IAGTO Directory
2019
T h e A n n u a l P u b l i c a t i o n of t h e G l o b a l G o l f To u r i s m I n d u s t r y
Doral, Florida
DRIVEN BY A PASSION TO CREATE the best golf experience in the world The Trump Organization has built the finest portfolio of awardwinning golf courses, offering an unsurpassed level of challenge, luxury, service and performance. Plan the trip of a lifetime and experience championship-style golf and world-class facilities at Trump Golf properties around the globe.
New York, New York
Los Angeles, California
Dubai, UAE
Turnberry, Scotland
Aberdeen, Scotland
Doonbeg, Ireland
TRUMPGOLF.COM
January 2019
Dear Colleagues, 2018 was a pioneering year particularly with regard to the opening up as Japan as a golf destination with our first ever national golf tourism event in the country. The Governor of the Mie Prefecture was a true pioneer in his determination to bring golf tourism suppliers from 18 provinces to meet with golf tour operators from 24 countries, and the participating suppliers and tour operators were also pioneers in their approach to the opportunity that lay ahead of them. Eight years of preparation paid off as the suppliers were all well briefed and the enthusiasm during the business sessions of the Japan Golf Tourism Convention was palpable. There were a number of new developments last year designed to help both buyers and suppliers, including a 360-degree review of buyers, carefully identifying how their business models have changed over the past two decades. The success of this has led to a new project to categorise business models of suppliers, as pertaining to tour operators, in 2019. This year we will, for the first time, be rewarding Golf Directors and Golf Course Managers with a proven track record in the golf tourism industry with professional accreditation. We also launched our Online Golf Tourism Audit as a new tool to help golf facilities review their product and service from the perspective of the first-time golf visitor. More golf tour operators than ever before were introduced to golf destinations they had not previously visited (including the Philippines, Oregon and Slovenia), and our Fam Tour Management System now ensures that we are able to not only assess in detail the suitability of each destination to the participating operators, but we now also track, every month, how many member operators feature and promote every golf destination on the planet. We look forward to another equally innovative and pioneering year ahead, and to IGTM in Marrakech! Best wishes to you all,
Peter Walton - Chief Executive Editor: Peter Ellegard
Designer: Chris Brown
Sales: David Ford
Print Manager: Giles Aston - Dexterity Cover Photo: Al Mouj Golf at Al Mouj Muscat • www.almoujgolf.com IAGTO, Concorde House, Grenville Place, London, NW7 3SA, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 20 8906 3377 Fa x: +44 (0) 20 8906 8181 Email: info@iagto.com Website: www.iagto.com IAGTO Ltd. is registered in England as a professional membership organisation No. 3507678. SIC 9112. VAT 710 1940 78. Directors: P Walton, C Carugati.
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newzealand.com
Contents
ASIA P ACIFIC
GLOBAL
AFRICA , GU
LF STATES
& INDIAN O
CE A N
E U R O PE
LATIN AMERICA
NORTH AM
ERICA & CA
RIBBE AN
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Advertising Index
Bag Boy 94
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi 87
Bahia Principe Golf 82
Pelican Hill Golf 95
Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech 39
Reed Exhibitions - IGTM 25
Furama Resort & Villas Danang 89
Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra 81 Golf & Spa Resort
Galvin Green 55
Spice Hotels & Spa 86 Golf in Normandy 83 Terre Blanche 29 Greater Birmingham 88 Convention & Visitors Bureau
Toscana Resort Castelfalfi 91
Hipotels Hotels & Resorts 84
Tourism New Zealand 4
Hotels Viva & Resorts 59
Tourism Northern Ireland 96
Minor Hotels 85
Travel Ireland Golf 80
Niseko Wow 90
Trump Golf 2
Oregon Golf 79
2020 IAGTO Directory Advertising Rates Please contact David Ford if you would like to feature your company within the 2020 IAGTO Directory: dford@iagto.com Enhanced Listing €150 A cost effective way of enhancing your directory listing with a colour photo, brochure or logo. Full-Page Advert €1150 Front Cover €2500
Back Cover €2000
Inside Front or Back Cover €1500
Resort & Destination Features (can include an advertisement as one of the booked pages) 2 pages €1700 3 pages €2050 4 pages €2450 6 pages €2990 Directory Bookmark €2800
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IAGTO Review
IAGTO Review IAGTO targets 3000 members by 2021 The geographical footprint of IAGTO passed the 100 country mark in 2018 and we are now on course for 3000 member companies by 2021, making IAGTO one of the largest global travel trade organizations. As of October 2018 we had 2740 member companies and organizations in 105 countries, and how these break down into different membership categories is depicted here.
Critical Mass achieved in over 50% of golf destinations Chief Executive, Peter Walton, explained at the IGTM Opening Address last October why it was important and beneficial, from the standpoint of our individual members, for IAGTO to achieve what he referred to as ‘critical mass’ in as many golf destinations as possible. To quote directly from the address, Walton said “Golf courses are the beating heart of any golf destination and our objective, as the global golf tourism association, must be to engage with at least 80% of all golf tourism friendly golf courses in every destination, thru membership - a threshold that I will refer to as critical mass.” As of 2018 IAGTO had achieved critical mass in 46 out of 80 countries including the major golf destinations of Spain, Portugal and France, as well as Slovenia, Italy, Northern Ireland, Morocco, Turkey, Mauritius and many more. IAGTO’s next objective is to achieve critical mass in a further 20 countries including Mexico, Ireland and Thailand among others.
Critical Mass achieved Critical Mass targeted
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IAGTO Review
The Benefits of a Strong Association Achieving a critical mass of export ready or tourism friendly golf courses helps IAGTO to support its individual members even better in four key areas:
Addressing Obstacles to Tour Operator Sales
Positioning of Destination to attract more Golf Travellers
Development of Consistency in Service (raising standards)
Effective lobbying of Tourist Boards for trade & promotional support
PlayGolfinFrance.com One of our roles at IAGTO is to help destinations take maximum advantage of their changing circumstance. France hosted IGTM in Cannes in December 2017 and then of course the Ryder Cup in Paris at the end of September last year. We therefore engaged with our members in France throughout 2017 in order to determine how IAGTO could help position the French golf tourism industry make the most out of these two events. IGTM in Cannes provided the catalyst for a year-long project, instigated by over 150 French golf courses for us to develop a PlayGolfInFrance.com website designed to showcase the incredible variety of golf experiences in throughout the country ahead of the Ryder Cup that would be viewed by tens of millions of golfers. 8
IAGTO Review
IGTM 2018 It was really quite an extraordinary achievement to stage IGTM in Ljubljana because Slovenia, as a golf destination, was not even on the IAGTO map until 12 years ago. Since then, just a handful of golf courses, hotels, and inbound operators did an incredible job in getting the tourist board and city government on board simply by presenting the case for the value that golf tourism can bring to the country. The government should itself be congratulated, not only for hosting IGTM, but for engaging with Austria, Italy and Croatia for the fam tours. As a result of IGTM, the entire Adria-Alpe region has now been elevated enormously in the minds of golf tour operators who are always on the lookout for new golf experiences for their golf travelling customers.
Ptuj Golf Club
Online Golf Tourism Audit Every year IAGTO develops new tools to help our members a) increase their sales, b) reduce costs, c) raise their profile or d) improve the quality of their product or service. In 2018 we launched our Online Golf Tourism Audit facility for golf courses members. This allows any IAGTO member golf course or golf resort self-complete a detailed golf tourism audit that we have developed after completing on-site audits are more than 200 golf courses over the past 15 years. Our Golf Tourism Audit has 15 sections, each specifically relevant to the golf visitor and takes only 30-45 minutes for a Golf Director to complete. Our objective is to give golf courses a new way to look at their facility and services from the perspective of the first time golf visitor – and from the perspective of different target markets and multiple nationalities. On completion the Audit is validated by IAGTO and the report is only accessible to the golf course itself. This becomes a permanent record for the golf course, split into 15 sections, each of which can be updated at any time; and each has a dialogue box for private communications with IAGTO and a drop box for photos that record developments as they are implemented. 9
IAGTO Review
Monthly Golf Visitor Tracker Not all golf courses have an accurate handle on domestic and international visitor numbers, so we developed a simple online Monthly Golf Visitor Tracker back in 2015 that enabled golf courses to keep a monthly record of both domestic and international visitor rounds played, and to compare their own variations with the average experienced by golf courses in their region, country and continent. The Monthly Golf Visitor Tracker is being re-launched in January 2019 after incorporating an automatic email chasing mechanism into the system that will ensure that data submission is continuous.
Golf Tourism Certification for Golf Directors We also feel very strongly that Golf Course Directors who have a proven track record of working successfully within the golf tourism industry, should be recognised and rewarded. For this reason we will launch in 2019 our first ever IAGTO Professional Certification which will be for Golf Directors and Golf Course Managers. Golf Course managers will need to demonstrate a proven track record of working successfully with local and international golf tour operators and must have a) completed IAGTO’s online Golf Tourism Audit, and b) monitored golf visitor numbers for at least 12 months, and c) demonstrated a clear understanding of visitor segmentation. Distinctions can be earned by Golf Course managers who have taken specific actions to deliver the best possible experience to visiting golf travellers.
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IAGTO Review
360-degree Buyer Review We also began in 2018 a 360-degree review of our 700 golf tour operator members. Tour operator business models have evolved rapidly in the internet age over the past two decades so part of this review focused on this simple premise: Is a contribution from a supplier, or marketing support of any kind, a requirement for doing business? From the 265 responses received so far: • 62% said that they did not require any support • 25% said support was optional • 12% said some form of support was required from suppliers that choose to work with them Detailed answers from each tour operator who stated that support was either optional or required can be found in the Buyer Review section of our website under EVENTS. Our 360-degree Buyer Review also provides us with empirical data on the following, which we will be publishing in 2019: • • • • • •
Total Travel Sales Total Golf Travel Sales The number of people travelled The number of Golfers travelled The total number of Company employees The number of employees in the Golf Department
Supplier Business Model Review In 2019 IAGTO will undertake a review of supplier business models, focusing on three specific elements: 1. How accessible is the product for tour operators to sell 2. What incentives are on the table to encourage tour operators to promote and sell the product 3. Are there any obstacles to tour operator sales By categorising the different business models of suppliers, our objective is to give tour operators a clearer up-front picture of what is required to work with a given supplier, and, where appropriate, to assist suppliers by presenting solutions where certain aspects of some business models might inhibit tour operator sales.
Future Projections 2019-2021 Thanks to our 60-Second Survey that has been completed by over 900 tour operators, hotels, golf courses and resorts every Quarter since 2015, we have projected that year on year growth of golf tour operator sales is likely to slow down a little to between 5-6% per year for the next 3 years. As reported many times over the past 12 months, this is mainly due to lack of golf course supply in the most popular golf destinations. On the supplier side, visitor arrival figures always run lower than tour operator growth because on the finite limits of tee-time availability and rooms in destinations that could attract many more golf travellers if availability in the peak seasons was higher. Our projections for 2019 for golf visitor arrivals averaged out over entire regions are as follows: South East Asia Destinations European Summer Season Destinations Europe Winter Season Destinations North American Destinations
+3.0% +2.5% +2.0% +1.5%
So for any IAGTO member supplier projecting higher sales than this you should be very happy with your performance! 11
IAGTO Review
Tagaytay Midlands Golf & Country Club
2018 Asia Golf Tourism Convention
© Peter Ellegard
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© Peter Ellegard
© Peter Ellegard
The 7th AGTC took place for the very first time in the Philippines with the Convention being staged at the Manila Marriott Hotel within the Resorts World complex in April 2018. The event attracted 560 delegates including 214 golf tour operators from 33 countries, of which a record-breaking 176 participated in golf familiarization tours across the country. The golf destinations of Metro Manila, Tagaytay, Clark/Angeles City and Boracay Island were previously little known to IAGTO golf tour operators, who now have the potential to treble golf tourism to the Philippines over the coming years.
IAGTO Review
Š Peter Ellegard
Thank you to our hosts and our international sponsors:
Clark Sun Valley Country Club
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IAGTO Review
2018 North America Golf Tourism Convention
Š Peter Ellegard Š Peter Ellegard
Š Peter Ellegard
Being able to take golf tour operators from 25 countries to Oregon for our 10th NAC made for a very special celebration. Oregon is a truly spectacular and varied golf destination and one that is now firmly established in the minds of all those golf tour operators who attended, with a record number of operators participating in nine different fam tours around the state. Travel Oregon and the Central Oregon Visitors Association and all partner sponsors did an amazing job and made the 10th NAC a wonderfully enjoyable and productive event for everyone.
