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Great Golf

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THE LUXURY TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

• Norway • Spain • Bahamas • Scotland • Belgium • Tenerife • Suzann Pettersen • Breitling for Bentley • Property • Great Golf Adventures • Win tickets to the Ryder Cup

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Power and elegance to ignite the senses.

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The new Vanquish Volante is the very essence of Aston Martin distilled into one beautifully sculpted car. The Vanquish’s soaring performance, meticulous craftsmanship and cosseting luxury are now combined with the pure hedonism of open air motoring to create a dazzling and unique driving experience.

Clothed in a suit of Carbon-Fibre, the Volante retains the athleticism of the coupe underscored with peerless indulgence. The Ultimate Super Grand Tourer has become the Ultimate Volante.

www.astonmartin.com/vanquish-volante Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the Aston Martin Vanquish: urban 13.2 (21.4); extra-urban 27.7 (10.2); combined 19.6 (14.4). CO2 emissions 335g/km. The mpg/fuel economy figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results obtained through laboratory testing, are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

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British chic, Swiss excellence: Breitling for Bentley combines the best of both worlds. Style and performance.

Luxury and accomplishment. Class and audacity. Power and refinement. Perfectly epitomising this exceptional world, the Bentley B06 chronograph houses a Manufacture Breitling calibre, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), the highest benchmark in terms of precision and reliability. It is distinguished by its exclusive “30-second chronograph� system enabling extremely precise readings of the measured times. A proud alliance between the grand art of British carmaking and the fine Swiss watchmaking tradition.

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Great Golf

No.1. 2014 £4.95

Magazine

THE LUXURY TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Great Golf

Magazine

• Norway • Spain • Bahamas • Scotland • Belgium • Tenerife • Suzann Pettersen • Breitling for Bentley • Property • Great Golf Adventures • Win tickets to the Ryder Cup

Contents TRAVEL FEATURES

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£4.95

20 Six courses of South East Asia 24 Golf & the city – Lisbon 28 Norway – Round midnight 36 Spain – Hidden gold 52 Bahamas – Animal magic 68 Morocco – A little piece of heaven 76 Scotland – Capital idea 88 Belgium – Golf on the front line 96 Tenerife – Island of eternal spring

Cover photo: Beachcomber Hotels & Resorts

INTERVIEW

84 Laing the jeweller – A touch of brilliance LUXURY

44 Breitling for Bentley – Perfect timing 62 Suzann Pettersen – A need for speed PRODUCTS

102 Criquet – Looking good Southern Style 106 Great gifts SPA, FOOD & WINE

112 Wined down in the Valley of the Moon 118 Resurrection man 124 Grapes of joy PROPERTY

130 Scotland – Laird of the Glen 136 Maldives – Desert island dreaming GREAT GOLF ADVENTURES

142 Bespoke trips to India, Czech Republic and Belgium 149 Upcoming Great Golf Adventures 151 Golf Club Guide 16 Win a golf break and 2 tickets to the Ryder Cup 9

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Great Golf Adventures & Club Guide ADVENTURES INDIA

CZECH REPUBLIC BELGIUM

THE CLUB GUIDE

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Marrakech Luxury Golf in Morocco at the Royal Palm Marrakech

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

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

Luxury furnishings abound and every suite has its own spacious

terrace or balcony with views towards the Atlas Mountains.

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

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

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

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GOLF TRAVEL YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE...

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

WELCOME to the spring 2014 issue of Great Golf Magazine, packed as always with wonderful places to visit, play golf, eat good food, taste great wine and generally spoil yourself.

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Mike Kaas-Stock mike@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk

You will find some new and exciting additions to our offerings among these pages. Firstly, EDITOR

along with articles covering fantastic locations around the world, you now have an easy way to follow in our journalists footsteps by booking your own holiday through Great Golf Adventures.

So, after reading an article about a must visit location and feeling the pangs of jealousy for the lucky journalist who visited, you now have no excuse for not doing it yourself. You will find information on just how to book your holiday after select articles and in the new Great Golf

ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

Adventures section. If you just want a regular golf holiday then there are many tour operators

Ketil Plassgaard ketil@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk

to book through, but if you want a Great Golf Adventure, then please contact us.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

And now on to the wonderful articles in this issue, have you ever wanted to play golf in the Arctic Circle under the midnight sun? Then read our Round Midnight North Norway feature to find out where to go and what to do. Peter Ellegard, not to be outdone by anyone, travels to the

Karim Ullah karim@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk MARKETING MANAGER

Nick Edgley EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

sunny Bahamas to swim with pigs.

We take the idea of a star in a reasonably priced car and do it the Great Golf way, namely a golf star in an expensive car. Golf legend Suzann Pettersen drops her clubs and takes to the

Peter Ellegard peter@greatgolfmagazine.co.uk LUXURY PRODUCTS

racetrack in a Bentley Continental, hold on to your hats. As this year is the one hundred years

Angus Davies angus@escapement.uk.com

anniversary of the Great War, Mike Stock heads to Flanders for a round of historical golf at

PRODUCTION CONTROLLER

Palingbeek Golf & Country Club. issue, and you can be sure that our tireless journalists are out there right now in preparation for the summer edition.

We have Great Golf Products soon to go live online, so if you like the items of luxury and fashion that are featured in the magazine, you will soon be able to purchase direct from our website.

Great Golf Magazine is now available on Apple Newsstand, Kindle Fire and Google Play, so why not treat yourself or a friend to a copy that they can read anywhere. Please find details on

Peter Ellegard Angus Davies Dena RochĂŠ Mark Alexander 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

the subscription page.

Happy Golfing wherever you go.

The Team GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE

Sophie Morrison CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS ISSUE

As usual, food is eaten, courses played and continents traversed to bring you this latest

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All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior written consent of Great Golf Magazine UK

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Great Golf • Norway • Spain • Bahamas • Scotland • Belgium • Tenerife • Suzann Pettersen • Breitling for Bentley • Property • Great Golf Adventures • Win tickets to the Ryder Cup

• Malaysia • Gran Canaria • Kenya • Isle of Man • Colorado • STAG • Fashion • Property • Whisky • Win a golf break for two at Luton Hoo

Bulgaria - Thracian treasure The Azores - The secret islands Northern Ireland - Fine Courses and Liquid Sunshine Bubba Watson - The unconventional golfer Dubai - A mirage in the desert USA and China - The highest & the lowest Hilton Head - Southern comfort Garia - Birth of the Cool

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Scotland Land of the brave

The spirit of Jamaica

• • • • • • • • •

Great Golf

The moment

all your troubles seem like water under the bridge.

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The Roxburghe, Scottish Borders

The moment has come. In 2014, The Ryder Cup will return to Scotland, the Home of Golf, for the first time in over four decades. Amongst Scotland’s golfing regions, the Scottish Borders is well known for its magnificent scenery and wonderful hospitality. The region also boasts The Freedom of the Fairways Golf Passport - Scotland’s bestselling golf pass - which allows golfers of all ages to play on 21 great courses.

There’s plenty to do away from the course too, including mountain biking in Glentress, and sampling abundant local produce.

So whether you’re teeing off at The Roxburghe or going fishing on the River Tweed, you’ll find plenty of moments to treasure forever. To find out more about our range of courses to suit every kind of budget, go to visitscotland.com/scottishborders-golf.

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BRITISH PAR 3 CHAMPIONSHIP 5TH - 8TH AUGUST, 2014 Nailcote Hall, Warwickshire

RyderLegends Cup Descend on Nailcote Hall

Above: Tony Jacklin CBE, bottom left: Tommy Fleetwood, bottom right: Robert Rock

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17/03/2014 16:15

Left to right: Ian Woosnam OBE, Sam Torrance OBE & Brian Barnes

As the golfing world looks ahead to the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, many of the tournament’s iconic figures will be playing one of the UK’s largest golf tournaments: The Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship. Hosted annually at the stunning Nailcote Hall in Warwickshire, the championship is steeped in more than 80 years of history and regularly attracts a field of golfing legends.

For the sixth year in a row, the most successful Ryder Cup captain of all-time Tony Jacklin CBE will be hosting the tournament and welcoming other inspirational Ryder Cup figures including Ian Woosnam OBE, Sam Torrance OBE, Peter Baker, Brian Barnes, DJ Russell, Tommy Horton MBE and Des Smyth. As well as Ryder Cup legends, many current European Tour professionals and top celebrities regularly attend the prestigious event.

Two-time Major winner Tony Jacklin is renowned for paving the way for European golf and helping put an end to years of American dominance.

As a player, he competed in seven consecutive Ryder Cups and was involved one of the tournament’s most famous moments in 1969 when Jack Nicklaus conceded Jacklin’s putt to draw the tournament.

However, Tony’s most incredible achievements came as captain.

Vice Captains. Both are favourites of the British Par 3 Championship and will attend the tournament in the build-up to the Ryder Cup. Sam Torrance sank the winning putt in 1985 under Jacklin’s stewardship and returned as captain in 2002 to preside over another European victory, while Smyth was one of Ian Woosnam’s vice-captains at the K Club in 2006. Woosnam is another big name who regularly competes at the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship and added his Ryder Cup triumph to his incredible Masters victory in 1991.

The Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship has evolved over the years from little-known Torquay tournament to the third largest annual golfing event in England. Par 3 golf is continually growing in popularity and provides an ideal opportunity for players to hone their short game. The Cromwell Course at Nailcote Hall provides a stern test for any golfer; Ryder Cup legend or not.

From 5th-8th August 2014, the picturesque Nailcote Hall will once again welcome Jacklin, Torrance, Woosnam, Smyth, Barnes and many more to compete for the coveted title and a prize fund that last year reached £100,000. As well as professional golfers, the championship regularly attracts an array of well-known personalities and huge crowds who come to enjoy the first-class golf and entertainment. The Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship will provide the perfect prelude to the Ryder Cup in September, and is certain to be one of the highlights of the golfing calendar.

From 1983-1989, Tony Jacklin led the European Ryder Cup team on four occasions and in that time became the tournament’s most successful captain of all time. Jacklin was instrumental in reinstating the exiled Seve Ballesteros to the team and captained his men to their first victory for 28 years in 1985, and to their first ever victory in the United States in 1987. Jacklin’s legacy lives on to this day and since his reign as captain, Europe have won seven times in a championship previously dominated by the USA.

08453 31 30 31

The Ryder Cup will come to Scotland for only the second time in its history when it is staged at the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles.

Captains Paul McGinley and Tom Watson will go head-to-head in September with Sam Torrance and Des Smyth acting as McGinley’s

www.britishpar3.com @BritishPar3

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SIX COURSES South East Asia Photos The Golf Clubs

MALAYSIA - Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club Originally opened in 1991, the West and East Courses were completely redesigned by renowned international golf course architects E & G Parslow and re-opened in 2008 and 2010 respectively. The West Course offers pristine playing conditions, exceptional detail and aesthetic beauty combined with the importance of player strategy. The East Course is laid out in a parkland setting which has been snipped and pruned to such a degree that you feel as if you’re playing a round at the Chelsea

Flower Show. The design takes full advantage of the beauty of the land with natural grasses and wetlands and a sanctuary to provide a habitat to the numerous forms of wildlife and birds in the area. Good bunkering, clinging rough around the greens and, as your round progresses, ever more frequent and severe water hazards, ensure that the East Course continually tests and probes your overall game. www.klgcc.com

MALAYSIA - Hornbill Golf & Jungle Club About an hour drive from Kuching International Airport on the north western shore of Borneo you’ll find Hornbill Golf & Jungle Club, the only ‘Golf & Jungle Club’ in the world. It is part of the Borneo Highlands Resort which cost almost £100 million to build. This cost included turning 18 miles of dirt track into a proper highway with the last five miles going virtually straight up the mountain, because Hornbill is located at over 3,000 feet above sea level in the Penrissen mountain range in the heart of the world’s oldest and second largest rainforest. Designed by

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Australian golf architect Neil Crafter to reflect the natural features and contours of its unique highland location, this 18hole Par 72 course allows golfers to play amidst breathtakingly untampered jungle surroundings. The golf course itself is amazing, its holes rising and falling steeply amidst the mountain rainforest (a buggy is a necessity here) and offering spectacular panoramic views from many holes across the jungles of Sarawa. www.borneohighlands.com.my

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VIETNAM - Laguna Lăng Cô Golf Club Laguna Lăng Cô is the newest of three courses in and around Danang, Vietnam’s fourth largest city. The 18-hole, par-71 championship course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, is part of the 940-acre Laguna Lăng Cô integrated resort complex that also includes a Banyan Tree resort with 49 villas and a 229-room Angsana hotel, luxury properties that boast both spas and a range of dining experiences. According to Sir Nick, the 6,958yard, Par-71 course is unique in Vietnam because it incorporates six environments: sand “blow-outs”, rice paddy

fields, beach, river, jungle and exposed rock outcrops. The rocks feature most prominently on the par-3 11th hole, Sir Nick’s favourite, and were only discovered, he told us, when he and his team were hacking back the jungle growth with machetes to map out the site. The course changes character repeatedly as the holes meander through the different environments, all the while impressing that it could only be in Vietnam, particularly while standing on a tee or green in the midst of paddies. www.lagunalangco.com

VIETNAM - Montgomerie Links Located midway between Hoi An and Danang, just 15 minutes drive from Danang International Airport, which is serviced by direct local and international flights, this 18-hole course had its official opening on the 19th of April 2010, with designer Colin himself present Montgomerie Links is a large and very open course, and despite being less than five years old, it has a mature and established feel. The over-arching design philosophy behind all of Colin Montgomerie’s designs is to work closely with the natural characteristics of each site. Montgomerie Links Vietnam has

many truly outstanding natural features. The sandy soil, windblown dunes, and indigenous vegetation combine to create the framework for a very strong links-style golf course that caters to players of all abilities and is a sheer delight to play.

There are far more elevations than its near neighbours and it also features several water hazards, indigenous vegetation and large but well-protected greens, besides wind-blown sand dunes that add a linksy element. The Marble Mountains can be seen from several parts of the course. www.lubker.com

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SIX COURSES - SOUTH EAST ASIA

THE PHILIPPINES - Anvaya Cove Golf & Sports Club The golf course at Anvaya Cove, located in Bataan, on the West Philippine Sea some 2.5 hours from Manila, was opened for play in December 2013. Designed by Kevin Ramsey of the California-based firm Golfplan, the 7030-yard Par 72 course aims to enthral players of all levels. Several holes play directly alongside the beach, while others occupy bluffs some 30 meters above the surf. Several more cut daring paths through thick, tropical jungle, while the remaining play along ridges 100

meters above sea level. Anvaya Cove boasts a striking Beach & Nature Club complete with two restaurants, a water sports pavilion, pool complex and a massive swath of pristine beach along Anvaya Cove itself. Though they are essentially two clubs in one location, members of the Anvaya Cove Golf & Sports Club enjoy the amenities at both, including more than 40 guest cottages. www.anvayacove.com.ph

THAILAND -Thai Country Club Thai Country Club, just outside of Bangkok, is a joint venture between the Phataraprasit Group and The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited. The course, designed by Denis Griffiths, at that time president of the world-renowned American Society of Golf Course Architects, was opened in December 1996. The design adapts from everyday member use up to a very tough challenge for major international tournaments. The 7,157-yard course, from the professional tees, was tested

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GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE

during the 1997 Asian Honda Classic won by Tiger Woods. The high-tech computer designed greens make for many interesting pin placements. The entire course features immaculate conditions, a neo-classical design and alkali variety from hole to hole, along with an abundance of water and sand hazards. The course is a constant test of one’s golfing proficiency. The club operates principally as a members’ club, but welcomes visitors on weekdays. www.thaicountryclub.com

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GOLF & THE CITY

Greens and the White City

By Peter Ellegard, photos: Peter Ellegard, Turismo de Lisboa and Orizonte

ne of Europe’s grandest and most historic capitals, Lisbon is a joy to explore on a city break. But remember to pack your golf clubs, as there are more than two dozen golf courses close by to combine with a stay. Top notch golf, at that.

The Lisbon Golf Coast, which also takes in Estoril, Sintra, Obidos and Setubal, has twice been honoured in the golf tourism industry’s Oscars, the IAGTO Awards, as Established Golf Destination of the Year (in 2003) and Europe Established Golf Destination of the Year (2007).

Lisbon is built on seven hills on the northern side of the Tagus River estuary and is a compact city which is easy to get around on foot, by bus, metro or on its venerable trams. However, you

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will need to rent a car to get to the golf courses in the surrounding area. Rental car firms at Lisbon airport include Guerin, bookable via travel agents through Your Car Hire (www.your-carhire.com), which specialises in renting to golfers.

GETTING THERE AND HOTELS. Well served from the UK,

Lisbon’s airport is very close to the city. The Sheraton Lisboa, in the Saldanha district, makes a good base, its 26th-floor Panorama Restaurant giving extensive views of the city.

To get the best of both the city and its golf, stay a night or two in a golf resort. Just 30 minutes across the Tagus close to Setubal on the Costa Azul, the Montado Hotel & Golf Resort offers guests chic accommodation at the heart of a course overlooked by

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Palmela Castle. Formerly a convent, the hilltop castle is now a luxury hotel, the Pousada de Palmela, offering another alternative with rooms giving stunning vistas through mullioned windows and a restaurant in the old refectory.

The Oitavos is a striking five-star hotel close to Cascais and flanked by the Arthur Hills-designed Oitavos Dunes course. Its sleek, uber-modern design includes suites with open-plan bathrooms, huge windows and balconies opening onto the sea or course.

ON COURSE. Golfers are spoilt for choice around Lisbon. Oitavos Dunes is a links-style seaside course laid out through pine woods and reforested dunes in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and was Europe’s first course recognised as a Gold Certified Signature Sanctuary by environmental group Audubon International.

The four-time Portuguese Open venue is a gloriously situated and demanding course, with narrow fairways edged by natural vegetation and dunes. Nearby is three-time Portuguese Open host, Penha Longa, where the signature hole of its Robert Trent Jones Jrdesigned Atlantic course, the par-4 6th, features a Roman aqueduct behind the green. Penha Longa also has a Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Close to Sintra is the delightful Belas course. Set within a residential community, the Rocky Roquemore layout uses its contours and wooded valleys to make golfers feel close to nature.

An environmental management system also earned it the accolade of being the first course in the Iberian Peninsula to obtain GEO (Golf Environment Organisation) certification.

ROYAL OBIDOS. Montado’s course is surrounded by muscatel vineyards in a setting of streams, lakes and cork trees. Open since 1992, it was remodelled in 2005 with new tees and greens. The highlight of the course is the island green on the 18th hole.

An hour north of Lisbon is a masterpiece that was the final work of the late, great Seve Ballesteros – Royal Obidos, which opened in 2012. Seve’s grand design is a magnificent, challenging championship course offering sweeping panoramas of the Atlantic and the Lagoa de Obidos, Portugal’s largest lagoon.

The par-5, risk-reward 2nd hole curves around a lake with two fairway bunkers shaped as an “S” and a “B” visible from the high tee boxes to honour the course’s legendary creator. A hotel opens on site this year. Also nearby are the Donald Steel-designed Bom 25

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GOLF & THE CITY

Successo course and Praia d’El Rey, arguably one of Europe’s most stunning courses for its stretch of four back-nine holes overlooking the Atlantic.

ORIZONTE. New brand ORIZONTE (www.orizontegolf.com) brings together six 18-hole courses south of Lisbon in the Costa Azul region. Ribagolfe comprises two European Golf Design courses laid out through sloping terrain lined by cork oak trees in the Ribatejo forest.

Peter Townsend-designed Ribagolfe I is American-style and stretches 7,370 yards but has large greens to counter its narrow fairways. Ribagolfe II, by Michael King, is shorter and has wider fairways, with a more British feel and water on just two holes.

Nearby Santa Estevao is another 7,000-plus yard course,

by Donald Steel.

Aroeira has two Frank Pennink-designed courses set in pine woodland, with Aroeira I a double Portuguese Open venue that opened in 1973. Quinta do Peru has hosted several European Challenge Tour events and is a Rocky Roquemore design consistently ranked among continental Europe’s best.

WHITE CITY. Stroll around Lisbon’s ancient streets to soak up its amazing light, glorious architecture and friendly atmosphere. The city is dominated by the San Jorge Castle atop a hill above the downtown Baixa district, where the pedestrianised Rua Augusta leads to the Terreiro de Paco square and where you can ride up the 112-year-old Santa Justa elevator.

A trip on one of Lisbon’s vintage yellow 28 trams is a must.

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Watch Lisbon’s street life with an al fresco coffee at a café in Chiado and gaze across the Tagus from an outdoor bar with a sundowner high up in Bairro Alto, before hitting one of its pulsating nightclubs.

Rossio Square (officially called Praca Dom Pedro V) is lined by grand buildings mostly dating from after Lisbon’s devastating 1755 earthquake. Explore the area’s fascinating shops and visit the tiny A Ginjinha stand-up bar to try a glass of the ginja liqueur made from brandy steeped in sour cherries.

The waterfront Belem district is where explorer Vasco de Gama set sail from on his expedition to India, marked by the Monument to the Discoveries shaped like a ship’s prow. Nearby is the iconic 16th century Belem Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Jeronimos Monastery.

BEYOND LISBON. Considered the Portuguese Riviera, Estoril and Cascais are full of glamour and charisma. Estoril Casino is one of Europe’s largest casinos and one of Portugal’s prime entertainment venues.

UNESCO-listed Sintra enjoys a commanding location on craggy peaks in the Sintra Mountains, surmounted by the colourful, castellated Pena Palace and with several other notable historic buildings.

The coastline, a short distance away, encompasses Europe’s most westerly point at Cabo da Roca and the beaches along this area are noted for having some of the best surfing and windsurfing in Europe. For golfers, that might be a water hazard too far.

• More information: www.visitlisboa.com GGM

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Round midnight...

NORWAYmay not be the first country that springs to mind when thinking of a golf vacation, but this Scandinavian location has a lot to offer those who want to experience something a little different. For this foray I am heading north, far enough to make even a Scotsman seem like a southerner, and oh yes, I am playing golf...

By Mike Kaas-Stock, photo Rune Nilsen, Tore Schning Olsen, Kevin Murray and Visit Norway

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have three flights ahead of me: firstly it’s a 1 hour 40 minute journey from the UK to the Norwegian capital of Oslo, I then catch a connecting flight to the northern town of Bodø. But that’s not far enough for this trip, oh no, it’s then via a twin propeller plane to the Lofoten archipelago, roughly 200 kilometres north of Bodø and above the Arctic Circle.

We touch down in the evening at Svolvær, the main town on the Lofoten peninsula. It’s July and the sun is shining, furthermore it’s going to carry on shining here all night!

Myself and the other journalists drop off our luggage at the rather swanky modern harbour houses that they are accommodating us in and move en masse to the Børsen Spiseri restaurant (Spiseri means eatery in the native tongue) for a meal and a welcome drink. If you are going to Svolvær then a visit here is a must; the food is excellent and the service impeccable.

I

ON THE FJORD. With our bellies full, our contact from the

Norway Tourist Office proudly announces that we will now

go kayaking on the fjord. It’s 10.30 at night but the sun is up and our sense of adventure heightened. Before we know it, we are paired off into kayaks and out on the mirror-like water heading along the coast.

The mountains here come down to the water’s edge, and every now and then we come across an isolated patch of land on the shoreline with a sandy beach and a house, only accessible from the sea. To think that only a few hours earlier I was in the UK and now here I am in a kayak on a fjord under the midnight sun – it’s truly amazing.

We return to our accommodation thoroughly content, but I have to wonder, how do you sleep when the sun is still shining? Well, we have a busy day ahead of us, with a trip to the northenmost links golf course, so I had better find a way.

