl

lf Estate astal Go rant Co G s ' e Princ er and Lame n a S , sor ts & Re tels o H t mon

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ew destinations I have visited stir the soul more than KwaZulu-Natal.

The size of Portugal, this South African province encompasses some of the country’s best wildlife viewing both on land and under water. It also offers spectacular landscapes, wonderful beaches, cosmopolitan Durban, the trappings of its colonial past and the rich culture and heritage of its proud Zulu people.

The Zulus were the only native people to inflict defeat on the British Empire. An entire garrison of more than 1,000 redcoats were overwhelmed and annihilated by 20,000 spear and shield wielding, chanting Zulu warriors at Isandlwana. Yet its name has been lost in history compared with Rorke’s Drift.

Just 10 miles away, it was where 139 British soldiers holed up in a tiny, fortified mission camp and held off thousands of Zulu attackers for 12 hours until relief arrived. Their courage earned 11 Victoria Cross medals, the most for any single battle in history, and inspired the 1964 blockbuster movie Zulu. Three VCs were awarded for Isandlwana, which was the basis for the follow-up flop, Zulu Dawn.

BATTLEFIELDS. On a visit to KwaZulu-Natal, or KZN as it is

known, several years ago I visited both battlefield sites. At Isandlwana, a guide vividly retold the events of 1879 as I sat on a hillside overlooking a sweeping plain and craggy hill dotted with clusters of white stone cairns and monuments, each marking where groups of soldiers had been cut down.

Fast forward to this year and I have returned to KZN to play some of its best golf courses, travelling down its entire coast from the Elephant Coast neighbouring Mozambique to its southern border with Eastern Cape province.

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Before hitting the fairways, I enjoyed some magical wildlife moments in two game parks. First stop was Phinda Private Game Reserve, reached after a three-hour transfer north from Durban airport. Covering nearly 57,000 acres and established in 1991 with help from the Getty family, who still own land and have a house there, it’s run by luxury safari company &Beyond, which has six lodges in the reserve.

Arriving in the rain at the intimate Rock Lodge, there was just time to dump my bags in my suite before joining a safari drive with a couple from Durban decked out in heavyweight ponchos.

THE BIG FIVE. Previously derelict farmland, Phinda (meaning

‘The Return’ in Zulu) is now a huge conservation success that boasts a wealth of wildlife including the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) and helps sustain South Africa’s beleaguered white rhino population by exporting surplus animals to parks where poaching has taken its toll. A close relationship with neighbouring communities, who watch out for suspicious activity, means it has suffered few losses itself in recent years.

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Having glimpsed a pair of rhinos on the opposite hillside, we then came across a mother and young calf framed by a double rainbow as the setting sun briefly appeared to turn the cloud-filled sky deep orange and silhouette vultures skulking in trees.

In all, we saw eight white rhinos on that safari, besides a host of other animals. Among the highlights were cheetahs and leopards, including a large male leopard. Despite the dark, our driver/guide Ricci followed the leopard off-road through the bush to give us amazing close-up views. In state-run safari parks, vehicles must stick to roads and designated tracks.

DAWN SAFARI. A hot bubble bath awaited me in my suite before dinner in the lodge, but sadly there was no time for a dip in my private plunge pool on the deck before taking a final, dawn safari drive and checking out the next morning.

That drive yielded more rhinos, elephants, lions, giraffe and a rare bonus – two wild dogs that had strayed in from outside the reserve.

A short drive later and I was in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its hippos. Cruise its lake on a pontoon boat to get up close and personal with families of them wallowing in the shallows, punctuated by occasional violent squabbles. In the gateway town of St Lucia, they often roam the streets at night and signs warn visitors not to approach them.

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On a safari drive of the park, we saw a family of warthogs and other park residents, but its two black rhinos evaded us, as did a leopard seen on the shore by another boat while on the cruise.

From St Lucia, whale-watching tours head into the Indian Ocean and diving excursions visit Sodwana Bay for its beautiful coral reefs thronging with colourful tropical fish and the chance to encounter the majestic whale shark.

A TOUCH OF GOLF. My first taste of golf was at Prince’s Grant,

a former sugar cane plantation set on ridges overlooking the Indian Ocean close to the grave of revered Zulu chief King Shaka.

Having enjoyed a restful night in the 15-room, colonial-style lodge, keeping doors and windows closed to keep out inquisitive vervet monkeys, I joined club captain Peter Laverick and Golf KwaZulu-Natal director Mike McNamara for a round on the delightful course.

Several holes offer tantalising glimpses of the adjacent ocean before the par 4 15th serves up panoramic views over the beach and ocean from the tee box where you hit your drive to a fairway far below.

A 30-minute drive north of Durban, the sumptuous Fairmont Zimbali Lodge incorporates the Zimbali Country Club and its challenging Tom Weiskopf-designed course. Although on a residential estate, the course has a very natural feel with fairways

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and greens carved out of dense jungle and testing tee shots over jungle vegetation on some holes.

Flocks of hadeda ibis, so-named for their raucous “haa-haahar-de-dah” call, followed us round, waiting until my downswing or after I duffed a shot before starting their taunting laughs. I was tempted more than once to kill a mocking bird…

DUEBAN COUNTRY CLUB. The resort town of Umhlanga was my base while I explored nearby Durban and its environs after picking up a rental car. At the five-star Beverly Hills Hotel, my corner suite looked out over the rocky shore and pounding surf and directly down onto Umhlanga’s red and white lighthouse. From my balcony, I could see the coast sweep around to Durban.

Durban Country Club’s course starts and ends by its historic clubhouse, overshadowed by the adjacent ultra-modern Moses Mabhida Stadium where seven games of the football World Cup were staged in 2010 to the accompaniment of mind-numbingly loud vuvuzela horns.

The undulating fairways, bounded on the other side by the sea and coastal highway, are narrow. Thankfully, they’re more manageable than on my previous visit after the club cut back bushes and trees lining every hole. Bring your putting A-game, though, as the tricky swales and aprons of its greens can ruin your score.