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IAGTO Review
Crosswater Golf Club Tetherow Golf Club
Thank you to our hosts and our international sponsors:
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Š Peter Ellegard
IAGTO Review
Japan Golf Tourism Convention
Nagashima Country Club
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Š Ken. Tenzing
After eight years of patient work to establish relationships with key golf tourism suppliers and provinces across Japan, IAGTO staged the first ever Japanese Golf Tourism Convention in October last year, hosted by the Mie Prefecture. This was in so many ways a truly pioneering event that finally opened the doors for golf tour operators to a truly remarkable golf destination.
Tsu Country Club
IAGTO Review
Welcome Dinner at Toba Seaside Hotel
© Peter Ellegard
Ise Grand Shrine
© Peter Ellegard
Nabana No Sato Flower Park
© Peter Ellegard
The vision and leadership of the Governor A.K. Suzuki of the Mie Prefecture enabled over 50 golf tour operators to get an in depth knowledge of the region’s terrific golf courses, inland and coastal scenery. Mie represents a microcosm of everything that first time golf visitors to Japan will be hoping to experience, from its gastronomy to its traditional culture, and from pearl diving to manicured botanical gardens.
During the business sessions, the tour operators were able to meet with golf tourism suppliers from 18 provinces from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south, and all then participated in familiarization tours to Shizuoka, Shiga or Okinawa.
Nemu Golf Club 17
IAGTO Review
2018 IAGTO Costa Cálida Trophy IAGTO has a long history with the Region of Murcia Tourist Board which has always recognised the value and importance of golf travel. The IAGTO Costa Cálida Trophy in May 2018 was an incredible event made all the more valuable because many of the participating tour operators had not visited Murcia recently and were therefore unfamiliar with much of the province’s great golf and tourism product. We even learned that you could combine a round of golf and scuba diving lessons in one day!
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IAGTO Review
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IAGTO Review
2018 Mexico Golf Tourism Convention With the support of Puerto Vallarta Tourism and Riviera Nayarit Tourism we were able to showcase every golf club and golf resort in the Vallarta-Nayarit region to the participating golf tour operators during the 6 day fam tour and workshop. The event was an integral part of a year-long project with the Mexico Tourist Board to help make golf tour operators aware of the great variety of golf destinations throughout the country. It is rare to find an established golf destination of the quality of Vallarta-Nayarit virtually unknown to golf tour operators. The desire of all golf courses to work with IAGTO operators was clear for all to see which gives Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit a tremendous opportunity to become one of the fastest growing IAGTO golf destinations!
Vista Vallarta Golf Club
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IAGTO Review
Killarney Golf & Fishing Club
2018 Golf Ireland Convention The 5th Golf Ireland Convention took place in April 2018 at the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney. The event was coordinated by Failte Ireland in cooperation with IAGTO, together with the support of Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland. The five day fam tour and workshop focused on IAGTO operators from 10 key markets, showcasing Dooks Golf Links, Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, Dingle Golf Links, Tralee Golf Club, Skellig Hotel, Benners Hotel, The Rose Hotel, and Killarney Towers, among others.
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© Richard Castka
IAGTO Review
2019 Asia Golf Tourism Convention IAGTO’s 8th Asia Golf Tourism Convention will take place in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from 31 March – 5 April 2019. Once again we are very excited to be taking AGTC to another relatively undiscovered golf destination in the heart of South East Asia, and home to the No.1 ranked World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat. All delegates are invited to join a 5-hour Angkor Temples Tour on the first day ahead of the Welcome Reception. After two days of business sessions for members to meet each other, buyers and suppliers are invited to play all three 18-hole golf courses in Siem Reap from 3-5 April. For more event information please visit www.iagto.com/agtc
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IAGTO Review
2019 North America Golf Tourism Convention The 11th NAC will take place in Texas Lake & Hill Country at the Horseshoe Bay Resort from 23-26 June 2019. This will be IAGTO’s first event in Texas and it has already attracted a record amount of interest from golf tour operators the world over. The Convention is open only to golf resorts, golf clubs, hotels, ground handlers and other golf tourism suppliers from the USA, Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. Suppliers have the opportunity to introduce themselves to all buyers during 2 hours of speed-dating, followed by up to 38 pre-scheduled appointments over two days with selected tour operators. The networking-social functions include a Welcome Reception, Farewell Dinner and a Golf Tournament over two of Horseshoe Bay's amazing golf courses. For more event information please visit www.iagto.com/nac
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IAGTO Review
2019 International Golf Travel Market Reed Travel Exhibition’s 22nd IGTM, the world’s premier global event for golf tourism suppliers, buyers and media, will be taking place in the city of Marrakech, Morocco from 14-17 October, 2019. Morocco is one of the few countries that has seen a growth in golf course construction over the past decade and this will be a tremendous opportunity for golf tour operators from around the world to experience the great variety of golf product, much of it relatively new, that is all easily accessible from the heart Marrakech, a former imperial city.
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14-17 October 2019 Marrakech
The premier event for the golf travel industry JOIN THE GOLF TRAVEL COMMUNITY AT THE 22ND EDITION OF IGTM IN MARRAKECH IGTM 2019 will showcase the Moroccan city of Marrakech, a rapidly growing golf destination with a variety of world-class golf courses. Join 500+ golf suppliers and over 400 quality golf buyers for 4 days of pre-scheduled meetings and unrivalled networking opportunities. Organised by:
Find out more at www.igtm.co.uk
IAGTO Review
IAGTO would like to take this opportunity to thank our 7 key partners who supported all IAGTO activities and events at IGTM 2018.
Las Colinas Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, set in a 330-hectare valley south of Alicante on Spain’s Costa Blanca, has made a name for itself as a premier golfing destination. Its 18-hole championship course designed by Cabell R Robinson and managed by Troon Golf has been named the best in Spain for the past three years at the prestigious World Golf Awards. It also features among Europe’s Top 100 courses. A new, additional attraction for golfers is the Short Game Facility designed by 21-time European Tour winner Miguel Angel Jiménez. Las Colinas has also built a prestigious reputation as a low density, high quality residential resort that promotes and cares about its natural environment. It was named Europe’s leading villa resort at the 2017 World Travel Awards. Come and experience A World Apart.
Fancourt Fancourt, South Africa’s premier leisure resort is situated in the heart of the Garden Route, 7 km from the George Airport. The resort is superbly landscaped on 613 hectares of lush countryside with the majestic Outeniqua Mountains as the perfect backdrop. Fancourt embodies a flawless fusion of leisure and world-class golfing. With all three of its golf courses ranked among Golf Digest’s top 15 courses in the country, it boasts a proud legacy of sporting excellence. The Links, a privately-owned club, is currently No. 1 in South Africa with Outeniqua and Montagu ranked 14th and 8th respectively.
Costa Navarino Costa Navarino is the prime, sustainable destination in the Mediterranean, located in the Greek region of Messinia in the southwest Peloponnese. One of the most unspoiled and breathtaking seaside Mediterranean landscapes, this area has been shaped by 4,500 years of history. Voted by IAGTO as "European Golf Resort of the Year 2017" it currently features two 18-hole signature golf courses, The Dunes Course and The Bay Course, two 5-star resorts, luxury residences, a 5000m2 state-of-the-art conference centre, a 4,000m2 spa, as well as a variety of gastronomy venues and a wide range of unique year-round sports, outdoor and cultural activities for adults and children.
Dominican Republic Tourist Board Magnificent golf courses and year-round beautiful weather attract thousands of golf enthusiasts to the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC each year and are the reason the country consistently ranks among the world’s best travel and golf destinations. As the undisputed “It” destination for golf, links dispersed throughout the country’s three majestic regions are surrounded by unspoiled nature, breathtaking coastlines and mountains, swaying coconut palms and lush green fairways. The country boasts more than 26 world-class golf courses featuring spectacular layouts by some of golf’s most acclaimed course architects including Pete Dye, P.B. Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Gary Player, Tom Fazio, Nick Faldo, Nick Prince and Greg Norman.
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IAGTO Review
To become an IAGTO Partner at IGTM 2019 contact David at dford@iagto.com
Cyprus Tourism Organisation Cyprus is a golfer’s paradise, a place where golf can be enjoyed all the year round in an ideal Mediterranean climate and especially during the sunny autumn, winter and spring seasons. There is a choice of four international standard 18-hole golf courses - Aphrodite Hills Golf, PGA National, Cyprus, Eléa, Minthis and Secret Valley - all in close proximity within the Pafos region, situated in tranquil surroundings, amid gently sloping hills offering panoramic views towards the Mediterranean sea and landscape. They offer the latest state of the art golfing facilities and equipment to satisfy today’s discerning golfer. Cyprus has hosted several international golf tournaments in recent years, with much success. Golfers can also enjoy some relaxation by swimming in the azure beaches, with the cleanest bathing waters in Europe, yachting, diving, wellness and pampering in hotel Spas, visiting boutique wineries, exploring traditional villages and cultural attractions. Above all, they can enjoy authentic hospitality. Welcome to Cyprus, the perfect choice for a unique Golf Lifestyle Experience!!!
Costa del Sol Tourist Board Costa del Sol, known world-wide as the Costa del Golf, has the highest concentration of golf courses anywhere in continental Europe. Their stunning locations, together with an excellent year-round climate, make it a favourite holiday destination for golfers. Costa del Sol is home to over seventy golf courses, perfectly integrated into the landscape, and the majority are located near the coast offering the golfer breath-taking views over mountains and the Mediterranean. The Costa del Golf also offers excellent flight connections and transport services, the widest selection of accommodation possibilities and exudes cultural and recreational appeal: visitors can delight their taste buds at the finest restaurants and bodegas, shop at exclusive stores, enjoy the vibrant nightlife, explore historical cities, or just soak up the atmosphere of being in Andalusia.
Tourism New Zealand New Zealand is aiming to capitalise on its status as an award-winning golf destination to lure more overseas golfers to experience its courses. Tourism New Zealand’s golf tourism initiatives have been ratcheted up since the country was named 2018 Golf Destination of the Year for the Asia Pacific region in global golf tourism organisation IAGTO’s 18th annual golf tourism awards. 38 of New Zealand’s leading golf courses have now joined IAGTO as part of a collaborative partnership to accelerate the appeal of New Zealand as an international golfing destination. The courses fall into two categories: Marquee Courses, comprising 14 of the country’s most iconic names, including world top 50 Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, Kauri Cliffs Golf Course and the dramatic alpine-set Jacks Point Golf Course plus Experience Courses, numbering 24, that have been selected for delivering something special and uniquely New Zealand to the visiting golf traveller.
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IAGTO Awards
IAGTO Awards 19th IAGTO Awards Presentation The prestigious IAGTO Awards are the official annual awards for the golf tourism industry. This year’s roll call of winners were presented during the IAGTO Awards Gala Evening on 18 October in front of over 1,000 golf industry professionals in the Marmorna Hall at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre. The evening included a performance from the renowned Slovenian acapella group Perpetuum Jazzile and concluded with the IAGTO Awards After Party. This year’s winners represent the pinnacle of achievement which reflected the experience of golf tour operators, golf travel writers and, ultimately, the golf traveller. Preceding the IAGTO Awards, we once again recognised four Sustainable Golf Courses in partnership with the GEO Foundation.
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A ONE-OF-A-KIND GOLF EXPERIENCE
IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE
A 45-minute drive from Nice International Airport. Helicopter access.
Come experience an exclusive 5-star resort nestled in untouched nature, featuring two of the most prestigious golf courses in Europe and an outstanding Spa.