LOFOTEN LINKS. The next day, after a hearty breakfast back

at the Borsen Spiseri and a tour of the town, we head off to our first game of golf above the Arctic Circle. We are going to be joined by Suzann Pettersen, Norway’s number one golfer.

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We arrive at Lofoten Golf Club in the afternoon and, after introductions to Suzann and her manager, we are taken down to some stables where we are to get acquainted with some Icelandic ponies.

It soon becomes apparent that the intention is for us to ride these beautiful beasts. My experience of horse riding amounts to having ridden a donkey on a trip to the beach when I was just a small boy.

Luckily, both my sisters were keen riders and so my knowledge does at least extend to which way to face and how to hold on.

The ponies seem content to have us aboard and off we head onto a white sandy beach and then into the countryside. It’s only when we reach an open stretch of track that we all learn that Icelandic Ponies have only two gears: walk and go fast, which involves a lot of bouncing. Apparently, the middle gear on most horses is missing on this model.

STAMPEDE. One moment our group are calmly making their way along, the next all hell breaks loose. Shouts and yells in varying languages can be heard as the horses take off en masse and journalists cling on desperately to their mounts. Like a berserk Viking war party, we hurtle through the Lofoten landscape.

It takes a few moments to calm the horses down as they all compete to be in the lead, but finally order is restored with no Gleneagles Centenarydignity.

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It’s time to move on to a round of golf in the hope that we all shall redeem ourselves. But who are we kidding, we are playing with Suzann Pettersen!

The first hole is a par-4 with a dogleg left from a raised tee.

There is an area of scrubland to the left side obscuring the green.

You basically have two options: play safe and aim to the right, or go for death or glory and tigerline over it. I naturally go for the latter and with thoughts of my impending career as a top class golfer once Suzann has told the world of my abilities, I take my shot. I am rewarded by watching my ball disappear into this no man’s land. My fellow golfers mumble their commiserations, barely containing their laughter and head off for their second shot, all safely on the right side of the fairway.

MAGICAL LIGHT. I am saved! My ball has by some miracle landed on a bare patch of earth and my second shot revives some semblance of pride. Right, all I need to do now is get the damn thing in the hole.

We continue our round with the midnight sun creating a magical light over the spectacular surroundings. Wisps of cloud cling to the mountains and the sea reflects the warm light.

For those intrepid golfers who want to experience something a little different, this course is a must. When that know-it-all person brags about their latest trip to somewhere banal, wouldn’t it be

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nice to say, “I’ve played links golf above the Arctic Circle under the midnight sun. Beat that.”

We retire to sit outside the clubhouse for a well earned beer and a chance to work on our suntan. Well, it is only 12.30 at night.

TROLLFJORD. The next day we head off to Trollfjord, a 2km long

fjord that drops to over 70 metres at its deepest point. Our mode of transport is a 12 man RIB boat, which is something of a cross between an inflatable and a solid hull construction. This combination means that you can go very fast, and I mean very fast.

At its narrowest point the fjord is a mere 100 metres across, quite amazing when you realize that cruise liners regularly sail up here.

The mountains loom over us and water cascades from rivers and streams that quite simply fall over the edge and down into the fjord.

We stop for some lunch at a village called Digermulen, and then it’s off for a hike up the mountain. Now, having grown up in the wilds of the Mendip Hills, I consider myself a bit of a mountain goat, which is more than can be said for some of my fellow journalists who possibly may not leave the comfort of their offices as often as they should.

TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN. We arrive at the top with several

grumbling about imminent heart attacks and the possibilities of an air rescue helicopter being able to land. The view is stunning

and well worth the risk to some of our party. Growing all around us are a type of berry that the Norwegians call Multe and we refer to as Cloudberries. They look like an orange Blackberry and are simply delicious.

We make a quick descent and are soon on the boats and heading back to Svolvær. On the way our skipper spots a sea eagle circling and we veer off to investigate. These fabulous birds of prey, with a wing span of up to 7 feet 10 inches, are found all along the coast here and it’s a spectacular sight to see. Sure enough, there is a nest high on the cliffs.

LIVE ON TV. The next day we fly back to Bodø to play Bodø Golf

Club. I hear that Norwegian TV is going to be filming our attempts; just what I need to instil confidence in my game.

We arrive to find a mass of people who have turned out to see Suzann take on the international journalists. Oh, how I wish I had stayed on that mountain. It’s like playing at the Ryder Cup. A large throng of people follow us to the first tee. Just to add more drama to the proceedings, the TV crew have launched a small remote control helicopter fitted with a camera to catch those important aerial shots.

I am the second to tee off with Suzann, going last to show everyone how it should be done. As I step forward, I hear a member of the film crew announce to camera and audience that 33

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”Spectacular scenery, friendly people and some good golf – amazing what you can discover when you decide to look north...”

the English contestant is now to tee off. No pressure there then, just carrying the weight of a nation on my sunken shoulders! My slice has returned, but luckily for me my angle is off, so although I cannot say that things are looking good, I am at least not going to have to rummage through the bushes live on TV. SHORT SUMMERS. My game continues with varying success. We have mountains to our right and a view towards the Lofoten Peninsula to our left as we work our way around this wonderful course. Again, we have been blessed with wall to wall sunshine.

The summer may be short here but it’s full on.

The sixth hole is a nice par-3 over water to the green. It takes me two balls to reach it but it’s well worth the effort and I am glad to say I am not the only one to lose one to the salty depths.

Our game is due to end at the ninth, which is a shame as I am starting to actually hit the ball in a straight line. We reach the eighth hole, another par-3.

My tee shot lands and disappears off the back of the green, much to my disappointment. My second shot only just gets me on the green, but with a very long putt it all looks grim. The crowd falls silent as I take my shot for Par. I relax my shoulders and concentrate. To my amazement, I sink the putt to rapturous applause. I look around for the camera crew only to find that they have already moved on to the next hole. My crowning glory and a chance of stardom gone.

BODØ BY NIGHT. That evening we decide that it is time to check

out the Bodø nightlife, so after a meal in the harbour we move to a rather crowded bar. It seems that the whole town are out enjoying themselves, but with the sun still in the sky I do get the distinct feeling that people stay up all summer here and sleep in the winter.

At about 1am, I head back to the hotel and leave the hardened party animals amongst us to carry on. It seems that the bar has no intention of closing before sunset, which will be in about a month. Tomorrow is our last day; we are going to take another RIB boat out to view the famous Saltstraumen, the strongest tidal current in the world. I do wonder how some of the revellers will fare on this and make a mental note not to sit too close to any of them.

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WHIRLPOOLS. It’s back on the boat to Saltstraumen. A few of my fellow passengers seem a little worse for wear and it will be interesting to see how they fare when we get to what are basically a set of large whirlpools. Luckily for them, we arrive during a lull so, although still impressive, they are saved from the worst.

Our journey back takes us past deserted islands with perfect sandy beaches. Tomorrow it’s back to the bustle of my regular life, but sitting there in the boat and looking out over the crystal clear water with clean air in my lungs, I do have to wonder what it would be like to live here in such a pristine environment. The winters may be long but they hold a magic as well, with thick snow and a chance to see the northern lights. The summers, as I have now seen, can be spectacular and it’s obvious that people grab the days of constant daylight with both hands and revel in the summer months in a way you only can when you know time is limited. Spectacular scenery, friendly people and some good golf – amazing what you can discover when you decide to look north..

GGM

GOOD TO KNOW ­

LUE! GREAT VA &B 5 nights B s of and 3 day lf : quality go

€ 365

GOLF AND GASTRONOMY IN COSTA DAURADA Looking for something new and unique? Then come and play at Costa Daurada - a great new destination for golf!

The TRYP Port Cambrils hotel lies in the picturesque fishing village of Cambrils with easy access to top quality golf courses and a wide variety of gastronomic experiences! Enjoy championship golf, lovely weather and true hospitality in this ”hidden gem” of southern Catalonia within easy reach from the airports of Barcelona and Reus.

Special Offer for Spring and Autumn 2014 - 5 nights in double at TRYP Port Cambrils including breakfast - 3 days of unlimited golf on any of our 7 courses - Free room upgrade *

Package prices: from € 365 per person * * Offer subject to availibility.

Local tourist tax of 1 euro per person per night not included.

To book your package please contact your local golf tour operator or direct with Costa Daurada Golf Association info@costadauradagolf.com www.costadauradagolf.com

costa daurada golf association

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SPAIN

Hidden gold

With an average of 3.5 million visitors a year, the Costa Daurada in Spain’s north-eastern corner, close to Barcelona, is a region long enjoyed by holidaymakers but almost undiscovered by golfers.

By Peter Ellegard, Photo: Peter Ellegard, Lumine and Costa Daurada Golf Association

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SPAIN nown by its Catalan name of the Costa Daurada, or Costa Dorada in Spanish, it lies within the province of Tarragona and forms the most southerly part of Catalonia with neighbouring region Terres de L’Ebre. Its name translates as the Golden Coast; over 90 km of coastline encompasses some 60 sandy beaches and several resorts, including ever-popular Salou.

This is a region full of history – provincial capital Tarragona is one of the best-preserved Roman towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – as well as culture, wine, quaint villages, fishing ports and natural splendour. It is also home to Spain’s most popular theme park, PortAventura, with its thrill rides, water park and resort hotels just minutes from Salou and adjacent seaside resort La Pineda.

K

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Right next to the park is the region’s premier golf complex, the 45-hole Lumine Golf Club. So close, you can see the spiralling loops of Europe’s highest rollercoaster from some holes on its flagship Greg Norman-designed Lakes course, accompanied by screams of terrified riders as they hurtle around the tracks.

Occasional screams of thrill-ride passengers also punctuate the air on some holes of Lumine’s other 18-hole course, the Hills.

Not that the sounds detract from playing golf on either course.

Such is the challenge they serve up that your mind is only momentarily jolted from the task in hand.

WIDE-RANGING COURSES. The Costa Daurada has five other golf courses, including two by other top-drawer golf architects – Robert Trent Jones Jr’s Bonmont, just inland of the charming port

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town of Cambrils, and Panoramica, the only design in Spain by Germany’s Ryder Cup player and captain, Bernhard Langer, located just over Tarragona’s southern border in Castellón province.

Altogether, they comprise a collection of eclectic golf experiences that are set to get a lot more exposure from golf tour operators after the Costa Daurada hosted the world’s top golf travel convention, the International Golf Travel Market, in November. The event was staged at Lumine, but delegates also got the chance to experience the area’s other courses.

Catalonia’s culture was highlighted through events such as the welcome reception in the gardens of historic La Boella olive oil estate – where you can also stay at a boutique hotel – with traditional Catalan papier-maché giants and a spectacular firework

show featuring drummers, dancers and a fire-breathing dragon, plus displays of Catalonian Castells (human tower) building in Tarragona’s bullring arena during the closing night gala dinner for the IAGTO Awards, the golf tourism industry’s own Oscars.

PROTECTED WETLANDS. Managed by Troon Golf, Lumine Golf Club opened in 2008 and oozes quality. It forms the core of the Lumine Mediterranean Golf & Beach Community, laid out over 420 acres of wooded hills and protected wetlands on the Cap Salou headland with a beach club and ocean-overlook restaurant.

Lumine offers golfers variety and difficulty far in excess of your average resort.

The links-style Lakes course traces a meandering path through the Sequia Major wetlands, while the Hills, a design by Spanish

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architect Alfonso Vidaor runs through hilly Mediterranean pine woodland and olive groves, providing eye candy in the form of dramatic rock outcrops and natural stone quarries.

They are complemented by Lumine Ruins, a nine-hole Greg Norman course set on Lumine’s highest slope but relatively flat.

Its name comes from the 2nd century Roman archaeological remains that dot parts of the course.

Both 18-hole courses have their own clubhouse. The Hills Clubhouse lords it over the 18th green from its rocky perch at the highest part of the entire complex.

The 6,890-yard, par-71 Lakes course is the most technically difficult course. Water and marshes skirting entire holes, including the par-4 8th and 9th holes and the long par-5 16th, add particular difficulty, especially in windy conditions.

ROLLER COASTER. PortAventura’s Shambhala coaster and Hurakan Condor tower provide the backcloth to several holes and you play directly towards them from the 15th and 18th tees. Less endearing is the huge petrochemical plant directly in view as you approach the dangerous 12th green, where a pulled shot will find water or the waste sand area edging the green.

Lumine Hills’ roller coaster fairways climb up and plunge back down the undulating terrain, with pine, olive and carob trees giving it a different character to its sibling. Longer at almost 7,000 yards, it throws in two of its three hardest holes at the end of the front nine, the par-3 8th over a lake ranked toughest of all.

Quarry cliffs alongside the 17th green and cupping the 18th green and lake, directly below the clubhouse after a sharp dogleg, Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course provide a memorable finish.

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Ecology is key at Lumine. Its three courses were the first in Spain to gain the prestigious Audubon International Signature Sanctuary certificate, awarded for meeting strict environmental criteria. It also won the Efficient Use of Resources honour in the IAGTO Awards’ inaugural Sustainability Awards for 2014.

VISUAL DELIGHT. Close to Tarragona, the Costa Dorada Golf

Club is an established course with rolling fairways weaving through dense stands of mature pines interspersed with olive and palm trees and a grand Catalan country house as its clubhouse.

From the outset the course is a visual delight; the fairway of the opening par-5 hole appears to angle down to the green as you play it, but looking back from the green you see it is split by three picturesque retaining walls.

The back nine serves up some truly magnificent holes. You drive over trees from an elevated tee to reach the fairway of the par-4 10th, while the dogleg 13th, the stroke index one hole, is one of the longest par-5s in Spain at 636 yards and ends with a two-tier green below a massive pine tree.

I also loved the par-5 16th, a right-hand dogleg around a lake invisible from the tee followed by an uphill fairway to a green reached by hitting over large, guarding trees. Possibly because I parred it and only just missed the birdie putt.

PANORAMICA. An hour’s drive south of Tarragona in a rural location, Panoramica opened in 1995 and forms part of a sports resort. It has staged Ladies European Tour events and offers some of the best practice facilities in Europe, including a double-ended driving range, a par-3 course and pitching, chipping and putting greens.

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barranca and the par-4 10th, another downhill hole requiring a shot over a ravine to a green protected by deep bunkers and steep slopes.

Bonmont has 12 self-catering townhouses offering two and three bedrooms for those wanting golf on their doorstep.

Ringed by villas, the open layout is dotted with carob and gnarled, old olive trees as well as several lakes, the demanding final four holes looping around the practice area to end by the hacienda-style clubhouse.

Gently rolling fairways and distant mountains break up the open aspect. Water comes into play sparingly, but when it does Langer makes you earn your pars. Despite its lowly 16-handicap rating, the par-3 5th hole is daunting, played over a lake to a green with water on three sides. The pretty par-3 7th has a green which slopes down to a butterfly-shaped lake crossed by a wooden bridge.

The long par-5 11th, another outstanding hole, has the green at right angles to the fairway at the end of a lake edging much of the hole. Water plays no part on the two hardest holes, the par-5 9th and par-4 10th. Length and tree cover are their defence.

AIGUESVERDS. Just minutes from Reus airport, Aiguesverds is the region’s second-oldest golf club. The Par 71 course has gentle slopes but bares its teeth with well-positioned bunkers and narrow fairways. It has several lakes, including on the par-3 4th hole, with its island green modelled on the 17th at TPC Sawgrass.

The next hole, a par-5, is even tougher; water guards the uphill approach to the green after out of bounds all the way up the right.

The club recently added a new driving range and also offers a pitch and putt course.

DEEP BARRANCAS. From its setting at the foot of mountains, Bonmont offers spectacular vistas. The course opened in 1990 and is one of the finest on the Costa Daurada. Its elegant clubhouse boasts a restaurant offering fine dining and an expansive first-floor terrace giving sweeping views over the course and nearby Mediterranean.

Deep barrancas (ravines) around many of the holes, along with cliffs, trees, six lakes and over 90 contoured bunkers, make it no pushover. At just under 7,000 yards, the course suits long hitters while relatively generous fairways allow wayward hitters some latitude.

The spectacular par-5 17th steals the show, culminating in an approach over a barranca to a tricky green, but several others are noteworthy. Among them are the downhill par-3 5th lined by a

ROMAN HERITAGE. At the Costa Daurada’s northern end, La Graiera opened as a nine-hole course in 1992 before being extended to 18 holes in 2006. A clubhouse was added in 2011.

Set in rolling landscape and offering scenic views over the Catalan countryside, the course provides a stirring finish with a sharp dogleg on the 18th followed by an approach over a deep ravine.

Allow time to enjoy the region’s wealth of other things to do and places to see. Your visit might coincide with one of the many Catalan-flavoured festivals and fiestas that sprinkle the calendar, Easter being the best time.

In Tarragona, you can find vestiges of its Roman heritage at every turn. Surviving monuments include an amphitheatre, aqueduct, theatre, arch, circus and the ancient city walls.

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SPAIN

Lumine offers golfers variety and difficulty far in excess of your average resort

Reus was the epicentre of Spain’s Modernist movement and the birthplace of iconic architect Antoni Gaudi. Its historic centre includes several major Art Nouveau works as well as the new Gaudi Centre, which interprets his life and works.

ARABS AND TEMPLARS. Travel the Cistercian Route to explore

three timeless monasteries, starting at Santes Creus, founded in 1150 but no longer inhabited by monks, and going on to Poblet and Vallbona de les Monges, still working monasteries.

Nature abounds at places such as the inland peaks of the Montsant Nature Park and Prades Mountains and the lush greenery of the Ebro Delta National Park, where Spain’s longest river meets the Mediterranean and where fortifications built by Arabs and Templars still stand guard. The scenic village of Siurana looks out over the Estopina river and its reservoir from high atop a limestone escarpment.

Food and wine play a big part in the Costa Daurada. Vineyards and olive groves cover many hillsides in areas such as Priorat. A large part of the region is included in the designation of origin for Spain’s famous sparkling wine, cava.

Its cuisine takes in traditional dishes such as roasted calcots (a type of spring onion), xató (cod salad served over endives) and the local version of blancmange found in Reus. Discover wonderful little bars and restaurants in the side streets of Tarragona. But perhaps nowhere epitomises the region’s food more than Cambrils, regarded as the Costa Daurada’s culinary capital.

Eat at a restaurant facing the marina or stroll through its streets and sample tapas dishes of locally-caught seafood and other specialities at restaurants including Portus, Casa Macarrilla and La Sacristia del Port.

Having tasted the Costa Daurada’s excellent food and golf, I will definitely be back for seconds.

GGM

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GOOD TO KNOW ­

Costa Daurada Am���n� g�l� �us� ��� h��� s�u�� � B�r��l�n�

18�� a� L����� H��l�

Come and visit Costa Daurada - a great new des�na�on for golf just one hour south of the vibrant city of Barcelona, Spain This region offers everything that the travelling golfer could possibly ask for: top quality golf courses, excellent accomoda�on, lovely Mediterranean climate, a wide variety of excursions and a world famous gastronomy!

Our championship courses and award winning hotels invite you to experience the warmth and hospitality of this ”hidden gem” in southern Catalonia.

For more informa�on on Costa Daurada, please contact your local golf tour operator or visit us on: www.costadauradagolf.com Welcome to Costa Daurada!

costa daurada golf association www.costadaurada.info

www.costadauradagolf.com

Breitling/Bentley_St Enodoc 03.04.14 12:29 Side 1

BREITLING FOR BENTLEY

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Luxury cars and high-end watches seem to appeal to similar idividuals. One brand that has masterfully fused the appeal of high-performance luxury cars with a range of octane-fuelled watches is

Breitling for Bentley

Perfect timing

By Angus Davies, www.escapement.uk.com, photo by Bentley

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n life we invariably seek a suitable partner. It is often fate which brings two individuals together.

Indeed, it is a matter of perfect timing. In 2003, Breitling, the Swiss watch brand, and Bentley, the quintessentially British car company, walked down the aisle together. The two exceptional luxury brands entered into a relationship which continues to remain strong to this day.

Luxury watches and prestigious cars often appeal to similar individuals. The pursuit of excellence is a prerequisite for those companies wishing to compete at this elevated level. Quality has to be beyond reproach, performance is a given and aesthetics have to have a lasting appeal.

Like a marriage, both partners in an alliance must not only share similar values but also need to get along. Several watch companies have joined forces with luxury car marques only to fall out of love after the initial honeymoon period has ended. To be a frequent divorcee is not a positive message for either brand, hence companies who enter into relationships should do so with great caution.

One possible reason for the success of the “Breitling for Bentley” brand is that the relationship was made on a sound footing with both brands sharing know-how and similar values.

I

THE CONTINENTAL GT. When Bentley created the

Continental GT in 2002, it astounded the world with its stunning, sinuous shape and phenomenal performance. It was a milestone for Bentley, the W12 engine being the most powerful they had ever made. The top speed of this car was nearly 200 mph.

In creating the Continental GT, Bentley had not eschewed comfort, luxury or craftsmanship. The cockpit was a sea of fine, blemish-free leather, stitched to perfection. The dashboard featured the venerable veneer synonymous with the Crewe based company. There, in the centre of the dashboard, adjacent to the iconic organstop ventilation controls, was a Breitling clock.

Over the subsequent years, the Bentley Continental GT has evolved, but one element has remained unchanged: the Breitling clock nestled in the dashboard, imparting time with faultless accuracy.

CELEBRATING LE MANS. Racing is part of the Bentley DNA and the marque took the decision to revisit the success of the past by returning to competition at Le Mans. The British company had previously dominated the Le Mans 24 hour race, securing four successive victories from 1927 to 1930, courtesy of the prodigious talents of the infamous “Bentley Boys”.

Breitling, the main sponsor of Team Bentley, joined the marque in celebrating victory in 2003. The watch

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company created a limited series timepiece with a 24-hour display and engine-turned bezel, resembling the dashboard of vintage Bentley cars of yesteryear. This particular watch had an unusual chronograph: a stopwatch function, which had a central hand that made one full rotation every 30 seconds instead of the customary 60 seconds. These particular limited-edition models have become much sought after by watch collectors.

True competitors in the world of motorsport value time, counting every second and parts thereof. Breitling has a long history of creating chronographs, watches that can record elapsed time intervals, helping true competitors hone their racing line and shave vital seconds from their lap time.

A THOROUGHBRED. Initially, in common with many watch companies, Breitling used modified ETA movements, personalised to their own specification.

However, a few years ago, Breitling took the bold step to make many of its movements totally in-house. This necessitated huge financial investment, but ensured greater independence for the company.

The new engines are created in a dedicated facility in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a Swiss city known for its watchmaking prowess. Creating a movement in-house accords the status “Manufacture.” Last year, Breitling revealed several new models featuring their incredible new movements.

BENTLEY B06. The Bentley B06 is an overtly masculine

watch, measuring 49 mm in diameter. It features a chronograph displaying elapsed time intervals, a central stop watch hand showing 1/8th of a second graduations, and 15 minute and 6 hour totalisers, presented via two sundials on the face. The aforementioned 30 second central stop watch hand, first seen on the limited-edition models of 2003 and inspired by a Breitling patent dating back to 1926, makes an appearance once again.

The “variable tachometer” is a slide rule type device, allowing the wearer to rotate the bezel and, using the scales encircling the dial, make various calculations. It is a facility familiar to many pilots who have relied on a similar system fitted to the iconic Breitling Navitimer, a pilot’s watch which has proved popular with aviators for generations.

ALTERNATIVE MODELS. Other functions on the dial include hours and minutes conveyed via luminous hands, a small seconds display, positioned at 9 o’clock, and a date display. Indeed, for the majority of would-be buyers, the array of functions presented should more than fulfill any timekeeping desires they may have. But Breitling does offer alternative models which deliver additional functions, should these be required.