TROPICAL GARDEN. Nearby sister course Beachwood is also right

by the coast. Many of its holes are edged by protected wetlands and despite its proximity to Durban you feel like you are playing in a giant tropical garden. A mongoose even ran across one tee in front of me.

Venturing in to Durban to eat at night, I enjoyed an amazing steak at vibrant Morningside district restaurant, Butcher Boys. For a more unusual dining experience, the Cargo Hold restaurant is in a mock ship in Durban’s uShaka Marine World aquarium. Get a table right by its vast glass walls and menacing sharks unnervingly eye you up as they glide by just the other side of the glass.

COTSWOLD DOWNS. A 20-minute drive inland from Durban

brings you to Cotswold Downs Golf Club. This grand Peter Matkovich design has hosted the World Amateur Golf Championship and is set in an upmarket residential estate, laid out over hilly terrain giving glorious views to Durban and the ocean as well as several breath-taking tee shots from on high.

Abundant birdlife includes the sight of huge African crowned eagles on the wing overhead. Cotswold Hills is close to the Valley of a Thousand Hills, a stunning landscape of hills, cliffs and valleys where Phezulu Safari Park offers scenic game drives through a private reserve and a cliff-top cultural village with traditional

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beehive-shaped thatched huts and energetic Zulu dancing shows.

Overnight was at the nearby Makaranga Garden Lodge, a homely resort set in luxuriant, sculpture-filled botanical gardens with private balconies to relax on while listening to the prolific birds. There’s also a spa to ease aching muscles.

WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES. In KZN’s South Coast region,

Selborne Park Golf Club is a beautiful course with fairways that snake through coastal forest. A former dairy farm, it was designed by the farmer and tests all skill levels but rewards you with birdieable holes and pretty vistas. Watch your step if you venture into the rough to find your ball here and on other KZN courses; a groundsman was bitten by a venomous green mamba snake at Selborne shortly before my visit.

I stayed at Selborne’s on-site hotel, but a nearby alternative is the luxurious Botha House guesthouse, a Cape Dutch-style homestead built in 1920 by South Africa’s first prime minister, General Louis Botha, as a ‘beach cottage’ for his wife with accommodation in four elegant rooms. The house stands alongside Umdoni Park Golf Club.

An unheralded golfing gem, once the exclusive preserve of South Africa’s ruling white politicians, Umdoni’s front nine is laid out around the white-fronted clubhouse, giving wonderful views of the ocean beyond a derelict windmill. Meanwhile, its back nine weaves through the pristine coastal forest of Umdoni Park and teems with birds and animals. What it lacks in length it more than makes up for in the wow factor on almost every hole.

For another challenge with a different wow factor, certified divers can enjoy cage diving with ragged-tooth sharks and tiger sharks at the nearby Aliwal Shoal.

CASINO GOLF. An hour by road south took me just over a bridge forming the provincial border with the Eastern Cape, where I played the Wild Coast Sun golf course. Part of a lavish Sun International casino resort, this Robert Trent Jones Jr design starts off gently then bares its fangs on the par 5 12th hole, named Green Mamba, where you drive from a lofty tee box over a lake to a diagonal fairway. I bit off more than I could chew with the angle I took as my ball dropped short into the lake. At least on the signature, par 3 13th hole I made it across a ravine and waterfall to the green.

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AMAZING WILDLIFE. Back in KZN, my final destination was San Lameer, a beachside residential community and resort with a revamped Peter Matkovich course laced by streams and ponds.

Among memorable holes are the downhill par 4 10th, with the resort logo behind the green, and several where encroaching water makes finding the fairway fiendishly difficult. But my lasting memory is of its wildlife. Situated in a conservation area, herds of impala, duiker, reedbuck and bushbuck roam freely through the resort, often on the course itself as during my round, while above the fairways an African crowned eagle soared gracefully over the treetops from its nest.

There is excellent golf away from the coast too, with courses including Champagne Sports Resort in the foothills of the stunning Drakensberg Mountains, a course I played before. But they will have to wait until I return.

GGM

GOOD TO KNOW ­

Prosjekt1_Layout 1 14.04.15 11.38 Side 1

Fife’s great golf courses have a new 19th hole. Enjoy a visit to Fife’s newest whisky distillery near St Andrews.

TOURS CAFÉ SHOP Call 01333 451300 to book or visit www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com East Newhall Farm, Kingsbarns, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8QE

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GREAT AUDIO

FOR THE LOVE OF SOUND

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tems s y s o i e aud m o h ng -winni d r a w a

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t was one man’s passion for sound that in 1969 led to the creation of Naim Audio. The late Julian Vereker, whose love of music and everything technical, took him on a journey from building and racing cars to building some of today’s most acclaimed audio systems.

After retiring from motor racing, something that culminated in two championship wins, he first decided to concentrate on his interests in making films and putting his talent for mechanics to good use, and so "Naim Audio Visual" was born.

I

SOUND QUALITY. The first product was a sound-to-light unit, which was hired out for use in film production. But it was Julian’s

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passion for music and how to create the perfect recording that really got his creative juices flowing. He started out recording live performances by friends at home, but was unhappy with the quality of the sound and so he experimented with building mixing desks, which in turn were sold to recording studios, as well as the BBC. After trying different combinations, he decided that the only way he would achieve the result he was after, was to designed and make his own amplifier.

The first Naim power amplifiers were sold in 1971 and for a time Julian was making and selling them on an ad hoc basis, but in 1973 he got a contract to supply loudspeakers to Capital Radio, where he design a combined compact versions of the Naim power

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amplifier together with speaker drive units in one cabinet. This was the real beginning for Naim and Naim Audio Ltd was incorporated in July 1973 with Julian and his co-director Shirley Clarke at the helm.

them firmly on the map and today Naim distributes to over 40 countries. Their products span the whole audio system chain, from CD players and digital media players through to amplifiers, loudspeakers and equipment support systems.