T : + 33 (0)4 94 39 90 00 | reservations.hotel@terre-blanche.com | www.terre-blanche.com
IAGTO Awards
Golf Destination of the Year Established
Emerging
Undiscovered
2001
Myrtle Beach
Costa Brava
Argentina
2002
Northern Ireland
Dubai
New Zealand
2003
Lisbon Golf Coast
South Africa
Wales
2004
Ireland
Italy
British Columbia
2005
Scotland
Las Vegas
Austria
Algarve
Thailand
Egypt
2006
Africa, Indian Ocean & Gulf States
Asia & Australasia
Europe
Latin America & The Caribbean
North America
Undiscovered
2007
South Africa’s Cape Garden Route
China
Lisboa Golf Coast
Mexico
British Columbia
Czech Republic
2008
Mauritius
Malaysia
Turkey
Argentina
Arizona
Vietnam
2009
Dubai
New Zealand
Andalucia
Dominican Republic
Coastal South Carolina
Kenya
2010
Morocco
Thailand
Provence & Côte D’azur
Jamaica
Orlando
Brazil
2011
South Africa
Australia
North West Ireland
Argentina
Scottsdale
Prince Edward Island
2012
Abu Dhabi
Pattaya
Fife
Los Cabos
Palm Springs
Bulgaria
2013
Dubai
Vietnam
Gran Canaria
Dominican Republic
Monterey County
Veneto, Italy
2014
The Garden Route, South Africa
Hua Hin, Thailand
The Algarve, Portugal
Costa Rica
Naples, Marco Island & The Everglades, Florida
Sweden
2015
Marrakech
Sanya
Dublin East Coast
CancunRiviera Maya
Charleston
Slovenia
2016
Mauritius
Vietnam
Lisboa Golf Coast
Dominican Republic
Hilton Head Island
Tasmania
2017
Western Cape
Chiang Mai Province
Andalucía
Los Cabos
North Florida
Kärnten Alpe Adria Golf
2018
Dubai
New Zealand
Costa Blanca
The Bahamas
North Carolina
Flanders, Belgium
2019
Mauritius
Hua Hin, Thailand
Costa Del Sol
Dominican Republic
Scottsdale, Arizona
LogroñoLa Rioja, Spain
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IAGTO Awards
Golf Resort of the Year 2004
Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate South Africa
Europe
North America
Rest of World
Druids Glen Golf Resort
Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation
Belle Mare Plage
The Westin Turnberry Resort
Pebble Beach
Mission Hills Golf Club
Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort
The PGA National Resort & Spa
Sandy Lane
2008
Carton House
Ginn Reunion Resort Florida, USA
Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa
2009
Hotel Dona Filipa & San Lorenzo Golf Resort
Doral Golf Resort & Spa
Half Moon
2010
Doonbeg
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Raffles Canouan
2011
The Celtic Manor Resort
La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA West
PUNTACANA Resort & Club
2005
Ireland
Mauritius
Georgia, USA
2006
California, USA
China
Scotland
2007
Portugal Ireland
Barbados
Florida, USA
South Africa
Florida, USA
Jamaica
Algarve, Portugal Ireland
South Carolina, USA
Wales
The Grenadines
California, USA
Dominican Republic
2012
Fairmont St Andrews
Turnberry Isle Miami
Mission Hills • Haikou
2013
Terre Blanche Resort
Sawgrass Marriott
Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort
2014
Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers
2015
PGA Catalunya Resort
Pinehurst Resort
Casa De Campo
2016
Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Banyan The Resort Hua Hin
Costa Navarino
Barefoot Resort & Golf
Laguna Golf Lăng Cô
Scotland France
Bulgaria Spain
Portugal
2017
Greece
Florida, USA Florida, USA
China
Morocco
New Zealand
California, USA
North Carolina, USA
Florida, USA
South Carolina, USA
Dominican Republic
Thailand Vietnam
2018
Aphrodite Hills Resort
Pebble Beach Resorts California, USA
South Africa
2019
The Gleneagles Hotel
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Mission Hills • Haikou
Cyprus
Scotland
Canada
Fancourt
China
Golf Tourism Supplier of the Year 2012
Portugal Algarve Golf Services Lda
2013
Onyria Resorts, Portugal
2014
Dubai Golf, UAE
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IAGTO Awards
Sustainability Awards
2014
Community Engagement
Efficient Use of Resources
Nature Conservation
Sustainable Golf Course of the Year
Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
Lumine, Mediterranea Beach & Golf Community
Montego Bay, Jamaica
The Tryall Club
Ritz-Carlton Golf Club
Arizona, USA
Florida, USA
Costa Daurada, Spain
2015
Vidago Palace Golf Course
Emirates Golf Club
Bahia Beach Golf Club
United Arab Emirates
Portugal
Dundonald Links Scotland
Puerto Rico
Sustainable Golf Course of the Year
2016
2017
Europe
Americas
Asia
La Galiana Golf Course
PGA National Resort & Spa
Mission Hills Haikou
Spain
Florida, USA
Community Engagement
Efficient Use of Resources
Nature Conservation
Laguna Golf Phuket
Pebble Beach Resorts
The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort
Thailand
California, USA
China
Outstanding Commitment to Sustainable Golf
Sustainable Golf Destination of the Year
Machrihanish Dunes
Hilton Head Island Area
Scotland
South Carolina, USA
Kenya
2018
Nature Protection
Resource Efficiency
Community Value
Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
Finca Cortesin
Golf della Montecchia
Spain
Italy
Costa Rica
2019
Nature Protection
Resource Efficiency
Community Value
Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability
Jack's Point Golf
Gardagolf Country Club
Al Mouj Golf
Vidago Palace
New Zealand
Oman
Portugal
Italy
Honorary 2001
Arnold Palmer
2009
José María Olazábal
2002
Gary Player
2010
Nick Price
2003
Severiano Ballesteros
2011
Colin Montgomerie
2004
Jack Nicklaus
2012
Sam Torrance
2005
Robert Trent Jones Jr
2013
Tony Jacklin
2006
Nick Faldo
2014
Ernie Els
2007
Greg Norman
2015
Costantino Rocca
2008
Annika Sorenstam
2016
Michael Campbell
For photos & press releases from the IAGTO Awards as well as lists of all previous winners please visit:
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iagto.com/awards
IAGTO Awards
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AccorHotels
AccorHotels AccorHotels establishes itself as a preferred choice for IAGTO Operators Speaking at the International Golf Travel Market in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in October 2018, Pascal Visintainer, Vice President Luxury Sales of AccorHotels, laid out how they intend to build and develop the business relationship between its 450 golf properties and IAGTO’s 700-plus golf tour operators. Some 10% of AccorHotels’ 4500 properties in 100 countries have golf either on-site or nearby. From the premium and luxury brands (Fairmont, Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, Sofitel SO, MGallery, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Raffles and Swissotel), 30 hotels have been introducing themselves as fellow IAGTO members to golf tour operators throughout the past year.
Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Furthermore, the Novotel Saint Quentin Golf National made a big splash at the 2018 Ryder Cup, being located but a short putt away from the Palace of Versailles.
Establishing AccorHotels luxury properties as the preferred choice for IAGTO operators and their clients, bringing significant growth in golf tour operator sales, is a primary objective. Participating hotels have been issued with guidelines designed to help each one understand their golf destination and AccorHotels has had a high profile at IAGTO events throughout the year and will continue to do so in 2019.
Fairmont Zimbali Resort
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Sofitel La Reserva Cardales
AccorHotels
AccorHotels Golf Properties Worldwide 11
15 16
2
3
12
13
4
1
21
20
19 22
10
31 8 29 & 30
25
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23 & 27 28 6
5
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18 24 33
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9 26
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1 Fairmont Southampton - BERMUDA
18 Grand Mercure Danang - VIETNAM
2 Fairmont Chateau Whistler - CANADA
19 Regina Biarritz Hotel & Spa by MGaller y Collection - FRANCE
3 Fairmont Le Château Montebello - CANADA
20 Golf du Medoc Hotel et Spa - MGaller y by Sofitel - FRANCE
4 Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu - CANADA
21 Royal Emeraude Dinard - MGaller y by Sofitel - FRANCE
5 Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club - KENYA
22 Pullman Mazagan Royal Golf & Spa - MOROCCO
6 Fairmont Mara Safari Club - KENYA
23 Raf fles Grand Hotel d’Angkor - CAMBODIA
7 Fairmont The Nor folk - KENYA
24 Raf fles Hotel Le Royal Phnom Penh - CAMBODIA
8 Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech - MOROCCO
25 Raf fles Hainan - CHINA
9 Fairmont Zimbali Resor t - SOUTH AFRICA
26 Sofitel La Reser va Cardales - ARGENTINA
10 Fairmont Rey Juan Carlos I (Barcelona) - SPAIN
27 Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resor t - CAMBODIA
11 Fairmont St Andrews Scotland - UNITED KINGDOM
28 Sofitel Malabo Sipopo le Golf - EQUATORIAL GUINEA
12 Fairmont Grand Del Mar - UNITED STATES
29 Sofitel Agadir Thalassa Sea & Spa - MOROCCO
13 Fairmont Scottsdale Princess - UNITED STATES
30 Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay - MOROCCO
14 Fairmont Mayakoba - ME XICO
31 Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa - MOROCCO
15 Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - CANADA
32 Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resor t - THAIL AND
16 Fairmont Banf f Springs - CANADA
33 Swissôtel Merchant Cour t - SINGAPORE
17 Grand Mercure The Vintage - AUSTRALIA
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AccorHotels
Here’s a sample of AccorHotels’ golf offerings:
Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Canada Combining classic elegance and a modern alpine setting, the award-winning Fairmont Chateau Whistler – named North America Golf Resort of the Year in the 2019 IAGTO Awards – showcases exceptional dining and full resort amenities including a par 72, 18-hole Audubon-certified championship golf course. The luxurious, 528-room resort is located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler, British Columbia – one of North America’s top ski resort and summer destinations. All of the hotel’s suite and speciality rooms have just been renovated. Experience mountain golf at its finest. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr and opened in 1993, Fairmont's par-72, 18-hole course measures 6,635 yards and suits all abilities. Carved out of the slopes of the Coast Mountains, the magnificent course allows nature to dictate the path without constraints of commercial influence. The mountain course traverses creeks, ponds, stands of ancient Douglas fir and granite rock with elevation changes of more than 400 feet, creating a naturally spectacular BC golf experience.
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AccorHotels
Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Kenya One of three iconic Fairmont properties in Kenya offering luxury and adventure in city, mountain and game park settings, the 120-room Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club resort is set in over 100 acres of landscaped grounds with magnificent views of majestic Mount Kenya. It was originally the retreat of movie star and club founder William Holden, illustrious former members including Winston Churchill and Bing Crosby. Golfers can enjoy a round on the resort’s scenic nine-hole golf course that bisects the Equator. Fairmont The Norfolk has been a celebrated Kenyan landmark since 1904, offering a calm, sophisticated oasis in the heart of bustling Nairobi with 170 guest rooms and suites, a heated outdoor pool and private tropical gardens. Kenya’s “Home of Golf”, Muthaiga Golf Club, is just 10 minutes away. The Fairmont Mara Safari Club is set on an ox-bow of the Mara River in the Ol-Choro Oiroua Conservation Area that borders the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The epitome of tented luxury, all ensuite tents have views of the hippo-filled river. The perfect place to start or end a golf week in Kenya! For more information about Fairmont’s three Kenya hotels, see the dedicated feature on page 40.
Regina Biarritz Hotel & Spa by MGallery Collection, France An outstanding example of the inimitable French “art of living” and Belle Epoque styling, the majestic, five-star Regina Biarritz Hotel & Spa by MGallery Collection is a legendary holiday resort overlooking the Bay of Biarritz that has been welcoming guests for over 110 years. Combining comfort and refinement, the historic building’s decorative scheme skilfully combines haute-couture heritage and the best of contemporary d e s i g n. I t of fe r s 6 5 bedrooms including 10 suites, as well as a heated swimming pool on the terrace, fitness room, spa and steam bath besides the IQORI restaurant and CAFE N. Close by, the par-69 Golf de Biarritz le Phare is one of the oldest golf courses on the Continent and opened for play in 1888, attracting wellheeled golfers such as Britain’s King Edward VII and Spain’s King Alfonso XIII. Set between the mountains and the Pays Basque coast, it is a deceptively-challenging test of golf with 70 bunkers, fast greens and hidden rough. 37
AccorHotels
Raffles Hotel Le Royal Phnom Penh
Raffles Hotel Le Royal Phnom Penh, Cambodia A historic landmark reinterpreted in a bold contemporary style, Raffles Hotel Le Royal is a comfortable haven of calm where an elegant past lives on in the vibrant, trendy present. Set amidst a lush citycentre oasis, it boasts magnificent gardens, a spa and two pools. Accommodation includes Landmark Rooms, first designed in 1929, State Rooms that blend colonial charm with modern comfort and suites including four Personality Suites paying homage to famous former guests, among them former US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, French President Charles de Gaulle and English author Somerset Maugham. The four golf courses in and around Cambodia’s capital include Nicklaus Design’s Grand Phnom Penh Golf Club and the IMG-managed Garden City Golf Club. In Siem Reap, setting for the 2019 IAGTO Asia Golf Tourism Convention, the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor is another elegant and historic landmark hotel that makes the perfect base for exploring Angkor’s UNESCO World Heritage Site temples, among them Angkor Wat, and the area’s three golf courses.
