GGM COVER.2-2016 with spine .qxp_Layout 1 05.05.2016 15.24 Side 1
May - June 2016 Great Golf Magazine
Great Golf 20
most exotic golf resorts
Oslo Stockholm Copenhagen Golf on the Viking Trail
Bring the Kids Family friendly Golf Locations
Wine Nick Faldo Collection
Top 5 Canary Islands courses
Book your Golf Break www.greatgolfholidays.net
POWER AND LUXURY, IN PERFECT HARMONY
WWW.ASTONMARTIN.COM Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the Aston Martin Rapide S: urban 19.5 (14.5); extra-urban 9.1 (31); combined 12.9 (21.9). CO2 emissions 300 g/km. The mpg/fuel economy figures quoted are sourced from official regulated test results obtained through laboratory testing. They are for comparability purposes only and may not reflect your real driving experience, which may vary depending on factors including road conditions, weather, vehicle load, and driving style.
THE NEW 2015 RAPIDE S Born of a unique ambition, created with the finest materials, Rapide S possesses searing sports car performance combined with sumptuous luxury. Its signature breadth of ability is enhanced by the new 8-speed Touchtronic III automatic gearbox,
which provides supreme refinement, enhanced acceleration and a top speed of over 200mph. Ground-breaking and yet possessed of timeless beauty, Rapide S is sublime, thrilling and every inch an Aston Martin.
TEST Annonser_Layout 1 02.07.15 10.22 Side 1
TEST Annonser_Layout 1 02.07.15 10.22 Side 2
Innhold 7.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 13.24 Side 1
Great Golf 20
Great Golf Contents TRAVEL FEATURES
PRODUCTS
LUXURY
PROPERTY
SPA
FOOD
Wine
WIN 6
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
most exotic golf resorts
Oslo Stockholm Copenhagen Golf on the Viking Trail
Bring the Kids Family friendly Golf Locations
Wine Nick Faldo Collection
Top 5 Canary Islands courses
Book your Golf Break www.greatgolfholidays.net
GET SOME SUN WITH YOUR SWING If you want to play on some of the top courses in the world, in fantastic weather, surrounded by spectacular scenery, then you need to visit Morocco. Fly from cities across the UK in less than four hours.
visitmorocco.com
muchmorocco
Golf Adventures_St Enodoc 19.10.2015 11.40 Side 1
GREAT GOLF HOLIDAYS
y a id l o H e h t k o o b w o Read the article – N ing Portal: Golf Holiday Book ct re ays.net Di e Th – s ay www.greatgolfholid th wi ct Great Golf Holid re di ok bo , Golf Holiday Take control of your
8
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
www.visitbarbados.co.uk
Intro-Kolof. .qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 13.30 Side 1
Great Golf 30 Eridge Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8HR United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1892 544 872 www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk MANAGING DIRECTOR
GOLF TRAVEL
Mike Kaas-Stock mike@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE...
Colin Morrison
CHAIRMAN EDITOR
pring is here (apparently) and golfers are venturing out again. If you are one of the lucky ones who escaped somewhere warm this winter, we hope that we have been able to have an input on your destination choice. And what do we, here at Great Golf Media tip as the best places to visit in 2016? Well, we have been singing the praises of the Canary Islands and particularly Gran Canaria due to its great courses, fantastic accommodation and stunning scenery. But with warmer weather on the horizon, it’s also time to look at the likes of Austria and Italy, sorely overlooked in our humble opinion. At the moment Morocco really is the choice for anyone heading to North Africa. Immune from all the problems that its neighbours have been suffering and just over three hours from the UK, we Brits are mostly still unaware of just how good the golf here is. Even more off the beaten path, and so very much of interest to the adventurous golfer, are Sweden, Norway & Denmark, check out our in-depth article on the best places to go in Scandinavia.
S
The second of our “Top 20” lists is included within these pages. This moves us even closer to you, the reader, picking the “100 Greatest Golf Resorts 2016”. We need your votes to be able to choose the winners, it’s up to you. Got a comment or opinion? Please tell us your experiences and make your opinion count, the good, the bad and the downright ugly, we want to know. Send your reviews to info@greatgolfmedia.com and we may just print them. GREAT GOLF MEDIA – IT JUST MAKES SENSE!.
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 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
Angus Davies Dena Roché Peter Ellegard Mark Alexander Rob Hodgettes Vicky Richards Andy Marshall Camilla Kaas-Stock 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 All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior written consent of Great Golf Magazine UK
10
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
2. 2016 100 sider.qxp_Layout 1 13.05.2016 12.04 Side 7
www.beachcombertours.co.uk
Paradis Golf Challenge – Mauritius
With PGA Pro and trick shot artist Jeremy Dale, 02 Dec to 10 December 2016
Subscribe.e$S.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 13.33 Side 1
No.2. 2015 Great Golf Magazine
Great Golf
Magazine
LUXURY TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE
Great Golf Europe's No.1 golf lifestyle magazine
No.3. 2015
£4.95 Free for members
Great Golf Great Golf Europe's No.1 golf lifestyle magazine
March-April 2016
£4. Free for members www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk
HAWAII
20
South Africa Barbados Carinthia
most exotic golf resorts
Oslo Stockholm Copenhagen
100 pages
Spain
Golf on the Viking Trail
Bring the Kids Family friendly Golf Locations
Wine Nick Faldo Collection
Top 5 Canary Islands courses
ARIZONA
5 Book your Golf Break www.greatgolfholidays.net
www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk
Want to read us online?
www.greatgolfmagazine.co,uk
Enjoy Great Golf wherever you go!
12
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
13.qxp_Layout 1 22.02.2016 16.41 Side 1
PALAIS AZIZA & SPA
Konkurranse.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 13.35 Side 1
COMPETITION
THREE LEFT FEET!
WIN
14
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
MGI_210x297_OK.indd 1
20/08/15 19:57
Prosjekt1.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 13.42 Side 1
GREAT GOLF PHOTOGRAPHER; MARK ALEXANDER
www.markalexanderphotography.co.uk
16
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM 1/4 sec, f/14, ISO 160 “The challenge of photographing golf cour ses is of ten t he dif f iculty associated with capturing the feeling of what it is like to actually be there to capture the soul of the place,if you like. Nowhere has this been tried more often than at St Andrews; The Home of Golf, where the ghosts of golf’s past seem to haunt every fairway and bunker. I’ve been trying to seize that moment for a number of years and in this shot from 2014, I think I got somewhere close to it. Shot at 04:49am, the sun had only just breached the horizon and the resulting glow had an ethereal quality. The image shows the smooth run-up to the one of the toughest greens in the world, which somehow looks inviting in the warm light. Anyway, no photographic compilation would be complete without a picture from my home town!”
Prosjekt1.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 13.42 Side 2
17
Prosjekt1.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 13.42 Side 3
18
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Prosjekt1.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 13.42 Side 4
19
Prosjekt1.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 13.42 Side 5
20
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Prosjekt1.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 13.42 Side 6
21
BOOKS NEW.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 13.48 Side 1
BOOK REVIEW
H ard-hitting Rory McIlroy was always destined to become a professional golfer from the moment he recorded a 40-yard drive aged just two. His first hole in one came when he was nine and he played in his first professional European tour event as a 16-year-old in 2005. Despite high expectations, Rory keeps a cool head on his young shoulders and lets his golf do the talking. His maiden victory came in the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic, where he endured a nail-biting final hole, and he has since gone on to win multiple events around the world. After falling apart at the 2011 Masters, his final breakthrough came in June 2011 when he won his first major, the US Open. An incredible 2012 followed, in which he became the number one ranked golfer in the world. But in 2013, despite high aspirations, Rory did not fare well in major tournaments – not, that is, until the end of the year, when he won the Australian Open by one stroke. In 2014, he raised his game still further, winning two more majors in an incredible four-week spell – the British Open and the USPGA (the latter for a second time) – bringing his total tally to four majors. Now, with Rory back at No 1 in the world rankings, Frank Worrall presents the fascinating story of one of golf ’s greatest ever talents. Rory McIlroy - The Champion Golfer is available to purchase at
e’s the leader of America’s exciting new wave of golfing superstars. Young, fun and gifted, Rickie Fowler has taken the sport to a younger audience in the States – making headlines as much for his wacky dress sense and YouTube spoofs as for his God-given prowess with a golf club. Twenty-six-year-old Fowler, is America’s answer to Rory McIlroy, and together they represent the gifted faces of golf for a new era: two young men destined to contest a Trans-Atlantic rivalry for that coveted World No. 1 spot. But it was motocross that was Rickie’s first love. He had dreams of making his name as a racer until he broke his foot in three places at the age of fifteen. Then on, he focused purely on golf, winning tournament after tournament in high school, until, in 2007, he was chosen for the US’s Walker Cup team and a year later became the first university freshman ever to be awarded the NCAA Player of the Year. Such was his burgeoning talent that in 2010 he also went on to become the first American rookie to be selected for the Ryder Cup and in 2014, he became only the third golfer ever to finish in the Top 5 at all four professional majors in the same season, following in the illustrious footsteps of Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. He was moving ever closer to that first major victory as he and McIlroy continued to trade shots and tweets at courses around the world for the ultimate golfing honours. But for all his colourful clothes and joking around with fellow ‘brat pack’ member Bubba Watson, Rickie has a much more serious, emotional and intellectual side to his character. In this compelling first biography on the figurehead of US golf ’s young guns, Frank Worrall provides a fascinating portrayal of Rickie Fowler as both a funloving yet altruistic human being and a single-minded golfing superstar. Rickie Fowler - Par Excellence is available to purchase at
www.greatgolfproshop.com
www.greatgolfproshop.com
H
22
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
a perfect getaway — YOU’LL KNOW IT WHEN
y u see it
Welcome to a different place, Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay. Here you’ll enjoy free Wi-Fi, roomy rooms and our Gallery Kitchen breakfast that’s free with your stay — along with every modern comfort you deserve. Guests can also enjoy a Gallery Café, a full service restaurant serving lunch and dinner and the convenience of a 24/7 Gallery Market offering take away snacks, salads, sandwiches and beverages. Plus, just 15 minutes from Agadir, you’ll be overlooking the stunning Atlantic coastline and are adjacent to an 18-hole golf course in a new sustainable Resort. In addition, experience a sense of well-being with the Asenfo Spa and enjoy a range of activities: golfing, surfing, hiking, mountain biking. BOOK
y ur stay AT TAGHAZOUTBAY.PLACE.HYATT.COM
HYATT PLACE TAGHAZOUT BAY Station Touristique de Taghazout Km 17, Route d’Essaouira Agadir, Morocco, 80750 Tel: +212 5 28 29 68 68 taghazoutbay.place@hyatt.com
free wifi AT OUR PLACE Always free throughout your stay
Hyatt and Hyatt Place names, designs and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. © 2016 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.