ROYAL STAMP OF APPROVAL. Naimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business went from strength to strength throughout the 1970s, and their reputation for quality soon became world renowned. In 1985 Naim proudly won the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Award for Export Achievement, one of numerous trade awards won in this period.

Their products and publicity campaigns, which had a highly original, often tongue-in-cheek advertising style, helped to place

BENTLEY. In February 2008, Naim Audio announced an exclusive partnership with Bentley Motors, introducing a market leading high-end audio system designed exclusively for the luxury car brand. The aim was to truly capture all the passion of live music and a quality of sound worthy of such iconic cars. With the new Naim for Bentley, they wanted to create an audio system that delivered dynamic equalisation that responded to the road speed

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GREAT AUDIO

and the internal space, minimising external noise distortion and ensuring the musical experience remained constant.

GOING DIGITAL. Naim has made sure they keep up with the times,

moving into audio streaming and multi-room, as well as introducing the award-winning NaimUniti, an all-in-one audio player in 2009. The success of the Uniti range, paved the way for Naim's first step into the mainstream audio market with Mu-so, which launched in 2014. This is the brands first wireless music system, and it has picked up prestigious awards galore.

As well as launching Mu-so, Naim introduced its ultimate amplification system, Statement. This is the pinnacle of Naim’s engineering prowess and took the company ten years to design. It takes a dedicated team of ten engineers three weeks to build each complete Statement system, something that speaks loudly for the quality of the final product.

FOLLOW THE STREAM. The explosion of digital music streaming

represented new challenges for Naim’s engineers, but after years of research they felt they’d cracked the nut and introduced an entirely new range of ground-breaking digital products.

To achieve this Naim pioneered several new innovations in digital signal processing, including its unique digital filtering, clocking and de-jittering techniques to offer the convenience of music streaming with superb sound quality.

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resolution streaming of audio files from network-attached storage, like Spotify Connect, Bluetooth and internet radio. Multiple digital inputs and multiroom capability, enables you to stream in perfect sync in up to five rooms and control is handled via Naim’s custom-designed app for iOS and Android devices.

NO STONE UNTURNED. With a fanatical attention to detail, Naim

has stayed at the forefront of home audio for forty years, researching and introducing technological innovations and always striving to achieve the ultimate sound quality.

But Naim Audio’s passion for music doesn’t stop there, it has also taken them to the source of the sound itself through their record company, Naim Label. For fifteen years they have been recording artists, championing everything from alternative rock to Beethoven symphonies. Its multi-award winning roster of critically acclaimed artists includes Sons of Kemet, winners of the 2013 MOBO for Best Jazz Act and Huey and the New Yorkers, the debut solo project from provocative Fun Lovin’ Criminals front man, Huey Morgan.

There is also Naim Radio, an internet radio station which broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and showcases the best of the Naim Label catalogue.

Whatever Naim puts its hand to, it’s the love of music and the passion for quality that is the driving force, something that has led to over forty years of pure excellence.

GGM

Project1_Layout 1 03/07/2015 11:27 Page 1

THREE STARTERS THREE MAIN COURSES With three of the finest championship golf courses in Scotland, we generate a lot of arguments.

Which is the best course? Which is the most beautiful? Which one should we play now?

You could ask our Starters for their professional opinion. With over sixty years experience between them, they know Gleneagles inside out, and will happily pick the right course for you.

Just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect them all to pick the same one.

"BEST GOLF RESORT IN THE WORLD" DAILY TELEGRAPH ULTRA TRAVEL AWARDS 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015 To plan your visit please call +44 (0)1764 662231

The Gleneagles Hotel resort.sales@gleneagles.com

www.gleneagles.com

The GLENEAGLES word and the EAGLE Device are trade marks.

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FASHION

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uxury goods are often synonymous with London. The streets may not be lined with gold, but many are overflowing with designer stores offering high-end products that make shopaholics salivate. These pockets of opulent consumption are havens for oligarchs and WAGs. However, greatness, of course, is not merely the preserve of London W1 or SW3, it can be found in provincial cities. Manchester, once famed for its dominance of the music scene during the late 1980s and early 1990s, is my city and it has a lot to offer.

It was whilst thumbing some back issues of Great Golf Magazine and reading previous articles about Savile Row that I was suddenly struck by a glaring oversight. I have never spoken of my own tailor, Richard Smith Bespoke. It now seems ridiculous that despite writing about luxurious products for this magazine for several years, I have not talked about the man who creates some

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of my favourite made-to-measure shirts, suits and jackets.

Sometimes, when excellence is placed in our midst, we take it for granted and perhaps that is the case with Richard Smith. The Mancunian is an exemplar of professional success, but has lost none of his hands-on skills; chatting to clients with pins in hand while ensuring the optimal fit for his eye-catching creations.

INSPIRED BY GRANDAD. In what seems like a very traditional career, it is perhaps surprising that Smith decided to pursue a profession in fine tailoring. “I always said I wanted to wear a suit everyday when I was young,” Smith explains. “My inspiration is my grandad. He worked in a tailors and always exhibits a smart appearance.”

I have seen Smith on numerous occasions – both in his boutique and away from work – he has never sported a shabby pair of jeans or looked anything other than sartorially splendid.

Indeed, I am reminded of the sailing expression: ‘You can tell a

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man by the cut of his jib’. Clearly, Richard’s jib is sharp, brightly patterned and always exhibits stylish prowess. This is a gentleman who ‘walks the talk’.

A ‘STICKER BOY’. Smith’s professional career started at the tender age of 16, working as a Christmas temp at the local Armani store.

“I started as the ‘sticker boy’ and worked my way up,” says Smith.

“I worked on ‘Collezioni’ and ultimately ended up working on made-to-measure.”

It was whilst working at Armani that he studied at Manchester Metropolitan University, taking a degree in Design and Art. “I chose this degree rather than fashion because I knew then that all I wanted to do was work on suits.”

