IAGTO Directory 2020

Page 1

IAGTO Directory

2020

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



January 2020

Dear Colleagues, Since the turn of the Millennium, companies have been preparing and presenting '2020 Forecasts' looking to the future. Now that 2020 has actually arrived, IAGTO members around the globe will no doubt be reflecting on achievements and planning for the next decade! At the end of last year we chalked up our 1000th golf course member out of a total of 2700 IAGTO member companies in 101 countries. To support our golf club and golf resort members we launched our Quality Assured Certification and Golf Tourism Accreditation programs which you can read about in the Review section on page 7. We will begin this decade with our largest ever Golf Tourism Survey 2020 in which we will analyse data supplied by more than 1000 member golf tour operators and golf tourism suppliers and we look forward to sharing the results with you later in the year. IAGTO's goal is to develop and deliver an even greater range of services to each and every one of our members throughout the world, while ensuring that we gain and maintain a personal understanding of their business and priorities. We wish to play an important role in helping you achieve your business objectives and we look forward to the journey of getting there with you. Have a wonderful year!

Peter Walton - Chief Executive

Editor: Peter Ellegard

Designer: Chris Brown

Sales: David Ford

Print Manager: Giles Aston - Dexterity Cover Photo: Mission Hills Resor t Haikou • www.missionhillschina.com • page 42 IAGTO, 3 Theobald Cour t, Theobald Street, Borehamwood, WD6 4RN, 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

E U R O PE

IC LATIN AMER

A

AFRICA , GULF STATES

NORTH AMER

ICA & CARIBB

EAN

& INDIAN OCEAN

ASIA P ACIFIC

5


Advertising Index

61

Auburn-Opelika Tourism

2

Chervo Golf Hotel Spa & Resort San Vigilio El Tigre Golf & Country Club at the Paradise Village Resort

68

Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech

25

Galvin Green

76

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

17

Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau

55

Hainan International Golf Alliance

78

Hipotels Hotels & Resorts

74

Las Terrazas de Abama

75

Minnesota’s Great Northern Golf Trail

45

Minthis Golf Club

70

Mission Inn Resort & Club

67

Pacific Links Golf Limited

81

Reed Travel Exhibitions - IGTM

21

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort

77

Terre Blanche

41

Terre dei Consoli Golf Club & Resort

71

The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa

69

The Resort at Pelican Hill

82

Theodora Golf Club

73

Thirteenth Beach Golf Links

72

Tourism New Zealand

4

2021 IAGTO Directory Advertising Rates Please contact David Ford if you would like to feature your company within the 2021 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 €1200 Front Cover €2700

Back Cover €2200

Inside Front or Back Cover €1600

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 surpasses 1000 Golf Course members Twenty-two years on since its foundation in 1997, IAGTO celebrated the achievement of reaching 1,000 golf club and golf resort facilities. The 1,000th golf club member was Dumbarnie Links in Scotland which joined IAGTO on 14 October 2019. This wonderful new links course, on the north shore of the Firth of Forth nine miles from St Andrews, officially opens in May 2020. To mark this landmark occasion, we launched two new programmes to support our member golf courses worldwide: IAGTO Quality Assured Certification for golf courses and IAGTO Golf Tourism Accreditation for golf course managers. Our Quality Assured Certification project centres on the quality and positioning of the golf course, while our Golf Tourism Accreditation programme recognises those individuals who have been instrumental in making sure that their golf courses deliver the best possible experience to golf visitors.

Peter Ellegard

IAGTO Chief Executive, Peter Walton, noted at the time: “For us the focus of our every day is to develop and deliver new services that help our members do more business with IAGTO's Danny Seal less hassle. This encompasses everything from producing with IAGTO Quality Assured plaque tools for product quality improvement, to providing valuable market information that facilitates better decisions. From a golf course membership perspective we have already achieved what we call ‘critical mass’ in some 25 countries, where 80% or more of export-ready (tourism friendly) courses are IAGTO members, and our goal is to achieve this across every golf destination worldwide.”