HP Tag Golf Artwork.indd 1
22/02/2016 15:24
Bring the Kids.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 15.37 Side 1
FAMILY FRIENDLY
g n i BtherKids APHRODITE HILLS – CYPRUS
ADULTS.
CHILDREN.
24
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Bring the Kids.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 15.37 Side 2
THE ROYAL PALM MARRAKECH - MOROCCO
ADULTS.
KIDS.
25
Five UK Courses Canary I..qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 14.43 Side 1
CANARY ISLANDS
TOP 5 CANARY ISLANDS COURSES The Canary Islands, located near the southern coast of Morocco, make up what is known as the Spanish archipelago. These sun kissed isles are the perfect location for golf holidaymakers looking for all-year-round sun, with long warm summers,
Sheraton Salobre (New Course) Gran Canaria.
Anfi Tauro Gran Canaria
26
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
followed by short and moderately warm winters. The main Islands for golf are Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote, each having a sizable selection of good courses. Here is the Great Golf Definitive list of courses.
Five UK Courses Canary I..qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 14.43 Side 2
Amarilla Golf Tenerife
Golf Del Sur Tenerife
Meloneras Gran Canaria
Other golf courses are to be found on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, but Gran Canaria and Tenerife are where you will find courses geared up for holidaymakers. Our Conclusion – Both offer wonderful golf, but if you want to be able to book when you want and not feel the heat of other golfs behind you, we suggest that you have a serious look at Gran Canaria.
27
Scandinavian Golf.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.44 Side 1
SCANDINAVIAN GOLF
28
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Scandinavian Golf.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.44 Side 2
Northern
delights
29
Scandinavian Golf.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.44 Side 3
The Scandinavian Golf Club
or golfers looking for a golf break away from the tried and tested haunts, the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Sweden and Norway and their beautiful capitals of Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo are well worth considering. Boasting a wealth of historical and cultural sites, world-class museums and art galleries, cutting-edge style and design plus affordable flights from Europe, they make excellent destinations for a city sightseeing golf excursion, particularly during the warmer, longer days of May to September. Here’s the pick of the courses and attractions in each city...
F
COPENHAGEN. Start your trip by driving 20km north of the city to Royal Copenhagen Golf Club, situated in the middle of Dyrehaven. Originally an ancient hunting ground, Dyrehaven is now a beautiful nature reserve. Founded in 1898, Royal 30
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Copenhagen is the oldest golf club not only in Denmark, but all of Scandinavia. What makes the place so special is its history, character and the more than 2,000 deer in the park, which roam freely over the fairways and greens of this parkland track laid out over mildly rolling terrain. Heading further north up the coastal road you arrive at Simon’s Golf Club in the town of Humlebæk, which hosted Denmark’s first European Tour event, the 2003 Nordic Open won by Ian Poulter. Simon’s is a 27-hole golf complex, with three nines labelled A, B and C, which meander and wrap around a scenic lake. Facilities at Simon’s include cottage-style accommodation, a driving range, three putting greens, a par-three course with six holes, an indoor training centre with golf simulator, a bistro and the Albatross Bar with several house beers on tap. Further to the west you’ll find The Scandinavian with two golf
Scandinavian Golf.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.44 Side 4
Copenhagen
The Scandinavian Golf Club
Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen Golf Club
courses designed by the company of Robert Trent Jones II and opened some five years ago. Both courses are ranked among the Top 50 in Continental Europe. 46km south-west of Copenhagen, towards Ledreborg Allé, is the only course in Scandinavia designed by Sir Nick Faldo – Ledreborg Palace Golf. Opened in 2007, this inland links-style layout weaves its way through the sumptuous grounds that border the 18th-century palace (a landmark still home to an aristocratic Danish family). “Our design will blend comfortably into the existing landscape. In fact, I would say that it’s more a case of ‘finding’, rather than ‘creating’ this golf course,” said Faldo while the course was being built. Other highly rated courses in the Copenhagen region include the Skjoldenæsholm Golf Centre at Jystrup (55km from Copenhagen), which offers two different 18-holes, both situated
around historic Skjoldenæsholm Manor. The more recent of the two, the Jones Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, is an open, risk/reward layout framed by forests. And only 5km south of the city centre is the Royal Golf Club, an attractive 18-hole layout designed by Ron Kirby, featuring mature trees and wetland areas in the routing. AWAY FROM THE COURSES. Copenhagen is known for its beer
culture, and the world-famous Carlsberg Brewery founded in 1847 offers excellent self-guided tours, which include a complimentary beer at the Jacobsen Brewhouse. The picturesque Nyhavn district with its showcase canal, lined with colourful gabled townhouses, is a great place to enjoy a drink at one of the pavement cafés or bars. For traditional watering holes try Copenhagen’s oldest, Hviids Vinstue founded in 1723 or the Hvide 31
Scandinavian Golf.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.44 Side 5
Bro Hof Slott
Kayaking on the archipelago
& Lam. Also worth a visit is the Nørrebro Bryghus, a combined microbrewery, bar and restaurant – located in a former metal goods factory where the dishes are created around beers brewed on site. Other top attractions include the Tivoli Gardens (the world’s second oldest amusement park), Christiana (a collectively run ‘alternative’ village community featuring workshops, live music and organic eateries), the Danish Design Centre and the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde. With its flat terrain and 350km of dedicated bike lanes, Copenhagen is a great city for exploring on two wheels. You can borrow and return bikes at any of the bikestands all over the city centre (they cost 25kr per hour and even come with GPS). STOCKHOLM. Thanks partly to homegrown golfing talent like
Annika Sorenstam, Jesper Parnevik and Henrik Stenson, it’s 32
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
difficult to meet a Swede who doesn’t play the game, and there’s at least 50 courses within an hour’s drive in different directions of Stockholm. What’s more, courses are of a consistently high standard with average green fees around SEK400 (about £30). Travelling to the courses is all part of the Scandinavian golf experience and it doesn’t take long to leave the capital behind and enter the countryside, where Swedish homes with their distinctive yellow, musk and red facades contrast vividly against the farmland, rocky outcrops, and ubiquitous conifer and birch woodland. The pick of the courses is Bro Hof Slott. From the moment you drive through the gates and glimpse the white hilltop castle, manicured fairways and glistening Lake Mälaren, you know you have arrived at a special place. “Everything is big at Bro Hof. The holes are longer, the greens are bigger, the course has more water and the bunkers are larger and well-placed,” said Robert Trent
Scandinavian Golf.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.44 Side 6
Ullna Golf Club
Jones Jnr. who designed this superb lakeside layout with state-ofthe-art facilities. Open for play since 2007, Bro Hof Slott’s Stadium Course is now one of the world’s best layouts and has previously been home to the Nordea Masters European Tour event. Another highly regarded course mentioned regularly among Stockholm golfers is Haninge Golf Club. It has a panoramic setting with a 15th century castle and clubhouse, Årsta Slott, where you can enjoy a 19th-hole beer or meal. The first 18 holes are a combination of parkland and forest, while the last nine holes are pure parkland. Situated by the side of beautiful Lake Ullnasjon is the Ullna Golf Club, rated number 3 in Sweden by Golf Digest. It was redesigned and renovated by Jack Nicklaus and his team between 2011-2013, and boasts mint condition bent grass fairways, superfast greens and intricate bright-white marble bunkers. Water comes into play on nearly every hole including the standout par-
three 3rd played to an island green. Kungsängen Golf Club features two 18-holers – the Queens Course and Kings Course, where the Scandinavian Masters was played in 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2005. The tree-lined holes, with a mix of tight dog-legging par-fours and fives, require skillful course management to score well. One of Stockholm’s classic golf holes can be found at Brollsta Golf. With water all the way to the putting surface, Brollsta’s 308metre par-four 9th is drivable if you hit it like Rory McIlroy, but most golfers take the safer route to the fairway on the right, leaving a tricky chip to the green. AWAY FROM THE COURSES. Medieval Gamla Stan (the old
town) is the oldest part of Stockholm and a treasure-trove of 17th-century Swedish architecture. Take time to wander the 33
Scandinavian Golf.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.44 Side 7
Miklagard Golf
Munch Museum
network of picturesque streets and lanes crammed with tourist shops, studios, museums, bars and restaurants. Another essential Stockholm attraction is the superb Vasa Museum. The Royal Warship Vasa lay at the bottom of the sea for well over 300 years until it was discovered and salvaged in the 1960s with virtually all its treasures intact. After a careful restoration process, the oldest identified and most complete ship in the world is now the crowning glory of the Vasa Museum. Staying with the nautical theme, the ferry terminal in front of the Grand H么tel is a launch pad for boat trips to the 34
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
islands of the archipelago, 24,000 of them scattered across the water for 70km in the direction of Finland. For a pre-dinner drink head for Gondolen, situated 33-metres above street level in the centre of the landmark lift structure at Slussen. With a menu of over 150 cocktails plus unparalleled views of Gamla Stan and Lake M盲laren, this is Stockholm's mustvisit bar. Another cool drinking spot is the Icebar in the lobby of the Nordic C Hotel near the Central Station, where the entire interior is constructed of ice from the frozen waters of the Torne River in Lapland, including the glasses in which the vodkas are
Scandinavian Golf.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.44 Side 8
Oslo Golf Club
served. Right in the heart of Gamla Stan is the historic top-end restaurant Den Gyldene Freden (The Golden Peace), which has been serving traditional Swedish cooking since 1722. OSLO. Get your city golf break underway by driving to Miklagard Golf, only 10 minutes from Gardermoen International Airport. From the welcoming clubhouse featuring a traditional Vikingstyle grassed roof, to the well-stocked pro shop and lovely views from the terrace, it’s easy to see why this Robert Trent Jones Jnr championship course is one of best in the country. Its open,
parkland-style design is laid out on hilly terrain where lush fairways contrast with waving grasses, burnished yellow by the northern summer sun. The Viking theme continues with each hole named after Norse monarchs and deities, and the course derives its name from the moniker given by the Vikings to present-day Istanbul, where Europe and Asia meet. Only 8km north-west of the city centre is Oslo Golf Club Norway’s oldest course founded in 1924, and beautifully situated around the alpine waters of Lake Bogstad. This championship quality par-71 design of 6,340 metres features plenty of elevation 35
Scandinavian Golf.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.44 Side 9
changes, with water coming into play on several holes, particularly the signature stretch from 13 to 16, close to the lake. Plans are currently in place to launch a bid to host the biennial Solheim Cup in 2019, which will no doubt be helped by the club’s most famous member – Suzann Pettersen. Heading north of Oslo, along the shores of Lake Mjøsa (Norway’s largest lake), you arrive at Atlungstad Golf Club. This club has a lovely mix of forest-style holes on the front nine and parkland-style on the back. The closing trio of holes near the shores of Lake Mjøsa are especially memorable. A lone fir tree in front of a lakeside green guards the picturesque par-three 16th, and the par-four 17th requires a risk-reward tee shot across the lake to reach the fairway. On the par-five 18th, locals suggest using the Atlungstad Brenneri (Norway’s only historical aquavit distillery still operating – tours are available), just beyond the clubhouse, as a marker for your second shot, to leave a short iron approach over water to the flag. Situated in gorgeous wooded countryside 20km from Oslo and 44km from Gardermoen International Airport is Losby Gods, one of the country’s premier golf resorts and proud member of ‘The Historic Hotels Of Norway’. Losby’s star appeal is the Østmork 18-hole championship course routed around both sides of the meandering Losbyelven River, which runs through the valley. AWAY FROM THE COURSES. Some of Oslo’s best attractions include the Royal
Palace, Akershus Slott (a medieval castle dating from 1300AD), Nobel Peace Centre, Norsk Museum of Cultural History, Munch Museum and the National Gallery, home to more of Edvard Munch’s best-known works, including The Scream. If you have time, take the short ferry trip from Radhusbrygge Quay to the Bygdøy Peninsula and visit the Polar Ship Fram Museum and the magnificent Viking Ship Museum whose exhibits include the 24-metre long Gokstad, the world’s finest example of a longship. On the outskirts of Oslo is the Holmenkollen National Arena, a skiing and biathlon venue which hosts World Cup Nordic skiing events ever y winter. The centrepiece is the impressive Holmenkollbakken ski jump and from the viewing deck you can enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the city, fjord and hinterland. Underneath the ski jump is the world’s oldest ski museum (with 4,000 years of skiing history on display) and a ski simulator with a totally unique and realistic feel. GGM GOOD TO KNOW AROUND COPENHAGEN Tourist information: www.visitcopenhagen.com Royal Copenhagen Golf Club: www.kgkgolf.dk Simon’s Golf Club: www.simonsgolf.dk Ledreborg Palace Golf: www.ledreborgpalacegolf.dk Skjoldenæsholm Golf Centre: www.golfers.dk Royal Golf Club: www.royalgolf.dk STOCKHOLM Tourist information: wwwvisitstockholm.com Bro Hof Slott: www.brohofslott.se Haninge Golfklub: www.haningegk.se Ullna Golf Club: www.ullnagolf.se Kungsängen Golf Club: www.kungsangengc.se Brollsta Golf: www.brollstagolf.se OSLO Tourist information: www.visitoslo.com Miklagard Golf: www.miklagardgolf.no Oslo Golf Club: www.oslogk.no Atlungstad Golf Club: www.atlungstadgolf.coms Losby Gods: www.losby.no
36
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
The Oseberg ship (Viking Ship Museum, Norway) The ship's interment into its burial mound dates from 834 AD, but parts of the ship date from around 800, and the ship itself is thought to be older.