Sofitel Agadir Thalassa Sea & Spa / Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay, Morocco Guests can immerse themselves in a world of seaside chic at the Sofitel Agadir Thalassa Sea & Spa – a haven of peace with just 49 suites featuring modern décor in shades of black and white infused with Moroccan culture where art, fitness and balance are at the heart of wellbeing, leaving them feeling rejuvenated. The Thalassotherapy and Spa Institute was designed in the same vein and features immaculate white decor in a detoxifying setting enabling guests to relax in the gardens overlooking the beach as they enjoy the perpetually mild climate of Agadir. Its Art Gallery comprises sculptures, paintings and photographs that change with the seasons.
Sofitel Agadir Thalassa Sea & Spa
A kasbah inspired by Arab-Berber art and nestling in a bay of palm trees that plunge into the ocean, the 273room Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort offers a Berber welcome and Moroccan flavours for an authentic experience. The warm Souss Massa decor features copper and wood, with the fiery orange colour mingling with the sounds of birdsong and tinkling fountains. Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort
The hotels lie just a short drive from four golf courses and the Agadir Morocco Golf Training Centre. For more information, visit accorhotels.com
Adapted from copy supplied by AccorHotels 38
09:02AM e moment Cabell B. Robinson redefined your appreciation of art.
This remarkable 18-hole golf course subtly combines all the shapes and hues of a generous nature. The snow capped Atlas Mountains soaking in the warm rays of the setting sun provide the final touch to this perfect picture of authentic Morocco. Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech Km 12, Route d'Amizmiz BP 2470 . Marrakech . Maroc
T +212 5 24 48 78 90 - F +212 5 24 48 78 75 golf.marrakech@fairmont.com fairmont.com/marrakech /FairmontRoyalPalmMarrakech /FairmontRPM /FairmontMarrakech
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Kenya
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Kenya Experience the best of East Africa at three luxury locations Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Kenya offers unrivalled luxury and adventure in three iconic properties, each set in a distinctive location. Guests can choose from the buzz of Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, to a tranquil retreat at the base of Mount Kenya or the wild savannah of the Masai Mara. For golfers, there is also the opportunity to combine a stay with a round or two.
Fairmont The Norfolk
Connecting you to the best in the heart of the city
Whether passing through on business or on a Kenyan safari adventure, Fairmont The Norfolk is a peaceful haven for all guests. Since opening its doors in 1904, the secluded gem in the heart of Nairobi has remained a celebrated Kenyan landmark and boasts 27 luxurious suites and 143 rooms set around tranquil tropical gardens, a modern health club and unique dining facilities. An incredible array of adventures including a visit to the animal park within the city, the elephant orphanage, giraffe centre, national museum and shopping tours await guests – each experience an unforgettable memory. Tee off on Kenya’s “Home of Golf” While in Nairobi, Fairmont The Norfolk guests can enjoy a round of golf at Muthaiga Golf Club, 10 minutes’ drive from the hotel. Called the “Home of Golf” by its elite membership, Muthaiga is a marriage of Kenya’s historic golf tradition and a modern 18-hole championship golf course. Originally opened as a nine-hole layout in 1913 and extended to 18 holes in 1926, Muthaiga Golf Club’s course has been reborn as one of the most prestigious and challenging courses in the region following an extensive redesign by celebrated South African golf architect Peter Matkovich in 2004, returning Muthaiga to its prominence as the finest course with the fastest greens in East Africa. Winding through the lush woodlands of Karura Forest, Muthaiga Golf Club offers a great ambiance with numerous lakes and ponds.
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Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Kenya
Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club
Connecting you to the best in the heart of Kenya
Nestled in the lush foothills of Mount Kenya, and with a history as rich and evocative as the surrounding landscape, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club is strategically located on the Equator within the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. The resort’s 120 guest rooms, suites and cottages reflect the original charm of the residence complete with modern-day amenities in the property, which is spread over 100 acres with manicured gardens and tranquil streams and which offers spectacular views of Mount Kenya in the distance. From golfing on the Equator to horse riding in the forest and a visit to the animal orphanage, an exciting array of outdoor adventures including game drives to nearby animal parks and Nanyuki town tours are available for guests to enjoy. Add that to the amazing breakfast on the mountain slopes and bush dining experience options and it is easy to see why Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club is the country’s most famous retreat. Golfing by the slopes of Mount Kenya While staying at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, the scenic, manicured nine-hole golf course sprinkled with ponds, sand banks and tropical trees promises an exciting golfing experience. Straddling the Equator at the heart of the country, Mount Kenya – the sacred peak of a long extinct volcano – offers a perfect backdrop for the golf course which allows for a leisurely tee-off in the northern hemisphere and a putt in the southern hemisphere. The weather is perfect; never too hot or cold for a round of golf.
Fairmont Mara Safari Club
Connecting you to the best in the heart of the Masai Mara
Fairmont Mara Safari Club is tucked peacefully in the north-western corner of in the Ol-Choro Oiroua Conservation Area that borders the renowned Masai Mara National Reserve, home to the great wildebeest migration. The club, set at the foot of Aitong Hills, offers 51 luxuriously furnished tents featuring fourposter beds, en-suite facilities and private decks overlooking the hippo and crocodile-filled Mara River. With an outdoor swimming pool, lounge and restaurant and exciting game drives accompanied by the most scenic sundowner cocktails and dining experiences in the bush, Fairmont Mara Safari Club is the perfect base for a safari adventure in the incredible African Savannah. For more information about Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Kenya, visit www.fairmont.com Copy supplied by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Kenya 41
Mauritius
Mauritius An extraordinary tropical island with exceptional golf The magical island paradise of Mauritius is known for its tropical island allure, with glittering cerulean waters, picture-perfect beaches lined with coconut palms and opulent luxury resorts that unfurl along magnificent stretches of this wonderful holiday destination. But besides being an extraordinary destination for couples or families, Mauritius is an outstanding golfing destination. In and among the undulating volcanic hills and tropical forests, the island is now home to over 12 exceptional courses, many of which boast challenging courses designed by golf legends including the likes of Ernie Els, Peter Matkovich, Bernhard Langer and Rodney Wright. Underlining its excellence, Mauritius was named Africa, Indian Ocean and Gulf States Golf Destination of the Year in the 2019 IAGTO Awards – having won the same accolade in the 2008 and 2016 Awards. This is where to play golf in Mauritius:
Paradis Golf Club Paradis Beachcomber is home to one of the most beautiful golf courses in the Indian Ocean. With its 18-hole par 72 spread over 5,924 metres, the Paradis Golf Club course snuggles between the imposing Le Morne Mountain and one of the most breathtaking lagoons of Mauritius. Technically top-notch and playable, the golf course mirrors the beauty of the setting; tropical and simply spectacular. Flamboyants (fire trees), araucarias, bougainvillea and poinsettias give a local flair to the greens. Much of the creative design of the bunkers and fairways is attributable to international golf legend Tony Johnstone. Guests tee off just 30 metres from the beach and reception area while the last nine holes are spread along the coastline where five water hazards offer a challenge to both professional and amateur golfers. Its elegant clubhouse, serving guests of Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa and Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, includes a pro shop stocked with international brands. The Paradis Golf Academy offers training and technique refinement with instructors who can help improve a golfer’s game. Facilities comprise a driving range plus chipping and putting greens. Unforgettable is the only word to describe a round of golf at the Paradis Golf Club.
Paradis Golf Club's lagoon-side location
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Mauritius
Heritage Golf Club
Heritage Golf Club - 9th hole
The Heritage Golf Club is a multi-award winning championship golf course. Located in the south of Mauritius, the course occupies an idyllic setting between rolling mountains and a turquoise Indian Ocean lagoon. Beautiful vistas from every green and tee make it one of the most spectacular golf courses in Mauritius. With five teeing options on each hole, the course offers a truly exceptional and enjoyable experience for golfers of all handicap levels. It also hosts the only tri-sanctioned professional golf tournament by the European, Sunshine and Asian Tours – the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
Heritage Golf Club - 5th hole
Heritage Golf Club prides itself on having a customer-centric and service-oriented philosophy and boasts multiple awards including being voted the number one golf course in the Indian Ocean for five years in a row at the World Golf Awards. A second championship golf course, signed and designed by Major champion Louis Oosthuizen in conjunction with Peter Matkovich, will open in 2021. Set on the slopes of the Savanne mountain range, this course promises to be a spectacular addition to Heritage Golf Club’s already world-class golfing facilities. They include: a championship golf course, a par 3 course, a double-sided driving range, putting and chipping greens, a restaurant, a fully-stocked pro shop, changing rooms, a golf academy with Flightscope, and hire items including golf buggies, trolleys, golfskate caddies, clubs and shoes. Heritage Golf Club offers services in six languages: French, English, German, Italian, Creole and Afrikaans (Dutch). 43
Mauritius
Deer Hunter restaurant
Constance Belle Mare Plage Located on the east coast of Mauritius, the Constance Belle Mare Plage offers stylish accommodation and two golf courses. Constance Golf Legend Opened in January 1994 and melding into the exceptional, wild surroundings, the Constance Golf Legend course was built according to PGA specifications and Constance’s equally-exacting requirement. Just a few steps away from the Constance Belle Mare Plage, the championship golf course is adjacent to one of the most beautiful white-sand beaches in Mauritius. Set in the heart of an indigenous forest originally intended for deer breeding, it was designed by Hugh Baiocchi and features lagoons and lakes at every hole with dense, natural vegetation. Herds of Java deer are found in few places on earth but at Legend, they live and wander freely, sharing the green with the players. Host of the MCB Tour Championship since 2009 as the final leg of the European Senior Tour, now known as Staysure Tour, Constance Golf Legend is a challenge for golfers at every level.
Constance Golf Legend
Constance Golf Links
Constance Golf Links Perfectly in tune with nature, Constance Golf Links was designed following PGA specifications under the care of Rodney Wright and Peter Aliss. Undulating fairways and greens give way to breathtaking views of the country. Surrounded by Mauritian forest, it is dotted with natural ponds, plants, volcanic rocks and craters. After playing on its signature hole, the stunning and challenging 18th, the sunset from the clubhouse is a sight to behold. The Links Golf Academy can ensure golfers go home with a lower score, relaxed and energised at the same time. 44
Mauritius
Tamarina Golf Club Open since October 2006 and designed by Rodney Wright, Tamarina Golf Club is an 18-hole, par 72 championship course set in a stunning environment in the area of Tamarin on the west coast of the island. A lot of emphasis was placed on designing Tamarina Golf Club as a fair and enjoyable course, particularly from the white and yellow tees. Thanks to its various teeing positions, the golf course is a fun and challenging test of all golfing skills. The course measures 6,886 metres from the professional tees, which makes it among the longest golf courses in Mauritius. Tamarina has the standard four par 3s and four par 5s with the remaining 10 holes par 4s. Due to the climate and terrain, the preferred and recommended means of playing there is with a golf buggy, especially during the summer season. Tamarina’s clubhouse comprises a pro shop, changing rooms and Le Dix-Neuf restaurant, which offers spectacular views of Le Rempart Mountain and Tamarin Bay. Adjacent to the clubhouse, a panoramic driving range and the services of a PGA pro provide for practice opportunities and individual tuition. Le Dix-Neuf restaurant
Le Rempart mountain towers over Tamarina Golf Club
Tamarina Golf Club welcomes about 60% local residents and 40% tourists each year.