Nevertheless, in common with a Bentley car, there is much more to the appeal of these watches than merely the

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engine or functionality. Breitling for Bentley has not ignored aesthetics, with a knurled bezel reminiscent of a Bentley radiator grille. In addition, the back of the case is fitted with a sapphire crystal that reveals the amazing Manufacture Calibre B06, an automatic movement and the engine that powers the functions of the watch.

An automatic movement works by capturing subtle movements of the wrist via an oscillating weight within the watch and transferring this energy to the mainspring which, in turn, delivers the power to the various wheels within the watch. In this instance, the weight, sometimes called a rotor, has been designed to resemble a Bentley wheel rim.

WATCHES FOR GLOBE-TROTTERS. The Bentley B04 GMT features a chronograph as well as an additional hour hand. This second hour hand, presented in red, can be used to indicate your “home time” when your travels take you to another part of the world. There is now no excuse for waking up your partner at some unsociable hour and inadvertently disturbing their sleep.

Some individuals have to wrestle with more than two time zones. Perhaps they work in the financial sector and need to simultaneously liaise with colleagues located in New York, Tokyo and Paris. This is no problem as Breitling offers the Bentley B05 Unitime, a chronograph which features a disc encircling the dial showing major cities around the globe with the respective time displayed.

A CHRONOMETER. The term “chronometer” is often mistakenly confused with “chronograph”. A chronometer is a movement that has been subject to an exhaustive array of tests to ensure it delivers accuracy. The Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) is a not for profit organisation that independently tests the precision of movements seeking chronometer status.

Each year COSC certifies approximately 1,000,000 movements as chronometers which, surprisingly, represents only 3% of Swiss watch production. It is the preserve of only the finest movements and necessitates they are checked in various positions and subjected to different temperatures.

The Bentley B06, the Bentley B05 Unitime and the Bentley B04 GMT all contain movements that are chronometer-certified by COSC. Whether you choose to drive fast or slow, a Bentley offers a wonderful means of transport, imbued with luxury and style. Likewise, whether you wish to regularly use your chronograph to record lap times or merely wish to note the passing hours and minutes, Breitling for Bentley offers intrinsically sporty watches that exude sophistication and grandeur.

GGM

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“WELCOME TO OUR WORLD”

At the heart of the most extreme missions are the exceptional pilots who experience daring feats on a daily basis and are prepared to entrust their security only to the most high-performing instruments.

At the heart of the most extreme missions is the Breitling Avenger.

A concentrated blend of power, precision and functionality, Avenger models boast an ultra-sturdy construction and water resistance ranging from 300 to 3,000 meters. These authentic instruments for professionals are equipped with selfwinding movements chronometercertified by the COSC – the highest official benchmark in terms of reliability and precision. Welcome to the sphere of extremes. Welcome to the Breitling world.

210 Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2SS Tel: 01892 618 618

SUPER AVENGER II

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BAHAMAS

Animal magic

Dolphins, stingrays, sharks, mantas – I have swum or dived with them all. But swimming pigs? Really? Yes, they exist, and you can take a boat trip out to the tiny coral cay where they live and swim with them, as I discovered on a recent Bahamian golfing trip.

By Peter Ellegard, Photos: Peter Ellegard, Amanda Lewin, Grand Lucayan

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The Abaco Club

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’m still smiling at the memory of paddling with the feral porkers in the clear, aquamarine Caribbean waters, trotters flailing, snouts above the waves, ears pricked up like hairy radar antennas and tails resembling curly little rudders. Magical.

Put there five years ago as piglets, they forage among the vegetation. But the sound of approaching boats and the prospect of titbits draws them down to the sandy beach, and as we moored all five trotted into the water and started swimming towards us.

We quickly joined them, offering them frankfurters and bread rolls until the treats ran out and they swam back to their island haven. On our half-day Ocean Safari tour from Exuma, we also visited idyllic, deserted beaches and got up close and personal with huge iguanas lazing on palm-fringed sands.

I

CARIBBEAN DIAMOND. When I last visited the Bahamas in

the late 1990s, I did some exhilarating shark-feeding dives off Nassau. My only shark encounter this time was taking on the tough Sandals Emerald Reef course on Great Exuma created

by Greg Norman, aka the Great White Shark.

Golfers who have not discovered the Bahamas are missing out on a true Caribbean diamond – a kaleidoscopic paradise of lush fairways and greens augmented by pink and white beaches, seas of myriad blue tints, vivid tropical plants and pastel-coloured buildings.

It’s a gem that has lost some lustre in recent years.

Hurricanes and the economic downturn have led to the closure or mothballing of several courses and held back investment in some others. However, the future is very bright. A new Jack Nicklaus course is under construction as part of a huge resort project on Nassau’s Cable Beach, at least one closed facility is planned to reopen, and proposed developments include a PGA Village golf complex on Cat Island.

700 ISLANDS. There are 16 main islands in the Bahamas, but

the entire chain comprises 700 islands and thousands of smaller cays at the northern end of the Caribbean, just 50 miles from Florida at their closest point. New Providence Island, where capital city Nassau is located, and Grand Bahama, which has the second-largest city, Freeport, are the two most developed islands and have most of the country’s golf facilities.

The remaining islands are known as the Out Islands. Life here is lived at a slower pace. Golfers wanting to get a true taste of the Bahamas can do as I did and combine Freeport and Nassau with island hopping to play the other courses on Abaco and Exuma.

GRAND LUCAYAN. My Bahamas golf adventure began on

Grand Bahama Island. After flying direct from London into Nassau, my connecting flight landed at Freeport in the early evening. A warm Bahamian welcome at the Grand Lucayan resort, which has a long beach and three pools to laze by plus balconies with all rooms, got me straight into a laid-back mindset.

Grand Lucayan’s adjacent Reef golf course is a 6,900-yard Robert Trent Jones Jr layout that opened in 2000 and features a dozen lakes in its compact design.

A test for any golfer, the course is eminently playable with generous fairways and large greens. The three par-5 holes offer 55

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scope for birdies, while the par-3 4th, 14th and 17th holes require tee shots over water that test your mettle. Beware the long par-4 12th, with its narrow fairway and risky approach shot to a green edged by water.

PIGS AND DOLPHINS. Grand Lucayan actually has two courses.

The Lucayan Country Club course, designed by Dick Wilson and opened in 1964, is currently closed but there are plans to revamp and reopen it in the next two years.

An invigorating massage in the resort’s oceanfront Senses Spa will ease any post-round aches. Eight restaurants and bars offer options, elegantCourse Churchill’s, serving up MediterraneanGleneaglesfrom PGA Centenary inspired dinners with entertainment, to casual dining at Iries Bar. 56

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More eateries are across the street among the jewellery and souvenir stalls at Port Lucayan Marketplace.

Grand Lucayan’s extensive facilities also include a casino, kids’ club and tennis courts. Before meeting the aquatic pigs, I swam with dolphins at the enclosed Sanctuary Bay lagoon of dolphin experience company UNEXSO, a short boat ride from their base opposite Grand Lucayan. Having done so in several countries, my encounter with bottlenose dolphins Coral and Exuma was the most enjoyable of all. UNEXSO also offers swimming or diving dolphin interactions in the open ocean, as well as diving with sharks.

HURRICANE DAMAGE. My Grand Bahama stay coincided with

Freeport’s annual Junior Junkanoo parade, a colourful and

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exuberant version of the Bahamas’ traditional adult Junkanoo by the island’s schools, with exotic costumes and marching bands.

Also in Freeport is the Joe Lee-designed Ruby Golf Course, opened in 1964 and redesigned by Jim Fazio in 2002. Formerly part of a resort hotel with a sister course, it is all that remains open following hurricane damage a decade ago.

After flying into Nassau, my taxi took me past the Baha Mar golf resort development on Cable Beach. Opening in December, its Nicklaus course may open for play sooner.

Linked by twin one-way bridges with Nassau, Paradise Island is a haven of fun, centred on the sprawling, pink-towered Atlantis resort. Aquatic activities include dolphin swims, snorkelling with manta rays and tropical fish, hand-feeding stingrays, and a tube flume ride from atop a “Mayan temple” through a shark-filled pool. It also has a casino, bars, shops and restaurants, and a marina full of mega yachts.

LOCAL CUISINE. The next door Comfort Suites hotel is a

welcome oasis of calm whose guests can use facilities at Atlantis.

From there, I walked across one of the bridges to the Fish Fry on Potter’s Cay, a strip of waterside shack restaurants serving up locally caught conch (the iconic Bahamian shellfish) and fish.

A fisherman threw his boatload of tied conch shells into the sea just feet from me as I tucked into delicious cracked conch and fries washed down by a local Kalik beer.

Paradise Island has top drawer golf. The Ocean Golf Club is a beautiful Tom Weiskopf design and LPGA Tour host course managed by Troon Golf with several holes edged by the

Caribbean. My playing partners were the Director General from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and a senior colleague, but any nerves about playing in such lofty company were soon dispelled; both were down to earth and a joy to play with.

The ocean holes are the stars, notably the stroke index one, par-4 4th with its beachside green, the par-5 6th, par-3 8th fittingly called Surf’s Up, and the par-4 17th, which plays alongside the ocean from tee boxes including one hard against the beach.

TOUR STARS. Close to Nassau’s airport is the exclusive Albany golf and marina community, co-owned by Tiger Woods and Ernie Els and where several Tour stars are members.

Before a flight to the Out Islands, I was given a tour of its pristine, Els-designed, desert-style course and passed Justin Rose on one hole, having seen Adam Scott in the clubhouse earlier.

Non-members can play if they rent one of the grand villas dotted around its edge.

Nassau has several colourful, historic buildings and forts echoing the Bahamas’ British colonial past. A Surrey horse-drawn carriage tour is a good way to explore Nassau.

EMERALD REEF. On Great Exuma, Greg Norman’s 7,000-yard

Emerald Reef course is part of the swish, 500-acre Sandals Emerald Bay all-inclusive resort. This is no resort course, though; it’s big boys’ golf.

After a front nine weaving through seaside dunes and mangroves, the back nine features six magnificent holes hugging the coast on a rocky peninsula. Perilously tight fairways, water

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hazards including an island green on the par-3 6th, and frequent, brisk trade winds present a formidable challenge. Play with caution and it won’t beat your game up too much. But you’ll come away with a smile even if it does.

My favourite holes include the par-3 11th which starts the peninsula holes’ run, the short par-3 13th with its two-tiered green by a rocky headland, the par-4 14th for its tee shot over rocks and waves, and the long and narrow par-5 15th. Salt water-tolerant seashore paspalum grass, used throughout, is surprisingly smooth to putt on. There are plans to restore the driving range, currently out of action.

BUTLER SERVICE. Top room categories at Sandals enjoy personal

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Professional English Butlers. I was assigned a butler suite, complete with complimentary wines, spirits, beers and soft drinks, and given a mobile phone for my stay, pre-programmed to display My Butlers on screen with one press of a button.

The butlers will do everything from unpacking your luggage to running a bath. I opted for an indulgent breakfast one morning and duly called. Within 15 minutes, Adam the butler arrived with my breakfast tray on a tricycle, setting it down on my terrace overlooking Emerald Bay. Now that’s what I call service.

Following golf, I was pampered with a relaxing West Indian massage in the Red Lane Spa, the largest in the Caribbean. Seven dining venues include the stylish La Parisienne restaurant, fine dining at Italian restaurant Il Cielo and English cuisine and beers at The Drunken Duck pub.

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The Ocean Golf Club

ROYAL ACCOMODATION. Already wowed by my butler suite, I was upgraded to the resort’s massive Royal Villa. Where the Bahamian prime minister stays when visiting Exuma, it spans two floors with its own private pool, office, sunken bath and walk-in dressing room.

A stay in the Royal Villa in September, with private butler and including flights and transfers, costs from £6,555 per person.

Sadly, there was no time to enjoy the mile-long soft sands, the huge freshwater swimming pool and swim-up bar or free water sports, let alone play with everything in my villa.

Abaco’s Treasure Cay was the last course planned by Dick Wilson, of Miami’s Doral Blue Monster fame. Comprising two loops, sea breezes make club selection tricky, particularly on the tighter back nine holes. It has a rustic feel but presents an

enjoyable challenge. Uncrowded fairways mean rounds take three hours or less, leaving the rest of the day to hit the beach or relax on the terrace of your marina-view room.

Native trees and vegetation edge fairways and greens, adding difficulty to holes like the par-5 11th hole, which doglegs sharply around a pond. A renovation programme has begun to replace some greens.

TREASURE CAY. Themed dinner evenings are held at Treasure

Cay’s Tipsy Pool Bar, overlooking the marina where boat masts frame fiery sunsets, and Coco Beach Bar, by the stunning white sands of three-mile-long Treasure Cay Beach, one of the Bahamas’ best.

Treasure Cay was founded by loyalists fleeing the American Revolution. They resettled on outlying island Green Turtle Cay, 59

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Peter Ellegard with UNEXSO dolphins

where the colourful New England-style homes of New Plymouth reflect its heritage. Take the ferry and discover its history at the fascinating Albert Lowe Museum before stopping at Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar, home of the Goombay Smash – the Bahamas’ national drink – for a glass of the rum-based cocktail. It leaves you with a warm glow on the ferry ride back.

An hour’s drive south of Treasure Cay, past bustling island capital Marsh Harbour, lies The Abaco Club on Winding Bay. Gloriously situated on 500 acres of picturesque cove and rocky headland, its centrepiece is a beautifully-manicured Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie creation described as the “world’s first Scottish-style links in a tropical location” and which again uses seashore paspalum throughout.

WATCH THE BIRDIES. The first 14 holes loop out and back along

the cove, its opening three inland holes giving way to a stretch of beachside holes with the deep blue waters of Winding Bay the backdrop.

Chances are you will hear the raucous calls and see the brilliant red and green plumage of critically-endangered, ground-nesting Abaco Parrots as they roost in the trees during your round or provide a noisy morning alarm outside the windows of your luxury cabana.

The final four holes, set atop the headland cliff, give panoramic views and a memorable finish. The 15th and 16th holes skirt a deep quarry that gobbles up errant shots before the par-3 17th and sinuous par-5 18th bring breathtaking ocean views beyond crashing waves.

Using your personalised golf buggy you can explore the resort, stop for lunch and a Kalik at Buster’s Beach Bar and drive up to the clifftop restaurant for dinner. After your round, get a ride down the dirt track to nearby Little Harbour for a sundowner on the deck of Pete’s Pub. As I watched my final Bahamian sunset, I resolved not to leave it another 15 years before returning.

GGM

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GOOD TO KNOW ­

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Complete Freedom

PUTT AROUND THE GOLF COURSE OR RELAX AT THE BEACH…

E From Promo code: GREATGOLF

Great Cars/Tutta_Layout 1 03.04.14 12:16 Side 1

GREAT CARS – GREAT GOLFER

. . .

D E E P S R O F D E E AN

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sen r e t t n Pe n a z l Su ntley

Be il ell w ssgaard and w w o Pla but h , photos: Ketil , e s r k toc ou golf c By Mike Kaas-S e h t n ? ace o racetrack n a s She’ orm on a per f

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GREAT CARS – GREAT GOLFER

“I have always had a thing for fast cars,” says Suzann. “I like the adrenalin buzz that speed gives me.

That feeling of being on the edge is a real thrill.”

It’s a cold day in November when myself and Ketil, our Art Director, make our way down to Thruxton race course. We have arranged a track day with Bentley and Suzann Pettersen is going to be our test driver. The world’s number two female golfer will be putting a V8 through its paces.

I met the Norwegian golfer and her manager, Geir, on a trip to North Norway last summer. After a discussion about cars it became apparent that she is a complete petrol head. Should we write an article about Suzann playing golf? Not on your life. But when I suggested putting her in a car to see how fast she could go around a racetrack, she replied, “make it a Bentley.”

And with a racing record to die for, who can blame her? With outstanding wins at Le Mans going back to 1924, Bentley’s success there in 2003 remains the most recent outright British win.

Completing 3,196 miles over the course of the event, the Bentley recorded an average speed of 133 mph (214 km/h).

A

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And just to show brand diversity, in 2011, rally champion Juha Kankkunen achieved a new ice speed record of 205.48 mph in a Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible.

ADRENALIN BUZZ. “I have always had a thing for fast cars,” says Suzann. “I like the adrenalin buzz that speed gives me. That feeling of being on the edge is a real thrill. I have this theory that the opposites in my life attract. The speed and adrenalin of driving a fast car on a racetrack is the exact opposite of the discipline, game plan and structure I face on the golf course every day.

“My true passion in life is competing,” she continues. “Since I was young, I've always hated to lose. My love for the game of golf grew as I became a better player and it's still the most satisfying thing I do. I train every day, as for me the hunger to be the best and reach the top of my game is all consuming.”

When we arrive there are two stunning Bentleys waiting for us, one orange, the other silver. We find Suzann in conversation with

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Bentley has long traditions in racing. From Le Mans, going back to 1924, to the frozen lakes of Finland in “Power on Ice,” where rally champion Juha Kankkunen achieved a new ice speed record of 205.48 mph Stephanie from Bentley head office. The quiet man who is sitting in the corner of the room turns out to be Jamie Morrow, our Bentley test driver for the day. It’s always the quiet ones that you need to watch out for, as we find out very soon. Also joining us today is Arne Vigstad from 1Golf with his camera crew, who are going to film the event for TV2 in Norway.

WET TRACK. The Bentley crew prepare the cars while the rest of us drink coffee in the warmth. A slight drizzle is falling, which I’m sure will add to the track experience.

It looks like the racing is going to be done in the orange model, easy to spot on a grey day. The second Bentley had been brought down because there was a possibility that a certain well known rugby player would be joining us, but unfortunately he just couldn’t find the time.

We begin the adventure with Suzann and her manager Geir being taken around the track with Jamie. Each lap gradually gets

faster until they are hammering the V8 around the circuit. Special brakes have been fitted to deal with the high friction caused by having to brake at high speed, which by now is quite considerable.

A Bentley V8 is a big car; to see and hear it roaring around the track really is something special.

After a break for lunch, Suzann is ready to be in the driving seat.

She will have Jamie with her, but the car is all hers. Her first lap is, naturally, cautious as she gets to grips with the feel of the car. But as the laps continue to accumulate, so does the speed. Before long, Suzann’s appearance on the straight is preceded by the screeching of tyres as the car is thrown around the approaching corners.

MY TURN. The night is drawing in and if I am to get a chance to

be hurtled around the racetrack, I had better make it soon. I sit down in the front passenger seat to find myself in a world of luxury. The car surrounds you with comfort and opulence.

Traditional crafts of wood, leather and knurled metal are expressed 65

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“A day at Thruxton speed track and a Bentley to drive as fast as possible is a dream come true.

The only question now is, when can I do this again?” in a crisp and modern design language to capture the sporting, youthful spirit of this special car.

To be able to combine speed and excitement with such luxury is truly magical. You can keep your stripped down, uncomfortable supercar, this is the one for me.

We are off! The acceleration is both exciting and terrifying at the same time. By the time we reach the first corner we have hit 120mph, and it’s at this point I begin to realise that we are not going to slow down. Thoughts of my family come to mind as we hurtle around the corner – will the insurance company pay out for this?

It’s only as we head back onto the next straight that I realise that Jamie has been casually chatting away to me. While I am making peace with my maker, he is calmly telling me about his plans for the evening. Time to pull myself together; I am still alive and what’s more the car has dealt with the corners like it was on a Sunday afternoon drive.

I just cannot express how wonderful it is to be in such a vehicle.

The sense of power is incredible but all the while you are aware that you are surrounded by luxury. The attention to detail creates a relaxed and safe environment.

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BRAKES ON FIRE. We are running out of daylight when Jamie

decides to put the car through its paces one more time on his own.

He has jettisoned one nervous journalist and it’s obvious he is going for some record. His first complete lap is preceded by a screech of brakes and the roar of the V8 as he zooms past us. On completing his third lap, Jamie comes hammering into the pit stop. The brakes have got so hot that they have actually caught fire. The Bentley crew seem none too concerned and the flames are soon out.

Before Suzann heads off to conquer the next golf course, I ask her how she has enjoyed the experience.

“A day at Thruxton speed track and a Bentley to drive as fast as possible is a dream come true,” she says. “The Continental has always been one of my favourites but this was my first time behind the wheel. What a way to be introduced to this incredible piece of engineering! I have to say the cars did not disappoint. Even on a slightly wet track they stuck like glue; the acceleration in and out of the corners was simply amazing. The only question now is, when can I do this again?”

GGM

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Golf and History, 100 years Commemoration.

‘Set amidst the scenic beauty of the Flemish countryside near the historic old town of Ypres, our gently rolling parkland course offers a wide range of challenges to players of all abilities. The elegant clubhouse and terrace are located in what was once the chateau of Voormezele and provide a pleasant and informal setting in which golfers can sample the excellence of our kitchen and wine cellar.’

The Great War of 1914 raged across what is now the golf course with historic relicts a reminder to the battles which took place.

* Luxurious dressing-rooms * Pro Shop * Large and cosy clubhouse * Beautiful outside terrace with a great view on holes 9 and 18

GOLF & COUNTRYCLUB DE PALINGBEEK Eekhofstraat 14 • 8902 Hollebeke-leper Tel. +32 57 20 04 36 • Fax +32 57 21 89 58.

E-mail: golfpalingbeek@skynet.be • www.golfpalingbeek.be

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MOROCCO

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A Little Piece of

HEAVEN

As I sit in my car in yet another traffic jam, I look out at the faces of my fellow sufferers. Some will be heading down to Devon or Cornwall for the weekend, a journey of possibly five hours. Me? well, I’m going to Morocco. My journey time?

Under three hours

– and guaranteed sunshine!

By Mike Kaas-Stock, photos: Beachcomber, Kenzi Menara Palace and Domaine des Remparts 69

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arrive in Marrakesh during a week that big storms hit the UK. Perfect timing and I shall not rub it in, but move swiftly on. The sun is shining as I land and it’s a decent 20 degrees, not bad for January. On to my first port of call, the new Beachcomber Royal Palm Resort just to the south of the city and the only Beachcomber Resort to be found outside Mauritius and the Seychelles.

My taxi heads off at a pace, the driver intent on reaching our destination far sooner than the condition of his vehicle would seem to allow. We nevertheless arrive in one piece and I am soon bidding farewell to my budding racing driver.

You enter the hotel by crossing a bridge over a pool of clear water and immediately you’re enveloped in a world of style and opulence. The foyer is spacious with large windows looking out towards the ever present Atlas Mountains and the attention to detail with the design and furnishing is warm and welcoming.

After being greeted at the front desk, I am guided to my room.

And what a room, beautifully laid out with an almost palatial bathroom that sweeps on into a dressing area. My initial thoughts are that there are a lot of hotels in Marrakesh that have just seen the bar raised, and this is only to be expected as Beachcomber have a reputation for quality.

I have a view from my substantial Moroccan style terrace over the very large heated pool and on towards the golf course. Rising majestically in the distance are the Atlas Mountains, topped with snow and glistening in the afternoon sun.

I

and order even though projects are ongoing.

That evening I make my way to the restaurant. There will soon be four to choose from but for now only one is open. The restaurant manager greets me and I am shown to my table.

There are two constants that I find at Moroccan restaurants: firstly, the waiters will always have impeccably good manners, and secondly, I will always be asked which football team I support.

When on this occasion I say Chelsea, a look of satisfaction spreads across the waiter’s face; the Premier league and football in general seem to be very popular here.

TAGINE DISH. I begin my meal with Moroccan olive bread and some excellent local wine. For my starter I have chosen the pumpkin soup. Creamy and very tasty, this is an excellent choice for what is to follow.

I have decided to experience as much of Morocco as possible during my stay and so order a tagine dish. Tagine refers not only to the food but also the clay pot that the dish is cooked in. The bottom is a wide, circular, shallow dish used for both cooking and serving, while the top is conical. The tangine meal is slow-cooked inside the pot. My choice is lamb cooked with apricots and walnuts. If you are in Morocco, you really have to experience this wonderfully authentic dish.