ADD Cording_Add 12.10.2015 16.22 Side 1
UNDERSTATED BRITISH CLOTHING SINCE 1839 19 Piccadilly London, W1J 0LA 1/2 minute from Piccadilly Tube Westminster Arcade, Parliament Street, Harrogate, HG1 2RN shop online at www.cordings.co.uk
FOX Hill.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 14.59 Side 1
ENGLAND
38
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
FOX Hill.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 14.59 Side 2
Commuter belt diamond 39
FOX Hill.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 14.59 Side 3
ngland is blessed with numerous stately homes that have been reborn as golf resorts in recent decades. Sadly, the golf courses are often poorly-maintained tracks that become quagmires after rain with painfully slow greens, while the lovely old mansions have in many instances been converted into conference or wedding venues, the accommodation in basic, purpose-built blocks. The thinly disguised decay highlights lack of investment. I am delighted to report that Foxhills is not just a cut above the rest, it is a veritable diamond in the Surrey commuter belt. A 400acre oasis of serenity that feels far from the madding crowds of the city, it is easily accessible from the nearby M25 and is close to Windsor and Ascot. Having recently celebrated its 40th anniversary as a golf club, Foxhills is a classy resort offering 70 well-appointed rooms, a £5 million “healthspa”, 11 tennis courts, four squash courts, four swimming pools and three restaurants including its award-winning Manor restaurant – not to mention two 18-hole championship golf courses plus a par-3 course.
E
PLAYBOY. Named after a colourful, 18th-century playboy
politician, Charles James Fox, who lived in the area with his mistress, it became part of an estate upon which acclaimed architect George Basevi – a cousin to Benjamin Disraeli whose work also included London’s Belgrave Square and Ely Cathedral – was commissioned to design the elegant, early 19th-century manor house at its core. Foxhills operated as a family-run estate and farm for a century and a half, before it went into decline and was sold in the 1970s.
40
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Under the stewardship of current owners the Hayton family for over 30 years, the resort forms part of the Foxhills Collection that also includes the Farleigh Club & Restaurant, offering 27 holes of championship golf on the North Surrey Downs. What makes Foxhills stand out is that it is a family-friendly hotel that caters for all ages; couples there for a peaceful escape or business groups using the IT suite and conference facilities would hardly know there are children around. A dedicated Children’s Clubhouse caters for tots right through to teenagers with a den featuring electronic and table-top games, a teen gym, youth club, study, soft play area, arts and crafts room, nursery, outdoor heated pool, indoor family pool and supervised activities. HAVEN FOR ADULTS. The main pool in the spa centre is a haven for adults as it is strictly for over-16s. The health spa is a celebration of the British seaside. The swimming pool changing rooms feature themed decor and lockers named after seaside resorts (there was even one emblazoned with Leigh-on-Sea, my childhood stamping ground), while the seven treatment rooms also bear the names of seaside towns. There’s a fitness room and thermal area with hammam, ice fountain and rasul chamber for mud treatments. The spa therapies, in conjunction with Elemis, include a selection aimed specifically at men, among them a deep tissue massage perfect for post-golf, gentlemen’s manicure and pedicure treatments and an Elemis Urban Cleanse facial. The rooms are tastefully decorated and beautifully furnished, some with modern decor and others more traditional. My junior suite was positively gargantuan and felt very homely and welcoming. It overlooked gardens and tennis courts, with a table and chairs to
FOX Hill.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 14.59 Side 4
41
FOX Hill.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 14.59 Side 5
sit outside and enjoy the sounds of the estate’s thickly wooded grounds in warmer weather. Suites are even bigger, some offering four-poster beds, as are the family rooms that offer two interconnected bedrooms. Even the standard and executive rooms are spacious. All rooms include a desk, armchair, coffee table, towelling robes and slippers, and a large, flatscreen TV with Sky Sports channels as well as Freeview – a nice touch for sports fans who like to follow the action while they are away. IMPECCABLE SERVICE. Golf aside, the highlight of the stay was
dinner under the vaulted ceiling of the Manor restaurant. The service was impeccable, the food divine and the wines like nectar, while the atmosphere of the restaurant was relaxed but refined. At first glance, the two menu options seemed quite spartan. The Market Menu, costing a reasonable £28 for two courses or £36 for three courses, offered soup and two other starters, and a choice of braised short rib beef, roasted ling or beetroot risotto as main courses. My dining companion and I opted for the Seasonal Menu, priced at £46 for two courses or £58 for three courses. From the five starters, I chose the Dorset crab and raw oyster with mayonnaise, garnished with samphire and sea parsley while my partner went for the langoustine with pickled watermelon and pork crackling. Tasty though mine was, I definitely picked the wrong dish. Prior to the starters we were served an amuse-bouche of smoked salmon, from the hotel’s own smokehouse. The selection of breads was accompanied by regular salted butter and beef butter, which I wasn’t struck by. The mains of beef rib with peppered pastrami and duck with sweet potato, peanuts, sweetcorn and sea lettuce, again from just five choices, lived up to their promise and the honours were shared. However, I picked the winning dessert with my Foxhills’ honey soufflé, honey cake and whiskey ice cream, compared with my companion’s “Snickers” choice, comprising hazelnut toffee, milk chocolate delice and peanut butter ice cream. Then again, I don’t like chocolate. We both loved the little pre-dessert dish of panna cotta and corn flakes. 42
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
The wines, as recommended by Manor’s knowledgeable maître d’, Callum Heap, were a perfect accompaniment to the food: a very smooth 2011 Rioja Reserva Ramon Bilbao Edicion Limitada with a rich Elysium black muscat from Andrew Quady as the dessert wine. A TRUE TEST. Thankfully, I had worked up an appetite playing golf
on the Bernard Hunt Course earlier in the day. It is named after Foxhills’ former head professional, who played in the Ryder Cup 10 times, twice as captain. The course is a true test that has bettered me twice before and once again gave my game a thorough going over. There are some truly delightful holes as it weaves up and down the hilly landscape, the fairways guarded by majestic trees. Perhaps the two standout holes are the 445-yard, par-4 10th and the par-4 18th, measuring just a yard longer. Both are doglegs with downhill tee shots followed by brutish uphill approach shots – a blind one in the case of the 18th. The Longcross Course has echoes of Sunningdale’s Old Course. Its 536-yard, par-5 14th was recently voted one of the greatest holes ever played by BBC Radio 5 Live listeners. Other standout holes include the tough, uphill par-4 9th, and the finishing hole, another daunting uphill challenge that ends with a double green. Don’t dismiss the nine-hole Manor Course. Designed by Bernard Hunt and set delightfully in front of the hotel, it has hosted the finals of the PGA Junior Championships and was where Paul Casey started out. I envy the golf club members who can play at Foxhills all year. But the next best thing is to enjoy a golf break there, playing a round or two and delighting in the resort’s outstanding leisure and dining facilities. GGM Stays at Foxhills cost from £140 per room, bed and breakfast. To book, call the resort on 01932 704500, email reservations@foxhills.co.uk or visit www.foxhills.co.uk. Until March 31, 2016, visitor green fees cost £55 per person Monday to Thursday or £75 per person Friday to Sunday. On weekends, visitors are welcome to play after 10.30am.
MARRAKECH
A luxurious haven of peace
©POP-UP COMMUNICATION : 06 61 44 43 58
The Kenzi Menara Palace is a priceless jewel set in the crown of the privileged and world class location: the ochre, legendary resort of Marrakesh, located right opposite the original ramparts, ancient walls which surrounded this unique, timeless oasis, whilst surrounded by golfing circuits, a joy to behold.