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Mauritius
Avalon Golf Estate's clubhouse
Avalon Golf Estate Avalon was the idyllic, mythical wood where apples grew of their own volition and rolling verdant fields produced crops without the intervention of man. It is to this rich history of Avalon that this golf course – which opened in 2016 – was masterfully sculpted into the island’s lush, forested central plateau by internationally-renowned golf course architect and ex-European Tour professional, Peter Matkovich. Set on the slopes of the dormant Grand Bassin volcano at 400 metres above sea level and surrounded by tea plantations, Avalon is situated in the most picturesque of settings. The views of the southern coastline, lagoon and azure Indian Ocean are simply unprecedented and, on a clear day, are visible from all 18 holes. In the true tradition of the legend of Avalon, we believe that members are to be treated as royalty and guests are members for the day. ‘’Avalon is more than just golf, it’s an experience for all of your senses with incredible surroundings, beautifully manicured gardens and some of the most spectacular elevation changes found anywhere on the island’’ – Peter Matkovich.
4th hole, Avalon Golf Estate
Magic Spoon, the restaurant at Avalon, is considered one of the finest in the south of Mauritius and many visitors come simply for the food. A nice cold beer and lunch after a round of golf in this spectacular restaurant is an absolute must!
13th & 14th holes, Avalon Golf Estate 46
Mauritius
Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club
Ile aux Cerfs golf course is set on an island
Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club is a picturesque 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course located on its own island and designed by the two-time Masters champion, Bernhard Langer. Ile aux Cerfs represents a unique "island" golfing experience, surrounded by a shimmering turquoise lagoon and accessible to players of all levels. The course covers 38 hectares on the southern half of the Ile aux Cerfs Island with the holes snaking up and down the length of the island, featuring undulating topography with volcanic rock outcrops, lakes and gullies, and tropical trees and plants. All 18 holes have views of the ocean, some coming close to the shore. Expansive white-sand bunkers and water set off the natural backdrop of trees and vegetation perfectly.
Golfers even have their own beach
Water is an essential feature of the course. There are nine lakes in all, and three holes require tee shots across sea inlets to the fairways. The luscious Salam Seashore Paspalum turf is resilient in the tropical climate and allows the highest standards of course conditioning.
Tropical vegetation on Ile aux Cerfs
Since upgrading work in 2013 to offer a better experience for golfers, feedback has been enthusiastic and positive. The unique Ile aux Cerfs island golf course is one of the world’s most stunning golf courses; a “must play” as Colin Montgomerie puts it. The golf experience on the spectacular island is extended to its breathtaking beaches, the best place for an after-golf drink, including the exclusive golfers’ beach of La Flibuste. To complete the experience, spend a night on the iconic island in the magical Bubble Lodge. 47
Mauritius
Anahita Golf & Spa Resort Situated within a very large 530-acre property on the east coast of Mauritius, between the hilly interior and the sparkling Indian Ocean, the golf course at Anahita Golf & Spa Resort was constructed to USGA standard in 2008 in association with Alteo Properties. The Ernie Els-designed course makes the most of its tropical setting. It is set out on generously proportioned fairways on a former sugar plantation in two distinct loops of nine, incorporating some old dry-stone walls and a links-like stream into the layout. Backed by lush mountains and fringed by the crystal-clear lagoon, it has six stunning oceanfront holes with the final three fairways hugging the rugged coastline back to the clubhouse to culminate in a final shot that is among the most spectacular in the world. “One of the strengths of this golf course is we were able to maximise the visual impact of the surrounding scenery, but at the same time preserve the coastline's natural beauty,” commented Els. “The hole routings move in and out of the trees, along the water, and back, giving players great variety and magnificent views of the ocean.” Anahita Golf Club first hosted the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open (ABMO) in 2016 and most recently in November 2018 as the golfing world’s first Trisanctioned tournament endorsed by the European Tour, Sunshine Tour and Asian Tour. Golf is complimentary and unlimited for all Anahita Golf and Spa Resort and Four Seasons Hotel guests.
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Ocean views from Anahita's course
Anahita Golf & Spa Resort's scenic setting
Mauritius
12th hole, Mont Choisy Le Golf
Mont Choisy Le Golf Mont Choisy Le Golf is the only 18-hole championship course in the north of Mauritius, conveniently located near the seaside resorts of Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches. Designed by the prolific golf architect, Peter Matkovich, the newest course in Mauritius opened in November 2017 and occupies 250 acres of what was once a sugar cane plantation. Mont Choisy Le Golf is above all a Mauritian golfing asset that enhances the natural beauty of the island and the historical heritage of the area. All over the course, distinctive Mauritian landscaping, such as black volcanic sand, palm-fringed fairways and endemic plants, add to the enjoyment of playing. From beginners to pros, the course is suitable for all golfers. The golf academy consists of a magnificent driving range facility with excellent practice, chipping and putting greens. There are three PGA professionals in attendance. After 18 holes, the clubhouse restaurant provides the golfer with all the necessary conveniences and is also a place to relax after an enjoyable round while savouring the panoramic view.
Mauritius Golf Pass The Mauritius Golf Pass is available to all golfers staying in Mauritius and offers a choice of seven championship golf courses. Each course is carefully sculpted in idyllic surroundings from views of the turquoise lagoon, coconut palm trees and the natural reef to the sprawling green mountains and tea plantations of yesteryear. All seven courses offered within the Mauritius Golf Pass are unique, having been designed by some of the world’s greatest and most knowledgeable golfers including Ernie Els, Peter Matkovich, Rodney Wright, Peter Allis, Hugh Baiocchi and Tony Johnstone. The quality of the golf courses in Mauritius is second to none and with the beautiful island as the perfect backdrop, golfers will return home having experienced the best that golf can offer. • • • •
Price: 60 euros per golfer per round (commissionable at 10% for tour operators) Validity: May to September 2019 Bookings: www.mauritiusgolfpass.com/booking Courses: Anahita, Avalon, Belle Mare Plage Links & Legends, Heritage, Paradis, Tamarina
For more information on the golf courses in Mauritius, visit the Mauritius Golf Tourism Association website: www.mauritiusgolftourism.com Copy supplied by the golf courses of Mauritius 49
Palazzo Versace Dubai
Palazzo Versace Dubai Breeze to the tees at Versace's palatial Dubai resort The Palazzo Versace Dubai officially opened in November 2016 alongside the Dubai Creek as the second Palazzo Versace hotel in the world, after one on Australia’s Gold Coast that opened in 2000. The luxury urban resort brings every element of the inspirational Versace world into a single destination to allow everyone to experience the ultimate Versace lifestyle. Golfing guests can also now a unique way to reach the nearby Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club with a Stay, Cruise and Golf package thanks to a partnership with the golf club that means the hotel is the first in the UAE to offer boat transfers for golfers, transporting them from the Vulture Village Marina directly to the course.
Grand Suite living and dining area
Guests booking the package will make the 10-minute round-trip transfer to the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club aboard the charter boat, Creek Breeze, and enjoy a round of golf after a welcome drink in the clubhouse, a 60-minute body massage, free access to the hotel’s Executive Lounge and buffet dinner for two at its Giardino restaurant, as well as a His & Hers Palazzo Versace Dubai golf shirt.
Palazzo Versace Dubai exterior
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Palazzo Versace Dubai
The hotel's stylish, classical lobby
Palazzo Versace Dubai Set in the heart of the Jaddaf Waterfront, less than 15 minutes away from Dubai International Airport and eight minutes away from Burj Khalifa and downtown Dubai, Palazzo Versace Dubai is conveniently located along the shores of the historic Dubai Creek.
Vanitas Restaurant
The hotel is reminiscent of a 16th century Italian Palace with striking entrance, high ceilings, beautifully landscaped gardens and a range of well-crafted Italian furnishings to stay true to the Versace lifestyle. Every single piece of furniture and fabric that adorns the hotel’s 215 hotel rooms and suites, and 169 residences, is designed and tailormade by Versace exclusively for the Palazzo Versace Hotel in Dubai. Each of the hotel’s eight restaurants and bars is designed to have an alfresco terrace to reflect the heritage of Palazzos, where the internal court was the informal space to meet, dine and enjoy the weather. The three outdoor pools are decorated with mosaic tiles and surrounded by palm trees and flowers.
Enigma Restaurant - Terrace
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Voted one of the world’s top 100 golf courses, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club was redeveloped by European Golf Design in association with Thomas Bjorn. Measuring 6,967 yards, it creates a memorable journey from the first tee to the 18th green. The superbly manicured fairways are undulating, demarcated by mounds, date and palm trees and crystal-clear water.
5th hole, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
Apart from the Creek, which comes into play on at least four holes, several artificial lakes add to the beauty and difficulty of various other holes. There is a unique charm and allure to Dubai Creek Golf Club, nestled between the serene settings of the tranquil Creek and just a few minutes away by boat from Palazzo Versace Dubai. For more information, visit www.palazzoversace.ae or contact info@palazzoversace.ae Copy supplied by Palazzo Versace Dubai 51
Mission Hills, China
Mission Hills, China Welcome to Mission Hills, the most visited IAGTO destination in China! For 25 years, Mission Hills has been the number one destination in China for golf lovers around the world – a golfing paradise where dreams come true! Since it was founded by Dr David Chu in 1992, Mission Hills has consistently set new benchmarks in tourism hospitality and has grown to become the world’s largest golf club, a fact officially recognised by Guinness World Records.
The world’s largest golf club
Norman Course, Mission Hills Shenzhen
10 acclaimed tournament courses in Haikou in the volcanic region of exotic Hainan Island, including the famous Blackstone Course – voted Best Championship Course in Asia and home to the World Celebrity Pro-Am and the World Ladies Championship. With no membership structure, Mission Hills Haikou is the “World’s Largest Public Golf Facility”.
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22 golf courses spanning 42 square kilometres 12 championship courses in Shenzhen and Dongguan in southern China, designed by golf legends including Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Annika Sorenstam, Ernie Els, Justin Rose and Ian Poulter. Totalling 216 holes, Mission Hills Shenzhen is officially the “World’s Largest Golf Club”.
Blackstone Course, Mission Hills Haikou Best Championship Course in Asia
Mission Hills, China
Tiger Woods' first visit to China – 2001
World Cup of Golf 1995, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
World Ladies Championship 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
World Celebrity Pro-Am 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016
Tiger Woods v Rory McIlroy – 2013
Ian Poulter v Justin Rose – 2014
World Golf ChampionshipHSBC Champions – 2012
Mission Hills Haikou Best Golf Resort in Asia
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Mission Hills, China
Golf and more The Group’s “golf and more” philosophy has seen Mission Hills expand into a tourism and leisure hub for every generation, incorporating sports, recreation, wellness, retail, education and entertainment – for all the family. Mission Hills Shenzhen – only 30 minutes from Hong Kong, this full-service resort destination features three Premier Suite, Shenzhen Resort exclusive clubhouses, three award-winning spas, two five-star hotels, Asia’s largest tennis facility with 18 tennis courts, two world-class golf academies, a state-of-the-art convention centre, numerous fine dining establishments, an international school, a 220,000-square-metre Sports & Eco Park and Mission Hills Centreville. Centreville in Shenzhen features 516,000 square metres of international retail brands, the trendiest restaurants, cafes and bars, a state-of-the-art IMAX cinema, Shenzhen’s largest ice skating rink, a bowling alley by one of the world’s leading operators and an internationally-acclaimed Hard Rock Hotel.
Wet ‘n Wild Haikou
Mission Hills Haikou – located in the volcanic region of exotic Hainan Island, the resort offers elegantly designed guest rooms and suites, luxury spa villas, a three-story clubhouse, the world’s largest mineral springs, a grandiose bamboo and volcanic spa oasis, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, 12 worldclass restaurants, a fully-equipped sports and recreation centre, a worldclass golf academy, a Chinese middle school, a world-renowned Wet ‘n Wild water park with the latest thrilling slides, a brand new football training centre appointed by the China Football Association as its southern base, an FC Barcelona Football Academy and interactive visitor centre, an NBA Basketball School and visitor exhibit and Mission Hills Centreville. Spanning a million square metres, highlights of Centreville in Haikou include Lan Kwai Fong Bar Street, shopping, entertainment, cultural and dining attractions and hotels by world-leading brands Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance and Hard Rock. The new Mission Hills Movie Town is another major entertainment and commercial district in Haikou. The 930,000-square-metre movie theme park showcases six professional movie studios, as well as numerous dining, entertainment, shopping, cinema, cafe, bar and hotel facilities.