I finish off with some excellent Moroccan ice cream and then, after a pleasant chat with the staff, head off to explore the hotel.

SPORTS AND MORE. The resort has an excellent sports facility

CALM AND ORDER. The resort is in the final stages of completion

but you would never know, apart from some very low key activity where the clubhouse is being constructed. It exudes a sense of calm 70

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which is located across from the main apartment building. With a dedicated fitness room, squash court, kinesis studio, 25 metre heated pool and much more you really have no excuse for not

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working off some of that deliciousfood. Behind the sports building are to be found four adult tennis courts as well as two smaller children’s courts.

I awake the next morning to be greeted by another glorious day. At this early hour there is a slight chill in the air which creates the wonderful sight of steam rising off the main heated pool. I notice several of my fellow guests are already up and partaking in an early morning swim. I make my way to the restaurant and, after a more than generous breakfast, it’s time to head off to the golf course.

ROYAL PALM COURSE. I am met in the pro shop by Michel Besanceney, who is the Golf Project Manager, and after a brief chat we grab a cart and set off for a tour. It’s 11am and the temperature is back to a balmy 20 degrees.

Michel has been in charge here since the project’s inception in 2007 and the course has been created and developed these past 7 years under his careful direction.

“I have been involved in choosing every olive tree and bush that has been sourced and planted here,” he says. Although new, the course has already settled well. “It has been designed for the players that come and stay here rather than the professionals; we want our golfers to feel a sense of achievement when finishing a round.”

I have to agree with him. Too many courses seem to be of the impression that us mere mortals like to finish a round utterly demoralized, or that we are all of the same proficiency as Tiger Woods. This course is by no means a pushover. What it is, is a challenge that we can rise to and improve on. The backdrop of the Atlas Mountains is just astounding and for me it’s all about

the location and the quality of the course, which this has by the bucketful.

FIVE LAKES. There are five lakes dotted around the fairways, all

put to good use to add some drama to proceedings. With wide fairways and enough bunkers (especially on the thirteenth and fourteenth) to create some tricky shots, there is plenty to get your teeth into.

The first hole is a nice par-4 with no big surprises and is a great way to start a round. Hole number two is a par-3 – watch out for the bunkers both in front of and behind the green. Five, six and seven have water in play, especially on hole seven which is a par-3 where the more adventurous (or naive) may try to cut corners and aim closer to the water than is advisable.

Hole number eleven, at 511 metres from the black tee, is fantastic for just hitting the ball as hard as you can without too much danger of spending the next hour with your head in a bush or reaching for your snorkel and mask. What I do like is the fact that just because there is water, it does not mean it has to always come into play, but can actually just be a great feature.

LUNCH TIME. You complete the course with a nice par-3 on the seventeenth and a par-4 with a slight dogleg left on the eighteenth, hopefully content with your performance and ready for some refreshments.

I take lunch out on the terrace. It’s January and here I am, only a three hour journey from home, sitting in the sun and staring out at a phenomenal mountain range. What’s more, the lunch is delicious. I have opted for a Caesar salad and a glass of cool white wine.

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Sadly, time is all too quickly up and I have to say farewell to the Beachcomber Royal Palm. I could easily have stayed here for much longer but my journey now takes me to the Kenzi Menara Palace in Marrakesh.

KENZI MENARA. A taxi whisks me over to the Kenzi Menara

Palace. The hotel is located in Marrakesh and just a few minutes’ Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course drive from the old quarter of the city and the medina. This is a 72

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great location to base yourself for trips to the multitude of golf courses as well as anything else that you may want to do.

My room overlooks the gardens and pool with those stunning mountains forming the backdrop beyond the city. Holidaymakers are lounging by the pool in the afternoon sun, all a far cry from the weather now sweeping in from the Atlantic back home.

Located in a separate building is a large spa facility offering many choices of treatment and, of course, a hamam.

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As I am only here for the one night I make the most of my time by exploring the hotel and taking time out to lounge by the pool along with the other guests. The birds are singing and the hotel gardens are full of flowers. My thoughts wander back to the UK. I wonder if it has stopped raining ?

BOUTIQUE HOTEL. The next day I visit Domaine des Remparts,

a stunning boutique hotel not far from, as the name suggests, the

famous city ramparts. Consisting of 32 suites arranged around the gardens and swimming pool, this is truly a great place to unwind.

On entering the premises you are subtly aware that you have entered a zen-like space. The suites form a square of single story residences around the pool and gardens with the restaurant, library, lounges and other communal areas at one end, and the Spa & Wellness building at the other.

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treatment and a Moroccan hamam for weary golfers returning from a hard day on the course, or anyone else who just wants to be pampered for that matter. For those guests looking to stay in shape, a trip to the gym located in the same building is a must and if that’s not enough for you, then outside there is to be found a tennis court as another alternative for hitting a small ball.

wind our way through the hectic but somehow functional streets of Marrakesh, The driver happily chats away to me in French, oblivious to the fact that I only manage to pick up half of what he is saying.

It’s going to be hard to return to the wind and rain that’s battering the UK. But I keep the thought in my mind that just a few hours away from my home is this little piece of heaven.

GGM

FIREPLACE. Each suite has an authentic Moroccan feel, with

doors opening out onto a private garden area that faces towards the pool. There is a choice between single bedroom and two bedroom suites depending on your requirements.

All the rooms have a fireplace for those nights when there is a chill in the air. Personally, I cannot think of a better way to while away an evening than sitting in front of your own fire with a glass of wine and simply letting your surroundings soothe away any cares.

The hotel seems to wrap the weary traveller in a warm and friendly cloak, with many areas located around the premises to just sit back and relax. And when you are done relaxing, then there are a profusion of activities on offer including golf at any of the courses to be found in Marrakesh.

My journey back to the airport is at a much more sedate rate, the taxi driver being older and more inclined to take his time. We 74

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GOOD TO KNOW ­

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03/03/2014 10:51

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SCOTLAND

Capital idea

Where better to stay during the Ryder Cup than in Scotland’s capital? But as Mark Alexander finds out, setting up camp in Auld Reekie might not be as straightforward as you might think

By Mark Alexander, photos courtesy DoubleTree, The Caledonian and The Scotsman

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ou can’t help falling in love with Edinburgh. Arriving by air, sea, road or rail, Scotland’s capital goes all out to make an impression. From the moment you set eyes on the grandeur of its Georgian buildings to your first glimpse of the iconic castle looming down from its craggy outcrop, the city demands your attention.

My wife and I have been casting admiring glances towards Edinburgh for many years, with the city becoming the backdrop for some of our happiest and most romantic times.

In days gone by, we embraced the bustling pubs at Hogmanay and revelled in the buzz surrounding the Edinburgh festivals (there are 12 throughout the year including the world-famous Festival Fringe and Military Tattoo). This year, Edinburgh will be one of the places to stay during the Ryder Cup, and it’s unlikely we’ll even get a look in.

Just over an hour by car will take you from the capital’s bustling streets to the natural theatre of Perthshire’s glens. Special Ryder Cup rail services will make the journey even easier, meaning you can watch the best golfers in the world do battle and then return to a city lit up by a constant stream of cultural events and places to eat and drink.

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WORLD HERITAGE. Much of the city centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and with good reason –

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Edinburgh has over 4,500 listed buildings. At its centre is the luxurious Scotsman Hotel which was once home to the printers and journalists who crafted The Scotsman newspaper. This grand building put its last issue to bed in 2001 when the building was transformed into a 69-room boutique hotel, and it has never looked back.

During its transformation, careful attention was paid to preserving the Italian marble staircase, oak panelling and marble pillars that dominate the centre of the hotel.

While the pain-staking work created an impressive lobby, it pales in significance against the jaw-dropping view offered by the curved bay window in our Editors Room.

On arrival and without saying a word, my wife and I pulled up a couple of chairs, poured two cups of tea and drank in the view over the North Bridge which connects the city’s Old and New towns. It was worth the ticket price alone.

Although we consider ourselves comfortably acquainted with Auld Reekie (a nickname given to the city when the smoke of countless coal fires polluted the air during the 18th century), we had never seen the city from such a vantage point. With the setting sun casting a warm glow over the rooftops, the scene simply stopped us in our tracks.

THE CALEY. With its close proximity to Waverley Station, you

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would think The Scotsman Hotel would be the obvious choice to set up camp during the Ryder Cup, but it isn’t as easy as that. You see, Edinburgh is blessed with a number of hotels conveniently placed next to the city’s transport hubs with many sporting equally impressive views.

Take The Caledonian, or the Caley as it is affectionately known.

This imposing red-brick building provides the perfect bookend to Princes Street and was once the façade for a busy railway station which handled more than 250 trains a day at its peak.

Opened in December 1903 as part of Princes Street Railway Station, The Caley was the height of sophistication, attracting film stars, entertainers and royalty from around the world.

The nationalisation of the UK’s railways forced its closure in 1965 and marked the start of the hotel’s long and painful decline, culminating in an overnight stay arranged by my wife for my birthday six years ago. A cramped room, squeaky floorboards and the stale odour of a hotel in free-fall left a lasting impression.

FULLY RESTORED. It was with great pleasure and genuine surprise

that on our latest visit we found the glitz and glamour of the Caley fully restored in a multi-million pound makeover that wouldn’t be out of place on daytime TV. Walking through the hotel’s lobby with its marble floor, huge chandelier, aubergine-coloured walls and decorative friezes, you

would swear you were in a different hotel entirely.

The sweeping grand staircase now ushers you towards the “grand social promenade”, or Peacock Alley as it is better known, where Edinburgh’s finest once again congregate for afternoon tea and clamour to be seen. Gone is the musty aroma and tired decorations, and in its place is a city centre hotel with pizazz.

“We spent £24 million during the refurbishments in 2008 and 2012,” explains Christina Keuter, front of house manager at The Caley. “Out of 32 rooms on the fifth floor, we created 20 and all of the food and beverage outlets have been changed. It’s totally different. Everyone is really amazed and very excited about it, even the team members.”

SCOTTISH TWIST. The food is something to get excited about as well. We ate in the Galvin Brasserie De Luxe, which serves up staples like roast Peterhead cod with cockles and watercress, and pork cutlets accompanied by pruneaux d’Agen and pommes mousseline. All very appetising and all very delicious. Like all good brasseries, the Galvin De Luxe does the basics very well, often with a Scottish twist. “Someone here knows how to cook,” said my missus earnestly. As always, she was right.

Upstairs the dining experience ratchets up a level at the exquisite Pompadour. This fine diner has played a central role in Edinburgh’s folklore with the original incarnation being cited as

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SCOTLAND the finest dining room in the city. Like the brasserie, it is now run by the Galvin brothers and orchestrated by executive chef Craig Sandle, who has successfully updated the heritage of the place with a culinary nip and tuck. With views out to the castle, where better to mull over the unravelling drama at Gleneagles?

There are plenty of hotels that use their views of Edinburgh Castle as selling points, and the Hilton’s DoubleTree is no exception. The listed building boasts a stunning domed roof with modern artwork and a city centre location near the Traverse and Lyceum theatres and the Usher Hall, but it is the deluxe rooms

Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course

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and suites with their outlooks to the iconic castle that really add to the experience – that and the freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies you get on arrival. It is also one of the newest hotels in the capital and certainly one to consider.

PLAYING GOLF. The city, with all its buzz and excitement, is all

well and good, but what happens if you get the urge to pick up a set of clubs and actually play a round of golf? What then? Well, Edinburgh has that covered with golf clubs such as Swanston, Dalmahoy, Prestonfield, Braid Hills and Royal Burgess, to name

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just a few. All are within easy reach of the city centre and all have the city as a backdrop.

If you want to take it a stage further and combine a luxurious stay with championship golf courses on your doorstep, you should look no further than the seclusion of Archerfield Links.

Situated in a 550-acre estate, Archerfield has two 18-hole golf courses, a 15-bedroom, Grade-1 listed country house, nine lodges, self-contained pavilion suites and a sprawling clubhouse. There is also a wellness spa and world-class practice facilities to quench your golfing thirst. And all this is within 40 minutes of Edinburgh Castle.

LINK HOLES. To get there, you first have to drive through some of the richest golfing countryside to be found anywhere.

Craigielaw, Kilspindie and Luffness may not be instantly recognisable names but each one is home to a fine collection of links holes. Then there is the golfing hub of Gullane with all its history, numerous courses and foundations in the game of golf. If you continue, you arrive at the charming seaside town of North Berwick five miles away.

In between Gullane and North Berwick, an innocuous country road does its best to distract you from what lies beyond the trees

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and hedges. It would be easy, for instance, to miss the turn off for the mighty Muirfield. A slight distraction might also lead you to disregard the signpost for Archerfield and its neighbour the Renaissance Club.

If such an oversight were to happen, you would miss the long driveway that passes the imperial Archerfield House and stately lodges. You would miss the entrance to the club that sweeps past a double-ended driving range and pristine chipping areas. You would miss the warm reception and the spacious and subtly exotic clubhouse. Most of all, you would miss the Fidra and Dirleton courses, which form an important link in Scotland’s Golf Coast.

RENOWNED WORLDWIDW. “The Muirfields, Gullanes and

North Berwicks of this world are phenomenal courses. They are renowned worldwide and we are privileged to be in their back garden,” says Stuart Bayne, director of golf at Archerfield.

“Saying that, the Fidra Links is quite unique in this area.

Twelve holes wander through Scottish pine trees on links turf. A lot of our members gravitate towards the Fidra Links because you can feel secluded out there; you could be anywhere in the world but still playing on links turf. By the time you reach holes four and five, you start hearing the crashing of the waves. It’s a special place to play golf.”

Bayne has been at the private members club for eight of its ten year history and has witnessed membership numbers grow to over 800. The car park is certainly full of gleaming BMWs, Audis and Jaguars belonging to Edinburgh’s elite. And while booking a lodge or a room can be tricky due to demand, it does give you access to this rarefied environment where somehow the sophistication of a high-end country club mixes freely with a warm, homely glow.

COMFORTABLE LODGES. If you are able to book a lodge, you’ll quickly see why people are queueing up to stay in one. These spacious properties are reminiscent of expansive hunting lodges with high ceilings and open-plan kitchens that meander into lavish lounges.

Sumptuous yet informal, this is where you can kick back in comfort. But if you prefer your pampering accompanied by a robe and a scented candle, pop next door to the Fletcher’s Cottage Spa, which Mrs A described as “the top end of the luxurious scale.”

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Like Archerfield, Edinburgh is coveted (hotel occupancy rates in the city reach 93.8% during the summer months). With the greatest golf show on earth pitching up in September, it seems likely that finding a place to stay could be as challenging as the tournament itself.

GGM

GOOD TO KNOW ­

five-star luxury boutique hotel and formerly the baronial home of the scotsman newspaper located just off the historic royal mile in the heart of edinburgh

www.thescotsmanhotel.co.uk

tel: +44 (0)131 556 5565 | fax: +44 (0)131 652 3652 20 north bridge | edinburgh | eh1 1tr | uk reservations@thescotsmanshotel.co.uk

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INTERVIEW

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A touch of brilliance Angus Davies chats to Michael Laing, CEO and Chairman of Scotland’s oldest family jeweller, Laing, discussing diamonds, haute horlogerie, retailing and his favourite city, Edinburgh.

By Angus Davies, www.escapementmagazine.com Photos by Laing Jewellers

n a former life, before I wrote about watches for a living, I would often travel to Edinburgh on business and fell for its abundant charms. The architecture, the history, the views across the Forth, all collaborate to seduce. Invariably, when I got a chance, I would visit Laing, Scotland’s oldest family jeweller, with over 175 years of history. There, I would immerse myself in a haven of haute horlogerie. So when I was asked to write a feature on a jeweller in Edinburgh, I immediately thought of contacting Michael Laing, the CEO and Chairman of this most prestigious retailer.

notable grin, the first occasion he ventured “downstairs” – a hirsute young man, attired in a white workshop coat – and met the public for the first time. A love affair with meeting the public ensued, something which remains as profound to this day.

As well as the company he leads, family is evidently important to him, something that is reflected in his work. Spending much of his time designing, he has captured some of the character traits of each of his four grandchildren and distilled these into four distinct jewellery collections, each imbued with its own personality.

MEETING THE PUBLIC. Michael Laing is the fifth generation of

A FAMILY AFFAIR. Richard Laing, Michael’s son, is the sixth generation of the family to work in the business. Having joined the company in 2008, Richard now often travels with his father on business trips to source diamonds. Now, I do not profess to know much about them, however, Michael Laing, a trained

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the family to work at Laing the Jeweller. After studying Art and Design at The John Cass School of Art in London, he returned to the family business in 1972, to design and make jewellery.

Describing himself as “a long haired hippy”, he recalls, with a

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INTERVIEW gemologist, has an acute understanding of procuring the best stones. This has become one of the key areas of expertise for the Laing brand and provides a point of differentiation for the company.

Father and son frequently journey to Antwerp, “the diamond capital of the world”, where 84% of the world’s diamonds are traded and over a three-day period, they will often look at 1,200 diamonds, but may only purchase 30-35 stones.

With diamonds, the “4 Cs” of colour, clarity, carat and cut are the key attributes which denote quality and, ultimately, price. The latter, cut, or “make” as Michael’s father would have once said, is the most critical element. It is the cut which manipulates light and evokes a sense of fire and brilliance.

“Two diamonds may appear identical on paper, but behave very differently,” Michael explains. “One may appear dull, whilst the other may communicate in a very tantalizing way, giving little glimpses of the rainbow which you can’t hold onto. And that is what I am seeking.”

Such is the confidence in the diamonds he selects, clients of the store can trade up diamonds previously purchased from Laing’s for larger stones, receiving the full retail price paid in partexchange for a new item of diamond jewellery. Michael describes this process as “growing carats”, a process which appeals to many.

HOROLOGICAL HEAVEN. Another key strength of Laing is the wide selection of prestigious watch brands the company offers.

Illustrious names such as Breitling, Cartier, Chopard, Longines, Omega, Rolex and TAG Heuer need little explanation. However,

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it reaffirms the high esteem the Edinburgh-based company is held in, as the Swiss watch industry is careful to only select the finest and most competent retailers to represent their cherished brands.

Recently, Laing became an official stockist for the haute horlogerie brand, Jaeger-LeCoultre, a Swiss watchmaking company that has a history dating back 180 years, something that no doubt resonates with the Laing family.

The company from the Vallée de Joux, a region famed for its watchmaking mastery, is a “Manufacture”, meaning it makes its own movements, a competence that is rare. Moreover, the prestigious maison is known for its “complicated watches” and its ultrathin movements.

“Jaeger-LeCoulture’s ultra-thin tourbillon, priced under £50,000, is sheer elegance,” Michael says. “It is the little details on that model which are so wonderful, such as the hour markers. The hardest thing in the world for me as a designer is to be simple, but different. I look at each detail on this watch and think what a mouthwatering proposition it is.”

Another key area of Laing is the selection of pre-owned timepieces the retailer offer.

Their vast experience provides an accessible means of acquiring a horological gem, safe in the knowledge that its provenance is assured.

CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. Michael Laing’s commercial acumen, eye for design and people skills, have seen his company expand over the years. In 1995, Laing acquired Parkhouse, a retailer with stores in Southampton and Cardiff, which thrives under the family’s stewardship.

However, first and foremost, Edinburgh is home to Michael and his family. He is the Deputy Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, a position he has held since 1999 and in 2000, he organised a charity concert in with José Carreras for Leukaemia Research. This event holds the Scottish record for the highest amount raised in a single charity concert.

His achievements have also been recognised outside of the city.

In 2001, Michael received an O.B.E., awarded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for “services to consumer protection and hallmarking”. Later in 2009, he received the Freedom of the City of London and more recently, he became a Chevalier of Burgundy in November 2013.

This all stands to justify that here is a man of distinction, not only through the passion and expertise of his work, but also in his personal life. And for those wishing to procure a brilliant piece of jewellery or a horological gem, Laing in Edinburgh offers all the assurance that 175 years of experience can provide.

GGM

DISCOVER RICH SCOTTISH HERITAGE

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Set against the magnificent backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, this Victorian railway hotel offers a unique experience within Edinburgh city centre.

Indulge in the exquisite restaurants the hotel has to offer including The Pompadour

by Galvin and Galvin Brasserie de Luxe or relax in the sumptuous surroundings of the UK’s only Guerlain Spa. WALDORF ASTORIA EDINBURGH – THE CALEDONIAN, PRINCES STREET, EDINBURGH EH1 2AB, UK.

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Caledonian Great Golf Advert.indd 1

03/04/2014 15:59:51

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GOLF ON THE FRONT LINE This year we commemorate 100 years since the beginning of the Great War. The front line between two opposing armies ran through Belgium and turned this land into a scene from Dante’s Inferno. The question is, are the scars still there and does anything remain of this tumultuous event that raged for four long years? Well, if you want to experience both history and golf, Palingbeek Golf & Country Club is the place to visit.

By Mike Kaas-Stock, photos by Palingbeek & Flanders Tourist Board

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Flanders 1914

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Flanders 2014

arrive at Folkestone Eurotunnel terminal far too early; my train is not due to depart for quite some time. For anyone who has not taken a car over to the Continent via the tunnel, it’s a remarkably simple and quite deflating experience. You drive onto the train, put your handbrake on and sit there for 35 minutes until the train arrives in Calais.

You could get out and look through the window, but you are in a tunnel under the sea so if you do happen to see anything interesting, like a passing whale or school of fish, then it would be a good time to panic. But then, that’s the point – 35 minutes

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to Calais, France, and you don’t even have to get out of the car.

Within no time we are disembarking, spilling out of the train and heading off into mainland Europe like angry wasps leaving a nest. Remembering to drive on the right seems to be important judging by the amount of signs pertaining to this fact. But why the rest of Europe is so intent on driving on the incorrect side I will never know!

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. It’s all going horribly wrong; I am not supposed to arrive at Palingbeek Golf & Country Club until

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lunchtime, but it's early in the morning and I have already turned onto the road to Lille and will soon be crossing over into Belgium.

However, like most British people, I have relatives who fought and died on the fields of Flanders and I have long had a wish to visit. I think in all of us there is a desire to pay our respects to the lost generation that paid the ultimate sacrifice.

This is my first visit here and I am not ashamed to say that the sight of so many cemeteries with so many graves is overwhelming.

You can study history and watch documentaries all you like, but to actually see the result of the terrible event that darkened the

skies of Europe for so long brings home the enormity of what actually happened.

And this is why I am so keen to visit Palingbeek Golf & Country Club: being located on what was the front line during the Great War, a round of golf here is also a journey back in time.

PALINGBEEK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB. I arrive on time and am met by the club secretary, Filip Sadonis. Palingbeek was opened in 1992, and great effort has been made to preserve the historical elements to be found here.

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1917 2014 Sitting in the clubhouse and looking out towards the eighteenth on the other side of the lake, it’s hard to believe that if I had been here 100 years ago the scene would have been immeasurably different. After a chat and a cup of coffee, we head off for a technical and historical journey.

Here, you need to have not only your scorecard, but also a copy of the club’s historical brochure. This could lead to quite slow play, so I would suggest that anyone visiting here should read the history before they go onto the course.

I could fill this article solely with stories of bravery and tragedy that happened on this very spot, but I do also need to describe the course. If I can at least impart a flavour of some of the recorded events it’s then up to the reader to come here and experience it for themselves.

THE WHITE CHATEAU. The course begins with a nice par-4 with a dogleg right. There is a predominance of trees that gives the course a parkland feel, although effort has been taken to preserve both natural wildlife and the remnants of the war.

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until 1917, are located to the right. It was from here that a final stand was made by German Lieutenant Henning along with his company.