After graduating from university, Smith continued to work at Armani before taking the bold step to establish his own business, aged only 24 years. He cites his parents, Pete and Yvette, as

instrumental to his success. When he could not drive, they would often chauffeur him to appointments. His mother has also proved a consummate bookkeeper, ensuring the debit and credit entries in the cashbook always reconciled.

Today, Richard Smith Bespoke is a flourishing business and its eponymous figurehead is an exemplar of ambition. He plans to expand, looking for additional premises to complement his existing boutique in Manchester city centre. However, despite being driven, he has lost none of his down to earth demeanour, which has engendered huge loyalty among his faithful clientele.

CLEAN, SHARP ANGLES. So what is the house style? “Our look

is about clean, sharp angles. We offer ‘classic British tailoring’ but we also infuse our suits with a notable air of fashion, which especially appeals to our younger clientele,” Smith explains.

On hearing the word ‘fashion’, I challenge the tailor, quoting

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Oscar Wilde: “A fashion is merely a form of ugliness so absolutely unbearable that we have to alter it every six months!”

Clearly, these garments are imbued with longevity and exhibit a lasting eye-appeal, which usurps the mere notion of fashion. Smith ponders my remarks and agrees, pointing out the distilled details of each suit and its protracted creation. A Richard Smith Bespoke suit, contrary to many high street clothes, is made to provide years of faithful service. There is nothing intrinsically obsolete about these suits; they are the very anthesis of disposable fashion.

important moments in his life.

The ultimate expression of luxury is ‘bespoke’ – where a unique pattern is created for the client, taking into account every subtle nuance of their torso, in order to achieve the absolute no-compromise fit. Traditional rope shoulders are partnered with Smith’s own flourishes of avant-garde detail. Examples of this individuality include a buttonhole sporting a soupçon of colour to evince an ebullient twist or a lining exhibiting a vivid tone, conferring a contradistinction to an otherwise classical form.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH. There is something disarming

FABRIC FLAIR. Another aspect of Smith’s tailoring is

his brave use of checks and tartans, judiciously selected and always exhibiting stylish poise. I cannot fail to notice the wonderful suit he is wearing at our meeting and learn it is made of Dormeuil. The vibrant blue hues and distinctive check exude modernity and reveal an individuality seldom seen elsewhere.

We sit down, share a well-earned Scotch, and discuss potential cloths for my next bespoke suit. Richard clearly has a love for fabrics, pawing exquisite materials which are wonderfully tactile. Many of the finest examples of cloth are made over the Pennines in Huddersfield. However, Harris Tweed has enjoyed a renaissance of late and those with limitless means may be tempted to choose Vicuña, one of the world’s rarest fabrics.

about Smith’s approach to fine tailoring. Despite his matchless creations exhibiting a notable degree of formality and his professionalism manifest with every deliberate action he takes, he sometimes, dare I say, appears casual. This is not a criticism, but rather a compliment, because his friendly interaction with clients encourages the body to relax and adopt a natural attitude, resulting in clothes appearing at one with the wearer. It is this charming approach to customer service that defines Richard’s brand of tailoring, suffused with northern soul.

GGM http://richardsmithbespoke.co.uk/

FEELING SPECIAL. Made-to-measure two-piece and

three-piece suits, trousers, jackets and shirts all prove popular with discerning clients seeking the perfect tailored ensemble.

In some cases, a special outfit is needed for that special day and Smith is frequently entrusted to attire the groom and his entourage for one of the most

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d discuss Scotch, an well-earnedoke suit. a e ar sh n, We sit dow oths for my next besp potential cl

ASSEGAI & JAVELIN 150505017

KwaZulu-Natal, an Exceptional World of Golf and more.

KwaZulu-Natal offers brilliantly designed golf courses in beautiful settings and wonderfully astounding surroundings that often leave visitors with an overabundance of leisure activities to pursue at the end of a scheduled golf tour.

A province where you could climb a mountain for breakfast, go on safari at lunch, surf a wave for light supper, closing with a night on the town for dessert.

A favoured destination for the discerning traveller, spanning two World Heritage Sites - the uKhahlamba Drakensberg mountain range inland and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park towards the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, with an amazing coastline and beach shoreline teasing to the wondrous South Coast. When considering that all these places are under just two hours traveltime from the airport and CBD, you know that your golf downtime will always be exceptionally spent in the Zulu Kingdom.

Tourist Junction Building: +27 (0) 31 366 7500, Fax: +27 (0) 31 305 6693, Airport Office: +27 (0) 32 436 0013, V&A Cape Town Office: +27 (0) 21 418 1684, Gauteng Airport Office: +27 (0) 11 390 1000, Customer Care: 0860 101 099 uShaka Marine World: +27 (0) 31 337 8099, Email: info@zulu.org.za

www.zulu.org.za

Products_St Enodoc 22.07.15 12.25 Side 1

GREAT GOLF PRO SHOP www.greatgolfproshop.com

Sunice Since the beginnings in 1891, when the very first piece of knitwear came off the looms in Lanark, Scotland, Glenmuir has committed itself to creating golfwear with impeccable care, skill and dedication to the craft. Their inspiration, both then and today, is to instil each piece of their expertly crafted golfwear with something of the essence of golf; traditional but forward-thinking, perfectly balanced, elegant and of course, Scottish to the core.

To this day, Glenmuir remains a family-run business dedicated to producing the finest golfwear. They are proud to say that their clothing has been worn by champions at Augusta, winners of the Claret Jug, gladiators of the Ryder Cup and on the world’s leading courses; but they are equally proud to see Glenmuir clothing at local clubs, dressing beginners and professionals alike, of every level and generation, all coming together for the love of the game.

Sunice Established in 1976, Sunice is the result of a meeting between a clothing designer and a manufacturer of police and firefighters’ uniforms. By applying the quality and protection aspects of the uniforms to insulated outerwear, Sunice developed performance wear of unprecedented quality for outdoor enthusiasts.

In 1992, Sunice introduced a golf outerwear line founded on the same philosophy of quality and protection with garments that are consistently windproof, breathable, featherweight and durable.