Mission Hills Movie Town
Contact details Mission Hills Shenzhen 1 Mission Hills Road, Shenzhen, China Tel: +86 755 2801 1722 sztravelagentteam@missionhillschina.com
Mission Hills Haikou 1 Mission Hills Boulevard, Haikou, Hainan, China Tel: +86 898 6863 3388 hntravelagentteam@missionhillschina.com
For more information, visit www.missionhillschina.com and follow Mission Hills on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube Copy supplied by Mission Hills 54
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T HE C A RBON SERIES PREMIUM GOLFWEAR FEATURING A SUBTLE TECHNICAL LOOK THAT ADDS A PRESTIGIOUS DIMENSION. FIND YOUR NEAREST RETAILER OR SHOP ONLINE AT GALVINGREEN.COM
BY G O L F E R S F O R G O L F E R S
Pioneering layering for golf
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Made for golf: Northern Ireland is at the heart of golf’s past, present and future Home to major champions and major golf courses, Northern Ireland is at the heart of the game’s past, present and future and a destination every golfer should experience. For a small country, it punches far above its weight on the global stage, having produced three champions with six Major titles between them in the last decade – Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke. Underpinning that success are some of the finest golf courses in the world.
World-class links Royal Portrush and Royal County Down are rated among the best, the latter topping the Golf Digest world’s 100 greatest courses rankings in 2016 and again in 2017. Royal Portrush, on the Causeway Coast, will focus the spotlight on Northern Ireland even more when it hosts The 148th Open in July 2019, its second Open. Northern Ireland’s celebrated royal duo both have a distinguished pedigree going back to the late 19th century.
Portstewart Golf Club
Golf legends Old Tom Morris, Harry Colt and Harry Vardon all put their stamp on Royal County Down’s Championship Links. It has hosted the Irish Open, eight Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championships, the Curtis Cup in 1968 and the 2007 Walker Cup. Its par-66 Annesley course is also highly rated.
Redesigned by Harry Colt, Royal Portrush Golf Club’s Dunluce Links previously hosted The Open in 1951. Two new holes have been carved from its sister Valley course to create space for the 2019 Open spectator village. Royal Portrush has staged four Irish Opens and six Senior British Opens. Fifteen minutes from Royal Portrush, Portstewart Golf Club has 54 holes of links golf. Its Strand Course, the venue for the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, is set amidst towering dunes, its opening hole regarded by many as Ireland’s best.
Royal County Down 56
Northern Ireland
Royal Portrush
Parkland beauties Northern Ireland also possesses a wealth of glorious parkland courses, including in capital Belfast. The region’s four golf resorts all offer extensive golf facilities with on-site accommodation, bars, restaurants, recreational activities and spas. The Hilton Belfast Templepatrick is just 20 minutes from Belfast and incorporates a 129-room, four-star spa hotel and a golf course with a floodlit driving range. Lough Erne Resort, with 120 rooms and loughside lodges, welcomed world leaders including Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin when it hosted the 2013 G8 summit. Its Thai Spa offers treatments including a two-hour Golfers Tonic massage. Roe Park Resort is a short drive from Royal Portrush and Causeway Coast attractions including UNESCO World Heritage Site the Giant’s Causeway. A golf academy and indoor teaching studio augment its 18-hole course. The resort’s 118-room hotel, originally a stately country house, offers two restaurants and an Elemis teaching academy spa. Galgorm Castle Golf Club, set amidst mature woods on the 220-acre Galgorm Castle Estate alongside its 17th century castle, stages the Challenge Tour’s annual Northern Ireland Open. The golf club’s new Castle Kitchen & Bar, featuring a terrace overlooking the castle and course, has been opened by the nearby Galgorm Resort & Spa, which features a riverside Thermal Village.
Secret gems Northern Ireland has many secret golfing gems. Kilkeel Golf Club, at the foot of the picturesque Mourne Mountains, has hosted British Amateur and Senior British Open qualifiers. Among centenarians are: Massereene Golf Club, established in 1895 on the Lough Neagh shore; Newtownstewart Golf Club, on the Duke of Abercorn’s Baronscourt Estate; Tandragee Golf Club, on the Duke of Manchester’s Estate with several bunkers resembling America’s Great Lakes designed by the Cincinnati-born Duchess of Manchester; and Omagh Golf Club. Other gems include County Down golf clubs Rockmount, St Patrick’s, Warrenpoint, Edenmore and 36-hole Clandeboye, County Antrim’s Lisburn Golf Club and County Tyrone’s Dungannon Golf Club.
Ardglass Golf Club
Along the coast from Royal County Down, Ardglass Golf Club’s spectacular links hug the rocky shore and cliffs. Its clubhouse, a 600-year-old former castle, is the world’s oldest. Kirkistown Castle Golf Club, on the Ards Peninsula, is another seaside gem. The closest links course to Belfast, it was designed by legendary architect James Braid. The Causeway Coast’s Ballycastle Golf Club, a mix of parkland and links, lies alongside Bonamargy Friary’s ruins. Cairndhu Golf Club has several seaside holes, its par-3 2nd hole perched on a rocky headland. On Derry’s outskirts, Foyle Golf Centre’s championship parkland Earhart Course is named after aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly the Atlantic solo. Her historic 1932 flight ended with an emergency landing on what is now the 6th green. 57
Northern Ireland
Golf in Belfast – just capital Few cities offer such choice and quality golf on their doorstep as Northern Ireland’s capital. Belfast’s four premier parkland golf clubs – Belvoir Park, Malone, Royal Belfast and Shandon Park – combine to stage the annual Belfast Parkland International tournament, open to visiting men and women golfers, with Tourism Northern Ireland, Visit Belfast and Tourism Ireland. All lie within a 15-minute drive of Belfast’s centre, making a city break combining golf, sightseeing and experiencing its culture, nightlife and culinary scene an attractive proposition. Once-troubled Belfast is now one of Europe’s friendliest, most vibrant and most cosmopolitan cities. Just three miles (5km) from Belfast’s centre, Belvoir Park Golf Club is its nearest course. Yet golfers feel a world away, both on its tree-lined fairways and in the clubhouse restaurant and bar, The View, looking out to the Black Mountains. Malone Golf Club’s three nine-hole layouts span mature wooded parkland on the Ballydrain Estate and its clubhouse – the 200-year-old former manor house – is reached via a tree-lined drive. Malone hosted the Irish Senior Championship in 2017. Northern Ireland’s oldest royal club, Royal Belfast Golf Club, lies alongside Belfast Lough, the main seaway into the city’s harbour and seven holes have views over it. The course hosted the 2017 Ladies’ Senior British Open Amateur Championship. In the leafy Shandon Park suburb, Shandon Park Golf Club’s clubhouse has a lively atmosphere, thanks in part to its many non-golfing social members.
Royal Belfast Golf Club
Belfast's Mercurial champion Rory McIlroy honed his skills on Holywood Golf Club’s hilly fairways and greens as a youngster. Still a member, he often drops in when he returns to Northern Ireland. Belfast attractions include the striking Titanic Belfast, named the world’s leading tourist attraction at the 2016 World Travel Awards and which celebrates the tragic liner at the shipyard where it was built, the imposing Belfast City Hall where an exhibition charts the city’s history, and Belfast’s powerful political and historical street-art murals. Besides excellent shopping there’s fantastic wining and dining options from bistros and gourmet coffee bars to gastro pubs, notably in Belfast’s walkable city-centre Cathedral and Linen quarters. Belfast can also be a base for playing elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Royal County Down is under an hour away and Royal Portrush is barely more than an hour’s drive. One thing’s certain: a golfing visit to Northern Ireland will leave titanic memories. For more information on Northern Ireland and its golf, visit www.discovernorthernireland.com By Peter Ellegard
Castlerock Golf Club 58
VIVA Cala Mesquida Resort & SPA ****
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Winner of a Michelin Star 2014
info.golf@hotelsviva.com H O T E L S V I VA . C O M
4.
Mexico
Mexico Mexico has the perfect answer Whatever type of golf vacation your clients are looking for, Mexico has the perfect answer! The country has great golf in abundance, but just as importantly, Mexico delivers for every type of golf traveller, whatever is most important to them aside from golf.
Riviera Maya Golf Club - 15th hole
The climate helps, as does the topography – with golf courses alongside beaches, mountains, deser ts, clif f-tops, jungle, woodland and lakes – but that is only a part of it. Tranquillity or bustling nightlife, boutique or all-inclusive, spa or adventure, ancient or contemporary culture, hotels or villas, best value or exclusive, Mexico has all the options imaginable.
The scale is enormous, a virtual tapestry of diverse golf destinations spanning 2,500km west to east from Los Cabos to Cozumel Island and 2,700km north to south from Bajamar Resort in Ensenada to Las Parotas Golf in the Oaxaca State resort of Huatulco on the Pacific coast. We recommend taking a fresh look at Mexico in terms what the opportunities are for different types of golf traveller.
Mexico's Golf Destinations
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Mexico
Iberostar Cancún Golf Club
Buddy trips Friends travelling together usually play a different golf course every day, either staying for three to five days or an entire week. They are looking for easy international access, accommodation in major resorts with nearby restaurants and entertainment, with an emphasis on good value as very often friends have different income levels. The good news is that there are many destinations suitable for Buddy Golf in Mexico! Here are the five main contenders: Golf course
Distance from centre of hotel zone
Average driving time
The Iberostar Cancun
3 km
4 mins
Cancun Golf Club at Pok Ta Pok
8 km
10 mins
Riviera Cancun Golf Club
9 km
12 mins
Golf Puer to Cancun
17 km
24 mins
The Moon Spa & Golf Club
24 km
26 mins
El Tinto Golf Club
24 km
26 mins
Playa Mujeres Golf Club
28 km
38 mins
Cancun The nightlife is famous in Cancun with the liveliest scene located at the northern end of the 11km Boulevard Kukulcan in the beach-fronted hotel zone. Half-way down the strip is the Iberostar Cancun with its 18-hole golf course on the lagoon side of the road. There are six more golf courses within a 40-minute drive.
Cabo San Lucas Cabo San Lucas, also simply known as Cabo, is on the very tip of the Baja California peninsula where the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific Ocean meet. Cabo is the livelier of the two towns on the Los Cabos golf corridor, the other being San Jose del Cabo, a half-hour’s drive north-east. Heading west from the town centre, the stunning Jack Nicklaus Distance from Average Signature design at Quivira Golf Club is Golf Course Cabo San Lucas driving time 15 minutes’ drive away and the Diamante Cabo San Lucas Countr y Club 7 km 13 mins Cabo San Lucas only five minutes Cabo del Sol (Deser t Course) 12 km 17 mins further – but to play either of these golf 21 km 22 mins clubs you will need to stay there. There are, Cabo Real Golf Club Palmilla Golf Resor t 27 km 26 mins however, a further six golf courses with 36 km 32 mins visitor access within easy striking distance. Club Campestre San Jose Golf Course Puer to Los Cabos Golf Club
Cabo San Lucas Country Club
37 km
39 mins
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Mexico
Vista Vallarta Golf Club
Puerto Vallarta Puerto Vallarta has a vast array of hotel options for Buddy Golf, all with great access to the nearby golf courses. Even within the town of Puerto Vallarta itself, squeezed between the Sierra Madre foothills and the beach, you can choose to stay on the quiet side of town where licenses and music end at 11pm or around the main boardwalk area where you can find bars and clubs open until the early hours. A 20-minute drive around the sweeping Bay of Banderas leads to Marina Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta, situated either side of the Ameca River, with hotels aplenty on the beach front to suit every budget, many offering all-inclusive deals, with shopping centres, restaurants and entertainment galore. The golf is pretty good, too! There are seven golf courses to choose from within easy reach of Marina Vallarta.