They were wiped out to a man on what is now the eighteenth fairway. A sobering thought as you approach the green.

VICTORIA CROSS. It soon dawns on me just how much the trees

come into play as we approach the green on the second. This is a par-4 with thick foliage to the left and bushes to the right. If you are here in spring, the wild flowers are quite spectacular, but also very good at concealing wayward golf balls. This is a course on which to take your time to absorb your surroundings, if you can.

Nature, history and golf make for a perfect combination.

The third hole is a pleasant but deceptively tricky par-3 with water to your right as you approach. The green is on two different levels, one of which you really do not want to land on.

Upon reaching the eighth tee, it becomes obvious what a prominent position this would be for any army. With views s t re t c h i n g ov e r t h e p l a i n s o f No r t h e r n Fr a n c e , i t ’ s understandable that this location would be of key strategic importance to both sides.

It was on this spot in 1914 that Sepoy Khudadad Khan of the

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129th Baluchi Regiment won the Victoria Cross. Manning a machine gun position and with his comrades dead around him, Sepoy fought on alone holding back the waves of soldiers of the 2nd Bavarian Corps until, severely wounded, his position was overrun. Left for dead, he regained consciousness and dragged himself the 600 yards through enemy territory to rejoin his unit back at the White Chateau.

On to a Par-4 on the ninth, which is a true test of skill. The right hand part of the fairway offers the best line but is also guarded by a large bunker and lined with almost impenetrable woodland. And, talking of bunkers, as we stand on the tee I notice that here are the remnants of a German bunker of a different kind, part of a position known as the high line.

SHELLFIRE AND SNIPERS. Oak Dump Cemetery can be found

next to the par-3 twelfth hole. This is the resting place of 109 British and two Australian soldiers. Most of these casualties were the result of shellfire and German snipers, killed while defending the newly won German positions on the grounds of what was left of the Chateau. The thirteenth is a par-5 that twists snakelike to the right. It is possible to make the green in two but probably

better to play safe and approach in three. Just to the right of the ladies’ tee is an area known as Triangular Wood. This spot marks the British front line.

A section of this position was captured by German troops in February 1915 and the East Surrey Regiment was chosen to retake it. Due to the risk of friendly fire, they were ordered to use only bayonets. They advanced up the slope just beyond the twelfth green to a massacre. By the end of the day they had shrunk from 500 men to a mere two officers and 25 other ranks.

OBSERVATION POST. We finally arrive at the eighteenth. This is

a lovely par-4 with a sharp dogleg left downhill to the green and the lake beyond. Past the lake is the clubhouse with a captive audience intent on catching that moment when you land squarely on the green with your second shot (or in the lake behind).

Directly on from the tees and hidden in the woods are the remnants of a British observation post built on the ruins of the White Chateau after its capture in 1917. From its narrow peephole you have an excellent view over the German lines, or your fellow golfers.

We head back to the clubhouse for some lunch. It really has 93

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BELGIUM

been informative and certainly enriching to learn and see for myself how the events of 100 years ago still affect us today. Even the clubhouse has a story to tell. The Chateau stables once stood here and on the opening day of the Battle of Messines, men of the London Regiment stormed this position and captured two German officers and 61 men of a German infantry regiment.

Then, in May 1940 during the British retreat, soldiers of the 54th German Infantry attacked and forced the men of the Scots Fusiliers to abandon the position and retreat. There was heavy fighting in what is now the bar area and a number of the fusiliers were cut down by heavy enemy fire as they withdrew over the fairways to the rear.

YPRES. My final port of call on this whirlwind trip is Ypres. A trip to Flanders would not be complete without a visit to this beautiful city which suffered so heavily. Looking around at its Gothic architecture, it’s hard to believe that it was reduced to rubble during the conflict and then painstakingly rebuilt.

A visit to the “In Flanders Fields” museum is well worth the time. It’s located in the Cloth Hall in the centre of the city, a wonderful, large Gothic building which was also rebuilt after the Great War. A trip here is a must for anyone wanting to know more about the events of 1914 –18. You can while away a good few hours looking at the exhibits and even have a chance to trace any long lost family members through the museum’s database.

And after this, why not visit one of the many cafés or even a chocolate shop to really get the flavour of the city?

Sadly, my day in Flanders is almost at an end. I didn’t get a chance to visit the trenches at Passendale or many of the other

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places of interest. But then, there is a reason to come back, and with such a short journey time from the UK there really is no GGM excuse not to visit the fields of Flanders.

GOOD TO KNOW ­

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GREAT GOLF ADVENTURES - BELGIUM

In Flanders Fields TOUR SUMMARY A long weekend break just across the Channel, with three rounds of golf and the chance to visit some of the sites with poignant reminders of the World War that commenced a hundred years ago this year.

This typical Great Golf Adventures blend of fairways and time to explore the area around the courses we visit, includes two half day excursions to the trenches where the conflict took place and the museums that so dramatically preserve the events of a century ago.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS • Two Half day guided tours of World War One battlefield sites, including In Flanders Fields museum, Tyne cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Poperinge and Diksmuide.

• Three rounds of Golf.

• Visits to St Bernardus Brewery and Kazmaten Brewery.

• Breakfast each morning, dinner on our first evening and a prize-giving lunch on our final day.

THE COURSES WE VISIT ON THIS TOUR – Palinbeek Golf Club, Oudenaarde Golf Club and Bondues Golf Club.

TOUR DURATION – 4 days Ypres to Ypres.

Outline itinerary Day 1. Check-in at Ypres Hotel; optional practice round of golf; evening welcome Dinner.

Day 2. Morning round of golf at Bondues Golf Club; afternoon half day guided tour to Flanders Field Museum. Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele trenches and St Bernardus Brewery.

Day 3. Morning round of golf at Palinbeek Golf Cliub; afternoon half day guided tour to Poperinge, visit Servicemens’ Club, continue to Diksmuide and visit the Trenches of Death, and visit Kazmarten Brewery.

Day 4. Morning round of golf at Oudenaarde Golf Club; lunch and prize-giving. Afternoon, tour ends.

GOLF MAGAZINE

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN TOUR ITINERARY IN BELGIUM: 3 nights’ accommodation in a 4 star hotel in Ypres; 3 rounds of golf; sightseeing and transport as detailed below; Services of a Great Golf Adventures Tour Manager in Belgium.

START/END OF LAND ARRANGEMENTS – Ypres/Ypres.

SINGLE ROOM OPTION – a single room is available at our Ypres hotel..

INCLUDED MEALS – 3 breakfasts, 1 dinner on the first evening; 1 lunch on the final day.

TRANSPORT – minibus.

GROUP SIZE – approximately 16.

TOUR LEADER/STAFF – Great Golf Adventures Tour Manager; local guides on sightseeing tours, and driver.

ACCOMMODATION STANDARD – The hotel on this tour is a comfortable 4 star property.

TRAVEL FROM LONDON – You may make your own travel arrangements to join the tour in Ypres or book your train from the UK to Lille and onward transfer to Ypres through Great Golf Adventures.

CLUB HIRE – Clubs may be hired at each of the courses played on this tour For more information and reservations, call Great Golf Adventures on +44 (0)1992 579 697 or go to www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk/golfing-holidays and fill in the online enquiry form.

Tour REF: BE - 4 From £899.00

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TENERIFE

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Island of Eternal Spring

By Karim Ullah and Camilla Kaas-Stock, photos by Hotel Botanico

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n an early morning in mid January, while the UK was submerged by flooding, I was on my way to Hotel Botanico in Tenerife for a short break and, hopefully, a bit of sunshine. I was feeling rather expectant; not only did I get a chance to escape the British weather, but I would be staying in a 5 star hotel frequented by the rich and famous, such as Bill Clinton and the late Michael Jackson, to mention but a few.

My flight from Gatwick on Monarch Airlines was pleasant and I was served a decent breakfast, which was just what the doctor ordered. In just over four hours, I arrived at Tenerife South Airport and was on my way to my hotel by public transport. I soon realised it would have been wiser to have hired a car, but at least I could sit back and enjoy the scenic views – to one side there was the beautiful, sparkling sea and to the other, rugged mountains.

O

UNDER THE VOLCANO. After a fairly relaxing coach journey, I arrived in Playa de Cruz, a small and cosmopolitan town at the foot of Tenerife´s Mount Teide, the highest volcano in Spain. This privileged area of Tenerife is defined by great local culture, combined with an impressive subtropical landscape and volcanic coastal line.

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Hotel Botanico & The Oriental Spa Garden is well positioned in its own 25,000m2 of botanical garden with excellent views from every side. The hotel owes its name to the renowned Botanical Gardens of Orotava Valley, which were founded in 1790.

As soon as I entered the hotel lobby, I was offered a refreshing fruit juice, which was very welcome after my long journey. One of the things I noticed straight away was how this exceptional property was able to make east and west meet so wonderfully. The architecture is European in style, but it is beautifully furnished with many items from the Orient.

As I was shown to my room, I soaked up the sumptuous surroundings. On each floor there are spacious areas where you can sit and relax and watch the beautiful scenery through enormous glass walls. The room was a good size, with a luxurious bathroom containing top quality toiletries and a nice sized balcony for views of the garden and the main pool. I found an inviting collection of fruits waiting for me, which I was very happy to not let go to waste.

JARDIN BOTANICO. After a quick rest, I was feeling rather hungry

and set off to explore the local area and find somewhere to grab a

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bite to eat. Leaving the hotel grounds, I saw plenty of restaurants and eateries and it didn’t take me long to find a nice looking café, where I had a light lunch of Spanish chicken with potatoes.

Afterwards, I wandered over to have a look at Jardin Botanico, just a short distance from the hotel, but unfortunately it was almost closing time, so I decided tomorrow would be a better time to visit.

Back at the hotel, I went to take a look at The Oriental Spa Garden, believed to be one of the best spas in Tenerife. Situated in its own garden within the extensive grounds of Hotel Botanico, the Spa’s striking designs, as well as many of its treatments, are inspired by Asian splendour and hospitality. This is the perfect place for a spot of pampering, and for those wishing to get those muscles working, there are great cardiovascular fitness facilities.

As well as this there are indoor and outdoor heated pools with underwater massage, a Japanese sauna, Turkish baths, Jacuzzis, aromatherapy and much more – all exclusively available for hotel guests. I was struck by how pristine everything looked and I couldn’t wait to make use of it first thing in the morning.

LIVE MUSIC. After the tour of the spa I met Gustavo Escobar, the

hotel’s General Manager, who joined me for a drink in the Bar Hall, which is the perfect place to relax and enjoy some refreshment. The pastries and sandwiches on offer looked very tempting, but I chose to save my appetite for dinner later that evening.

The bar is set up perfectly for live music and Gustavo told me they have different singers and musicians every night. I was also fascinated to learn about the hotel’s art collection, which contains famous nineteenth and twentieth century Canarian artists. It is definitely worth taking the time to walk around the hotel and view the art work on display.

Hotel Botanico has four top a la carte restaurants, so when hunger gets the better of you, you will be spoilt for choice. There is Il Pappagallo, which serves classic Italian and Mediterranean food, La Parrilla, offering exquisite Spanish and regional delights, La Palmera Real, an open air restaurant which serves breakfast and lunch under the palm trees and The Oriental, with its Asian fine dining.

Spanish is one of my favourite cuisines and I was very tempted to have some tapas and fish, but in the end I opted for The Oriental, which was opened in 1996 by Queen Sirikit of Thailand. This seemed to me the perfect recommendation, so I 99

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TENERIFE got myself a table and sat down to study the menu. I decided to order chicken soup for starters, followed by a spicy king prawn curry with fragrant rice. The food was absolutely delicious and the portions very generous.

THE SPA. Next morning I headed over to the stunning spa for a

swim in the indoor pool. I followed this with a stint in the sauna and Jacuzzi as well as the steam room. Feeling rejuvenated, I was ready for a good breakfast, so I headed for La Palmera Real located in the subtropical gardens near the main pool.

Here, an extensive buffet was available and there were chefs waiting to provide you with omelettes cooked to your preference, if you so should wish. I opted for the buffet and sat down outside to enjoy the sunshine and the food. The staff provided me with the hotel’s own English newspaper, which was a nice touch, especially as I was having breakfast alone.

For the active traveller, the hotel has exceptional sports facilities, from tennis courts to putting greens with bunkers and a driving range, which is the perfect place to fine tune your swing before going onto the golf course. The great weather conditions in Tenerife make the island the perfect place to play golf and there are nine fantastic courses to play. Golfers can enjoy spectacular views of Mount Teide which can be seen from some of the courses.

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On others they will be teeing off next to the Atlantic Ocean with the sound of the waves breaking in the background.

CLOSE TO GOLF. Added to this there are no great distances to travel to get to the courses wherever you are on the island, which means that you can enjoy playing on every one of them even during a short holiday. The two closest courses are Real Club de Golf, which is the second oldest golf club in Spain and has been played by some of the greatest Spanish golfers, and La Rosaleda Golf Club, a 9 hole course which also has a golf school.

For those who come here with their families, Loro Parque zoo might be a very good option. It houses 4,000 parrots, possibly the largest parrot collection in the world, and is one of the leading attractions in Spain.

For me, this was unfortunately a very short trip and I didn’t get a chance to explore or experience much of what this wonderful island has to offer. Setting off to the airport later that day, I was not looking forward to the weather back home, but the thought that Tenerife was here waiting, just a four hour plane trip away, helped lighten my mood. I will definitely be back and next time I will come for longer with my family and my golf clubs in tow. GGM MONARCH AIRLINES: www.monarch.co.uk HOTEL BOTANICO: www.hotelbotanico.com

Hospitality is our Tradition

HOTEL BOTÁNICO & THE ORIENTAL SPA GARDEN

A short break at a luxury true haven of health, wellbeing and relaxation.

THE ORIENTAL SPA GARDEN The award-winning Oriental Spa Garden is a magnificent modern Spa exclusively for guests use located in its own private garden with complete dedication to health & beauty. It is a unique concept inspired by Asian splendor and hospitality which features indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs as well as a complete thermal circuit, from traditional Saunas to aromatherapy rooms, waterbeds and an Ice Temple.

A UNIQUE GLAMOUR SENSE The incredible views of mount Teide -World heritage Site-, the lush subtropical hotel gardens and the hotel’s luxurious atmosphere, including a superb collection of original Canarian paintings of the XX century, create a stunning and exclusive retreat for an unforgettable weekend break. Perfect spot for Golf lovers, as the hotel provides a unique 18-holes putting green with driving range, private golf lessons with a professional golf player and very close Golf courses.

As a reader of Great Golf Magazine, using the promotional code “greatgolfmag” for your bookings in our web page or by phone, you can access to exclusive prices and packages for stays at the Hotel Botánico & The Oriental Spa Garden.

Avda. Richard J. Yeoward, 1 · 38400 Puerto de la Cruz · Tenerife · Tel.: 922 389 505 · Fax: 922 370 915 · www.hotelbotanico.com

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FASHION

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Criquet, looking good Southern Style Super soft 100% certified organic cotton makes these shirts as comfortable at the 19th hole as they are at your local farmer's market.

By Mike Kaas-Stock, Photos by Criquet

Billy Nachman and Hobson Brown

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FASHION

Classic style meets forward thinking

I

t’s a fact that the line between golf and street fashion is blurring. Yes there are clothes that some wear on the golf course that bring a shudder to family members when worn away from their intended purpose. But as Bob Dylan once said, “the times they are a-changin.” And in Texas is a company that has taken this concept to heart with a range of shirts and accessories that are both stylish, wearable on and off the course, and of a superior quality. And the name of this company? Well anything else just would not be Criquet.

BILLY, HOBSON AND THE COLLARED SHIRTS. Criquet (not

Cricket) is the result of the combined efforts of Billy Nachman and Hobson Brown. Billy and Hobson had their first foray into the world of collared shirts while attending an all boys’ school in New York. Although at first they were keen to rebel against what they considered to be conformist attire, they were quick to notice the approving looks from parents and, more importantly, the attention from the fairer sex. And so began a quest that would take them in search of the perfect shirt.

As they grew up, both experienced shirts of varying shapes and sizes, good and bad, new and old, like the hand-me-down golf shirts that Billy received from his grandfather. Years later, Billy found himself mourning the loss of his favourite inherited golf shirt, with suspicions running high that his cousin Tucker may have had something to do with this. Hobson also was grieving for the final demise of a favourite of his own which had, through long term use, passed on. Over a game of golf they lamented their losses and spoke despondently of the fact that they may never find shirts to fill this void.

They decided there and then that decisive action was required and the ball was firmly in their court. It was time to design a vintage style shirt that would combine all their desires while also allowing a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. The shirts had to be made from certified organic cotton, have tasteful detail and also a preppy vibe that would pay homage to their days at the all boys’ school. And so Criquet was born.

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A BETTER SHIRT FOR A BETTER MAN. When we feel and look good, it seems that anything can be achieved. So what makes a Criquet shirt so special? Well, better fabric is of prime importance and is achieved with the use of super soft organic cotton that will keep the wearer comfortable both on and off the course.

A better fit is also vital. So many shirts today seem to be either too tight or too baggy. Criquet have taken this problem seriously and make sure that while looking good, you actually feel good too. The use of removable collar stays is also important to help keep the shirt looking crisp and new.

THE SHIRT RANGE. There are two styles to choose from: “The Players” and “The Button Downs”. The Players Shirt comes in both short and long sleeve versions with a varied selection of colours, complete with the classic left side deep pocket and collar stays to avoid that bacon collar look. There are also the options of Vintage Striped and Thin Striped styles.

The Button Downs also come with a choice of long or short sleeves and are styled after a classic Oxford, but finished with that all important Criquet touch. These shirts, incidentally, come with the Bendle Sleeve. “What is a Bendle Sleeve?” I hear you ask. It’s a strategically placed extra layer at the bottom of the shirt for that all important beer bottle top removal that prevents bottle twist off tearing the shirt. Both vital and ingenious! And for those younger, fashion conscious males, there is now even a line in shirts for kids, although the Bendle Sleeve would then be used for soft drinks!

As Billy and Hobson are keen to point out, from Bankers to Shankers, Drifters to Guitar Pickers, these shirts improve all games.

Criquet shirts will soon be available to purchase in the new Great Golf Product section of the website. To register your interest and pre-order please go to: www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk/products/criquet-shirts

GGM

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Products 106 og 108_St Enodoc 03.04.14 18:39 Side 1

GREAT GIFTS FOR HIM & HER

ASTON MARTIN CUFFLINKS Aston Martin, the luxury sports car manufacturer, has long been associated with exclusive luxury. And now a truly unique giftware offering is available through the Aston Martin Power Series collection of cufflinks. Automotive inspiration is evident in the forms and patterns that run through the range, as a design expression of the Aston Martin brand ethos: Power, Beauty, Soul.

Gold plated & white mother of pearl Aston Martin cufflinks Celebrating the unique design expression of the luxury marque, the style and detail of these cufflinks, which come encased in a stunning presentation box, is uncompromising. As part of the Power Series range, these cufflinks retails at £245.00 and are available to purchase online at www.grantmacdonald.com/astonmartin The stainless steel and mother of pearl cufflinks from the Power Series retails at £195. As well as being available at www.grantmacdonald.com/astonmartin/ they can be purchased at the Aston Martin Collection boutique in Harrods. www.astonmartin.com

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BENTLEY FOR MEN AZURE FRAGRANCE IS LAUNCHED Bentley is following up the success of its first men’s fragrance with the launch of Bentley for Men Azure. The new luxury composition takes its cue from the classic aromas of the fougère family, with its green citrus top notes and woody base notes.

The luxurious scent was composed by one of the world’s top perfume creators, Mathilde Bijaoui, who has worked for 10 years at the prestigious French fragrance house Mane.

Subtle woody, fresh and spicy notes Bentley for Men Azure makes an immediate impact with a contemporary burst of freshness: the top note is an invigorating, stimulating cocktail of fresh citrus, delicious fruity pineapple and the exhilarating herbaceous aroma of violet leaves.

The heart note blends Mediterranean aromas such as pimento, lavender and sage with a hint of tea. The long finish of the fragrance conveys the luxury feel of Bentley models, with sumptuous sensual essences such as cashmere wood, tonka bean and the exclusive fragrance molecule orcanox.

Exclusive Bentley design in Azure blue The character of the Bentley for Men Azure bottle takes the same form as the original Bentley For Men, with the iconic curves of Bentley models transferred to the rounded silhouette of the bottle.

The metal cap features a diamond-cut band reflecting the luxurious quality of the bottle. Bentley’s striking “Flying B” logo is embossed on the bottle’s shoulder and also adorns the front of the box. The image was devised by Paris design agency Aesthete under the direction of Thierry de Baschmakoff.

Bentley for Men Azure will be available from March exclusively in Harrods UK and from April worldwide in selected perfumeries and department stores.

The product range Eau de toilette £43; 60 ml Eau de toilette £59.50; 100 ml Hair & body shampoo £24; EUR 27 / 200 ml

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 3

SHARPEN

REPAIR

DRAW

Precision groove sharpener cleans the grooves and restores their original sharpness. The result is greater ball control and backspin.

Pitch repairer with innovative club rest and integrated magnetic ball marker.

Golf ball line marker. Draw a precise line 360° around the circumference of your golf ball to aid more accurate drives and putts.

ALIGN

IMPRESS

Golf ball marker and putt alignment tool.

Confidently putt through your chosen line and watch your one putt percentage improve.

Set your club, society or event apart.

Add a permanent personal laser-engraved message, logo, or club badge to any GrooveFix product.

10 0 % B r iti s h M a d e • Li f e ti m e g ua r a nte e w w w.g roov e f i x .co m • 02 0 8 24 0 0 527

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GREAT GIFTS FOR HIM & HER

BOWERS & WILKINS ANNOUNCE THE P5 MASERATI EDITION British sound specialists Bowers & Wilkins is proud to announce its latest collaboration with iconic Italian car brand Maserati, the P5 Maserati Edition Headphone, representing the perfect marriage of a brand partnership that celebrates luxury, elegance and unrivalled performance.

P5 Maserati Edition Bowers & Wilkins highly-regarded P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphone is now available in a special Maserati Edition, matching the unbeatable audio performance of Bowers & Wilkins with the understated opulence of Maserati.

Paying homage to the design heritage of both brands, P5 Maserati Edition is crafted from fine-grain natural leather in Maserati’s iconic and distinctive deep racing blue, for a luxuriously comfortable fit.

Of course, P5 Maserati Edition also features the award-winning audio performance for which the original P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphone is renowned, with unfatiguing natural sound from the use of specially developed, ultralinear neodymium magnets and highly optimized Mylar diaphragms; maximum noise isolation through a combination of sealed-leather ear pads and a closedback design featuring a rigid metal faceplate; and extreme comfort for extended listening. With Maserati’s understated style and Bowers & Wilkins audio performance, P5 Maserati Edition is a world champion for luxury listening. P5 Maserati Edition is available to buy direct from www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/shop at £329.99, and from selected Bowers & Wilkins retailers.

VIAGGIO GOLF BAG This unique piece of sportswear encompasses the Tuscan heritage of this Italian brand alongside showcasing the detail of artisan design through the fine detail, such as threads and stitching.

It accomplishes its purpose with practical elements such as being lightweight for a comfortable walking golf experience, but with its unique design element it brings versatility and style to the product.

Its handsome design will carry all your golfing equipment in refined style and it also features several easy access outward compartments and an umbrella holder.

The leather is tanned by hand with vegetable oils and animal fats, and it is buffed and polished with aniline roll of amber. The slight variations in colour and minor imperfections are considered strengths adding character to the piece. Golf Bag price: £2,335. www.thebridge.it

ECCO® STREET EVO ONE EXPANDS HORIZONS OF HYBRID GOLF SHOE PERFORMANCE Danish company ECCO, a leading manufacturer of innovative footwear, announces the launch of Street EVO One, a performance hybrid golf shoe combining the award-winning ECCO Dynamic Traction System (E-DTS) with an array of proprietary stabilisation features.