Zone touristique de l’Agdal, Avenue Mohamed VI, 40.000 Marrakech, Maroc +212 (0)524 459 900 • www.kenzi-hotels.com • resa-menarapalace@kenzi-hotels.com
Klokker.qxp_St Enodoc 16.05.2016 14.55 Side 1
GREAT WATCHES
Klokker.qxp_St Enodoc 16.05.2016 14.55 Side 2
Mastering the seas
John Harrison and Ferdinand Berthoud both endeavoured to solve the ‘longitude problem’. Their work in the 18th century continues to have huge significance in watchmaking to this day. Now, the great name of Ferdinand Berthoud returns to the fore with a new chapter in fine watchmaking By Angus Davies, www.escapementmagazine.com, photos Ferdinand Berthoud
Klokker.qxp_St Enodoc 16.05.2016 14.55 Side 3
GREAT WATCHES
he world of watchmaking owes much of its history to the pursuit of maritime supremacy and the safe navigation of hostile seas. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Britannia ruled the waves, but it was always aware of the potential for the French to usurp its dominance at sea. By its very nature, crossing turbulent, ferocious waters is hazardous. Today, modern technology, such as GPS, helps naval officers accurately pinpoint the location of maritime vessels in real time. However, in the early part of the 18th century this was clearly not the case. In 1707, a naval disaster struck the British Royal Navy and four ships were lost off the Isles of Scilly, resulting in 1,550 lost souls. The grave significance of this event led to much debate within Westminster and as a result the Longitude Act of 1714 was created. This legislation led to the formation of the Board of Longitude, a body responsible for incentivising the determination of longitude at sea by awarding various prizes. Indeed, they offered a reward of £20,000 for a method of determining longitude at sea to within half a degree (equivalent to two minutes of time) after a voyage of six weeks.
T
THE SOLUTION. A former joiner, turned clockmaker, from Lincolnshire, John Harrison, solved the longitude problem with his first ‘marine timekeeper’, the H1. The construction of the H1 took place between 1728 and 1735. Whilst it performed well during a trial at sea, Harrison continued to refine his ideas, releasing further marine chronometers during his lifetime. The H2 and H3 were constructed between 1737 and 1759, whilst the H4 (1755 – 1759) completed successful sea trials in 1762. While Harrison’s early marine chronometers (H1, H2 and H3) resembled bulky clocks, his H4 model was much smaller, sharing a similar appearance to a pocket watch and measuring a comparatively restrained 13cm in diameter. The Board of Longitude was not forthcoming with the prize money, however, and relations with Harrison suffered as a consequence. Feeling somewhat aggrieved, Harrison sought the assistance of King George III and Parliament ultimately rewarded Harrison for his services to the nation. BERTHOUD. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the English Channel, the French Navy, under
the reign of Louis XV, was also endeavouring to solve the longitude problem. Ferdinand Berthoud, a son of the Val-de-Travers, Switzerland, travelled to Paris to study clock making at the tender age of 18. Eight years later, in 1753, Berthoud became a Master Clockmaker at the decree of King Louis XV’s council. Ferdinand was fascinated with the idea of calculating longitude at sea and in 1761 completed his first marine chronometer, Marine Clock No.1. He was clearly an educated, intelligent young man, writing a number of reference papers. In 1763, his two-volume horological treatise, ‘Essai sur l’horlogerie’ was published and the following year his contribution to horology was recognised by the Royal Society in London, leading to him being elected an ‘associate overseas member’. In 1770, after successful sea trials on board the corvette ‘L’Isis’, during an 18-month journey from Rochefort to Santo Domingo, Berthoud was awarded the title of ‘Horloger Mécancien du Roi et de la Marine’ (Horologist-mechanic to the King and the Navy) and received an order for 20 marine chronometers from the French Admiralty. THE NAME LIVES ON. Today, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, co-president of Chopard, is an avid
46
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Klokker.qxp_St Enodoc 16.05.2016 14.55 Side 4
collector of fine timepieces and horological artefacts. Several years ago, his admiration of Ferdinand Berthoud led him to purchase a marine clock, M.M. no. 6. This acquisition fuelled his appreciation of Berthoud still further, culminating in a desire to produce a series of highend timepieces worthy of carrying the legendary watchmaker's nomen. In 2006, Scheufele acquired the Ferdinand Berthoud name and set out to realise his dream. After several years of development, the FB1 is the successful conclusion of Scheufele’s personal journey and has imbued the Ferdinand Berthoud name with a new lease of life. CONTEMPORARY. The FB1 evinces a contemporary aesthetic but harnesses much
traditional watchmaking craftsmanship synonymous with haute horlogerie. From the outset Scheufele sought to create a modern watch which ‘Ferdinand Berthoud might have created if he were living now’. The FB1 incorporates a host of innovative ideas while respecting the legacy of Berthoud. THE DIAL. The hours and minutes are displayed on a small, off-centre dial, positioned below
noon. The ‘dagger-shaped’ hour-and-minute hands are open-worked and collaborate with Arabic numerals to impart the prevailing time in a simple to interpret form. A large central sweep seconds-hand traverses the dial interfacing with a scale encircling the dial canvas. The FB1 is equipped with a tourbillon, a device patented in 1801 to mitigate the adverse effects of gravity on the precision of a timepiece. In this instance, Ferdinand Berthoud has ingeniously coupled the tourbillon to directly drive the central seconds-hand delivering superb precision. Indeed, the watch is certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute. Along the westerly flank of the dial, a power-reserve indicator informs the wearer of the available energy stored within spring barrel, effectively the fuel tank of the watch. As the hand moves towards the word ‘bas’ or ‘low’ the wearer needs to wind the timepiece and replenish the energy levels within the spring barrel. Whilst other timepieces are available with a power reserve indicator, it is the highly innovative approach adopted by Ferdinand Berthoud which distinguishes this feature as special. Beyond the functionality of the dial is the matchless execution of the display which proves impressive. The aperture near the lower portion of the dial features chamfered edges and allows light to flood into the case housing.
47
Klokker.qxp_St Enodoc 16.05.2016 14.55 Side 5
GREAT WATCHES
THE CASE. Measuring 44mm in diameter, the case is generously proportioned and is offered in two options, 18-carat white or red gold. This choice of case material is optimally paired with either a ruthenium or a black toned dial, respectively. The case eschews the conventional round shape of many watches, appearing octagonal. The watch movement is housed within a watertight container and the straight sides are achieved with the use of additional gold case elements, which affix to the case band. Interestingly, these elements each contain four small glazed apertures, allowing the wearer to see inside the watch via the vertical flanks of the case. Gracing the reverse of the watch, a large sapphire crystal accords additional views of the finely executed hand-wound movement, the Caliber FB-T.FC.
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele
THE MOVEMENT. By winding a watch, a conventional movement stores energy using a spring, stored within the aforementioned spring barrel. This energy is transmitted from the spring barrel, via a series of gears, to a device termed an ‘escapement’, which in turn releases a small portion of energy to the hands, causing them to advance at a predetermined rate. The problem with this system is that sometimes there is a little too much or too little energy stored within the spring barrel which, in turn, can adversely affect precision. Whilst for many would-be watch buyers this would not prove too much of an issue, the designers at Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud were clearly determined to achieve horological greatness. The movement within the FB1 features a fusée and chain mechanism which counters this problem, providing a constant force to the escapement, delivering a higher degree of precision. The chain within the FB1 is assembled by hand and consists of 474 links and 316 pins (790 parts in total). Close examination of the movement within the FB1 reveals a high degree of hand craftsmanship, with many of the 1,120 movement components expertly polished and assembled. Despite the high part count, the components have sufficient space to breathe, courtesy of six polished titanium pillars, which accord a light airy feel to the appearance of the movement, accentuating its sublime finishing. A REMARKABLE LEGACY. While the FB1 respects history, it also embraces the future. The
contemporary aesthetics are notably attractive, relevant for a modern era and sate the exacting requirements of the most discerning of watch collectors. The FB1 is a wonderful exemplar of post-dated history, crafted in the Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud atelier in Fleurier, Val-de-Travers, Switzerland. This timepiece upholds the reputation of the 18th century Master Clockmaker with ingenuity and precision much in evidence. Indeed, it seems most fitting that the Ferdinand Berthoud name has returned to where this remarkable legacy began. GGM
48
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Side 49.qxp_Layout 1 13.05.2016 16.06 Side 1
Gran Canaria – Sun, Golf, Sand & Sea!
Go somewhere new!
www.greatgolfholidays.net
Top 20 Exotic.qxp_St Enodoc 30.05.2016 13.25 Side 1
GREAT GOLF TOP 20
TOP 20 EXOTIC GOLF RESORTS Welcome to the second of our Great Golf Top 20 Categories. In each edition of the Magazine we will introduce a list of 20 Golf Resorts that are considered candidates for that particular field. As the year progresses we will be asking our readers to vote for the winner of each category as well as an overall winner. The sixth and final edition of 2016 is the “100 Greatest Golf Resorts” in which the winners of each category and also an overall winner will be announced. You can vote for each category as they are listed, or save all voting until the end of the year. Individuals who have voted in all 5 categories and also for an overall winner will be added to the “Win a Golfing Holiday” competition with the winner being announced in the 100 Greatest Golf Resorts edition in December. To vote go to www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk To book a golf holiday to these and many other locations, go to www.greatgolfholidays.net
100 GREATEST
Golf Resorts
2016 Great Golf MAGAZINE
50
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Top 20 Exotic.qxp_St Enodoc 30.05.2016 13.25 Side 2
BARBADOS - THE ROYAL WESTMORELAND ESTATE
ST. KITTS & NEVIS – FOUR SEASONS
ACCOMMODATION. ACCOMMODATION. GOLF. GOLF. DINING. DINING. SPA. SPA.
BERMUDA - ROSEWOOD TUCKER'S POINT
HAWAII - HILTON WAIKOLOA VILLAGE
ACCOMMODATION.
ACCOMMODATION.
GOLF.
GOLF.
DINING.
DINING.
SPA.
51
Top 20 Exotic.qxp_St Enodoc 30.05.2016 13.25 Side 3
THAILAND - RACHAMANKHA
KOREA – PODO HOTEL
ACCOMMODATION. ACCOMMODATION. GOLF. GOLF. DINING.
DINING.
FACILITES.
FACILITIES.
JAMAICA – HALF MOON RESORT
FIJI - THE WESTIN DENARAU ISLAND RESORT & SPA
ACCOMMODATION. ACCOMMODATION. GOLF. GOLF. DINING. DINING. SPA. SPA.
52
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Top 20 Exotic.qxp_St Enodoc 30.05.2016 13.25 Side 4
CHINA - MISSION HILLS HAIKOU
BAHAMAS - SANDALS EMERALD BAY
ACCOMMODATION. ACCOMMODATION. GOLF. GOLF. DINING. DINING.