Dumbarnie Links

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IAGTO Review

Quality Assured Certification Over the past decade, IAGTO has carried out golf tourism audits of more than 200 golf courses and now all IAGTO member courses can apply for Quality Assured Certification which has four distinct stages: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Registration for QA certification Self-Completion of the online Golf Tourism Audit Golf Tourism Audit verification conducted by IAGTO (incorporating a site inspection if required) Certification is then awarded or a Roadmap to Certification is provided Once certified, the golf course receives a Plaque for display at Reception, a Certificate and the QA Logo which can be added to all communications and promotions. Certified courses are then reassessed once a year. For any course that does not initially receive Certified status, we provide a Roadmap which sets out exactly what steps need to be taken to achieve certification.

Abama Golf Club

The costs for becoming “QA Certified” have been kept to a minimum: • • • •

Quality Assured Registration Quality Assured Certification Site Inspection Annual Re-Certification

EUR 105 EUR 290 EUR 900-1100 (dependent on travel expenses) EUR 250

Some of the first golf courses to receive IAGTO QA Certification in 2019 included: Abama Golf, Spain Club de Golf Vallromanes, Spain Porstewart Golf Club, NI Turning Stone Resort, USA Ardglass Golf Club, NI Roe Park Resort, NI Ryosen Golf Club, Japan Belvoir Park Golf Club, NI Royal Portrush Golf Club, NI Carne Golf Links, Ireland Castlerock Golf Club, NI The Royal Belfast Golf Club, NI Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus Galgorm Castle Golf Club, NI Cornelia Golf Club, Turkey Malone Golf Club, NI (NI = Northern Ireland)

8

Presentation of QA Plaques by Tourism Northern Ireland to 10 golf courses in December 2019


IAGTO Review

Turning Stone Resort

Golf Tourism Accreditation Part of the revenue from the Quality Assurance project will be used to fund our Golf Tourism Accreditation program for Golf Course Managers. This will be the first qualification designed to recognise the professional experience of individuals working within the golf tourism industry. It is our intention that IAGTO Golf Tourism Accreditation becomes the recognised industry standard for individual excellence. Accreditation is available to the managers of courses that have received Quality Assured Certification, who can demonstrate the following: 1. That they have a proven track record of working successfully with golf tour operators or DMCs; 2. That they demonstrate a good grasp of visitor segmentation, understanding where their business is coming from, including visitor demographics; 3. That they have managed their golf course in a way that delivers the best possible golf experience to first-time golf visitors. Distinctions will be provided for managers who have implemented specific programs to improve the experience for visiting golf travellers. This is a large undertaking for us and we aim to expand our QA and individual Accreditation programs to other sectors of the golf tourism industry over the next few years. IAGTO Membership as of Jan 2020

9


IAGTO Review

2019 Asia Golf Tourism Convention

Peter Ellegard

10

Peter Ellegard

Peter Ellegard

The 8th annual AGTC took place in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in March 2019 and was attended by 420 IAGTO member delegates from 45 countries. To stage this event just a few kilometres from the number one-ranked UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat was remarkable. We were able to create six days of unique experiences for all delegates, buyers and sellers alike, including tours of ancient temples as well as three days of golf alongside the business sessions. Most importantly, we were able to shine a light on the relatively undiscovered golf destination of Siem Reap with its three 18-hole courses, all located within a 20-30 minute drive of the centre of town.


IAGTO Review

Rihard Castka

Thank you to our hosts and our international sponsors:

11


IAGTO Review

2019 North America Golf Tourism Convention

Peter Ellegard

Peter Ellegard

Peter Ellegard

The 11th annual NAC, attended by 400 delegates from 38 countries, was hosted by Horseshoe Bay Resort in the Texas Lake and Hill Country. Horseshoe Bay pulled out all the stops to stage an incredible event, including a Shootout on the exclusive Jack Nicklaus-designed Summit Rock golf course between PGA pro stars Rich Beem, John Senden, Brendan de Jonge and Grayson Murray, with the Beem/Murray pairing taking the honours. Texas was clearly a great choice as NAC attracted record numbers of buyers and suppliers.