Embodying the shoemaking craftsmanship and technical advances for which ECCO is renowned, Street EVO One boasts a Direct-injected midsole with an integrated shank piece. This design cups and cushions a player’s heel, delivering comfort and torsional support while creating an exceptionally stable platform from which golfers can power through each shot.

Offering a slightly wider platform than previous versions of the best-selling Golf Street model, Street EVO One is built atop a patented outsole configuration of approximately 100 moulded traction bars and 800 traction angles. Constructed from TPU – a highly durable, wear-resistant material – these elements provide superb, Tour-quality grip.

Street EVO One is offered in high-grade cow leather and genuine camel leather versions, both of which include the exclusive ECCO HYDROMAX™ tanned-in treatment for remarkable weather resistance. RRP: High-Grade Cow Leather (pictured) £140, Camel Leather £150. further inspiration, please visit www.ecco.com/golf.

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GREAT GOLF PRODUCTS Like our articles on golf fashion and products?

Want to know where you can find all these items in one place?

We will soon be launching GREAT GOLF PRODUCTS on our website giving you the opportunity to buy the items that you read about, some of which are unavailable anywhere else in the UK. There really is only one place to purchase great quality fashion & products.

GREAT GOLF PRODUCTS, COMING SOON!

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COMPETITION

Golf 1 Million EVER WANTED TO COMPETE FOR THE BIG PRIZE? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE WITH THE GOLF 1 MILLION What is Golf1million?

Golf1million is both a golf apparel brand and golf event and was created to give the average club golfer the chance to experience what Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy would experience when playing in the Masters or The Open. We all dream about playing the final hole at the Masters or standing over a 6foot putt we need to hole to win the Open, but we could never have this experience until now.

Golf1million will recreate this experience for all the golfers that are lucky enough to be drawn to take part in the event.

How to enter.

1. Buy a Golf1million golf shirt online at www.Golf1million.com or at one of a large number of Golf events and Expo’s we attend Worldwide from November 8th 2013 until the middle of 2015.

2. When you get your golf shirt you will also receive a member’s card with your unique number and code.

3. Then you just go to our website www.Golf1million.com and register your numbers and details.

When will the draw take place?

The draw for the lucky 50 golfers plus guests will take place in July 2015 and the event itself will then take place in October 2015, we will arrange all travel, visas, etc.

How many golfers get to take part?

50 golfers will get drawn at random to play in Golf1million, Series 1.

What does the winner of the event get?

Sports most valuable trophy. It is worth $1,000,000. This is a winner take all event.

Where will the event take place?

The event will take place in Las Vegas.

What is the format of the main event itself?

As we want this to be a true test of golf we have decided to have 2 rounds of stroke-play golf. After 2 rounds the top 8 players go through to a shoot-out match-play format. On day 3 they will play the quarter-final and semi-finals. And day 4 will have the final two play for the title and trophy.

How do your shirts compare to the many other golf shirts currently for sale?

No other golf shirt on the market guarantees one of the lucky purchasers a shot at a $1,000,000 trophy. The idea of the shirt is to create a high quality golf shirt that looks and feels the same as the shirts that a lot of the top Pro’s currently wear.

How do you get round the amateur status / money issue?

Under the amateur rules of golf R&A: Symbolic Prizes: “An amateur golfer may accept a symbolic prize of any value (Rule 3-2a). What is meant by a “symbolic prize”? Well, this is a trophy (e.g. a cup, medal, plaque, etc.) made of gold, silver, ceramic, glass, etc., that is permanently and distinctively engraved. So if you manage to win The Open Championship this year at Royal Lytham & St. Annes as an amateur – Bobby Jones did it in 1926 – that replica Claret Jug is all yours.”

USGA rules state similar: A "symbolic prize" is a trophy made of gold, silver, ceramic, glass or the like that is permanently and distinctively engraved.

Where can you buy a Golf1million golf shirt You can buy one online at www.Golf1million.com or at a large number of live golf events and expo’s Worldwide over the next 18 months.

GGM

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Great Spa

Been in the rough?

Time to relax...

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GREAT SPA - SONOMA

Wined Down in the

Valley of the Moon

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After the 26th pour of wine on my self-guided tour of wineries in the Russian River Valley, I had an epiphany that wine and spa make a perfect pairing. One could spend the day enjoying tastes of top wines and immediately go to a local spa to detox.

For a trip that bottles up luxury, gastronomy, spa and wine, Sonoma, California can’t be beat.

By: Dena RochĂŠ, photos by Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and The Girl and the Fig

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GREAT SPA - SONOMA

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

n California’s Wine Country, Napa is just like the Cabs (Cabernet Sauvignons) it produces: big, bold and in-yourface, whereas Sonoma is more like the nuanced, smooth Pinot Noir it is famous for. During my long weekend I stayed at both the 85-year-old storied Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, and the Gaige House Inn, a bed and breakfast with contemporary, Zen-like dÊcor and evening wine tastings where guests exchange tips about the best wineries to visit.

Driving the 90 minutes from the San Francisco airport to Sonoma, I decided to jump right into my oenophile weekend with lunch at St. Francis Vineyard. The winery is one of just a handful with an on site chef, and the four courses showcased the bounty of Californian produce and cheese, and how they bring out the best in a variety of wines.

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MASSAGE AND DINNER. It can often be hard for me to turn off

my Type A personality and relax into a vacation, but the hot stone massage at the intimate Gaige House spa helped me leave the real world behind. The spa loft encompasses the entire third floor and was all mine during the massage. The 80-minute treatment helped loosen my chronic shoulder knots as the therapist used a mix of long effleurage strokes and trigger point work with the heated basalt stones. Smooth stones coupled with the hot oil felt like warm rain cascading down my back and was extremely relaxing.

From the Gaige House, I walked down the road to dinner at the Glen Ellen Star, a husband and wife owned eatery set in a small rustic farmhouse. Chef Ari Weiswasser worked at culinary icons like Daniel in New York and the French Laundry in Napa before opening the Glen Ellen Star in 2012. The restaurant was

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Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

Sonoma Golf Club

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

The Gaige House Inn

The Gaige House Inn

packed, and based on the tables around me the gourmet woodfired pizzas and grilled vegetables appeared to be the way to go.

Thankfully, I saved room for dessert – like the salted peanut butter ice cream or pear cider sorbet, served in adorable half-pint containers.

JAPANESE GARDEN. I kicked off my first full day in the Valley of the Moon, as Sonoma is known, at a one-of-a-kind spa: Osmosis Day Spa, in Freestone. Nestled into the countryside, the Zen style spa offers guests a peaceful Japanese garden with a meditation area, creekside massages in pagodas, and special sound sessions in the Field of Hammocks. But what Osmosis is known for are its Cedar Enzyme Baths, the only such baths in the United States. The cedar bath, a mix of ground cedar, rice bran and plant

enzymes, is a Japanese tradition that improves digestion, speeds metabolism, reduces pain, tension and stress and detoxifies.

My treatment began in the tea room where my bath attendant served me a tea mixed with enzymes from 25 organically grown plants. The tea works in conjunction with the metabolic process of the bath. The bath itself is a balmy 60 degrees Celsius and a word to the wise; moving makes it feel even hotter. My attendant manipulates the cedar to carve a place for me in the bath and then shovels the cedar on top of me so only my head is peeking out.

During the 20 minute bath, my attendant comes by several times to wipe my brow with a cool towel and feed me water through a straw, which makes me feel a bit like a hospital patient.

After 15 minutes the heat finally gets to me and I have to poke my feet out of the cedar. The treatment finishes with me brushing 115

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GREAT SPA - SONOMA off in a private courtyard outside before showering. I follow up the bath with a 30-minute hemi-sync sound treatment designed to sync the left and right sides of my brain.

PINOT AND SYRAH. With my metabolism in overdrive and my

liver detoxified, it’s time to tour the Russian River Wineries. My first stop is Red Car where I’m lucky to find John behind the bar to lead me in a tasting of a variety of Pinot Noir and Syrah while regaling me with stories about the history of the winery and his own personal journey to Red Car. At Lynmar Estate, I enjoy tasting Chardonnay and Pinot on a patio overlooking the vineyards before the cooler temperatures drive me inside to the bar where I fortuitously end up standing next to a guy dropping thousands of dollars to stock a new wine cellar. He is tasting the top wines from the vineyard and offers me a pour of a Pinot Noir not on the standard tasting menu.

My favorite winery of the day is easily J Vineyards, a house founded on sparkling wine, and now pouring delectable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the luxurious Balcony Lounge, featuring sleek chairs and sofas to relax and enjoy the tasting. Quinn, the winery’s hospitality director, gives me a tour of the winery and pours more tastes of delicious wines than I care to remember. As a side note, Queen Elizabeth sipped J Vintage Brut when she was at the White House.

extract, sugar and lavender. After rinsing off the scrub, a massage tailored to your needs concludes the service. Make sure to request Jennifer when you book.

While the treatments at the spa are top-notch, I think the standout feature is the bathing ritual available when you book any service. Three pools, varying in temperature, ease my body and mind into a calm state. My favorite is the Watsu pool where I float and listen to the underwater music. As I languidly glide through the water, music playing, the feeling is womb-like.

A SONOMA STAPLE. The Girl and the Fig is a Sonoma staple and

the perfect place for my last dinner. The lively restaurant combines French food with the bounty of Californian food products to create a memorable meal. In fact, many of the ingredients used in the dishes are farmed by the restaurant’s own staff!

Opt for bistro staples like croque monsieur or steak frites, or dishes like wild flounder meunière or Moroccan braised short ribs.

The wine list features Sonoma produced, French-style wines. Save room for the lavender crème brûlée or chocolate dipped fig kisses.

No matter what the year, a vacation to Sonoma is always a winning vintage.

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DRY CREEK KITCHEN. Thankfully I had a designated driver to

take me to Healdsburg to stroll the quaint downtown and have dinner at the standout Dry Creek Kitchen. The sophisticated restaurant focuses on using local ingredients to create contemporary and classic gourmet dishes like scallops en croute, steelhead en papillote or Duroc pork duo. The meal was my favourite of the trip. If you go, plan ahead of time as you can bring any bottle of Sonoma wine to dinner with no corkage fee.

If you get your fill of wine tasting on day one, take a break by enjoying a round of golf at the Sonoma Golf Club, offering exclusive access to Fairmont guests. With 177 acres of rolling terrain featuring massive oak trees, lakes and views of mountains and vineyards, it is a beautiful but challenging course. If you’re up for a drive, The Links at Bodega Harbour, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, is considered one of the best courses in Northern California.

PRIVATE TASTING. I love wine, so I decide to keep on enjoying the grape the following day (I know there is more spa detox to come!) and book a private tasting at Sojourn, which has a tasting house on the Sonoma town square. It is a relaxed journey focused again on Sonoma’s famous Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, but with a few Napa Cabs thrown in the mix.

Afterwards a quick walk down the road takes me to the delectable Epicurean Connection for lunch. This local gem, recommended to me by a food writer friend, serves up homemade soups, sandwiches, crêpes, salads and the cheese that puts it on the map. Its Délice de la Vallée won best fresh cheese in the country twice, which becomes even more impressive knowing it was co-created by proprietor Sheana Davis and a then 15-year-old assistant cheese maker.

If Sheana is in the house, don’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy her infectious personality and learn more about local wine and cheese in the process. The café is also the perfect place to pick up locally produced culinary gifts to bring home.

FAIRMONT SPA. I wind down the day with the Chardonnay Olive Oil Sugar Polish at the Fairmont Spa. This half-scrub and halfmassage service begins with a wonderful smelling all-organic scrub featuring local Chardonnay grapes mixed with olive oil, grape seed 116

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GOOD TO KNOW

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Great Food

After great golf comes good food...

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THE POMPADOUR

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THE POMPADOUR

lthough the head chef at The Pompadour restaurant maintains he hasn’t got a signature dish, there is one that stands out on his mouth-watering menu. It might be tricky to spot amongst the venison, monkfish and Tamworth pork, but this is a dish that embodies the pizazz of this very special place.

Poulet en Vessie ‘Pompadour’ (for two) is dished up with a rich truffle and mushroom sauce and mushroom spaetzle. The chicken is steamed in a pig’s bladder and carved at the table. In many ways, the dish embodies the decadence and show business for which The Pompadour was famed.

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“It’s for two people,” says executive chef Craig Sandle. “It comes out into the restaurant in the bladder which is all puffed up. It gets cut at the table and portioned out with the garnish, so there’s a bit of drama in that dish.”

He continues, “Because the restaurant is very classical and very French, we thought it would be nice to have something you could have ordered 30 years ago, but bring it into modern times by the way we present it. It looks like a traditional haggis skin, all puffed up because of the steam from the cognac. It gently cooks the chicken and pairs it with the flavours from the truffle, cognac, mushrooms, thyme and bay leaf and little bit of foie gras.”

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FILMSTARS AND ROYALTY. The Pompadour by Galvin Brothers

de Luxe, to give its full title, is the decadent fine dining restaurant at The Caledonian hotel located at the west end of Princes Street in Edinburgh.

The hotel was first opened in 1903 as part of the Princes Street Railway Station, with the sophisticated eatery welcoming its first guests in 1925. It was the heyday of steam travel and the place became a magnet for film stars, entertainers and royalty.

Taking its name from the celebrated Madame de Pompadour, the favourite mistress of King Louis XV of France, the restaurant revelled in the spotlight for over 40 years. The advent of rail nationalisation

in 1965 marked the beginning of a long and steady decline.

The Pompadour’s glory days were long gone by the time Sandle returned to his native Edinburgh in the mid 1990s to pursue a career in catering. Following a number of key positions at some of the capital’s top restaurants – including a nine-year stint at The Caledonian’s perennial nemesis The Balmoral – Sandle teamed up with restaurateurs Chris and Jeff Galvin to spearhead the renaissance of the troubled eatery.

BACK TO THE FUTURE. The plan was part of a wider £24 million redevelopment project to return The Caledonian, now under the 121

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THE POMPADOUR

Chris Galvin, Jeff Galvin and Craig Sandle

Waldorf Astoria banner, to its former glory. The resurgence of the hotel’s restaurants would be masterminded by the Galvin brothers, who have collectively built up an exciting restaurant dynasty crowned by two Michelin stars and 10 AA Rosettes. The Pompadour and the hotel’s Brasserie restaurants were to be the brothers’ first project outside of London.

Speaking with a soft Derbyshire accent that betrays his roots, you get the sense that Sandle longs for The Pompadour’s golden age. “By the time I came back to Edinburgh, I had missed the boom time for The Pompadour. It was probably right on the cusp of it losing its reputation. Prior to that, it was the place to eat and be seen.”

But Sandle is an accomplished chef with an eye for detail and despite the restaurant’s colourful past, he was well aware of the challenge that lay ahead. “When I first walked in, I thought, ‘Oh my god, this hotel is in the pits.’ I don’t think it had been decorated for 20 or 30 years. I was trying to have a serious conversation with Chris and Jeff about how it could be reformed, and I kept thinking it was going to be a massive, massive task. It was something like Faulty Towers.”

ELEGANT ROOM. He continues, “Like anything in life, if you start to let one thing go, it soon deteriorates quite rapidly; then all of a sudden you don’t notice a member of staff wearing a waistcoat two sizes too big for him. But when you go into somewhere for the first time, you pick up on all these things. When we came up the stairs to The Pompadour, all I remember seeing was a red tartan carpet and red chairs and thinking, ‘How on earth are we going to make this look like a restaurant that someone would want to dine in?’”

The transformation of The Pompadour is utter in its range and remit. Gone are the peeling wallpaper and musty smell, oversized waistcoats and comedic service, replaced instead by a bright, wonderfully elegant room manned by a front of house team that conveys a respectful and decorous welcome. This is a place to 122

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enjoy food, and once again it has the feel of a place you want to be seen in.

“The goal has always been to bring it back to what it was before, and that is a busy restaurant that people in Edinburgh and those outside the city know of,” Sandler says excitedly. “We are partly there; we are definitely back on Edinburgh’s culinary map.”

MAKE PEOPLE COME BACK. And as for the restaurant’s long-

term aspirations, Sandle remains pragmatic. “We would love to get recognition from Michelin, and if that happens, it would be great. But at the same time, it’s not like we need it more than anything else. I believe you need to give people a great experience so they want to come back to your restaurant. And that brings its own rewards, like stars and rosettes, but you’ve got to cook for your customers, not a Michelin reviewer.”

The Pompadour has an aura that only the best restaurants possess. It comes from the food, the service and the wine, but more than that, it emanates from the place itself as if all the special dinners and eminent patrons over the years have somehow been absorbed into the fabric of the room. This is a unique place resurrected by a team of talented and passionate restaurateurs. For that, we will forever be in their debt.

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The Pompadour by Galvin was unveiled in the autumn of 2012.

With views of Edinburgh Castle, a private salon cocktail bar and hand-painted wall panels, it is one of Scotland’s most impressive dining rooms. It was awarded three rosettes at the 14th annual AA Hospitality Awards in September 2013.

The Pompadour by Galvin The Caledonian, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel Princes Street, Edinburgh EH1 2AB T: 0131 222 8975 www.thepompadourbygalvin.com

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Great Wine

A good round is worth celebrating

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Grapes of joy Frank Sinatra crooned “I did it my way” and the same can be said for Kathleen Inman and Judy Jordan, two women vineyard owners in Sonoma who are taking the Californian wine scene by storm with their individual approaches to the grape.

By Dena Roché, photos by J Winery and Inman

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hile both women grew up in California’s Wine Country, their pedigrees couldn’t be more different. Judy Jordan is the daughter of Tom Jordan, founder of the great Cabernet house, Jordan Winery, while Kathleen Inman’s family are fourth generation teetotalers. But each woman came to the world of wine driven by an uniquely personal passion.

J winery was born out of Jordan’s love of sparkling wine, and Inman Family was created from a passion for growing things in a sustainable, organic manner.

Women winemakers constitute only ten percent of winemakers in California and owner/winemakers only four percent. At Inman, Kathleen is both owner and winemaker, and at J winery the lead winemaker is another woman with a long career in the industry, Melissa Stackhouse. While women are underrepresented in the industry, they are disproportionately making highly rated wine.

Of the California wines featured in Opus Vino, a book rating top wines, 23% are produced by female winemakers.

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Sixteen years passed before the lure of Californian wine beckoned them home in 1997, and in 2002 their first wine, a Pinot Gris, from their vineyard in the Russian River Valley was ready.

The house is known for Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.

PIONEERS. Even though women are making great wines, and

EACH YEAR DIFFERENT. Russian River wines, especially Pinot Noir, tend to be velvety and fruit-forward, whereas Inman’s wines are more acidic, lower in alcohol, balanced and food-friendly.

“My wines reflect the place and year they were grown, rather than a certain profile or chemistry,” Inman says. “Every decision a winemaker makes in the process is reflected in the wine. It is utterly fascinating as each year is different. I make my wines very naturally. I don’t add anything or take anything away.”

Inman’s wines are built on a foundation of organic fruit. She makes her own compost which is created in part from table scraps from some of the high-end restaurants she supplies wine to, and lets the must ferment with only natural yeast – without the aid of enzymes or inoculation. The winery itself is solar-powered, producing more energy than it consumes, and the new tasting room was built from post-consumer recycled materials.

their presence in the industry is growing, it hasn’t been easy to be a pioneer .

“Often times, the older, more successful men in our industry were kind to me and supportive as they would be to their daughters; however, I found it challenging to be taken seriously,” says Jordan.

For Inman, wine became a passion after taking a community wine course while she was a student at UC-Santa Barbara.

Intrigued, she went home to Napa and worked at a winery during the summer. On her first day, a young Englishman came to the winery. Inman ended up marrying the bloke and put her dreams of vino on hold to live in England, where Simon was a lawyer and she began a career in finance.

NEW VENTURES. Now that Inman has solidified her reputation in the industry, she’s branching out her portfolio.

“I’m focusing on things I enjoy making and things people enjoy drinking,” she says.

One of those newer ventures is rosé. Her Endless Crush Rosé was created a decade ago to simply celebrate her 20th anniversary.

“I forgot our anniversary and didn’t have a present or a card, so I decided to harvest on our anniversary and make this special wine,” she says with a laugh.

This year the rosé sold out in a week after its release. What sets it apart is that Inman doesn’t make it as a byproduct of red wine.

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Instead she presses it like a white wine, giving it an intense flavor, high acidity and a pale color. Inman also produces a Brut Rosé sparkling wine.

METHODE CHAMPENOISE. While Inman is getting her feet wet

with sparkling wine, Judy Jordan has focused on this since 1986 when as a 25-year-old Stanford grad, she struck out on her own with J Vineyards & Winery. The winery produces seven sparkling wines using Méthode Champenoise.

Jordan had always loved Champagne and had a strong interest in geology. When she looked at Sonoma’s Russian River Valley and the diversity of its soils she knew the terroir would be perfect for growing the grapes used in sparkling wine production.

“I’m a rockhead. I just get excited about the history of the Earth.

In Burgundy and Bordeaux, their soils are wonderful, but they’re simple,” says Jordan. “It isn’t as much fun as California’s geology.

Here, we have so much going on – the San Andreas fault, the glaciation of more recent history, and vulcanization because of the clashing plates. That makes winemaking more exciting, more fun.”

NINE VINEYARDS. Today, J Winery makes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris in addition to sparkling varieties. J has nine estate owned vineyards comprising 200 acres. Like Inman, J is committed to sustainable farming, using cover crops to minimize chemicals, and harvesting at night by hand. Their vineyards are certified sustainable by the California Winegrowers Alliance.

Jordan was the first to do gourmet food and wine tastings, and today J Winery offers one of the most luxurious tasting experiences in Sonoma. Visitors can do a full blown food and wine pairing in the Bubble Room, or enjoy a relaxed tasting with cheese during the legacy tasting held in an elegantly appointed upstairs lounge.

“All of our wines are very expressive and balanced,” says

winemaker Stackhouse. “Judy’s sense of elegance is in the wines.”

Stackhouse was the winemaker who created the winery La Crema’s signature Pinot Noir style during her decade there. J winery recruited her in 2010.

“I am so proud of our distinguished winemaker, Melissa Stackhouse. I find her passion for wines, experience in winemaking and shared love of terroir to be amazing,” says Jordan.

Today you can taste Mellissa's expertise with that grape in the J Vineyards Barrel 16 Pinot Noir, a wine with notes of cinnamon, baked mushroom and cocoa, underscored by bright cherry fruits, or the Sonoma Coast Pinot, bursting with fruit, black spice and chocolate. A sampling of sparkling wine will take you on a journey of cuvée and vintage bruts, a brut rosé and my favourite, a late disgorged vintage brut.

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. J Winery will be creating several new

sparkling wines, including XB, a relatively dry extra brut and a Blanc Noir from an estate vineyard. There will also be the first Pinot Noir from their Bowtie Vineyard and the company’s first Pinot Noir made from grapes from the Anderson Valley.

Jordan believes in a lift as you climb philosophy and is active in mentoring future female (and male) winemakers through the company’s Junior Mentorship program for teens.

“It is an opportunity for our employees’ kids and local students to experience many aspects of business, agriculture, cooking, marketing, sales and customer service,” explains Jordan. “I love the fact that these young people can join us for a period of time and try out different departments and expertise. What a gift for a young person to be able to learn about what he or she really likes to do and wants to pursue.”

And maybe the next Judy Jordan or Kathleen Inman is just waiting to be discovered.

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GREAT WINE 2011 Thorn Ridge Ranch Pinot Noir Tasting Notes Color: Garnet with translucent ring Aroma: Black cherry, dried and fresh herbs - particularly thyme and lavender.

Redolent with exotic spices.