SPA.
SPA.
VIETNAM - LAGUNA LANG CO
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - CASA DE CAMPO
ACCOMMODATION. ACCOMMODATION. GOLF. GOLF.
DINING.
DINING.
SPA. SPA.
53
Top 20 Exotic.qxp_St Enodoc 30.05.2016 13.25 Side 5
SINGAPORE - GOODWOOD PARK HOTEL
MEXICO - PUEBLO BONITO PACIFICA GOLF & SPA RESORT
ACCOMMODATION. ACCOMMODATION. GOLF. GOLF. DINING. DINING. SPA. SPA.
DUBAI - PARK HYATT DUBAI, DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB
SOUTH AFRICA - ARABELLA HOTEL & SPA
ACCOMMODATION.
ACCOMMODATION. GOLF.
GOLF. DINING. DINING. SPA. SPA.
54
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Top 20 Exotic.qxp_St Enodoc 30.05.2016 13.25 Side 6
MALAYSIA - HORNBILL GOLF & JUNGLE CLUB
TENERIFE – HOTEL BOTANICO
ACCOMMODATION.
ACCOMMODATION.
GOLF.
GOLF.
DINING. DINING. SPA.
SPA.
KENYA – GREAT RIFT VALLEY LODGE & GOLF RESORT
SOUTH AFRICA, KWAZULU NATAL - PRINCE’S GRANT COASTAL GOLF ESTATE
ACCOMMODATION.
GOLF.
ACCOMMODATION.
GOLF. DINING. DINING. ACTIVITIES.
To c h o o s e y o u r T O P E XO T I C G O L F L O C AT I O N , g o t o w w w. g r e a t g o l f m a g a z i n e . c o . u k 55
LEXUS.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 15.43 Side 1
GREAT CARS
By A
56
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
sD ngu
avie
s,
.esc www
ape
tm men
aga
zin
m, e.co
pho
to
Le s by
xus
.
LEXUS.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 15.43 Side 2
57
LEXUS.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 15.43 Side 3
GREAT CARS
s old age looms larger on the road ahead, I am mindful of the need to live more responsibly. A full English breakfast is now only an occasional treat. Drinks are sugar free, meat is invariably white, bread and potatoes are rare and I only sip a limited number of alcoholic units per week. It all makes perfect sense of course, but it cannot be described as an exciting way of life. A few weeks ago in Paris, 195 countries signed up to the firstever, legally binding global climate deal. Again, it seems sensible, and I know that we all have to play our part in preserving the wellbeing of our planet. Nevertheless, I do worry that the cars which have always inspired my octane-fuelled passions may no longer do so, as they are replaced by dull, eco-friendly alternatives. Thankfully, there continues to be some high-performance vehicles available which can spark my enthusiasm, as I discovered behind the wheel of the Lexus RC-F. Its 5.0 litre
A
58
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
engine is Lexus's most powerful V8 to date and generates 471bhp. This story begins with the press loan vehicle quietly arriving at my home, barely audible yet highly visible, courtesy of its eyesingeing Solar Flare paintwork. A COMFORTABLE PLACE. Sitting in the driver's seat for the first time, a period of familiarization ensued. First things first, I found my perfect driving position in the luxurious, leather-clad cockpit by using the many electronic controls. Despite being over six foot and sporting a middle-age paunch, finding the best position proved to be child's play. Rest assured, this is a comfortable place to be. My son, who is similarly tall, wanted to be ferried to college (a demand which I am sure many readers will be familiar with) so my wife volunteered to sit in the back, where there are two separate seats. Mrs Davies reported that, though the back window is
LEXUS.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 15.43 Side 4
slightly high and difficult to see out of, the rear seats are remarkably comfortable. This is a great achievement on the part of Lexus; many high-performance cars have back seats which are only useable by contortionists. However, with the RC-F, no cruelty to passengers is necessary. The Davies clan all found the interior to be very comfortable. Indeed, despite its sporty nature, comfort is a reoccurring theme with the RC-F. The ride is surprisingly smooth most of the time, despite the ultra-low profile tyres on each 19 inch alloy rim. Conversely, when the mood took me and I wanted to press on, the handling was intuitive and responsive. Threading the RC-F through a series of bends in Lancashire's picturesque Ribble Valley showcased the talents of this Japanese thoroughbred wonderfully. AMAZING ENGINE. One of the highlights of the RC-F is the V8 engine. When driving along a road at a constant 30mph, it is
docile, almost placid. The engine is barely audible, allowing for full enjoyment of the superb, standard-fit Mark Levinson Premium Audio system. However, flex your right foot and suddenly the engine rears its head. The ears initially hear a sonorous overture of V8 burble, before the full, splendiferous orchestral symphony engulfs the senses. I found a boyish grin on my face, which grew ever broader with the rising rpm of the engine. Quite simply, this is an amazing ride. My appreciation of the 5.0 litre V8 was heightened by the 8-speed automatic gearbox, allowing for the seamless shifting of ratios. The two paddles on the steering column allow for manual gear selection should you so desire. However, the intelligence of this gearbox means that driver intervention is optional, rather than a necessity. The potential problem with accelerating towards the horizon is that ultimately there will come a time when the car will need to 59
LEXUS.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 15.43 Side 5
GREAT CARS
slow down, potentially at short notice. There is no need to worry; the brakes on the Lexus RC-F are excellent, thanks to the huge Brembo ventilated and slotted discs mounted front and rear. While I was delighted by many aspects of the RC-F, I did find the instrument cluster to be a little too busy. The sheer quantity of electronic graphics, colours and, in my opinion, superfluous information seemed unnecessary. Moreover, I did not find the standard-fit navigation system to be the most intuitive to use. However, these are relatively minor gripes and do little to diminish the allure of the RC-F. STANDARD FIT. I have purchased many cars over the years and spent much time agonising over which options to select. The reality of Lexus ownership is that there are few options offered, as virtually everything one's heart could desire comes as standard. Consequently, my press loan car only featured two options: the vivid Solar Flare paint scheme and Torque Vectoring Differential. This latter option permits the driver to select one of three driving 60
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
modes, allowing a greater degree of choice over how the vehicle behaves on the road. The combined fuel consumption figure of the RC-F is 26.2mpg and the combined CO2 emissions are stated as 252g/km. I accept that, compared to a compact family car, these figures are not terribly impressive. Furthermore, a greater number of luxury car marques are downsizing engine capacities, embracing turbo charging and even offering hybrid options. However, I hope that cars like the Lexus RC-F continue to exist for a little while longer. While generally living a healthy lifestyle, I do occasionally enjoy eating rich food, sipping an exceptional glass of Cognac and savouring the intense taste of a ristretto. Likewise, I accept the virtues of low emissions and the frugal consumption of fossil fuels, but I still remain a fan of cars such as the Lexus RC-F. Indeed, for me, there is no substitute for the full flavour and sonorous sound of a warbling V8 engine. In our sensible, sober everyday lives, we GGM should allow ourselves room for a little excitement.
Morrocco.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 15.54 Side 1
MOROCCO
62
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Morrocco.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 15.54 Side 2
63
Morrocco.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 15.54 Side 3
64
ravo,” shouted my playing partners as they applauded my first drive, straight down the middle, on the championship course of the Club de Soleil at Agadir, Morocco. Indeed, ‘bravo’ I say to everyone promoting tourism in Morocco – recent events in neighbouring African and European countries make these difficult times. But as every Moroccan will tell you: “This is Morocco, you are safe and very, very welcome.” I travelled alone and felt, with the discreet security arrangements in place around the hotels and beaches, very safe. Golf in Morocco is a real pleasure. With a Californian-like climate of clear blue skies, 340 days of sunshine, temperatures hovering between 22-30 degrees and a cooling sea breeze (courtesy of the cold Canaries current), the conditions are just about perfect for the holiday golfer.
“B
championship course, as understood in the UK. The courses present wide fairways, bordered by eucalyptus and palm trees, with well-protected greens making it an enjoyable experience for holiday golfers but an equally difficult and challenging experience for the lower handicapper. Courses are easily walkable and it’s not necessary to take a buggy. The signature holes on the Championship course are the 8th and 9th. The 8th has an upturned saucer-style green protected by steep bunkers cut into the sides, so your second shot creates a risk reward dilemma. The 9th hole also tests your nerve with water protecting the green on your second shot, or you can take the Wimp´s line and play right to a bale-out landing area. The water comes into play again on the finishing holes, testing your golfing concentration right to the very end. A very fair course and one I was anxious to play again, just to do better.