Sunice Silver Collection - Dalia - Ladies Golf Polo Shirt Featuring Perforated panels across shoulders.

3-button placket and princess seams in contrast trim.

Self-collar, classic fit and straight hem.

Soft touch tonal silver lined fabric UPF rating 20+ Fabric: 97% Polyester / 3% X-static® Flow-Dry fabric - keeps you cool when it's hot; warm when it's cool Anti-odor, Anti-stati, Anti-microbial fabric Comes in Pure White / Lotus Flower and Diva Pink / Pure White £39.99 Sunice Silver Collection - Harris - Men's Asymmetric Polo Shirt The Sunice Harris Polo is part of the Sunice Silver collection which features X-Static®, the most technically advanced fabric used in golf shirts today. The X-Static® technology takes advantage of the many benefits of silver by permanently bonding the precious metal directly to the surface of the textile fibers and has been used by NASA, U.S. Special Ops, and Olympic Athletes. Among the most important of the benefits for you, the golfer is thermodynamics which enhances your body's natural actions by accelerating heat transfer through the fabric to cool your body in warmer weather. The silver also has anti-microbial characteristics which will prevent the growth of odour causing bacteria.

UPF rating of 20+ Comes in Pure White / Collegiate and Charcoal / Citron £49.99 www.greatgolfproshop.com

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Glenmuir - Ladies Performance Lightweight Stretch Golf Capri Pants 89% polyamide 11% elastane.

Lightweight technical performance golf stretch capri pants with two front pockets, coin pocket and two zipped back pockets.

Diamante button and stud detail. Moisture wicking, breathable and quick dry athletic capri trousers.

Elegant Glenmuir lady icon embroidery on coin pocket. £63.25 Glenmuir - Mens Contrast Piping Golf Cap 100% cotton twill cap Contrast detail on peak and back buckle adjuster.

Glenmuir 1891 embroidery on right side.

Ideal combination of comfort and performance. £13.95

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GREAT GOLF PRO SHOP www.greatgolfproshop.com

Golfers Wine

Zepp

If you are as passionate about wine as you are about golf, then you are not alone. It appears that many Golf Champions feel the same way and so we bring you Golfers Wine.

You will know all of our featured wine producers from the TV coverage of their on-course expertise. We are now pleased to invite you to enjoy their wine expertise.

There is no better way to be close to your golfing hero than to taste, share and saviour the wines they have created.

Whether you are a golf club looking for that perfect 19th hole drink to delight your members, a golf society looking for that perfect prize, or looking for a gift for that loved golfer in your life, Golfers Wines is here for you.

If you would like to enjoy an Arnold Palmer Cabernet Sauvignon, or an Ernie Els Sauvignon Blanc, Retief Goosen Shiraz, or a Jack Nicklaus Private Reserve, then go to the 19th Hole in the Great Golf ProShop. www.greatgolfproshop.com

Zepp, the leader in sports performance technology, announces the UK availability of the world’s first app-powered multi-sport training platform for golf and tennis. The Zepp training system captures performance data by combining a 3D sensor, sport specific equipment mounts and mobile apps. Zepp consulted with professional players and coaches to develop the sensor and apps, including those from the PGA TOUR. The UK launch coincides with the debut of a new free Zepp Golf app that offers exclusive content and access to video analysis features, allowing players to analyse and compare swings to the world’s best professional golf athletes. The app provides a detailed analysis of the pros’ swings, complete with specific training tips and drills. When paired with the Zepp multi-sport sensor the app delivers a powerful 3D training platform.

ZEPP MULTI-SPORT SENSOR The Zepp 3D motion sensor is extremely small, at 1-inch square, less than half an inch thick and weighing just 6.3 grams, so it never impedes performance. Constructed of a rugged rubber exterior and shock-resistant core, the sensor is also extremely durable to withstand all types of abuse on the golf course or tennis court. Each sensor contains a powerful ARM processor, multiple motion sensors, storage for up to 2,000 swings and up to eight hours of battery life. Using innovative sport-specific mounts, the Zepp sensor easily attaches to any tennis racket or golf glove. It captures 1,000 data points per second and transfers all of this data to a user’s smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth.

Price £199.99 www.greatgolfproshop.com

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O F F I C I A L AC C E S S O R I E S S U P P L I E R TO T H E P G A E U R O P R O T O U R 2 0 1 4

BUILD BRAND VALUE EVENTS • CLUBS • SOCIETIES

10 0 % B r iti s h M a d e • L i f e ti m e g ua r a nte e w w w.g ro ov e f i x .co m • 0 2 0 8 24 0 0 527

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SPA

The big CHILL YOU WANT TO PLAY GOLF;

By: Dena Roché, photo One&Only Resorts

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a

n escape from the hustle and bustle of life and some proper pampering. And where better to be spoilt rotten than some truly stunning locations off the Indian Ocean?

This was a spa trip to remember. After a seemingly endless flight to Cape Town, my first stop was the One & Only resort, home to Africa’s most award-winning spa. I knew the experience was going to be good when I saw that the spa had its own private island in the hotel grounds.

“Crossing the bridge is a feng shui element that is about leaving the past and your problems behind,” explains spa director, Kim Milton. At that point, all I wanted to leave behind was the jet lag… and this was soon achieved.

The ESPA spa treatments aim to help you to ‘unwind, elevate and restore’, so the first thing I do for the therapist is smell different massage oils. The theory is that your body knows what it needs, so it’s no surprise that my nose sniffs out the restore oil.

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SWEDISH STYLE. All of the restore treatments are designed to

FIVE-STAR HOTEL. The One & Only is one of just a handful of

stimulate your circulatory and lymph systems to detox. Perfect – anything to get the airplane ickies out of me. In the state I was in, I relished a relaxing Swedish-style massage and sure enough, I fell asleep straightaway.

For a more indigenous service, try the signature ‘essence of earth and ocean’ journey. Local sea salts exfoliate, local Baobab Tree Oil soothes and a re-mineralizing South African seaweed wrap completes the experience.