Flavor: This is a luscious wine with ripe blackberry and cherry flavors. Secondary fruit components include black raspberries, Rich, round mid-palate with balanced tannins and the finish is velvety and long, with a beautiful earthiness.

2012 Russian River Valley Chardonnay Tasting Notes Color: Pale Straw Aroma: Tart lemon, wet rocks and toasted hazelnuts Flavor: Rich texture with a crisp finish and plenty of tart acidity. Delicate secondary notes of toasted nuts, minerals and sea shells accompany juicy flavors of crisp apple, pear and lemon peel 128

GREAT GOLF MAGAZINE

2009 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Tasting Notes Color: Bright garnet Aroma: cherry, raspberry, black tea, sassafras and baking spices Flavor: Red fruit dominates the flavor profile. Mouthwatering perception of acid makes this a fabulous food wine. Layers of ripe cherry, dried cranberry, rhubarb and raspberry fruits combine with notes of cinnamon and earthy minerality.

2012 Rose of Pinot Noir “Endless Crush” Tasting Notes Color: Pale Salmon Pink Aroma: Honeysuckle, passionfruit, strawberry, guava, orange zest Flavor: Strawberry, watermelon, guava, ruby grapefruit, and mineral

2012 Russian River Valley Pinot Gris Tasting Notes Color: Pale Straw Aroma: Floral, lemongrass, peach, citrus, hints of nutmeg and cardamom Flavor: Well balanced, clean and refreshing. Typical of Pinot Gris, it is showing citrus, quince and nectarine on the palate. The wine finishes with a flinty mineral character and bright acidity tingles the taste buds.

2009 Brut Rosé Nature Sparkling Wine Tasting Notes Color: Pale Salmon Pink Aroma: Fresh citrus, strawberry, tart cherry and brioche Flavor: Strawberry, watermelon, grapefruit, mineral

2009 Olivet Grange Vineyard (OGV) Pinot Noir Tasting Notes Color: Bright garnet Aroma: Rose petal, cherry, raspberry, beeswax, ginger, clove and star anise Flavor: Red fruit dominates the flavor profile. Layers of sweet, ripe cherry, dried cranberry, rhubarb and raspberry fruits combine with clove and cinnamon spice.

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SCOTLAND PROPERTY FOR RENT

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Laird

OF THE GLEN Going to the Ryder Cup this Year?

Why not live in style and rent your own castle.

By Camilla Kaas-Stock, photos by Hotel Botanico

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f you are going to Scotland this summer to enjoy the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, then you will of course need somewhere to stay. There are several 5 star hotels to choose from, but if you’d rather rent and are looking for luxury with a difference, well, then the ladies at Estate Life will definitely be able to assist you. The company, which is based in Edinburgh, specializes in helping rural estates and private historic properties unlock their commercial potential, and rental is of course one way of creating revenue. So, if a Scottish castle sounds tempting, then it’s yours for a price.

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COUNTRY HOUSE RESCUE.The company was initially founded in 2004 as Exclusive Venue by Joanna Goddard, a business development specialist, but as they diversified it was felt that a 132

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re-branding was needed and so, in 2007, they became Estate Life.

Since then, not only have they worked with estates throughout the UK and Europe offering their commercial expertise, but they have also become advisers to Channel 4's Country House Rescue.

In 2011, Susan Reid, a specialist in the sale and marketing of historic properties, became co-owner of the company and now leads an award-winning team of professionals. In other words, you would be in safe hands if you were to rent a property through them.

Across Scotland, there are several properties to choose from, like Aldourie Castle, which offers all the fairytale grandeur and glamour you could wish for from an authentic Grade A listed Highland castle. But for easy access to the Ryder Cup there are three contenders: Aytounhill House, Woodmill House and Balmule House.

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HIRE A CHEF. Aytounhill House in Fife lays just a 40 minute

drive from Gleneagles and 20 minutes from St Andrews. The property offers 5 en suite double bedrooms, a double bedroom with bathroom next door and one single room. Set in 150 acres with beautiful views over the Fife countryside, it is ideal for a golfing group and a perfect place to relax after a long day at the Ryder Cup. You can even hire a chef to prepare all your meals and watch them in action in the bright, open kitchen, which seats 12, or if you prefer you can take your meals in the more formal dining room. Afterwards, you and your guests can retire to the snug, a small, charming living room with views over the garden, or you can chill out in front of the fire in the beautiful drawing room.

COUNTRY HOUSE STYLE. Woodmill House in Fife, only a 35 minute drive to Gleneagles, has in the past been let to companies hosting corporate entertainment for their clients at major golf tournaments, including the joint sponsors of the British Open at St Andrews.

The House is furnished in traditional country house style, with all the contemporary upgrades essential to modern comfort, and there is a lovely, relaxed, homely atmosphere. There is a large

hall with sofa and two-storey arched windows with a balcony landing, a gracious drawing room with an open log fire and views over the lawns and, of course, TV with all the Sky channels, so there is no need to miss any of your favourite programmes.

There is also a separate bar and a sunny informal dining room where all meals are taken.

RICH HISTORY. From Balmule House in Fife the journey time to Gleneagles is just 25 minutes and so is perfectly situated for the Ryder Cup. This stately building is recorded as far back as 1505 and has a long and rich history. It was in 2012 that Balmule House first opened its doors to the public and invited guests to step inside for a relaxing, indulgent stay. The house, which is set within its own secluded grounds, surrounded by acres of stunning, tranquil countryside, is a perfect place to relax and get away from it all.

The property offers two spacious living areas and seven bedrooms plus a master suite. Each bedroom is individually styled with uninterrupted views across the estate. The rooms are cosy with efficient central heating, original, working shutters and beautiful drapes. Bathrooms all sport under floor heating, power showers and luxurious toiletries and linens.

Aldourie Castle

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SCOTLAND PROPERTY FOR RENT

Balmule House

partake in a gentle game of croquet on the lawn, or play golf on one of the nearby courses. There is also gun dog training, off road driving or for those who feel in need of a bit of pampering why not indulge yourself with a relaxing spa at the nearby Gleneagles Hotel.

Aytounhill House

IF YOU WISH TO HIRE IT for the duration of the Ryder Cup, the price is £3,950 per night, but for period’s pre and post, it’s a cool £2,000 per night.

Included in the price is breakfast and daily maid service. A chef can be provided if you so should wish, but of course this is an additional cost.

Woodmill House

Woodmill House

FOR THE DURATION OF the Ryder Cup, the property is let to up to 8 guests on a fully catered basis. The owners stay on the premises and provide all meals and housekeeping services on terms that are pre-arranged to suit your needs. If required, vehicles and drivers can be provided to transport guests to and from their golf events. Rates are net. 3 nights will cost you £8,250, 4 nights £9,900, and 5-7 nights £11,000.

Balmule House THE QUOTE IS FOR EXCLUSIVE use of the property at £3,850 per night for the nights of 25th to 28th inclusive. For nights either side the rate is £1,650 per night inclusive of daily housekeeping and buffet breakfast.

GGM Aytounhill House

In summer you can enjoy drinks in the south-facing walled garden, have a lavish picnic or a BBQ lunch, or on cooler days, lay a fire to take off the chill, pour a dram and rustle up something tasty in the country kitchen.

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Contact:

Susan J Reid Managing Director & Co-Owner Estate Life T: 0131 556 4020 E: susan@estate-life.com W: www.estate-life.com

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Aldourie Castle TAKE OVER A SCOTTISH CASTLE ON THE SHORES OF LOCH NESS AS YOUR OWN HOME Aldourie, which is the only habitable Castle on the shores of Loch Ness, offers all the fairytale grandeur and glamour you could wish for from a Listed Grade A Highland Castle, with turrets, towers, nooks and crannies aplenty. This is a wonderfully authentic and homely place, with a warm and welcoming ambiance throughout the seasons, in the true, time-honoured style of Scottish hospitality.

The Castle has been beautifully restored, from the deepest wine cellar to the tip of its spires, to create a luxurious yet intimate home, in which the attention to heritage and period detail is matched by the quality and comfort of the furnishings. In fact in 2011 it won the HHA/Sotheby's Restoration of the Year Award.

Love and attention have also been lavished outdoors, with the gardens and woodland also restored to the splendour of their 19th century heyday.

The caste has fifteen bedrooms, ranging from grand four-posters, swathed in sumptuous velvets and brocades, to the cosiest little single rooms, with a charm all of their own. The bathrooms are equipped with the very best of classic British fitments, designed in traditional style.

Nine of the fifteen bedrooms are on the first floor and these tend to have taller ceilings and larger windows, as befits the traditions of an authentic historic Castle. Many of the rooms have their own ensuite bathroom and some also inter-connect with other rooms, which is convenient for family groups.

Throughout the Castle you will discover imaginative little decorative touches – sometimes practical, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes whimsical, yet always welcome. For a truly memorable experience on an exclusive basis, the Castle and Estate are available for private house parties, celebrations, product launches and other important occasions.

Capacity There are 13 double and 2 single bedrooms, + 4 Estate Cottages for further accommodation, with an additional 10 doubles and 1 single.

Sleeps up to 28 in Castle and 49 across estate.

Susan J Reid Managing Director & Co-Owner Estate Life T: 0131 556 4020 susan@estate-life.com www.estate-life.com

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MALDIVES PROPERTY FOR RENT

Desert island dreaming

By Camilla Kaas-Stock, photos: Exclusive Golf

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MALDIVES PROPERTY FOR RENT

aving spent countless weeks in the Maldives, both on holiday and while taking business trips between Europe and Asia, Jiří Šmejc’s passion for these beautiful islands grew, but none of them quite met his expectations. And this is how the seed that would become Velaa Private Island was planted.

Being a man of action and means, Jiří and his wife Radka bought the island and then went about creating a luxury private resort that would allow guests to experience privacy but at the same time provide plenty of first class opportunities for entertainment.

H

TURTLE ISLAND. Whether you’d like to take a submarine tour for two, snorkel with the sea turtles that gave the island its name (Velaa meaning “Turtle Island” in the local language), learn yoga or be pampered in a luxury spa, you can do all this and more on Velaa.

If you are splashing out on one of the top-end rooms, you will also be able to have exclusive use of the resort’s super yacht. So if you feel like cruising around the islands while enjoying a romantic meal prepared by the on-board chef, then just snap your fingers and it will be arranged. Or if you’d rather eat on dry land, then why not dine in one of the three restaurants, enjoy a drink in one of the bars or have a picnic on the beach.

Now, being able to play golf on a small desert island probably sounds like an impossibility, but here nothing is impossible.

Crafted by Masters Champion José María Olazábal, Velaa Golf Academy is the only “Short Game Golf Academy” in the Maldives. For those booking through Xclusive Golf, which delivers bespoke aspirational golfing experiences around the world, you also get the chance to have tuition with the man himself. He will even act as a perfect dinner host and share his stories of many successful years as a top professional.

PRIVATE POOLS. There are 43 private villas on the island, each with generous outdoor space and private swimming pools. The 138

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style is contemporary, but with the use of local materials it pays homage to traditional island architecture. Eighteen of the villas are built on stilts over water and are inspired by the stunning views of the island’s azure lagoon. In the Sunrise Water Pool Villa, you can wake up in morning and watch the sunrise directly from the bed or your spacious pool terrace.

The Ocean Pool House is a generous two-bedroom over water house, where you can swim in your own pool, step directly into the lagoon, or just relax in a gazebo with a good book. The Romantic Pool Residence is ideal for honeymooners, suspended above the lagoon and accessible only by boat, it offers all the privacy and romance you could wish for. Here, all the rooms open on to the terraces, where the pool, sundeck and sunken bath offer varying aspects on the horizon. It also has a dining gazebo on its own jetty where you can dine at sunset – what could be more romantic than that?

FOUR BEDROOMS. Back on land, Velaa Private Residences are the largest, with four bedrooms, lush spacious outdoor areas and stunning views over the lagoon. They also, of course, come with a large swimming pool and private beach.

If you are looking for a place to get away from the world and live out your desert island dreams, then as long as you have a very healthy bank account, Velaa might just be the place for you. Here you can at least enjoy your very own piece of heaven, even if it’s just as a paying guest.

GGM Please contact Xclusive Golf for bespoke packages and preferential rates to Velaa Private Island.

XG can also arrange private tuition experiences at Velaa hosted

by Jose Maria Olazabal.

Please contact us for prices and availability.

E: info@xclusivegolf.com T: 0844 504 9914

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FOR RENT Stunning Golf Villa Marrakesh

Samanah Golf & Country Club Villa Sitting on 4300 m with numerous trees & plants, this property is a front line riad style villa of approx 630m .

The property is situated by the 18th hole of the Jack Nicklaus designed Golf Course and with a direct route to the club house which is located roughly a 2 minute buggy ride away.

FACILITIES • Separate well equipped kitchen with cooker, steam oven, microwave, gas hob, coffee machine, two large fridges and a freezer. With a separate utility room.

• Separate Sitting room, Dining room and Salon • Swimming pool (7x14 metres).

• Six Bedrooms, all with en-suite.

• Air conditioning in all bedrooms and living areas • Satellite TV (with film channels) • The villa also has its own Hamam The property is over three floors, including a roof terrace BBQ area with panoramic views of the golf course and the Atlas mountains.

Chauffer service to and from the airport upon arrival and at departure. Transport can also be supplied for up to 18 people for excusions and daily outings.

CONTACT Philip Arnott at Moroccan Properties Immobilier & Marrakech Villa Management Immeuble El Khalil ( en face Gendarmerie Royale) Avenue des Nations Unies Marrakech 40000, Morocco Email: info@moroccanproperties.com Tel +212(0)661 101 661 Please quote ‘Great Golf Ref no RB01’

In support of

Time for life ―with two limited edition timepieces in support of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins

Sans Frontières. Each watch raises £100 for the Nobel Peace Prize winning humanitarian organization. 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 product sold is paid to Médecins Sans Frontières UK, a UK registered charity no. 1026588. NOMOS retailers helping to help include C S Bedford, C W Sellors, Catherine Jones, Fraser Hart, Hamilton & Inches, Mappin & Webb, Orro, Perfect Timing, Russell & Case, Stewart's Watches, Stuart Thexton, Watches of Switzerland, Wempe. Find these and other authorised NOMOS retailers at www.nomos-watches.com, or order online at www.nomos-store.com.

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Great Adventures

Because golf should be an Adventure...

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Great Golf

Adventures

Because golf should always be an Adventure EXPERIENCE GOLF AND SO MUCH MORE

Now it’s easy for you to visit the locations that are featured in Great Golf Magazine and experience it for yourself. In partnership with The Tailor-Made Groups Company we bring you “Great Golf Adventures” WHY ARE WE OFFERING HOLIDAYS?

So many of our readers have told us they would like to experience what our journalists cover in the editorial: the excursions, adventures, side-trips and food delights that they try as part of their visit to a country. For them, and now for you, the trip is much more than just several rounds of golf without touching the heart of the country they are visiting and so much more than would be possible on a golf holiday booked through a regular tour operator. So we now give you the chance to book that golf holiday with a difference, a Golf Adventure.

THREE TYPES OF GREAT GOLF ADVENTURES:

Escorted Group tours - With a group size of around 16, you will depart on published dates a few times a year to each destination. You can book a place on one of these tours and thus team up with a group of like-minded players who want some time on the fairways mixed with other adventures. Each Great Golf Adventure group is led by a local Tour Manager, who oversees the logistics of your tour and will help to organise the competitions that add a little spice to our golfing journey.

Private Group tours - Get a group of your friends together, ideally at least 10 people, and we will operate one of our group tours on a departure date of your choice. The tour operates 142

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exactly the same as our regular departures but it’s your own private party.

Private Car Tours - If our group departures don't suit you, we offer on most tour programmes, the opportunity to travel in one of our Private Car tours. The itinerary is the same as our group departures but you can travel on any date of your choice, subject to hotel and tee-off availability. We can take 2, 3 or 4 people in one of our private cars and for a slightly higher cost you have the freedom to travel in a small private party, following our regular itinerary but subject to your own timings each day.

Non-playing partners -If you get into trouble with your partner for leaving them behind when you take a golf holiday, then bring them along on a Great Golf Adventure. Whilst you are on the fairways they can be exploring the local area, and then you can spend time together on the adventures and excursions that are built into a Great Golf Adventures itinerary. Non-playing partners travel at a reduced cost of course.

MORE TO COME

We will be expanding our roster of locations and combinations to bring even more unique golfing choices, look out for new and exciting holidays on our website and in the magazine.

If you just want a regular golfing holiday, then don’t book with us, but if you want a Great Golf Adventure, this is the place for you! www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk/golfing-holidays

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INDIA

Taj & Tees

TOUR SUMMARY A golf tour with a difference, this is the perfect holiday to experience the rich history of the country and in particular to the world of the Mughul rulers who left such dramatic reminders of their rule. As well as golf, you will visit the Red Forts, the deserted Fatehpur Sikri, and the incomparable Taj Mahal at Agra.

Tour Duration – 9 days starting and ending in Delhi.

Outline itinerary Day 1. Arrive Delhi; guided tour of Old Delhi.

Day 2. In Delhi; play golf; guided tour of New Delhi.

Day 3. In Delhi; play golf; drive to Jaipur.

Day 4. In Jaipur; play golf; guided tour of Jaipur.

Day 5. Visit Amber Fort; drive to Bharatpur; game viewing.

Day 6. At Bharatpur; early morning game viewing; drive via Fatehpur Sikri to Agra where you will visit the Taj.Mahal.

Day 7. Morning in Agra; play golf with the unforgettable image of the Taj Mahal in the background; visit Red Fort; drive to Noida.

Day 8. In Noida; play golf; drive to Delhi.

Day 9. Tour ends.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ITINERARY. 7nights accommodation in mid-range hotels; 1 night in Golf Resort hotel; sightseeing tours of Old and New Delhi; Jaipur, Amber fort, Bharatpur and Fatehpur Sikri; 5 rounds of golf; other transport as detailed below; services of a Great Golf Adventures Tour Leader throughout your journey in India.

• START/END OF LAND ARRANGEMENTS – Delhi/Delhi • SINGLE ROOM OPTION – available at all night-stops.

• INCLUDED MEALS – 8 breakfasts.

• TRANSPORT – Coach, Metro and Cycle rickshaw.

• GROUP SIZE – approximately 16.

• TOUR LEADER/STAFF – Local Great Golf Adventures Tour Leader from Delhi back to Delhi; local guides on sightseeing tours, and drivers.

For more information and reservations, call Great Golf Adventures on +44 (0)1992 579 697 or go to www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk/golfing-holidays and fill in the online enquiry form.

Tour REF: INT From £1065

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INDIA

A drive from the Tees to the Taj TOUR SUMMARY Travelling in your own private car, this is the ultimate way to experience Golf in India.

Soak up the rich history of the country and in particular the world of the Mughul rulers who left such dramatic reminders of their rule, including the Red Fort, the deserted Fatehpur Sikri, and the incomparable Taj Mahal at Agra.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR • Two half day guided tours of Delhi.

• Three rounds of golf at Delhi golf clubs.

• Full day guided sightseeing of Jaipur and Amber Fort.

• A round of golf at Jaipur’s premier golf course • Guided tour of Fatehpur Sikri.

• Guided tour of the Taj Mahal and Agra Red Fort.

• A round of golf at a course next to the Taj Mahal TOUR DURATION – 9 days Delhi to Delhi.

Outline itinerary Day 1. Arrive Delhi; guided tour of Old Delhi.

Day 2. In Delhi; play golf; guided tour of New Delhi.

Day 3. In Delhi; play golf; drive to Jaipur.

Day 4. In Jaipur; play golf; guided tour of Jaipur.

Day 5. Visit Amber Fort; drive to Bharatpur; game viewing.

Day 6. At Bharatpur; early morning game viewing; drive via Fatehpur Sikri to Agra; visit Taj Mahal.

Day 7. Morning in Agra; play golf; visit Red Fort; drive to Noida.

Day 8. In Noida; play golf; drive to Delhi.

Day 9. Tour ends.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN TOUR ITINERARY IN INDIA: 7 nights’ accommodation in mid-range hotels; 1 night in Golf Resort hotel; sightseeing tours of Old and New Delhi; Jaipur, Amber Fort, Bharatpur and Fatehpur Sikri; 5 rounds of golf; other transport as detailed below; services of a Great Golf Adnentures Driver/Escort throughout your journey in India.

• START/END OF LAND ARRANGEMENTS – Delhi/Delhi • SINGLE ROOM OPTION – available at all night-stops.

• INCLUDED MEALs – 8 breakfasts.

• TRANSPORT – Private car; Train; Metro and Cycle rickshaw ride in Old Delhi, and in Bharatpur sanctuary.

• YOUR PRIVATE CAR – Great Golf Adventures will provide you with an Ambassador car, the iconic Indian automobile based upon the British Morris Oxford of half a century ago but still built in India until recently. You will travel, therefore, in the classic Indian luxury car; a reminder of earlier times but with the comfort you would expect on your own personal tour.

• GROUP SIZE – Your private party can consist of from one to three passengers. If your party is slightly larger a further car, or cars, would be provided at additional cost.

• TOUR LEADER/STAFF – Great Golf Adventures Driver/Escort from Delhi to Delhi; local guides on sightseeing tours.

For more information and reservations, call Great Golf Adventures on +44 (0)1992 579 697 or go to www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk/golfing-holidays and fill in the online enquiry form.

Tour REF: IPT From £1260

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Golf & Houseboats in Kashmir TOUR SUMMARY This 6 day extension can be added to any Great Golf Adventures tour, for example starting on day 9 of a 9 day tour and ending on what becomes day 14 of your holiday. It offers the chance for golfers, after travelling through India on one of our tours, to relax for a few days and play four contrasting golf courses in scenic and unusual surroundings.

Flying up to Srinagar we play the 4 golf courses in the Vale of Kashmir, whilst staying overnight on one of the houseboats that line the waterfront near Dal Lake.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR • PLAY GULMARG GOLF COURSE – the highest greens golf course in the world.

• PLAY ROYAL SPRINGS – recognised as one of the best courses in India.

• PLAY KASHMIR GOLF CLUB – in the heart of the city of Srinagar and second oldest course outside the UK. • SRINAGAR – guided tour of the city.

• HOUSEBOATS – stay aboard a Deluxe standard houseboat at Dal Lake.

• Shikara ride on Dal Lake.

TOUR DURATION – 6 days Delhi to Delhi.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ITINERARY • 4 nights’ accommodation on houseboats in Srinagar.

• 1 night in a Delhi hotel.

• Sightseeing tour of Srinagar.

• 4 rounds of golf.

• Flights Delhi/Srinagar/Delhi • Other transport as detailed below.

• Services of a Totally India representative in Srinagar.

SINGLE ROOM OPTION – available at all night stops.

INCLUDED MEALS – 5 Breakfasts.

TRANSPORT - Car or coach.

GROUP SIZE – minimum 1.

TOUR LEADER/STAFF – Local Totally India Tour Representative in Kashmir; local guides on sightseeing tour, and shikara boatmen.

ACCOMMODATION STANDARD - Houseboats on Dal Lake are Deluxe Class, with private facilities. The Delhi hotel is a mid-range hotel with private facilities.

For more information and reservations, call Great Golf Adventures on +44 (0)1992 579 697 or go to www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk/golfing-holidays and fill in the online enquiry form.

Tour REF: IHK From £895

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INDIA

Golf in the Vale of Kashmir TOUR SUMMARY Have you ever wanted to combine a trip to India with some great golf? This trip offers you the chance to play four contrasting golf courses that lie amidst the stunning mountain scenery of the Vale of Kashmir.

Flying up to Srinagar you will play golf nearly every day, whilst staying overnight on one of the houseboats that line the waterfront near Dal Lake.