12


IAGTO Review

Thank you to our hosts and our international sponsors:

13


IAGTO Review

2019 IAGTO Tenerife Trophy The 5th annual IAGTO Spain Trophy took place in Tenerife last May, where 90 golf tour operators from 29 countries were able to experience the island's golf and culture. Tenerife is a superb destination for golfers throughout the year with its inviting climate and there is rich diversity among the nine golf courses across the island and the accommodation options are second to none.

14


IAGTO Review

Abama Golf

Buenavista Golf

15


IAGTO Review

Royal Portrush Golf Club

2019 Northern Ireland Convention The first Northern Ireland Golf Tourism Convention took place in April 2019 and incorporated 5 days of links and parkland golf for 26 IAGTO golf tour operators from Canada, USA, Sweden, Germany and the UK. The operators also had a workshop with 39 suppliers from around the country and enjoyed the privilege of playing Royal Portrush Golf Club just 2 months before it played host to the 148th Open Championship. Insights were provided by golf course architect Martin Ebert (MacKenzie & Ebert Golf Course Design) and R&A Championships Executive Director, Johnnie Cole-Hamilton.

Royal County Down Golf Club

16


LAKE GENEVA, WISCONSIN

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IAGTO Review

2020 Asia Golf Tourism Convention IAGTO's 9th annual Asia Golf Tourism Convention will return to Malaysia from 30 March to 2 April 2020 for the first time since the inaugural AGTC back in 2012. AGTC 2020 Malaysia will take place at the fantastic Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa in Selangor located just 35 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and 25 minutes from Kuala Lumpur city centre. Thanks to principal sponsor Tourism Malaysia and co-sponsors Tourism Selangor, Sunway Resort and Malaysia Airlines. For more event information please visit www.iagto.com/agtc

18


IAGTO Review

2020 North America Golf Tourism Convention Northern Nevada’s twin sporting destination of Reno Tahoe will host the 12th annual NAC from 7-10 June 2020. Over 400 delegates will be able to experience Reno - the ‘Biggest Little City in the World,’ the City of Sparks, and the sports playground of Lake Tahoe. There are more than 50 golf courses throughout the destination and, with 300 days of sunshine, it is the perfect year-round golfing destination. For more event information please visit www.iagto.com/nac

19


IAGTO Review

2020 International Golf Travel Market Wales will play host to IGTM from 19-22 October 2020, the first time that IGTM will be taking place in the UK. Some 1300 delegates from around the world will flock to the Celtic Manor Resort and the brand new International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales) in partnership with The Vale Resort, Marriott St Pierre and Royal Porthcawl. Fittingly, IGTM 2020 will coincide with the 10-year anniversary of the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor – one of Wales’ most memorable golfing moments.

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IAGTO Review

IAGTO would like to take this opportunity to thank our 8 key partners who supported all IAGTO activities and events at IGTM 2019.

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, proud of its sustainability credentials. It features a Top 100 European 18-hole championship course designed by Cabell R Robinson and managed by Troon Golf, one of the best in Spain and a new Short Game Facility designed by European Tour winner Miguel Angel Jiménez. 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. All three of its golf courses are ranked among Golf Digest’s top 15 courses in the country: 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, ‘IAGTO European Golf Resort of the Year 2017’, is the prime, sustainable destination in the Mediterranean, located in the Greek region of Messinia. its first area, Navarino Dunes, currently features one 18-hole signature golf course, The Dunes Course, two 5-star resorts, the Navarino Residences, a state-of-the-art conference centre, a Spa & Thalassotherapy centre as well as a variety of gastronomy venues. Navarino Bay, the second area, is home to the signature golf course, The Bay Course, and its brand new earth-sheltered clubhouse. Navarino Hills has two 18-hole golf courses under construction whilst two further sites are underway.