After your treatments wander around the spa gardens, which are landscaped with beautiful foliage and sculptures from African artists. I just wished my schedule allowed for a class in the outdoor yoga pavilion.

five-star hotels in the city located at the waterfront. The hotel claims the biggest standard rooms in Africa, but if you want to go all out, the presidential suite wows with its own fitness room and set-up for in-suite massage services.

The hotel is washed in the muted browns and rusty reds I associate with Africa, and local artists are featured throughout. While Cape Town doesn’t hurt for good eats, my favorite spot is Nobu in the hotel. Thanks to the good exchange rate, courses of Japanese delicacies and sushi cost less than other Nobus around the world.

FINE WINE. I’m a big believer that wine is a wellness beverage

(stop laughing) so I spend one day of my trip tasting my way

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SPA

through the scenic Winelands. South Africa’s wine history dates back to the 1600s, but it wasn’t until the end of Apartheid that the world began to take note.

For sheer beauty, coupled with excellent food and wine, head to the Delaire Graff Estate in the Stellenbosch wine region. The owners, of Graff diamond fame, spent over 50 million rand upgrading the property, and it shows. I sample a Chenin Blanc and an award-winning Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc over a leisurely lunch on the patio overlooking the vineyards.

After lunch I head to Waterford Estates for a quick tour of the winery and to sample the Old World-styled wines of awardwinning wine maker Kevin Arnold.

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WORTH A CLIMB. To work off the wine, the following day I rise early to scale Lion’s Head. Don’t be fooled by websites that say it’s an easy stroll. At 669 metres, the view from the top is (almost) worth the climb that includes chains, handholds and ladders.

If you’re looking for more adventures, One & Only partners with Chris Bertish, winner of the 2010 Mavericks Surf Contest, to teach surfing and stand-up paddle boarding. Having had enough physical challenge for one day, however, I opt for a drive to Cape Point. We view the city’s famous beach towns like upscale Camps Bay and Clifton on the way to the Cape of Good Hope.

Since Africa is safari, you must take a day to see ‘The Big Five’ at Fairy Glen Private Game Reserve. This sanctuary is malaria-

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free and only an hour out of Cape Town, with a pick-up service from the One & Only.

MAURITIUS. All too soon my getaway to South Africa is over, but

instead of heading home, it’s time for some island breezes on Mauritius. Located about 2,000 km from South Africa, Mauritius is a mix of French, Indian and Southeast Asia cultures. While the island has stunning golf courses, historical attractions, lush foliage and diverse wildlife (the infamous Dodo bird hailed from Mauritius), it’s the gorgeous crystal blue waters and sandy beaches that are the main draws.

There are a host of five-star resorts, but after my experience in South Africa, I stick with the One & Only and check into the Le Saint Geran, located on a private peninsula on the northeast coast.

My butler escorts me to the room and offers to press my dress for dinner at the resort’s new Indian Pavilion. I could get used to this.

All suites and villas have water views and my room overlooks the cove. In addition to my own patio, there is a hammock just steps away from my door. Bliss – perfect to help a Type A person like me adjust to island time.

ACTIVITIES APLENTY. As well as a picturesque Gary Player 9-hole

course, there’s a useful Golf Academy available to guests. The academy offers everything from beginners’ tips to intensive training for those looking to fine-tune their skills.

The hotel also takes full advantage of its location, with a robust amount of complimentary activities for guests. These include waterskiing, paddle boarding, water bikes, kayaks, boat trips and boats to take out on your own. And yes, waterski lessons are available.

The current was strong when I was there so I opted for kayaking, which proved to be quite a workout as I paddled into the head wind.

With my muscles now aching, it was time to head to the spa.

No matter what treatment you choose, you must have it done in Garden Spa Pavilion. A short walk through a lush garden takes you to an outdoor oasis that is suspended over a stream. The water and sounds of nature add to the relaxation. This time my body is screaming for deep tissue work and Vinesh delivers, giving me one of the best sports massages I’ve had in ages.

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Afterwards, I relax in the lounge with a glass of restore water, featuring fresh ginger, lemon and local honey. I admit I kept sneaking into the spa throughout my stay to get more. It was also a good excuse to enjoy the spa’s reflecting pool and its pictureperfect ocean view.

FLACQ MARKET. With so many activities at the resort, I’m sorry to say I didn’t see enough of the island, but one of my favourite things was the Flacq Market, about 20 minutes from the hotel.

Here the Indian flavour of Mauritius was in full force with gorgeous saris, brightly coloured and jewelled textiles, and some wonderfully spicy Indian street food. The prices made me want to stock up, but knowing I only had carry-on luggage helped curb the latent shopaholic in me.

WINE AND TAPAS. The best meal I had on the island is at the

resort’s Prime restaurant. Before dinner I participate in the weekly wine and tapas class, led by Prime’s executive chef and the head sommelier. What made this interesting was that two different tastes were paired with the same wine to show how food changes the flavour and expression of the wine.

For both the class and the dinner, my group stuck to South African wines and we all agreed that the bottles chosen were our favorite wines of the trip. From the unusual white pinot noir from Limelight Vineyards, to a shiraz/cab blend from last year’s winemaker of the year at Kloof Street, I was in heaven. Not surprisingly, the wines paired perfectly with a menu that featured a chilled mushroom soup, white fish tartare and either seared scallops or a beef dish.

After a week of being spa-ah-ed, and wined and dined, with a few outdoor activities to work off the indulgences, it was time to say goodbye to my time on the shores of the Indian Ocean and take the long flight home. Upon landing, I think I need some more spa time to recover!