TOUR OPTIONS Escorted Group tours Private Group tours Private Car Tours TOUR HIGHLIGHTS • PLAY PAHALGAM GOLF COURSE – the longest in India.

• PLAY KASHMIR GOLF CLUB – the second oldest outside the UK. • SRINAGAR – guided tour of the city.

• PLAY GULMARG GOLF COURSE – highest green golf course in the world.

• PLAY ROYAL SPRINGS GOLF COURSE – regarded as one of the best in India.

• HOUSEBOATS – stay aboard a DeLuxe standard houseboat at Dal Lake.

• Shikara -ride on Dal Lake.

TOUR DURATION – 9 days Delhi to Delhi.

Outline itinerary Day 1. Arrive Delhi; afternoon tour of Old Delhi.

Day 2. In Delhi; morning tour of New Delhi; afternoon fly to Srinagar.

Day 3. Drive to Pahalgam; play golf at Pahalgam Golf Club.

Day 4. In Srinagar; play golf at Kashmir Golf Club.

Day 5. In Srinagar; morning - city tour; afternoon - shikara ride on Dal Lake.

Day 6. Drive via Tangmarg to Gulmarg; Play Gulmarg Golf Club.

Day 7. In Srinagar; Play Royal Springs Golf Club.

Day 8. Morning flight to Delhi; afternoon at leisure.

Day 9. Tour ends.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN TOUR ITINERARY IN INDIA: 6 nights’ accommodation on houseboats in Srinagar; 2 nights in a Delhi hotel; Sightseeing tour of Srinagar; 4 rounds of golf; Flights Delhi/Srinagar/Delhi; Other transport; Services of a Great Golf Adventures representative in Srinagar Tour Leader/Staff – Local Great Golf Adventures Tour Representative in Kashmir; local guides on sightseeing tour, and Shikara boatmen.

For more information and reservations, call Great Golf Adventures on +44 (0)1992 579 697 or go to www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk/golfing-holidays and fill in the online enquiry form.

Tour REF: INK From £1095

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CZECH REPUBLIC

Bunkers and Beer TOUR SUMMARY Based in Prague, this short break offers the chance to play 3 rounds of golf with the opportunity to also explore one of Europe’s most beguiling cities. We start each day with a round of golf but then have time for a walking tour of Prague as well as other optional excursions. This is a long weekend visit with four action-packed days.

8 DAY OPTIONS Or if there’s more time available, why not stay on for an extra four days, take a visit to the city of Pilzen for more golf and a visit to the city’s famous brewery and, with a total of 6 rounds of golf, make a week of it.

Day 6. Morning drive to Plzen; round of golf; visit to Pilzener Brewery.

Day 7. Depart Plzen; visit Casa Serena Golf Course and play 18 holes; continue to Prague.

Day 8. Tour ends. (optional further round of golf).

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN TOUR ITINERARY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC: 3 or 7 nights’ accommodation in 4 star hotels in Prague (and Plzen if taking the 8 day tour); 3 or 6 rounds of golf, including green fees; half day sightseeing tour of Prague, transport as detailed below; services of a Great Golf Adventures Tour Manager throughout your journey in the Czech Republic.

TOUR DURATION – 4 or 8 days Prague to Prague.

Outline 4 day itinerary Day 1. Arrive Prague; check in at Hotel. Optional 9 or 18 holes golf; welcome Dinner.

Day 2. In Prague; morning round of golf (18 holes); afternoon walking tour of Old Prague.

Day 3. In Prague; morning round of golf (18 holes); afternoon free for optional excursions..

Day 4. In Prague; morning round of golf (18 holes); lunch and prize-giving; tour ends.

Outline 8 day itinerary Day 1 to 3 as above Day 4. In Prague; morning round of golf; lunch and prize-giving for 4 day competition; afternoon free for optional excursions.

Day 5. In Prague; morning round of golf; afternoon sightseeing excursion..

START/END OF LAND ARRANGEMENTS – Prague/Prague SINGLE ROOM OPTION – available at all night-stops.

INCLUDED MEALS – 3 or 7 breakfasts, 1 first evening dinner; one lunch with prize-giving.

TRANSPORT – coach on group tours; car or minivan on Two-ball or four-ball tours.

GROUP SIZE – approximately 16.

TOUR LEADER/STAFF – Local Great Golf Adventures Tour Manager from Prague back to Prague; local guides on sightseeing tours, and drivers.

For more information and reservations, call Great Golf Adventures on +44 (0)1992 579 697 or go to www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk/golfing-holidays and fill in the online enquiry form.

Tour REF: CZ4 and CZ8. For prices please go to the website.

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BELGIUM

In Flanders Fields TOUR SUMMARY A long weekend break just across the Channel, with three rounds of golf and the chance to visit some of the sites with poignant reminders of the World War that commenced a hundred years ago this year.

This typical Great Golf Adventures blend of fairways and time to explore the area around the courses we visit, includes two half day excursions to the trenches where the conflict took place and the museums that so dramatically preserve the events of a century ago.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS • Two Half day guided tours of World War One battlefield sites, including In Flanders Fields museum, Tyne cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Poperinge and Diksmuide.

• Three rounds of Golf.

• Visits to St Bernardus Brewery and Kazmaten Brewery.

• Breakfast each morning, dinner on our first evening and a prize-giving lunch on our final day.

THE COURSES WE VISIT ON THIS TOUR – Palinbeek Golf Club, Oudenaarde Golf Club and Bondues Golf Club.

TOUR DURATION – 4 days Ypres to Ypres.

Outline itinerary Day 1. Check-in at Ypres Hotel; optional practice round of golf; evening welcome Dinner.

Day 2. Morning round of golf at Bondues Golf Club; afternoon half day guided tour to Flanders Field Museum. Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele trenches and St Bernardus Brewery.

Day 3. Morning round of golf at Palinbeek Golf Cliub; afternoon half day guided tour to Poperinge, visit Servicemens’ Club, continue to Diksmuide and visit the Trenches of Death, and visit Kazmarten Brewery.

Day 4. Morning round of golf at Oudenaarde Golf Club; lunch and prize-giving. Afternoon, tour ends.

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WHAT IS INCLUDED IN TOUR ITINERARY IN BELGIUM: 3 nights’ accommodation in a 4 star hotel in Ypres; 3 rounds of golf; sightseeing and transport as detailed below; Services of a Great Golf Adventures Tour Manager in Belgium.

START/END OF LAND ARRANGEMENTS – Ypres/Ypres.

SINGLE ROOM OPTION – a single room is available at our Ypres hotel..

INCLUDED MEALS – 3 breakfasts, 1 dinner on the first evening; 1 lunch on the final day.

TRANSPORT – minibus.

GROUP SIZE – approximately 16.

TOUR LEADER/STAFF – Great Golf Adventures Tour Manager; local guides on sightseeing tours, and driver.

ACCOMMODATION STANDARD – The hotel on this tour is a comfortable 4 star property.

TRAVEL FROM LONDON – You may make your own travel arrangements to join the tour in Ypres or book your train from the UK to Lille and onward transfer to Ypres through Great Golf Adventures.

CLUB HIRE – Clubs may be hired at each of the courses played on this tour For more information and reservations, call Great Golf Adventures on +44 (0)1992 579 697 or go to www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk/golfing-holidays and fill in the online enquiry form.

Tour REF: BE - 4 From £899.00

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Upcoming

Great Golf Adventures While plans are underway for a vast selection of exciting travel opportunities, some of the Adventures below will be available very soon; KOREA Golf, Culture, Cuisine and the Famous Border

GREENLAND/ICELAND/NORWAY Golf under the Midnight Sun

FRANCE Golf, Chateau Living, Chocolate Making & Culinary Courses

ITALY Fine Wines, excellent Food and Golf

BARCELONA Golf, Art & F1 driving

MOROCCO Golf & Adventures in the Atlas Mountains

SOUTH AFRICA & ZIMBABWE Golf in the Wine Region & Wildlife

KENYA GOLF & SAFARI Get up close and personal with some wild animals on the fairway

GOLF & FISHING Lake and river fishing in Ireland, Deep Sea Fishing in Scandinavia

TURKEY From Istanbul to Belek with Wild Golf & City Adventures

THAILAND Golf in the Siam Kingdom To register your interest in these of any of these upcoming Adventures, please go to; www.greatgolfmagazine.co.uk/golfing-holidays/general-tour-enquiry-form Or call Great Golf Adventures on 01992 579697

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Great Golf Guide

A selection of outstanding courses

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Scotland

TURNBERRY RESORT VERVIEW: Turnberry, an icon of Scottish hospitality and home of four Open Championships, has been treasured for more than a hundred years. Turnberry Resort is part of Starwood’s acclaimed Luxury Collection portfolio following a multi-million pound restoration in 2009.

LOCATION: West coast of Scotland. Approximately 55 miles (one hour) from Glasgow Airport, 25 miles (30 minutes) from Glasgow Prestwick Airport, and 100 miles from Edinburgh Airport.

ROOMS: A total of 150 rooms, including four Specialty Suites and four eight-bedroom lodges. Eight newly renovated Lands of Turnberry self-catering apartments are also located in the heart of the resort.

GOLF: Turnberry offers some of the best golf facilities in the world, with 45 holes of magnificent golf, the world’s first links golf academy and a sociable Clubhouse.

The 18-hole Ailsa championship course – venue for The Open Championship in 1977, 1986, 1994 and 2009 and consistently ranked as the UK and Ireland’s top golf course.

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The 18-hole Kintyre championship course – a final qualifying course for The Open Championship in 2004.

The 9-hole Arran course – used as a teaching course by Turnberry’s Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy.

Scotland’s first and only TaylorMade Performance Lab. THE SPA AT TURNBERRY: Featuring an inviting 20-metre indoor pool, eleven individual treatment rooms, fitness studio, heat experiences and pool-side Jacuzzi and offering a range of treatments by ESPA including reflexology and hot stone massage.

CUISINE: Turnberry has six restaurants, bars and lounges – the signature restaurant 1906, Duel in the Sun bar, The Ailsa Bar & Lounge, James Miller and The Grand Tea Lounge. In the heart of the Turnberry kitchens is the ultimate dining experience, The Turnberry Chefs Table. Turnberry also boasts the Tappie Toorie restaurant, which is situated in the Clubhouse.

OUTDOOR PURSUITS: Rifle target shooting, clay target shooting, 4x4 off-road driving, trout fishing, archery, quad biking, falconry, horse riding, all-terrain carting, mountain biking and children’s activities.

CONTACT

TURNBERRY, A LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT, Maidens Road, Ayrshire, KA26 9LT, (0)1655 331 991 www.luxurycollection.com/turnberry • turnberry@luxurycollection.com

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Scotland

KINGSBARNS GOLF LINKS ocated just seven miles south-east of St Andrews Kingsbarns is a must-play seaside links course which regularly features in top 100 golf course rankings in the world. Designed by Kyle Phillips, the golf course opened in 2000 and is set in an amphitheatre along the coast line, so nearly every hole boasts spectacular views of the sea. At 7,181 yards from the championship tees, Kingsbarns is a formidable enough test to be included in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship rota each autumn alongside the Old Course, St. Andrews and Carnoustie Golf Links.

Kingsbarns prides itself on excellent customer service and great accessibility of tee times. As Kingsbarns does not operate a membership programme, visiting golfers are each treated like members for the day, with staff on hand to ensure that they each enjoy the golfing experience which the team at Kingsbarns are so proud of.

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Kingsbarns Golf Links offers an unforgettable golfing experience, which is proving increasingly popular with the corporate market.

Companies are using it as a venue for both large and small groups when they really want to make a favourable impression with clients or show their appreciation to valued members of staff.

Our proximity to St Andrews and a wide range of accommodation providers makes us a no hassle venue to book. With two five star hotels, The Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa and The Fairmont, St Andrews on our doorstep along with a choice of 4 and 3 star hotels, there are accommodation offerings for every budget.

There is an extensive range of flight options from London to Edinburgh (1hr 20 minutes from St Andrews) and CityJet fly from London City to Dundee (20 minutes from St Andrews) offering a no charge for your clubs option.

CONTACT

KINGSBARNS GOLF LINKS, Kingsbarns, St. Andrews, Scotland, +44 (0)1334 460861 E-mail: info@kingsbarns.com • www.kingsbarns.com

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Scotland

T H E D U K ES S t A N D R E W S he Duke’s is the only heathland course in St Andrews daring to be different amongst the famous list of links courses, including of course the Old Course, in the Home of Golf. The Duke’s rolling terrain and elevated position above St Andrews provides spectacular panoramas of the surrounding countryside, The Grampians, the West Sands and the “Auld Grey Toon”. Moreover the sheltered inland location of the course offers a welcome respite from the blustery, sometimes brutal linksexperience elsewhere in the location.

Owned like the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa by the Kohler Co., The Duke’s was originally designed by five-time Open Champion Peter Thomson and was officially opened by HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York, in 1995. However American Tim Liddy, a protégé of distinguished golf course designer Pete Dye, remodeled The Duke’s in June 2006 transforming it into a majestic layout reminiscent of the true heathland courses of the 1920s.

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It now boasts five completely new holes and the addition of 118 natural, rough-edged bunkers. The championship course now measures 7512 yards and is a Par 71 that offers a set of five tees on each hole, making it a challenge for golfers of every standard. The Duke’s Clubhouse offers five-star service and a warm Scottish welcome in relaxed surroundings. Amenities include The Duke’s Bar & Grill, a traditional wood-panelled bar and restaurant with a terrace overlooking the course for al fresco dining on warm days, The Captains’ Room for private dining or meetings, a well stocked Pro Shop and equipment hire.

It also boasts comprehensive practice facilities that include a large practice range, extensive putting green, two practice par-3 holes and a chipping/bunker area. The Duke’s was recently voted the ‘Best Club in the UK’ by the Golf Club of the Year Awards and in 2008 & 2010, Golf World magazine included The Duke’s course in its Top 100 Courses in the UK. Today the course is very much on many players “must-play” list.

CONTACT

THE DUKE’S ST ANDREWS, Craigtoun, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland KY16 8NS. Contact: Alan McColm, Golf Coordinator T: 01334 470214, Green Fee Summer £115/Winter £55 www.playthedukes.co.uk • alan.mccolm@oldcoursehotel.co.uk

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Scotland

THE GLENEAGLES HOTEL et in its own magnificent 850-acre estate, The Gleneagles® Hotel 5 Red Star resort is only one hour’s drive from both Glasgow and Edinburgh and is a byword for style, elegance and comfort. Gleneagles offers 3 championship golf courses set in the heart of the stunning Perthshire countryside. The King’s and the Queen’s are both top Scottish Championship courses, whilst The PGA Centenary has been chosen to host the 2014 Ryder Cup Matches.

The golf courses were the inspiration of two of the world's most famous golfers, James Braid, five times winner of the Open Championship who designed the King's and Queen's, and Jack Nicklaus, Golfer of the 20th Century, who created the PGA Centenary Course.

As well as playing great courses at Gleneagles golfers can also brush up their skills at The PGA National Golf Academy that offers tuition for all abilities, beginner to scratch player, and a 320-yard double ended driving range. For those who want to

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practice what they have learnt but are not quite ready to take on an 18-hole championship course, they can make the progression to the testing but fun 9-hole par 3 PGA National Academy Course.

Once golf is over you can retire to the newly refurbished Dormy Clubhouse facilities, and rue the lipped putts and toast the holed chips while enjoying food and drink of a quality that no-one can argue with, all while looking out over the 18th greens of the King’s and Queen’s courses.

As well as golf, there are a host of outdoor activities including riding, fishing, off road driving, falconry, shooting, archery and gun dog lessons.

To relax further there’s an award-winning destination spa

by ESPA with all the latest therapeutic treatments, as well as a range of bars and restaurants, including the Two Michelin starred Andrew Fairlie. Gleneagles is a sanctuary from the modern world, offering the best of Scotland every day of the year.

CONTACT

THE GLENE AGLE S HOTEL, Auchterarder, Perthshire, PH3 1NF, Tel +44 (0) 1764 662231 www.gleneagles.com • resort.sales@gleneagles.com

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Scotland

DUNDONALD LINKS he West coast of Scotland is famous for its stunning championship links and Dundonald sits right up there alongside the very best of them. Opened in 2003, this modern day classic links was inspired by the timeless architecture of the great Ayrshire links courses of Royal Troon, Prestwick and Western Gailes, all connected by the historic rail line. Acclaimed architect, Kyle Phillips, also known for Kingsbarns and The Grove, intimated from the outset that it was his intention “to create a championship Ayrshire links that felt and played as though it was an old, rediscovered course.”

The course is featured in the Top 100 in UK and Ireland.

Dundonald Links is now recognized as one of Europe’s “must play” links having played host to a number of professional and amateur tournaments, including pre-qualifying for the European Tour for four consecutive years and the Senior British Open Championship.

The course is located at the very heart of Ayrshire’s golf

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coast, just 10 minutes from Prestwick Airport, half an hour from Glasgow, and an hour and a half from Edinburgh Airport, A wide selection of accommodation to suit all budgets can be recommended within easy reach, including the 4 star Gailes Hotel on its doorstep, and the 5 star Turnberry Resort.

Players can benefit from good accessibility to weekend tee-times and a new online booking system now ensures you can book in advance and guarantee the best rates and availability.

Owned by Loch Lomond Golf Club, the course is renowned for its exceptional standards of service and a warm welcome awaits.

A team of PGA Professionals will co-ordinate group golf days to suit your individual requirements whether it’s to impress clients or simply for pleasure.

The course is proud to be recognized for its best environmental practices and recently achieved its goal of zero waste to landfill, the first in the country to achieve this status.

CONTACT

DUNDONALD LINKS, Ayrshire, Scotland T: +44 (0)1294 314000 E: reservations@dundonaldlinks.com • www.dundonaldlinks.com The course has recently been awarded the prestigious title of UK Environmental Golf Course of the Year and GEO Certification, in recognition of its sustainable practices.

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Scotland

MURRAYSHALL HOUSE HOTEL & GOLF COURSES urrayshall Hotel is the home to both the Murrayshall and the Lynedoch Golf Courses, two prestigious but very different eighteen hole courses, providing a hugely enjoyable challenge for all golfers.

The Murrayshall course meanders through tree lined fairways, undulated parkland and has several natural burns which have been used to protect the large greens. The introduction of the white sand bunkers which are a feature of the Murrayshall course lie in waiting for errant shots. In creating Lynedoch the course designer made great use of the existing Scots pine woodland, utilising the wild flower meadows and carved a real wee gem of a course.

Both courses are a real contrast to one another - Murrayshall the wider, longer course requires length and accuracy from the tee shot, this will allow golfers the opportunity to approach greens from the correct angle, widening the view of the pin. Lynedoch however is

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shorter but no less a challenge, tighter fairways, bracken filled gullies and tall Scots Pine trees narrow the golfer’s view of fairways and greens.

With two different golf courses, both set out to a fabulous standard of play, the courses have attracted national and international events over the years. Currently the home to the Paul Lawrie Scottish Schools Championship Murrayshall and Lynedoch have also hosted PGA events along with SGU National Finals and most recently was the Inaugural Scottish venue for the Sky Sports Trilby Tour.

Murrayshall also gives our resident golfers the chance to visit the famous courses of St Andrews, Kingsbarns, Carnoustie and Gleneagles, which are all within short driving distance of the hotel.

With so much on offer to keen golfers of all levels, it’s no surprise that Murrayshall House Hotel has become renowned as a provider of top quality golfing breaks and golf days out in the historic home of golf.

CONTACT

MURRAYSHALL HOUSE HOTEL & GOLF COURSES, Scone, Perth, Scotland, PH2 7PH, +44 (0)1738 551171 sales@murrayshall.co.uk • www.murrayshall.co.uk

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Your Comfort Our Business For a seamless golf experience, fly Air China’s latest Boeing 777-300ER fleet from Heathrow to Beijing and connect onto our extensive network throughout China and Asia.

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England

SAUNTON GOLF CLUB wo of links golf’s most precious gems are set in the remote shadows of the towering sand dunes of Braunton Burrows at Saunton Golf Club in North Devon, less than half a mile from the Atlantic Ocean. When the club was inaugurated in 1897 its clubhouse doubled up as the local post office, yet now its two championship courses, East and West, are considered among the greatest links in the world.

The basis for the present East Course was laid out under the direction of the renowned course architect W. Herbert Fowler in the 1920’s. A completely natural layout set amid the spectacular sand hills, the East Course provides a peaceful environment with only the sound of the sea for company as well as a great test of golf for players of all standards.

The West course is also an exceptional challenge in its own right

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and it was here in 1997 that a 17-year-old Sergio Garcia won the British Boys Championship, just two years before making his Ryder Cup debut. Indeed over the years Saunton has played host to many major national and international championships during its 113- year history.

The East Course will host the South West Amateur Championships and West of England Championships in 2011 whilst the West course will be used in 2012 by the English Golf Union for the Mid Amateur Championships, Logan Trophy.

England’s most successful modern day golfer, Nick Faldo, has been one of Saunton’s many fans since playing here as a boy. The multiple major winner once said of Saunton’s East Course, "I've no doubt if the East Course were located on the coast of Lancashire or Kent it would have hosted an Open Championship by now."

Saunton, a member of the England’s Atlantic Links golf network, is easily accessible via the M5 and A361.

CONTACT

SAUNTON GOLF CLUB, Nr Braunton, North Devon EX33 1LG Contact: Peter McMullen T: 01271 812436. Green fee £74 weekdays/£79 weekends www.sauntongolf.co.uk • gm4@sauntongolf.co.uk

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England

TREVOSE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

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heltered by the majestic Trevose Head, the experience of playing the Championship Course at Trevose Golf & Country Club is enhanced by the spectacular views of the North Atlantic Ocean, wide sandy beaches and dramatic North Cornish coastline. A true test of links golf, the course was designed by Harry Colt in 1925 and will test all aspects of your game. As with all of Colt’s designs, the course is in two loops of nine holes with the front nine holes hugging the sand dunes and coastline and back nine forming inland links, although the sea can be seen from every single hole.

Like all great links courses the difficulty lies in the wind – so beware when the wind blows! No two days are ever the same, and those who are prepared to be more creative with their shot making will be well rewarded. The greens are quick all year round and due to the temperate micro climate the area enjoys, the course condition is excellent 365 days a year. Come rain or shine, wind or calm, Trevose

will test every shot in your armoury and every club in your bag!

As one of the top championship links golf courses in the British Isles, Trevose hosted the 2008 Brabazon Trophy (English Men’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship) and The McGregor Trophy in 2012 and it regularly plays home to touring professionals and top amateurs alike. Indeed Paul Way, ex-European Tour and Ryder Cup player, has said of Trevose, “I have played lots of Harry Colt courses and Trevose is up there with his best. The setting is fantastic and you need every shot on this course.”

With a range of 3 to 5 star on-site (self catering) accommodation, as well as first-class dining, three tennis courts, a beauty/therapy salon, swimming pool, children’s play area, seven nearby beaches and three courses to choose from, Trevose offers the ideal golf destination with a relaxed holiday atmosphere. Trevose, a member of the England’s Atlantic Links golf network, is easily accessible via the M5.

CONTACT

TREVOSE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, Constantine Bay, Padstow, Cornwall PL28 8JB Contact: Nick Gammon T: 01841 520208. Green Fee £65 Summer/Winter £40 www.trevose-gc.co.uk • ngammon@trevose-gc.co.uk

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Spain - Cadiz

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

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

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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

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LE TOUQUET - FRANCE Manoir Hotel and Golf Resort

From â‚Ź 310*

Punch Communication - www.punch.fr

Enter a World Apart and let us Care for You.

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* Price per person sharing a double room inclusive of 2 nights, buffet breakfast, one welcoming dinner excl. drinks and 3 rounds of golf at Le Touquet G.C. Valid midweek from 11th April to 19th October 2014. Subject to availability.

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