Costa del Sol Tourist Board Costa del Sol, known worldwide as the Costa del Golf, has the highest concentration of golf courses anywhere in continental Europe. With over 70 courses in total, together with an excellent year-round climate, make for a unique golfing experience, as recognised by the international travel trade with the ‘IAGTO Golf Destination of the Year 2019 Award’. The Costa del Golf also offers excellent flight connections and accommodation possibilities, the finest restaurants and bodegas, vibrant nightlife and Andalusia’s historical cities.

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IAGTO Review

Dominican Republic Tourist Board Magnificent golf courses and year-round beautiful weather are the reason the country consistently ranks among the world’s best travel and golf destinations. The country boasts more than 26 world-class golf courses featuring spectacular layouts by some of golf’s most acclaimed course architects. Welcome to the Dominican Republic, a place where your dreams come true.

Accor Accor is far more than a worldwide leader, counting 39 brands, from luxury to economy and a staggering 4,900 hotels in 110 countries. Among this ecosystem of hotels, Accor has many properties around the world designed for Golf Lovers, among the following premium and luxury brands: Fairmont, Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, Sofitel SO, MGallery, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Raffles and Swissotel. The Accor Golf properties are the preferred choice for IAGTO operators.

Tourism New Zealand New Zealand was named 2018 Golf Destination of the Year for the Asia Pacific. Today, 38 leading golf courses are IAGTO members: the 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 and the Experience Courses, numbering 24, that have been selected for delivering something special and ‘uniquely New Zealand’ to the visiting golf traveller.

Tourism Northern Ireland While The 148th Open at Royal Portrush set an attendance record for a Championship staged outside St Andrews, the event also generated more than £100 million of economic benefit for Northern Ireland. From superb links courses to parkland hidden gems and world class resorts, there’s a wealth of stay and play options for a golf getaway in Northern Ireland.

To become an IAGTO Partner at IGTM 2020 contact David at dford@iagto.com

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IAGTO Awards

IAGTO Awards IAGTO Awards Celebrates 20 Years As the global trade association of the golf tourism industry we have taken great care and immense pride over the past 20 years to ensure that our annual Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement for golf destinations and golf resorts, reflecting the opinions of golf tour operators, golf travel writers and, ultimately, the golf traveller. We marked the 20th Anniversary of our Awards by introducing our new Golf Course Experience and Hotel Experience categories which enabled us to honour a golf course and hotel in 25 countries for the wonderful service that they provide to golf visitors. For seven years now we have also been pro-actively supporting sustainable golf through our relationship with the GEO Foundation. These Awards act as a catalyst for best practice as well as showcasing existing excellence.

We are indebted to the Morocco National Tourist Office for providing such a magnificent venue for the 20th IAGTO Awards at the Bivouac du DĂŠsert in Marrakech on the closing night of the International Golf Travel Market on 17th October 2019.

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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