GREAT GREENS. I stayed at the Tikida Golf Palace, located amidst the 36-hole Club de Soleil Golf Club complex. Golf can be played either on the 18-hole Championship course or on the Tikida course. A pleasant option of playing nine holes on three courses is also available. The ‘Championship course’ has played host to a Ladies European Tour event a number of times, from 2005 to 2011, and hence the nomenclature ‘championship’ but it may not be a true
HELPFUL HOTEL. I hired a caddy; at 120 dirhams plus tip per
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
round (circa £20) it was well worth it, if only from a course management point of view. Their knowledge of the course and advice (which is optional to take) makes plotting your way around the green more enjoyable and rewarding. My caddy, Abdullah, gave me some useful pointers on my set up. He suggested that I “line up more to the left” and “finish well” (in other words, complete my swing). For years I have been
Morrocco.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 15.54 Side 4
ignoring this very advice from my husband, but I have to admit that this did significantly help my golf. If practice is required beforehand or therapy afterwards, the Club De Soleil Academy offers a driving range, pitching area, bunker practice area and two putting greens – all very well maintained. The hotel has special golf fees: 450 dirhams (about £32 for 18 holes /£20 for nine holes) or from May 1 to 30 September green fees are free. STUNNING SCENERY. Other neighbouring courses include the
Dunes, run by Club Med, which was enjoyable but short; the Ocean – part parkland and part dunes – with some challenging holes; or the Royal, which is the oldest and most established golf course in the area. However, if you are looking for a real challenge, visit the new Tazegzout Golf Course, about 15 minutes north of Agadir. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with a constant breeze, limestone outcrops and gaping ravines, its 18 holes demand much stamina and concentration. Not only do you have to fly water but also numerous deep ravines. The ‘Pebble Beach style’ 17th hole has an unforgiving ravine with a green, literally, clinging to the side of the cliff. Be prepared for a round to take up to six hours, even with a buggy! FRENCH TWIST. After all the golf, the Tikida Golf Palace is an
oasis of calm allowing relaxation in beautiful surroundings. The hotel is a 54-bedroom, all-suite hotel of Moorish design, set around a stunning pool with a shaded courtyard and fragrant colourful gardens. There are many French guests in the hotel, hence the food has a Moroccan/French twist and flavour to it. Vegetables and fruit come from the very fertile Souss Valley in the south and as Agadir is a major fishing port, fish of every variety is available. The tagine style of cooking, along with the many spices used, made each meal special and the couscous is, of course, the real thing. Moroccan wines are growing in popularity, with red wines dominating, but rosé and Vin Gris are apparently showing an increase in popularity. I saw several of the discerning French guests at the hotel sampling the Moroccan Cabernet Sauvignon, which can only be a good sign for the local vineyards. Moroccan tea is also very refreshing. Made with mint, oregano and citron, its taste is refreshing and sweet. The pouring technique is as crucial as the quality of the tea itself – Moroccan tea pots have long, curved pouring spouts to allow the tea to be poured evenly into tiny glasses from a height. For the best taste, glasses are filled in two stages so be patient while you wait for your cuppa. The hotel’s breakfast is a cold buffet, with eggs freshly prepared to order. Served on the deck outdoors, you overlook the pretty 8th green on the Tikida course and it is a wonderfully relaxing way to start the day. 65
Morrocco.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 15.54 Side 5
RELAXATION TIME. The hotel spa is also built in Moorish style, reflecting peace and tranquillity. I experienced my first ever hammam body scrub with black soap and a body wrap with ghassoul (Moroccan clay) and rose water – believe me, these treatments are not for the faint hearted! This was followed by a body massage with pure Aagan oil. After all this pampering, my skin was left feeling incredibly soft and I felt completely relaxed afterwards. There is a special four-day Golfer Spa treatment available – starting with Day One, a traditional body scrub and massage; Day Two, a heated body wrap with algae and legs and feet massage; Day Three, Balneotherapy (bathing in mineral springs), with essential oils, and an anti-ache massage; and Day Four, a back massage and foot care plus pedicure – perfect to chase away all those frustrations and aches golf can give us. There is a free shuttle from the hotel to the beach, about 15 minutes away, and guests can use the swimming pools and the private beach area at each of its two sister hotels; the Tikida Beach Hotel and the Tikida Palace Hotel, both located along the 5km promenade overlooking the spectacular crescent-shaped beach of golden sands. TOURIST MUST-SEES. Another must in Agadir is a visit to the local souk but be prepared to haggle. A useful tip is to offer half of what they ask in the beginning and stick to it! Everything is available to buy but silver, ceramics and leather are the specialities. If you prefer a more relaxing experience, the shopping area around the newly built marina is the place to go. If you can take even more time off from the golf there are many tourist sites and places to visit. Now with the new motorway open, 66
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
the ancient city of Marrakesh is only two hours away. Expect to pay around £150 by taxi. Or take a half-day trip to Taroudant (Little Marrakesh), which has impressive ramparts, medina and souk. For the more adventurous, try a jeep safari into the nearby Atlas Mountains. Morocco has much to offer the tourist – be it golf, relaxing spas or the many places of interest, including several UNESCO sites, such as, Essaouira’s medina. The country plans to double its arrival numbers by 2020, so there is currently much investment in hotels, golf and infrastructure. These are challenging times for anyone involved in tourism but Morocco’s golf offering is excellent, with lovely hotels offering a first-class experience. People were enthusiastically friendly and I certainly enjoyed this beautiful country. The Moroccans were right; I did feel very, very welcome here! GGM Good to know GETTING THERE Easyjet from Gatwick – www.easyjet.com WHERE TO STAY Tikida Golf Palace Agadir – www.tikidagolfpalace.com GOLF Club de Soleil – www.golfdusoleil.com Golf de L’Ocean Golf – www.golfdelocean.com Golf les Dunes – www.golflesdunesagadir.com Tazegzout Golf – www.tazegzout.com WHERE TO DINE Pure Passion Restaurant, Agadir Marina Like what you see? Book your holiday in Agadir with www.greatgolfholidays.net
Insta
putter.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.00 Side 1
GREAT PRODUCT
Perfect putting
68
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
putter.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.00 Side 2
T
69
putter.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.00 Side 3
The non-glare gunmetal finish offers a pleasing lustre, and the artistry and detail of the grooved face – which helps to impart a rolling motion rather than a skid – gives off a confident and bespoke air. The criss-crossed black and yellow ‘Kenny Giannini’ name etched on the face adds a funky factor. The putter comes in four shaft options, creating both facebalanced and toe-hang models. The centre-shafted and heelshafted models favour players with more of a ‘straight-back, straight-through’ putting technique. The set-back and doublebend shafted model is usually preferred by players with an arc to their stroke. Whichever you opt for, looking down over your ball you will be reassured that you have a precision instrument in your hands. The smooth, tacky grips from Pure add a refined elegance and come in eight colours, including the intriguing Isle of Capri (light blue). They are available in 34” & 35” with a choice of standard, midsize or oversize widths. Each putter has a classy padded black, white or red head cover, featuring a magnetic clasp. HANDLING THE G4 You will notice all the weight in the head,
confirmation this is a proper piece of ironmongery, unlikely to wobble in the wind or shake through your own nervy convulsions. It feels perfectly balanced, and striking the ball off the generous sweet spot offers a satisfying ‘ting’ off the face. The true, consistent roll comes courtesy of the ‘Soft Slotted Face Technology’ and slotted sole. The feedback is generous, even taking into account a midsize grip to help take out the fingers and wrists and encourage an arm-and-shoulder swing. 70
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
DOES IT WORK? This is the key question. That, of course, is in the how-long-is-a-piece-of-string category? – it all depends if you hit it with the right speed in the right direction. But the skinny is that this is a proper putter. In fact, the G in G4 might as well stand for ‘gimme’ as it inspires so much confidence that short putts look holed before you pull the trigger. The set-back, double-shaft bend model has about 10 per cent toe hang, meaning if you balance the shaft on your finger the heavier toe will somewhat point to the floor. However, once you’ve dialled in the extra weight in your action, that comforting plopplop of a putt dropping will never be far away. On longer putts, distance control feels inbuilt, with consistent results adding a spring to your step as you stride towards the tap-in. MAKING AN INVESTMENT Buying a putter like this is an
investment in a piece of engineering that will hopefully lower your scores. Can you even put a price on fewer putts? If half the battle of putting is confidence, the G4 means you’re already 50 per cent there. Like the other Kenny G, you might find yourself Forever in Love with this helpful device, although I suspect the sentimental saxophonist wasn’t getting soppy over his putter. So expensive underwear or a Kenny Giannini putter? A G4GGM string, please!
Kenny Giannini putters are available at: Greatgolfproshop.com
Available in prescription. STYLE SHOWN: GUARDRAILS
Colour. Clarity. Detail. At Maui Jim, we’re dedicated to bringing more colour to your life with PolarizedPlus2® lenses that enhance clarity, reduce glare, and highlight depth and dimension. Maui Jim Sunglasses won’t change the world, they’ll change the way you see it.
Recommended as an effective UV filter for the eyes and surrounding skin.
©2016 Maui Jim, Inc.
Maui Jim Great Golf April 2016.indd 1
04/04/2016 12:02
Five Propertys1.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.04 Side 1
CYPRUS GOLF PROPERTY
GreatGolf Properties
MINTHIS HILLS – CYPRUS
GOLF.
72
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Five Propertys1.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.04 Side 2
CARIBBEAN GOLF PROPERTY
SIX SENSES FREEDOM BAY - ST LUCIA
GOLF.
73
Five Propertys1.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.04 Side 3
BARBADOS GOLF PROPERTY
ROYAL WESTMORELAND – BARBADOS
GOLF & FACILITIES.
74
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Five Propertys1.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.05 Side 4
MALLORCA GOLF PROPERTY
CAP VERMELL – MALLORCA
GOLF.
75
Five Propertys1.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.05 Side 5
ALGARVE GOLF PROPERTY
THE HIDEAWAY CLUB – THE WORLD
CONCIERGE SERVICE.
If any of these properties sound tempting, then read the full articles on www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk and keep an eye out for our new website www.greatgolfproperties.co.uk, which will be going live soon.