GGM GETTING THERE: South African Airlines offers direct service from London www.flysaa.com/gb/en/ HOTELS: One & Only Cape Town. One & Only Le Saint Geran www.oneandonlyresorts.com

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SAVOY GRILL, LONDON

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THE SAVOY

experience

By Chrissie Walker, photos Savoy, Chrissie Walker and the Savoy Archives

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SAVOY GRILL, LONDON

he Savoy Hotel is a luxury establishment in central London. Even its location has history: Strand, more commonly called The Strand, starts at Trafalgar Square in the west and finishes in the City at Temple Bar in the east. The street takes its name from the old-English word â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;strandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, meaning shore. Initially, it referred to the bank of the River Thames, which was much wider before the construction of the Victoria Embankment.

The hotel was built by impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte, who

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made his money from his association with such Victorian celebrities as W S Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. It was they who penned the comic operas The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado.

D'Oyly Carte also built the Savoy Theatre in 1881 to present these works, which came to be known as the Savoy Operas.

ELECTRIC DREAMS. Opening its doors in August 1889, it was the forerunner in the Savoy empire of hotels and restaurants that have been owned by the D'Oyly Carte family for more than a century.

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Loving luxury, it was the first hotel in Britain to introduce electric lights and elevators. There were even bathrooms in most of the rooms, which was unusual in the 1800s (both in houses and hotels).

D'Oyly Carte employed César Ritz, who had opened the successful Maison de la Conversation restaurant in Germany with Auguste Escoffier. The two were invited to London to become the manager and chef of the new Savoy. César later successfully opened his own establishment – The Ritz, of course. Meanwhile, French chef Escoffier became famous for his ‘fine dining’

techniques and is known as the original ‘master chef’. That ethos of striving to be the best continues today at the Savoy Grill.

ROYALTY AND CELEBRITIES. The great and the good have dined here. George Gershwin, Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne and Noël Coward, Laurence Olivier and even The Beatles have crossed its portals. Winston Churchill loved the place and he often took his cabinet to lunch there. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was also a frequent visitor. The food, ambiance and discreet yet 111

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SAVOY GRILL, LONDON

attentive service have given the restaurant the highest of reputations.

SENSE OF STYLE. Designer Russell Sage has now refurbished the

Savoy Grill. Taking his inspiration from the restaurant’s halcyon days during the 1920s, he has thoughtfully restored the Art Deco features. There are generously spaced tables as well as cosy semicircular booths. Deep red marble effect walls and mirrors reflect light from huge chandeliers. Black-upholstered chairs contrast crisp white linen in the main dining room.

There is a private dining room for up to 40 guests and a Chef’s Table in the kitchen, which seats up to eight people, providing a grandstand view of chefs and flashing knives as dinner is prepared.

NEW HEAD CHEF. The Savoy Grill has recently appointed a new, female, head chef – the first one since the restaurant opened. She already has an historic association with the restaurant, though: she is an Honorary Dame d’Escoffier. Head Chef Kim Woodward has worked for The Gordon Ramsay Group (which runs the Grill) for many years and is now dedicated to maintaining the classic dishes while introducing a little innovation and seasonal inspiration.

tempts the diner with lamb and pork, and includes traditional steak and kidney pie. Just as traditional is the Sunday roast rib of beef, served with the indispensable Yorkshire pudding. There are succulent steaks aplenty and a good wine list to accompany them.

SEASONAL TREAT. My lunch companion never misses a chance to enjoy asparagus – it’s a seasonal treat and that season is short.

Savoy Grill presents a substantial plateful and all topped with a fried egg. The bright yolk bathed the green spears, which were also drizzled with buttery hollandaise sauce.

My starter was snails. I had expected to see them served in their shells but here they offer a less exacting option of baked snails, served naked in a garlicky savoury red wine sauce. I confess to mopping the juices with the end of a warm bread roll. These gastropods are not the most attractive of foods but they are addictive.

The aged Dingley Dell pork chop was the substantial main dish for my guest. This is a double-height 400g chop grilled to smoky perfection. This conjoined pair was simply garnished with peppery salad leaves and a side order of Jersey Royal potatoes. The meat was moist and slightly pink and took great flavour from the flames. This is definitely a dish for those sporting hearty appetites.

STUNNING PIE. I ordered a pie. We are famed for pies in Britain

FAMOUS OMELETTE. It would be a shame to eat here and not

taste a well-known dish. Omelette Arnold Bennett is a recipe that has been much emulated by other chefs and cookbook writers, but it originated at the Savoy.

The Victorian novelist Arnold Bennett is perhaps better known for having an egg dish named after him than he ever was for his prose. He wrote a whole novel while staying at the Savoy, and during breaks in writing he requested an omelette containing smoked fish.

The chefs made such a perfect dish that Bennett wanted the same wherever he travelled. It’s a lightly souffléed omelette made with a filling of smoked haddock and white sauce, with a topping of cheese. It is a rich, tasty dish and it is easy to see why Arnold became so enamoured of this delightful creamy concoction.

For those card-carrying carnivores, there are plenty of meat options available. There is a daily-changing trolley menu, which 112

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and the Savoy Grill offered a chicken and smoked ham knuckle version that was visually stunning as well as being delicious.

This tall pie was served with something of a flourish: the waiter fills the pie with hot parsley and tarragon sauce via a tiny silver funnel, which adds a little theatre to the meal. My side dish of peas with lardons and shallots proved perfect, lending freshness and colour to the memorable plate.

Desserts here range from the traditional apple pie to the lofty Peach Melba soufflé; crepe suzette attracts lots of attention when flambéed at the table, and fruit-topped pastries are always enticing. A lover of sweets might want to skip the starter to leave room for one of these confections.

The Savoy Hotel has been special since it opened. Its name raises expectations of excellence and those expectations are met.

The Savoy Grill continues that philosophy in its service and its dishes. It is undoubtedly smart but never intimidating.

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WINE

Wines of the Cape

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ince the ending of Apartheid, South African wine has been making a splash on the worldwide scene, and with so many wine regions and wine routes to explore it’s an exciting tasting destination.

Cape Town, a laid-back yet cosmopolitan city, is the ideal base for exploring the Winelands, and the One & Only Cape Town, located on the waterfront, is a wine lovers' hotel. On my first night at the luxury property, I have dinner at Reuben’s. The entrance to the restaurant takes me past the mind-boggling Wine Wall. At 5,000 bottles strong, the collection is one of the largest in Africa.