Marina Vallarta Golf Course 62
Golf course Marina Vallar ta Golf Club
Distance from Marina Vallarta
Average driving time
1 km
5 mins
Vidanta Golf – Norman
10 km
15 mins
Vidanta Golf – Nayar
10 km
15 mins
El Tigre Golf Club
10 km
15 mins
Vista Vallar ta Nicklaus
11 km
22 mins
Vista Vallar ta Weiskopf
11 km
22 mins
Flamingos Golf Club
16km
25 mins
Mexico
Marina Course at El Cid Golf & Country Club
Mazatlán and Acapulco Two other lively golf destinations on the Pacific coast are Mazatlán and Acapulco. Mazatlán is the lesser known of the two, but the stronger golf destination with Estrella Del Mar Golf and Beach Resort, El Cid Golf & Country Club and Marina Mazatlán Golf Course all easily accessible and open to visitors. Both El Cid and Marina Mazatlán are located by the beach, a few minutes from the centre of town, while Estrella del Mar is a half-hour drive to the south in a beautiful beachfront location. Mazatlán is famous for staging the largest carnival in Mexico each February and has a lively year-round bar and restaurant scene.
Turtle Dunes Country Club
Estrella Del Mar Golf and Beach Resort
Acapulco is famous the world over and nightlife abounds in the proximity of Acapulco Bay. Panoramic views of the 10km beach can be enjoyed from the 9-hole Acapulco Golf Club built into the hillside half way along the bay. A 20-minute drive south is required to reach the other three 18-hole golf courses, up over the cliffs and down to another glorious stretch of uninterrupted sand called Punta Diamante and home to many beach resorts. The first golf course encountered is Turtle Dunes Country Club, part of the Hotel Princess Mundo Imperial. Another 3km on is Vidanta Acapulco where the Grand Mayan and Mayan Palace are sister hotels. A further 10 minutes down the coast is Tres Vidas Golf Club but accessibility here is limited.
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Mexico
El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Club
Trophy golf Mexico is a true bucket list destination with a wealth of tournament courses, exclusive country clubs and designs by many of the world’s most renowned golf course architects, sure to whet the appetite of any avid golf traveller. Many top tier courses place some restrictions on access, most commonly requiring guests to stay on-site at the resort hotel. Mexico also delivers all of the trappings that go with Trophy Golf, from freshly-rolled cigars, the finest tequilas and some of the best dining experiences in the world, to yacht charters and deep sea or freshwater fishing - plus an endless choice of eye-popping ocean-view villas with private pools. In addition to the more exclusive golf clubs are courses with jaw-droppingly spectacular holes, easy to access by visitors. Perhaps a truer reflection of the destination is that every golf visitor can reward themselves with numerous trophy experiences during any golf vacation to Mexico. Mexico is blessed with designs from some of the most renowned golf course architects and golfers in the world, including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Tom Weiskopf, Tom Fazio, Davis Love III, Nick Price, Nick Faldo, PB Dye, Robert von Hagge and Robert Trent Jones Jr. El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Club (Riviera Maya) Making golf history in 2007 it became the host site of the Mayakoba Golf Classic, the first PGA TOUR event to be contested outside the US and Canada. A Greg Norman masterpiece, the course plays out along several miles of crystalclear freshwater canals surrounded by mangrove wetlands and limestone caves. There are no hoops to jump through to play El Camaleon – it is open to visitors seven days a week. Punta Mita Pacifico & Bahia (Riviera Nayarit) Two 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature designs are accessible only to guests staying at the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, the St Regis Punta Mita Resort or rental villas within the Punta Mita complex. The Pacifico course is home to the famed “Tail of the Whale”, a 194-yard par-3, the world’s only natural island green. To experience this iconic hole fully you need to time your round to play when the tides are out and the "buggy path" is revealed so that you can drive to the green.
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Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
Mexico
St Regis Punta Mita
Couples golf
Mexico presents so many options for couples and groups of couples, one of the fastest growing sectors in the golf tourism industry. Adult-only hotels, such as Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun and Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort, are common in all major resorts, and in every golf destination there are numerous boutique hotels that are perfectly suited to Couples Golf, such as Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita’s Four Seasons and St Regis resorts in Riviera Nayarit. Private villa rentals add another dimension and with car hire being easy to manage, couples can benefit from more freedom. The opportunities for couples golf in Mexico are truly endless, where tranquil settings, special places, historic city centres, cosy restaurants, sumptuous spas, great shopping and mouth-watering gastronomy abound.
Group golf The established tourism infrastructure and decades of experience makes Mexico an ideal destination for larger groups of golfers or mixed golfer and non-golfer groups. Groups of women golfers are a fast-expanding sector of the market and there are some tremendous destinations that cater perfectly to this demographic, including the resort destinations of Los Cabos, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Ixtapa, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and Loreto. Smaller social groups who travel together can be attracted by the opportunity to rent a large villa where they can stay together but with the privacy afforded by en-suite bathrooms. In all coastal golf destinations the villa rental opportunities abound. The vast experience of golf directors makes Mexico’s coastal resort destinations ideal for amateur golf events which are very popular particularly from the US and Canadian markets. Unlike many other forms of smaller group travel, tournament golf often requires only one or two golf courses and therefore opens itself up to all coastal resort destinations including Huatulco, Acapulco, Ixtapa, Manzanillo, Mazatlán, La Paz, Loreto, Bajamar and Puerto Puñesco, as well as all of the Cancun-Riviera Maya, Vallarta-Nayarit and Los Cabos.
Oceano Course, Bajamar Oceanfront Golf & Resort
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Mexico
Chichen Itza
Golf & culture One of Mexico’s greatest attractions is its Pre-Columbian, colonial and contemporary culture. Any visit to Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit around Halloween must be accompanied by a visit to the Boho-chic seaside town of Sayulita for the Dia de Muertos festival on 1-2 November. In the Riviera Maya there is an annual jazz festival every December in Playa del Carmen, and Mazatlån stages the third-largest carnival in the world each February. Mayan site at Tulum
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The iconic Mayan temple at Chichen Itza is two hours and 30 minutes by road from Cancun, while the ancient Castillo fort of the Mayan port city of Tulum is only a 30-minute drive south of the Riviera Maya Golf Club.
Mexico Guanajuato
The inland destinations of Guanajuato, Morelia, Puebla, Queretaro and San Miguel de Allende are all heritage cities of outstanding beauty, with golf options nearby. The Tres Marias Golf Club in Morelia is a terrific 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature design and the Ventanas de San Miguel Allende Golf Club offers vacation rentals, a perfect location from which to explore the city. There are some excellent golf experiences to be enjoyed around the major gateway city of Guadalajara, famous for its tequila and mariachi, all with easy green-fee access to visitors on weekdays. And this is all without mentioning family golf, golf & nature, great-value golf, oceanside golf and golf cruises. When it comes to golf vacations of every different kind, Mexico really does have the perfect answer! Tres Marias Golf Club
by Peter Walton
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JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa A golfer's dream destination JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa is renowned for its 36 holes of championship golf featuring the Soffer and the Miller courses. Turnberry has a 4½ star rating from Golf Digest magazine and was named North America Golf Resort of the Year in the 2012 IAGTO Awards. After a $45 million redesign and renovation by Raymond Floyd, the Soffer Course debuted in December 2006 and the Miller Course opened in December 2007. Originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr, both courses offer lush, tropical grounds accentuated with a variety of elevation changes, contoured fairways, sharp changes within holes, and strategically-placed water features that ensure water comes into play on almost every hole. Varied flora and trees indigenous to Florida’s tropical climate create an oasis-like feel throughout the courses giving each hole a private feel. The Miller Course offers six sets of tees ranging from 3,524-6,192 yards, while the Soffer Course offers five sets of tees ranging from 4,832-7,021 yards. In September 2018 a new 18th hole debuted on the Soffer Course. The newly renovated hole is a 435-yard par 4, and requires a precise tee shot over water to a narrow landing area. The hole is a strong test for players to finish their round but will yield birdie opportunities with great shots.
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JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
The resort’s courses are home to hundreds of tropical birds including swans, Egyptian geese, and flamingos. Special nesting areas have been positioned throughout the courses. A dedicated “Flamingo Island” was built within Lake Julius, the largest and deepest body of water at the resort named after Golf Hall of Famer and former Golf Director Julius Boros. Many well-fed, friendly iguanas also frequent the golf courses at Turnberry. The signature vibrant hues from Paspalum Sea Dwarf grass that stays green year-round are offset by the many lakes, brilliant flowers, white-sand bunkers, and lush foliage – all creating a golfer’s dream destination. Turnberry has hosted past Ladies Professional Golf Association tournaments and many charitable golf tournaments including the annual Miami Dolphins Cancer Challenge Golf Tournament, underwritten by Turnberry and the Soffer family. Adapted from copy supplied by the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
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One Ocean Expeditions
One Ocean Expeditions A new way to play A privately-owned Canadian company, One Ocean Expeditions is the industry leader in small-ship expedition cruising. It provides extraordinary marine travel experiences in remote regions of the world. With a range of innovative itineraries in Antarctica, the Canadian Arctic, Svalbard, Canada’s East Coast, South and Central America and the Islands of the North Atlantic, a voyage in these destinations is a truly life-changing experience. One Ocean Expeditions' new golf programme incorporates all the elements of an expedition cruise, while providing access to some of the most prestigious coastal courses in the world. Golfing and non-golfing guests can expect the same range of great activities available on all of our voyages, including photography, wildlife viewing, educational lectures, sea kayaking and cultural tours.
Canada’s East Coast – ‘Fiddles & Sticks’ The Maritime provinces of Canada’s East Coast are home to some of the finest golf courses in North America. Golfers from around the world are drawn by the superb challenges offered in this magnificent coastal setting. Coupled with the rich and vibrant culture of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, this voyage has all the hallmarks of a great golfing vacation. The first to offer these unique golf expedition cruises, One Ocean Expeditions skilfully blends the distinct expedition experience, full of wildlife encounters, visits to colourful fishing villages and exciting off-ship excursions, with easy access to several of Canada’s most spectacular greens. Confirmed courses include Cabot Cliffs, Cabot Links, The Links at Crowbush Cove and Highland Links.
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One Ocean Expeditions
Scotland & Ireland Golf Expedition No two countries are as synonymous with golf as Scotland and Ireland – the home of the modern game. Today more than a dozen of the world’s top 100 courses can be found in this region. This new expedition golf voyage combines true golfing pedigree, of which One Ocean Expeditions is proud to match with the agility, advanced capability and comfort of its new expedition ship, RCGS Resolute. The voyage begins in Dublin, setting sail for the west coast of Scotland, passing the picturesque islands of Islay, Mull and Skye, and playing the fairways at the hidden gems of Macrihanish and Askernish. The ship also sails west to hit the links at Ballyliffin in Ireland. Further north it spends a day in the Orkney Islands before sailing south to Inverness, where guests have access to two outstanding courses. At Aberdeen they find themselves on the doorstep of both Cruden Bay and the Royal Aberdeen, the final courses before the journey ends in Edinburgh.
Relax and enjoy the views Not only does the shipboard accommodation negate the need for constant packing and unpacking, guests also enjoy breathtaking views and convenient access to the golf courses, as they are shuttled effortlessly via Zodiac from one to the next. Expect the same comprehensive range of great activities available on all of One Ocean Expeditions' voyages, for golfers and non-golfers alike. There will be fantastic opportunities to soak up the spectacular scenery, sample great local cuisine, enjoy whiskey tasting, and be immersed in the local culture and history. Revel in wildlife experiences and try sea kayaking, cycling and stand-up paddle boarding. Not only that but all green fees, accommodation and activities are included in the voyage fare. Contact voyages@oneoceanexpeditions.com or visit www.oneoceanexpeditions.com for more information. Copy supplied by One Ocean Expeditions 71
Oregon, USA
Oregon, USA 10 Top 100 courses. Diverse landscapes. Craft beer. It’s just what Oregon does. Unique layouts, stunning scenery and challenging golf from the Oregon Coast through the Cascade Mountains into the High Desert. The Oregon golf experience offers more than 200 acclaimed public courses designed by the game’s most respected architects. In fact, we’re home to 10 of Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses, including Bandon Dunes – named Best Golf Course in the World. Our state’s diverse landscape is the perfect canvas for memorable layouts. Each course provides a breathtaking backdrop that allows you to soak up the true beauty of this great game. In Oregon, we’re rewriting golf bucket lists 18 holes at a time.
Sunriver, Central Oregon With 63 holes of world-class golf, Sunriver Resort was the perfect site to host the IAGTO 2018 North America Golf Tourism Convention (NAC). The four distinct award-winning courses are among Sunriver’s wetlands, meadows and gently-flowing water. Sunriver is a premier golf destination with dramatic and aesthetic challenges on every hole. Off the course, Central Oregon is an outdoor recreation paradise with hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, world-class fishing, Mt Bachelor (the sixth-largest ski area in America), nearly 30 craft breweries and so much more.