76
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Dundee and Angus. Where we’ve got discovery down to a tee
LONDON STANSTED
TO DUNDEE
£74
FROM
.99 EACH WAY
The Old Course, St Andrews - 30 min drive
RRS Discovery , Dundee
For great fares and ideas for your Dundee break go to visitscotland.com/flydundee Scotland. A land of brilliant moments
Spa.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.22 Side 1
SPA
Y C A G E L N A M O AR
Now is exclu the time sive acce to enjoy t ss to h the t e healing herm al sp waters o f rings … By: Bath as
a new
Dena Roch é, ph oto C our te sy
78
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
hotel and of YT L
Hotels
spa h as
open ed of fering
Spa.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.22 Side 2
79
Spa.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.22 Side 3
SPA
hermal waters have bubbled in Bath throughout the centuries – from the earliest settlers right through to modern times. And these healing waters have made the town a mecca for those seeking its restorative powers. However, it finally received some luxury attention when the Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel opened last September. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the Gainsborough Bath Spa married the concept of taking the waters with a luxury spa. It is the only hotel in the UK with private access to the thermal baths. While anyone can go to the Therme Bath Spa across the street, only registered guests are allowed in the Gainsborough Spa. And the difference between
T 80
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
the two options is the difference between going to a tourist attraction and a holistic spa. EXCLUSIVE ACCESS. Centred. in this UNESCO World Heritage city, the Gainsborough is a study in architectural adaptive reuse. The 99-room, five-star hotel is housed in two Grade II buildings that have previously served as a hospital and a design college. A third brand new building was seamlessly integrated into the Georgian Bath Limestone façade. Because the hotel is in the thermal spring area, engineers were able to install a borehole giving its Spa Village Bath exclusive access to the waters. Named after Sir Thomas Gainsborough who painted portraits
Spa.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.22 Side 4
of Bath’s most fashionable residents and visitors in the 1760s, the Gainsborough blends classic bones with modern amenities and contemporary design. Stepping into the spacious lobby the most striking feature is a centre staircase that I become intimately familiar with in an attempt to work off all the food I eat during my stay. Since this was a restoration, no two rooms or suites in the hotel are the same, but they all share a colour palette of bluish grey, taupe and mustard. I am booked into a classic room, but for a truly unique experience book a bath spa room or bath spa suite. These rooms have bathtubs that offer direct access to the thermal waters. Taking the waters doesn’t get more exclusive than that! I got a glimpse of the Spa Village Bath as I walked to my room,
thanks to the four-story glass atrium perched above the Bath House. With my spa diva appetite whetted, I’m anxious to get to the heart of the hotel and experience the waters for myself. PERSONALISED AROMATHERAPY. Every Gainsborough guest is
invited to do the Bath House circuit, regardless of whether they book a treatment or not. I arrive at the Spa Village Bath and the receptionist asks if I’d like to create my custom aromatherapy blend to use in the sauna and steam. That’s like asking me if I’d like to go to a Jimmy Choo sale, um, yes please. I’m led to their spa apocatheray bar where I fill out a questionnaire about how I want to feel after my bath circuit. 81
Spa.qxp_St Enodoc 09.05.2016 16.22 Side 5
SPA
Choices include calmer, less irritable, less jet-lagged, have better digestion and more. I add my own box that simply says “All of the above”. Sensing this might be a tall order, Nick, my aromatherapy bartender has me smell three base oils and I pick a neroli scent. He adds several other oils to that and mixes it with bath salts. The salts are placed in a little satchel that I’m instructed to inhale from while I’m in the sauna and steam rooms. The spa keeps your recipe on file for return visits. Armed with my smelling salts, I’m ready to hit the circuit. I love that in addition to the standard robe and slippers, I’m given a plastic tote to hold a towel and bottle of water. DOING THE CIRCUIT. My session begins with 10 minutes in one
of two warm balneo pools. The two thermal pools are slightly different in temperature, but both are designed to warm me up. Next is the Cool Lymphatic Hose, which is a handheld showerhead that I’m instructed to start in a circular motion at my feet and move up. Afterwards, I’m happy to jump in Infrared sauna for another 10 minutes. Infrared saunas supposedly rev metabolism and increase calorie burn. Added to that staircase workout, I’m sure I can have dessert later at dinner! It’s time to cool down again with a handful of crushed lavender ice from the alcove. Next is a liquid warm-up in the form of a decadent spiced hot chocolate. This seems like an odd element in the spa, but I later learn it is because the 17th century bathers would drink it while musicians serenaded them in the baths. The circuit ends with a float in the main pool. There are a variety of jets designed to provide hydrotherapy for tight shoulders, lower back and feet. The spa itself blends the healing traditions of Bath with Eastern qualities that play homage to the Malaysian roots of YTL Hotels (the parent company). The spa has two tatami rooms designed for the Asian therapies and a ‘couple’s suite’ that provides private access to the thermal waters. Choose the Tranquillity Experience, which is a self-guided spa ‘play’ time, where couples can use moor mud, salt scrubs and lotions on each other and then soak in the UK’s only ofuru-style wood tub (a Japanese bath). 82
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
MICHELIN-STAR CHEF. Suitably relaxed and hopefully healthier
than I have ever been thanks to the 42 minerals in the thermal waters, I’m ready to try the hotel’s Johann Lafer restaurant. This is the first restaurant that Lafer, a Michelin-star chef and TV personality, has launched outside his native Germany. Lafer is known for his dining without borders philosophy, and his cuisine focuses on using local ingredients often with an ethnic twist. My meal is a prime example of this. I start with the sautéed scallops served with tiger king prawns, crab risotto and Pak Choi leaves followed by a curried fillet of local brill. EXPLORING BATH. The Gainsborough is in the heart of Bath, meaning it’s perfectly situated to walk through this gorgeous city. The following day I don’t have a definitive plan I just start walking and find myself at the architecturally stunning Royal Crescent. Designed by John Wood the Younger, it is considered the high point of Palladian architecture in Bath. Tour the museum at 1 Crescent to get an idea of what it was like to live during the Crescent’s heyday. For first-time visitors, a trip to the Roman Baths and tea in the Pump Room are a must. Download the Bath tourism’s World Heritage walk to your mobile phone before you head out and go on your own walking tour and learn the history behind the gorgeous Abbey, Bath Street, The Paragon and more. When you get hungry, pop into Hall & Woodhouse, one of the top tables in town, and the only place with rooftop terrace dining. If it’s been a while since you have been to Bath, the opening of the Gainsborough and its spa makes this the perfect time to take the plunge and head out for a relaxing long weekend. GGM GOOD TO KNOW: Gainsborough Bath Spa: http://www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk/ Roman Baths: http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/ Visit Bath Walking Tour: http://visitbath.co.uk/things-to-do/tours-and-sightseeing/mobile-app-andaudio-walking-tours/world-heritage-site-audio-tour Hall & Woodhouse Pub: http://hall-woodhousebath.co.uk/
GreatGolf Add.qxp_Layout 1 13.05.2016 12.45 Side 1
Tru-Roll Putters - changing the face of putting, LITERALLY!
www.greatgolfproshop.com
Food .qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.34 Side 1
Food .qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.34 Side 2
Sweet Savannah
Food .qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.34 Side 3
THE GREY
THE GREY
THE GREY
LEOPOLD’S
ALLIGATOR SOUL
CHOCOLAT
avannah is arguably America’s most beautiful city centre and the entire downtown area is a National Historic Landmark District, the largest in the US. What makes Savannah unique is its 22 squares, and no visit would be complete without strolling around them. Enjoy the oak trees dripping with Spanish Moss, mansions dating to the 1700s and historic churches, like the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, a top 10 landmark site in the US according to TripAdvisor. When gourmets think of Southern food towns, Charleston, South Carolina, two hours north, gets all the glory, but Savannah is trying to grab a piece of the culinary pie. Admittedly, it’s been an upward road according to local food TV celebrity Jesse Blanco of Eat it and Like It. “The majority of tourists still want good old Southern food,” says Blanco. “But there are a lot of creative things here that go beyond fried green tomatoes.”
S 86
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
The astronomic rents in the historic district have kept independent chefs away, and for years the food scene was geared to the palate of rural Southerners who vacationed here. It’s the influx of New Yorkers and Bostonians, thanks to new direct flights, that is causing Savannah cuisine to elevate. “There is far more of a food culture here than five years ago,” explains Blanco. “There are a lot of outside investors eyeballing this city as a place to open new restaurants.” SOUTHERN COOKING. However, when you’re coming to the South,
you definitely need to experience traditional Southern cooking and the place to do that is Mrs Wilkes Dining Room for lunch. The line starts an hour or more before opening, but don’t worry, according to Blanco by the time the doors open you will have new friends to dine with at the communal tables. Feast on fried chicken, sweet potato soufflé, black-eyed peas, okra gumbo, biscuits and more.
Food .qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.34 Side 4
THE GREY
THE GREY
Georgia is quickly becoming known for barbeque and to get the best in the area you’ll have to jump in your car or get a taxi over to Wiley’s Championship BBQ. Wiley and his wife Janet are still in the joint each day, and once you start them talking about BBQ you’ll feel like you’ve learned enough to be a pit master by the end of the meal. I opted for chicken marinated and smoked with hickory, with a side of sweet potato and collards (greens). There are several different sauces for your meat, but if you don’t go with the Better than Sex sauce, you’re missing out! Save room for the banana pudding, which Janet makes daily from scratch. HEAVENLY ICE CREAM. Another sweet treat you must try is
Leopold’s ice cream, an institution in the city since 1919. The TuttiFrutti (think fruit cake ice cream) is the signature flavour, but I must admit that I preferred the Honey, Almond & Cream, made with Savannah Bee honey.
For traditional Southern fine dining, the Olde Pink House is iconic and the top table for romantic dining in town. Housed in a 1771 mansion, patrons and workers claim to have seen the ghost of the former owner, James Habersham Jr, who supposedly hanged himself in the basement in 1799. The building survived several fires, and the heat from those fires continued to make the brick bleed through the stucco until finally it was simply painted pink to solve the issue. NEW CUISINE. Once your appetite for the traditional has been
satiated, it’s time to try new Savannah cuisine and the hottest table in town is The Grey. Housed in a restored Greyhound bus terminal, the restaurant’s James Beard Award winning décor pays homage to its bus depot past. For a fun time, sit at the dining room bar and let Scott use homemade bitters to concoct a drink like the Improved Whiskey 87
Food .qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.34 Side 5
LEOPOLD’S
Cocktail to start the evening off. The best thing on the menu that my dinner date and I sampled was the fish tagine, boasting perfectly done swordfish over a bed of chickpeas and bell peppers. The Florence, by Top Chef Master (a bit like the UK’s MasterChef) winner Hugh Acheson, is slightly outside of downtown but worth the ride to see how Italian food can be done with Southern ingredients. According to Blanco, the personal pizzas are the best in the city. Bridging the gap between old and new is Alligator Soul. As the name suggests, here you can sample gator either in fritter or gumbo form, along with a wide range of other exotic proteins. CHOCOLATE DELIGHTS. If Leopold’s doesn’t satisfy your sweet
tooth, head to Bull Street to sample Chocolat by Adam Turoni. The whimsical store is literally a library of chocolate that is a cross between Alice in Wonderland and Willy Wonka. In 2016, a leading industry publication named Turoni as one of the top 10 chocolatiers in the country, so you really must pop by. Try the Exploding Truffle, a decadent dark chocolate truffle with a centre of pop rocks that wakes up the senses with a play of flavours and fizzy sensations. SPOOKY CITY. One of the best ways to work off all this food is with
a ghost tour. MSN called Savannah one of the ten spookiest cities in the world and The American Institute of Parapsychology named it America’s most haunted city. Because our group is very small, our guide Jan is able to take us to the Hampton Lillibridge house, called the most haunted home in America. A 1960’s exorcism failed, so today you might hear music or see images in the windows. As we walk, Jan talks about the voodoo culture in the city and explains all the ‘haint’ paint on doors, windows and ceilings seen around town. Haint is an old southern term for haunt and haint paint is blue, designed to mimic water because folk wisdom has it that spirits can’t cross water and the blue paint fools them. A bit further on the walk we learn about Anna, a 1790’s maid who threw herself from her bedroom window after a romance gone wrong. Apparently, she haunts the 17hundred90 Inn on President St. Today any guests who want to stay in her room must sign a waiver promising they won’t request a new room if Anna appears. 88
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
HOP-ON TROLLEYS. To achieve an overview of Savannah’s history do a daytime tour on one of the many hop-on, hop-off trolleys downtown. Along the way you can visit the Owens-Thomas House, one of the finest examples of English Regency style in America. You can also see one of the most technically advanced houses of its time, the Davenport Mansion, which kicked off the city’s preservation efforts in the 1950s and is the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low (founder of the Girl Scouts). Visitors to Savannah have the opportunity to experience history that goes back to the time of the American Colonies, whilst sampling traditional Southern eats and eateries. Head here and you’ll experience a new food revival in this 283-year-old city that is setting a new tone for the 21st century. GGM GOOD TO KNOW Getting There: Fly into a hub like Atlanta or Charlotte from the UK and then connect to the Savannah/Hilton Head Airport. Dining: Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room. Note that no credit cards are accepted and the restaurant is closed in January: mrswilkes.com Wiley’s Championship BBQ: wileyschampionshipbbq.com The Grey: thegreyrestaurant.com The Florence: theflorencesavannah.com/home Leopold’s: www.leopoldsicecream.com Alligator Soul: alligatorsoul.com Chocolat by Adam Turoni: www.chocolatat.com Attractions: Ghost Talk Ghost Walk: ghosttalkghostwalk.com/index.html Old Savannah Trolley Tours: www.oldsavannahtours.com Owens Thomas House: www.telfair.org/visit/owens-thomas The Davenport House: www.davenporthousemuseum.org Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace: www.juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org Stay: Classic Savannah mansion B&B: Kehoe Inn: This is where Tom Hanks stayed when he filmed Forest Gump in the city: www.kehoehouse.com Hamilton Turner Inn: www.hamilton-turnerinn.com/Hamilton-Turner-Inn
1
2
5
3 4 6
7
8
9
Pub GECO A4_GB_Avril2016.indd 1
06/04/2016 15:18
Wine NF.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.38 Side 1
WINE
C
THE FALDO OLLECTION
By Mike Kaas-Stock, photos Milton Sandford Wines
90
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
Wine NF.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.38 Side 2
O
n a blustery night in November I battle my way out o f Ol d St re e t underground station in London, anticipating an evening of tasting a collection of Golfers Wines under the Nick Faldo banner. The event is taking place at Urban Coterie, located on the 17th floor of the Hotel M by Montcalm, an impressive city high-rise and recent edition to the London skyline. Sir Nick Faldo and Milton Sandford Wines have joined forces to create an exceptional range of wines from six classic European regions. The collection celebrates the six major championships that Nick has won in his illustrious career. Each wine bears the distinctive Faldo shield with six vertical stripes in claret and green to represent these wins.