Head sommelier Luvo Ntezo is in charge of wine programming at the hotel. The 32-year-old Ntezo has won the national Chaîne des Rôtisseurs competition since 2008 and has placed fourth in

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the world in an international wine competition. He clearly knows his grapes and I’m lucky enough to have him to take me to several wineries the next day.

JANE AUSTEN. Along the way, Ntezo regales me with stories of

South Africa’s wine history that date back to the 1600s. My favourite tale is that the sweet wine that the Constantia region is known for was called a cure for a broken heart by Jane Austen. I may need to get a bottle (or case) to bring home.

Our destination is Stellenbosch, the first wine route developed which now boasts over 200 wineries, and is perfect for a red wine lover. With so many to choose from, I’m happy to have an expert as my wingman. And Ntezo pulls a keeper out at our first stop,

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the Delaire Graff Estate, owned by the people who brought you Graff diamonds. Wine and diamonds? This is a girl’s best friend!

The estate is arguably the prettiest in any region, and boasts a collection of 15 wines. Over lunch on the terrace, we sample several whites and reds, including one of the most popular South African wines, Chenin Blanc.

CHENIN BLANC. While the country has been known for Pinotage, that really isn’t the varietal that showcases the best South African winemaking.

“I feel that our Chenin Blanc is fantastic and can stand up against many great Chenins of the world,” said Neil Grant, chairman of the South African Sommelier Association.

And I’d have to agree. The wine speaks of citrus and tropical fruit with a hint of honey and almond and pairs well with my yellowfin tuna Niçoise salad.

After lunch we continue to Waterford Estate, which will make you feel like you’re back in Europe with its rolling lawns, lavender and rosemary beds, old citrus groves and – of course – vineyards.

The wines here showcase an Old World approach and reflect the terroir of the area. The results are wines that are earthy, heavy on tannins and low on the sweetness found in New World styles.

Ntezo tells me that the 2010 Shiraz we try is the best example of the grape in the Stellenbosch region. Coming from him, this is saying a lot because he believes that Shiraz, or Syrah, is the best that South Africa has to offer.

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“Ten years ago, Cabernet Sauvignon was considered our only serious red,” he tells me. “Then in 1997, in a now famous tasting match, a Stellenzicht 1994 Syrah outscored the Australian Penfolds cult wine, Grange. Since then, Syrah planting has increased and there is definite buzz about the variety.”

YOUNG WINEMAKERS. While we ran out of time to visit other wineries, Grant suggests adding Rust en Vrede and De Trafford to any visit to Stellenbosch. If you like bubbles then the Franschhoek region with its Cap Classique route is for you. White wine aficionados should take the Helderberg route for impressive Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnay. And if you’re a bit of a vinous risk taker, the up-and-coming region is Swartland.

“The wines here weren’t previously well known, but it’s fast gaining a reputation for exciting blends with young winemakers,” Ntezo said.

Grant suggests trying Mullineux Family Wines, AA Badenhorst and Sadie Family Wines in Swartland.

With so many wine areas to choose from, it can be overwhelming.

“Trying to do too much will only dilute your experience,” advises Grant. “Select one or two areas and research the top producers in

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those regions. It’s also a nice idea to visit some of the older farms of the region, as well as some of the newer producers, to get the contrast.”

WALL STREET JOURNAL. That night I head to Grant’s new restaurant, Bocca, on trendy Bree Street in Cape Town. I love the exuberant energy that emanates from the tiny space. You’ll see a mix of families, couples and hipsters. It seems like a neighbourhood space, but after a recent write up in the Wall Street Journal, you can bet the secret is out. The food is Neapolitan pizza and other Italian inspirations. As you might expect with an owner who is the president of the sommelier association, wine is the unexpected star.

There are a few Italian bottles on the list, but as it should be, South African wines are the focus. My group and I try the Carinus Chenin Blanc from Swartland and Radford Dale Gamay from Western Cape.

Since I’m a bit of a lightweight when it comes to alcohol, I was pretty happy to do nothing after dinner except crawl into an incredibly comfortable bed at The One & Only while visions of GGM wine fairies danced in my head.

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SPAIN - CADIZ

SHERRY GOLF JEREZ esigned by Stirling & Martin from Global Golf Company, Sherry Golf appears like an accessible course for amateurs and challenging for professionals. Proof of this are the many important tournaments we have had the honour to host, like the Spanish Open Amateur Championship, two years in a row, and the Seniors International Championship. We are also the official venue of the 2nd Stage of the PGA Qualifying School.

The layout is characterized as being one of the most pleasant walkthroughs in Spain: - 18 holes Championship course: 6572 meters, Par 72 - Pitch & Putt course: 911 meters, Par 3 Sherry Golf is within the new concepts of American golf course design: fun but safe in the game with undulations and well placed hazards, without making it too hilly, in order to ensure a pleasant

D

walkthrough. Wide fairways and ample greens, puts Sherry Golf into the category of a luxury course.

The Clubhouse counts more than 2,800 sq metres designed under the Sherry flair, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere just like the city of Jerez. Its facilities caters to every single aspect of the sport as well as tournaments, including pro-shop, club storage room, locker rooms, restaurant, terrace grill, cafeteria, spike bar, lounges, golf academy, and much more.

The exceptional geographic location of Jerez and its surroundings make this area the perfect destination for the visitor.

3,200 hours of sun light per year, gives this area of the coast its name, Costa de la Luz (Coast of light).

Sherry Golf is located only 5 minutes from the international airport of Jerez, 50 minutes from Seville airport and 1 hour from Malaga International, thanks to the new motorway from Jerez to Los Barrios.

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SHERRY GOLF JERE Z, 11407 Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz Telephone +34 956 088 330. Fax +34 956 088 331 Email info@sherrygolf.com â&#x20AC;˘ www.sherrygolf.com

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