Crosswater Golf Club 72
Oregon, USA
Tetherow Golf Club
Central Oregon Golf Trail The accolades continue to build: Three of Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses, half of GolfWeek’s Top 10 Courses in Oregon, a Golf Digest Top 10 Family Golf Destination, a Golf Digest Top 25 Golf Destination in the World. That’s a lot of high, but deserved, praise for the Central Oregon Golf Trail – 30 diverse courses located within an hour’s drive of each other in Bend/Sunriver, from Prineville to Sisters, and from Redmond to La Pine. A tour of our Top 100 Courses is the perfect way to experience a lot of what the Central Oregon Golf Trail has to offer. Day 1
Aspen Lakes
Tetherow
Begin the trail with the lavish lodging that overlooks the course at Tetherow. Grab a quick bite at The Row before heading down to the range where you’ll meet your caddie. There’s music playing on the range and the vibe is laid back and fun – in fact, forego the cart for a GolfBoard and surf the turf during your round. The smile won’t leave your face even after a couple of double bogeys. The high praise for Tetherow begins with this: GOLF Magazine named it the Best New Course of 2008. Since then, the David McLay Kidd Scottish links masterpiece in the heart of Bend has only become more popular. Today, it’s ranked 63 in Golf Digest’s Top 100.
Tetherow Golf Club
Scenic and challenging, Tetherow’s knobs, knolls, tufts and fescue are a more common sight on courses along the ocean, but they feel oddly perfect in Bend’s high-desert setting. At 7,300 yards, Tetherow is all the course you can handle, especially with prevailing winds whipping across the links.
After your round, head into downtown Bend for a pint at one (or more) of its craft breweries before dinner at 5 Fusion and Sushi Bar, home to a chef who three times has been a James Beard Award semi-finalist. 73
Oregon, USA
Crosswater Golf Club
Day 2
Crosswater Club & Sunriver Resort
Just 15 minutes from Bend, you’ll find Sunriver Resort – the Pacific Northwest’s premier family and golf destination resort. Crosswater Club is the resort’s flagship course, with a perennial spot among Golf Digest’s Top 100 courses in America – ranked at number 50 in 2017. Caldera Links
The Woodlands
The Meadows
The PGA Professional Championship returned to Crosswater for the fourth time in 2017, adding to several NCAA championship events and a Champions Tour Major held at the course over recent years. It’s a Bob Cupp design that stretches out to 7,600 yards over 600 acres of heathland. Trouble abounds with the little Deschutes River winding through the course, coming into play as many as seven times during your round. After the round, settle your bets with a quick nine at Caldera Links, an immaculate short course that will test your iron game, before lunch at Carson’s American Kitchen at the resort.
After lunch, choose another 18 to complete the day. The Woodlands Course is a Robert Trent Jones Jr design that winds through the forest in Sunriver. Water is abundant here as well, with unique lava rock outcroppings making for a scenic track. The Meadows Course is another gem, having hosted several NCAA Championship events and the PGA Professional Championship. The John Fought design pays tribute to the great American golf courses from the 1920s and 30s with its aesthetic grace, while its dramatic use of directional and forebunkers serve up ample challenges for golfers of all skill levels. Dinner awaits at one of the fine restaurants at the Village at Sunriver. 74
Oregon, USA
Day 3
Pronghorn
Pronghorn Resort is also just 15 minutes from Bend – and home to two of Central Oregon’s most highly-acclaimed courses. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is no. 36 on Golf Digest’s Top 100 list while the private Tom Fazio Course was voted no. 13 on Golfweek’s list of Best Residential Courses.
Tom Fazio Championship Course, Pronghorn Resort
The courses cut through the natural setting of lava rock outcroppings within an ancient juniper forest. You’ll use the snow-capped Three Sisters Mountains in the distance as targets on this fast and firm course that features some of the finest putting surfaces on which you’ll ever roll the ball. From the pristine practice area to the pro shop, Pronghorn is a true luxury golf experience in Central Oregon. It has the feel of a gated Tuscan village including a 55,000-square-foot clubhouse, recreational centre, spa, vacation rentals and a brand new lodge. For dinner, stay on-site and enjoy fine dining at Cascada or head back into Bend and Worthy Brewing – the world’s only brewery with a full-sized telescope. Day 4 Black Butte Ranch
Glaze Meadow
Don’t let your visit to Central Oregon escape without a stop at Black Butte Ranch, near Sisters. The breathtaking Cascades loom large over this golf destination community of two amazing courses over 1,800 acres. John Fought renovated the Glaze Meadow Course in 2012 while the Big Meadow Course was named by Golf Magazine as One of the Best Courses You Can Play in Oregon in 2013. Luxury vacation homes, tennis courts, horseback riding, pools and more await at this family-focused destination resort.
Pronghorn's Jack Nicklaus Signature Course 75
Oregon, USA
Bandon Dunes, Oregon Coast
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort’s Pacific Dunes course
You’ve probably heard of Bandon Dunes. Perched high above the Pacific Ocean, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is unlike any other. Four world-class courses unfold along a sweeping shoreline, grassy dunes and towering coastal forest. Beyond the stunning scenery is a unique, true-to-form game of golf. Firm turf, challenging tee shots and the occasional strong ocean breeze make for an unforgettable experience. Bandon Dunes is regularly ranked among the world’s top golf resorts. The namesake course, designed by David McLay Kidd, is considered the first genuine Scottish-style links course in the US. Year after year, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is honoured, from Golf Digest’s Best Resort in North America in 2011 to all four courses ranked highly in Golfweek’s Best Modern Courses and GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Courses You Can Play. And the accolades keep coming. In 2020, the resort will host the US Amateur Championship. There’s plenty to do in between rounds, too. Prime your skills at the 13-hole, par-3 Bandon Preserve track or the 18-hole putting course. Indulge in a day at the resort spa. Experience Oregon’s South Coast like you’ve never done before. Bandon Dunes is open year-round, and with a fifth 18-hole course in the works, it continues to innovate and inspire.
Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, Greater Portland A championship 36-hole golf club near Oregon’s largest city, Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club is known as Portland golf at its finest. Since opening in 1992, Pumpkin Ridge has hosted several major national tournaments, including the Nike Tour Championship, the US Amateur Championship and the US Women’s Open. The club’s public course, Ghost Creek, features a par-71, 6,839-yard layout designed by Bob Cupp to emphasise the wetlands terrain, with subtle elevation changes that both surprise and delight.
Ghost Creek
Pumpkin Ridge is where great golfers become even better. Hone your skills with a lesson taught by PGA professionals Jerry Mowlds and Christopher Smith or tee off at the club’s 17-acre practice facility. 76
Oregon, USA
Mt Hood Oregon Resort, Mt Hood 27 holes of premier golf set in the breathtaking Mt Hood National Forest. Wildlife abounds as Salmon spawn in the Wee Bite Stream, Deer frolic in the meadows and eagles soar high above the Salmon River. Oregon’s first resort course, est. 1928, located in the foothills of Oregon’s highest peak, Mt Hood, will challenge your game and tantalize your spirit. Whether it’s our nationally recognised Salmon restoration program, our immaculately manicured fairways, or the personal attention we give to each client, The Mt Hood Oregon Resort may just become your new favourite getaway.
Mt. Hood Oregon Resort
Running Y Ranch, Southern Oregon Featuring the only Arnold Palmer signature course in Oregon, Running Y Ranch Resort is a premier destination for international golfers. The prestigious Palmer even named Running Y as one of his favourite 16 designs. And he’s not alone. Running Y is a regular on Golf Week’s Oregon Top 10 and ranked number one on Golf Advisor’s Top 20 Golf Courses in Oregon.
Arnold Palmer Signature Course, Running Y Ranch
The par-72, 7,133-yard course is surrounded by impressive beauty, overlooking the unspoiled Oregon Outback. The front skirts meadows and an extensive wetlands area while the back fairways wind through lake-dotted woodlands. With five tee boxes on each hole, the course welcomes players of all skill levels. And thanks to more than 300 days of sunshine in Klamath Falls, it’s open year-round.
Arnold Palmer Signature Course, Running Y Ranch 77
Oregon, USA
Salishan Spa & Golf Resort, Oregon Coast Rugged natural beauty and coastal elements make Salishan Golf Links an exciting 18-hole course for players of all abilities. Designed in 1964 and revamped by PGA Tour veteran Peter Jacobsen 40 years later, the par-71, 6,470-yard course is as scenic as it is challenging. The front nine hugs an old-growth forest hillside while the back nine winds toward the ocean on links-like land. With great shot variety, greens as smooth as glass and the roar of the mighty Pacific Ocean close by, Salishan is known as one of the Oregon Coast’s finest.
Salishan Golf Links
Fun continues off the course. Salishan Resort is home to four restaurants, one of the largest wine cellars in Oregon and an award-winning spa.
Sylvies Valley Ranch, Eastern Oregon Golf on the 18-hole reversible course – the first built anywhere in over 450 years (since the Old Course at St Andrews). The Hankins and Craddock courses reverse on alternating days providing two distinctly different golf course experiences. There’s also the nine-hole par 3 Chief Egan course and the McVeigh’s Gauntlet, a seven-hole challenge course, featuring the world-famous goat caddies! In addition to amazing golf, feast on delicious and unique dining options, take part in exclusive outdoor experiences, relax at the spa, and for guests looking to fly directly onto the property, there is a private airstrip. Silvies merges luxury and relaxation with an authentic Western ranch experience. A simply amazing adventure awaits guests at Silvies! Copy supplied by Visit Central Oregon and Travel Oregon For more information on golf and other activities and attractions in Central Oregon and around the state, visit www.visitcentraloregon.com and www.traveloregon.com
Silvies Valley Ranch 78
OREGON GOLF
Pronghorn’s Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in Central Oregon.
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SUITE 312 SUITE 312
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Unfolding a journey of sophisticated and intimate experiences. Ultimate relaxation and Unfolding aonjourney of sophisticated and intimate experiences. Ultimate and tranquility the pristine sun-kissed shores of Saadiyat, to adventures onrelaxation this cultural tranquility on the pristineAbu sun-kissed Saadiyat, to landscape adventureswith on this cultural island shared by Louvre Dhabi. shores Set in aofmatured lush manicured island and shared by Louvre AbuofDhabi. Set in Gulf. a matured manicured lawns sweeping views the Arabian Villas lush and landscape suites offerwith a discreet lawns and with sweeping of the Arabian Gulf. Villas and suites offer alocal discreet hideaway privateviews plunge pools. Thoughtfully sourced, sustainable, produce hideaway privateexpand plunge your pools. Thoughtfully local and veganwith selections award winningsourced, culinary sustainable, treats. Take on theproduce Gary and vegan selections expand your award winning culinary treats. Take spa. on the Gary Player designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Course or rejuvenate at Atarmia Player Beach Golf Course or rejuvenate at Atarmia spa. To find designed out more,Saadiyat visit parkhyattabudhabi.com To find out more, visit parkhyattabudhabi.com
GOOD LUCK KEEPING YOUR EYE ON THE BALL. Our famed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses at Ross Bridge and Oxmoor Valley are known for their challenging layouts and unmatched beauty. Courses designed by a legendary architect situated in such idyllic settings offer you a golfing experience unlike any other. As long as you can keep your concentration.
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Your Green, Our Garden A surprising challenge in the most authentic Tuscany, among nature, history and tradition. The Golf Club Castelfalfi, thanks to its 27 holes, is the largest course of the region, the ideal destination for golfers of all levels. Whether you choose the comfort of Toscana Resort Castelfalfi’s 5-star hospitality or the intimacy of our villas for your golf vacations, Castelfalfi is your place for hitting the green.
Book now +39 0571 890200 | golf@castelfalfi.it | www.castelfalfi.com Castelfalfi, 50050 Montaione (FI), Italy
IAGTO North America Convention delegates enjoying the golf tournament
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Northern Ireland is Made for Golf Home of World Class Players, World Class Courses and World Class Events. Northern Ireland is home of the No. 1 course in the world, numerous hidden gems and stunning parkland courses. Host of The 148th Open at Royal Portrush in 2019.
For more information visit:
Royal Portrush Golf Club, Causeway Coastal Route