91
Wine NF.qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.38 Side 3
WINES & CANAPES. Faldo will be at the event and I am booked
in for an interview. It seems that whenever we meet, we never actually talk much about golf, as my last interview was to discuss a watch brand and this time it’s wine. Maybe next time, golf will be on the agenda. Almost the first person I see upon arriving is John Winchester, the owner of Milton Sandford Wines and the brains behind the ‘Golfers Wines’ concept. Apparently, the idea for the Faldo Wines Series came about from a conversation with Faldo in a car park! The wines within the collection have each been assigned a tasting table, along with suitable canapes provided by Michelin-starred chef Anthony Demetre. I decide that it may be wise to chat with Faldo before I begin tasting as I have never been one for spitting out good wines, and I’d like to make sense when I’m talking to this great golfer. GREAT EUROPEAN WINES. First off, I want to know why he has become involved in the wine industry. “I was actually involved with another company back in 2002 but the wines were never pushed, which was a shame. Then John [Winchester] approached me about this concept and it seemed like a nice project to be involved in,” Faldo explains. So a couple of years ago they started to test what appealed to Faldo’s palette, tasting specific wines down in the cellars at Milton Sandford HQ. Through this process they came up with the idea to stick to a European selection. “It actually makes perfect sense as I am a European player and obviously some of the finest wine regions of the world are to be found in Europe,” says Faldo. “Golfers’ wines did not have any European offerings. Arnold Palmer represents some great wines from the USA and Greg Norman represents some lovely wines from Australia. It’s nice to have the wine representing the golfer in terms of region.” Faldo has sampled other golfer’s wines, but he doesn’t see them as competition because they are all from different regions. It took them two summers to get a selection together, and they then added a specific Rioja – which is Faldo’s favourite wine from the collection – to complete it. Their goal is to have an “interesting, very quaffable collection”, which I think they have achieved. In addition, they wanted to be able to match particular dishes that you may find at a golf club with particular wines, while also offering good value. There are plans to add more wines to the collection. “We keep looking at different regions across Europe; a sparkling wine from England would be good to add. So yes, we will be adding more,” Faldo says. Faldo has a golf course design company and I ask whether these clubs and resorts will all stock the Faldo Collection? “Yes, Banyan Tree want it, Elea in Cyprus are keen, as well as Vietnam,” he confirms. “I have been living in hotels for 40 years and know all the food and beverage managers, so we will see what we can do.” I wonder if Faldo has any ambitions to start his own winery or to include one on a course? “Who knows?” he ponders. “Obviously, several of my fellow golfers from the Golfers Wines 92
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
selection do, maybe at some point in the future I’ll buy a nice winery when I retire.” TIME TO TASTE. I thank Sir Nick for his time and head back
upstairs, as I’m eager to start the tasting. Eating a particular canape designed to complement each wine makes the experience even more special, Michelin-quality food combined with excellent wine, what could be better? I am no expert, but I know what I like and I have to say that each wine received my undivided attention. I am a big fan of red wines but the whites also surprised me and I would have quite happily taken a few bottles back home with me. Feedback from the various attendees was all very positive and I think that it is safe to say that the Faldo Wine series will be expanding. My favourite wine? I would have to agree with the main man on that one, I do love a good Rioja. THE COLLECTION. Combining wines from regions of France, Italy and Spain, they are: Rioja Special Selection, from the Bodega Baigorri Winery. This is a deep cherry-red with plenty of depth and aromas of black fruit compote with notes of spice. An elegant wine, it is smooth and silky in the mouth and has a warm long finish. It pairs beautifully with roasted pork belly and any meat tapas dishes. Barolo, produced by Paolo Monti in the village of Monforte d ‘Alba in Italy, has depth and complexity. Its rich autumnal flavours and balanced tannins make this a great companion to slow-roasted beef and is delicious with pheasant and other game meats. Sauvignon de Touraine, Domaine de la Renaudie, from the Loire Valley in France. This white easily stands up to the more expensive Sancerres and Pouilly Fumes. Its grassy and elderflower notes balance perfectly with powerful fruit flavours. A great match when serving asparagus, delicate white fish dishes or goat cheese salads. Chablis, produced by Jean-Marc Brocard and his son Julien in Prehy, just outside the village of Chablis in France. Its beautiful mineral structure is linked to the chalky soils of the vineyards in the hills surrounding Chablis. With apple notes and piercing edginess, this wine has a real richness in the mouth. Excellent with cream sauces or hollandaise on fish. Valpolicella, by Le Tobele. This Ripasso Valpolicella was selected for its intense chocolate and black cherry flavours. Dry and fruity on the finish, it has wonderful spicy notes with hints of raisins. This is a very versatile wine in terms of food matching, but it pairs wonderfully with duck breast, veal and barbecued lamb chops. Chateauneuf Du Pape. This classic French ruby wine blends boysenberry, bramble fruits and cassis in a rich concentration of ripe dark fruit flavours. Made by Domaine Berthet-Rayne, it’s carefully produced and loyal to its heritage. It is a fine example of provenance and typicity, and is a superb match for a Sunday roast with all the trimmings. The ripe fruit will stand up to a variety of accompanying sauces, such as cranberry or apple, and will enhance any flavoursome, slow-roasted meat (turkey, pork, beef or lamb). This is a real winner of a wine. GGM
TOURBILLON RM 38-01 G-SENSOR BUBBA WATSON Manual winding tourbillon movement Baseplate, bridges made in grade 5 titanium G-force indicator Free sprung balance with variable inertia Fast rotating barrel Barrel pawl with progressive recoil Winding barrel teeth and thirs-wheel pinion central involute profile Spline screws for bridges and case Balance: Glucydur, 2 arms, 4 setting screws, inertia moment 11.50mg.cm2, angle of lift53° Frequency: 21’600 vph (3Hz) Case in ceramic TZP-G for the bezel and caseback Anglage and polishing by hand Satin finished surfaces Limited edition of 50 pieces
GOLF AS NEVER ENJOYED BEFORE Welcome to Meliá Marbella La Quinta Golf & Spa, a place designed to make you feel the real spanish essence. In our Resort, we are delighted to offer you the most exclusive service and Suites at “The Level”, the relaxing experience of YHI Spa, the best spanish and international cuisine and a unique Golf course. For holidays or business or even for your personal events. Welcome to Meliá. Información y Reservas
+34 971 28 14 00 melia.palas.atenea@melia.com facebook.com/Melia-Hotels
Sherry Golf_Layout 1 18.02.2016 16.52 Side 1
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.
CONTACT
SHERRY GOLF JERE Z , 11407 Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz Telephone +34 956 088 330. Fax +34 956 088 331 Email info@sherrygolf.com • www.sherrygolf.com
95
Side 96.qxp_Layout 1 13.05.2016 16.04 Side 1
Golf Gifts for Father’s Day
Or any day www.Greatgolfproshop.com
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
Neste nummer 2-16. .qxp_Layout 1 09.05.2016 16.40 Side 1
READERS COMMENTS
Great Golf
Napa Valley Resort, California
Knowledge is Power
Which is which
Great Golf Properties
98
GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE
H IM M E R L A N D GO L F & S PA R E S O R T 2 0 . -2 3 . A U GU S T 2 0 1 5
LUXURY GOLF AND LEISURE CARS The official golf car of the European Tour in Denmark For the second consecutive year we are proud of being the official golf car and main sponsor of the successful European Tour Event ‘Made in Denmark’ 2015. Our participation at this event is like being on home ground as Garia is a Danish
company and all our models are designed, developed and now manufactured in Denmark. If you are around Denmark in the period of 20.-23. Aug. you must stop by this event and meet us at our booth in the tent village or on the course.
looking for that extra something? Meet the sports car of the golf car. Inspired by the sense of freedom and joy you get from riding a sports car. Our Roadster is the closest you get to a golf car version of your favorite luxury sports car. It is the ideal car to bring with the yacht, use for local sightseeing or on the local golf course. To design your own Garia or book a test drive near you, visit the inspiring world of Garia at garia.com If you need our expertise please feel free to contact us +45 46 570 580 I sales@garia.com I garia.com
Garia Great Golf Mag_march 2015.indd 1
Garia Roadster - with lithium batteries
27/03/15 10.09
In support of
Time for life—with limited edition timepieces in support of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières. Each watch raises £100 for the Nobel Peace Prize winning humanitarian organisation. And still these handcrafted mechanical watches with the red 12 cost the same as the classic Tangente models from NOMOS Glashütte. Help now, wear forever. £100 from every timepiece sold is paid to Médecins Sans Frontières UK, a UK registered charity no. 1026588. NOMOS retailers helping to help include Watches of Switzerland, Fraser Hart, Mappin & Webb, Berry’s, Hamilton & Inches, Catherine Jones, CS Bedford, CW Sellors, Perfect Timing, Orro, Stewart’s Watches. Find these and many other authorised NOMOS retailers at nomos-glashuette.com, or order online at nomos-store.com.
NOMOS_MSF_UK_GreatGolfMagazin_ET260616.indd 1
03.05.16 14:55