The Algarve, Portugal

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

26


IAGTO Awards

2020

Worldwide

Undiscovered

The Algarve, Portugal

Cambodia

Golf Resort of the Year 2004

2005

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

Ireland

Mauritius

Georgia, USA

2006

The Westin Turnberry Resort

Pebble Beach

Mission Hills Golf Club

2007

Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort

The PGA National Resort & Spa

Sandy Lane

Carton House

Ginn Reunion Resort

Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa

Scotland

Portugal

2008

Ireland

California, USA

China

Barbados

Florida, USA

Florida, USA

South Africa

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 Wales

La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA West California, USA

PUNTACANA Resort & Club

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

2017

Costa Navarino

Barefoot Resort & Golf

Laguna Golf Lăng Cô

Florida, USA

Jamaica

Algarve, Portugal Ireland

Scotland France

Bulgaria Spain

Portugal Greece

South Carolina, USA

Florida, USA Florida, USA

The Grenadines

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

2020

Cyprus

Scotland

Canada

Fancourt

China

Europe, Middle East & Africa

The Americas

Asia Pacific

Adare Manor

Moon Palace Cancun

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort

Ireland

Mexico

Cambodia

27


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

Minthis Golf Club

Jumeirah

Aphrodite Hills Golf PGA National Cyprus

New Zealand

Oman

Portugal

Italy

2020

PGA Catalunya Spain

Cyprus

UAE

Cyprus

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

28


IAGTO Awards

Golf Tourism Supplier of the Year 2012

Portugal Algarve Golf Services Lda

2013

Onyria Resorts, Portugal

2014

Dubai Golf, UAE 2020 Golf Experience Awards Colf Courses

Bulgaria Caribbean

Hotels

Thracian Cliffs

Lighthouse Golf & Spa Hotel

Punta Espada Golf Club

Casa de Campo Resort and Villas

Cyprus

PGA National Cyprus Golf Course

Almyra

France

Albatross Course - Le Golf National

Hôtel Ermitage - Evian Resort

Gulf States

Yas Links Abu Dhabi

The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa

Indian Ocean

Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club

Anahita Golf & Spa Resort

Indonesia

Bali National Golf Club

Bintan Lagoon Resort

Ireland

Old Head Golf Links

Adare Manor

Italy

Golf Club Bogogno

Verdura Resort

Japan Malaysia Mexico Morocco New Zealand Northern Ireland

The North Country Golf Club

Kawana Hotel

The Els Club Teluk Datai

The Magellan Sutera Resort

El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Course

Moon Palace Cancun

Assoufid Golf Club

Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech

Jack's Point Golf Course

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs

Ardglass Golf Club

The Bushmills Inn

Portugal

Monte Rei Golf & Country Club

The Oitavos

Scotland

Kingsbarns Golf Links

The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa

Slovenia

King’s Course - Royal Bled Golf

Grand Hotel Union

South Africa

Pinnacle Point

Kwena Lodge - Gondwana Game Reserve

Spain

Finca Cortesin

Hotel Camiral at PGA Catalunya

Black Mountain Golf Club

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit

Golf Citrus Hammamet

La Cigale Tabarka Hôtel Thalasso & Spa - Golf

Thailand Tunisia Turkey USA Vietnam

Carya Golf Club

Maxx Royal Belek Golf & Spa

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Trump National Doral

Ba Na Hills Golf Club

Anantara Hoi An Resort

For photos & press releases from the IAGTO Awards as well as lists of all previous winners please visit:

iagto.com/awards 29


Morocco

Morocco Golf in Morocco: more sun, more golf, more emotions Golf has been played in Morocco for more than 100 years. Its first fairways appeared in 1914 with the opening of the Diplomatic Country Club, now Royal Golf Tangier, in the northern port city of Tangier – long before golf courses arrived across the Straits of Gibraltar along southern Europe’s Mediterranean coastline. Designed by British architects Cotton & Pennink, it was followed over the next two decade s by Royal Golf Marrakech and Royal Golf Mohammedia, on the Atlantic coast between Casablanca and capital Rabat. Peter Ellegard

Morocco’s visionary late ruler, King Hassan II, was a keen golfer who saw the potential Red course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam of the sport for the country. He instigated an ambitious golf course expansion programme in the 1970s that saw the construction of numerous courses including Morocco’s largest golf development, the 45-hole Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat. It is the host venue for the prestigious Hassan II Golf Trophy tournament, held annually since 1971 and a fixture on the European Tour calendar since 2010.

Royal Golf Tangier is Morocco's oldest golf club 30


Morocco

Atlas Mountain views from Michlifen's 9th and 18th double green

The country’s golf offerings continue to grow. There are now almost 40 courses, a figure set to reach 45 during 2020 with even more in the planning stages beyond that. New golf facilities are largely concentrated on the coast as part of a plan that also includes large-scale coastal tourist resorts around Tetouan, Nador and Saidia on the Mediterranean and Larache on the Atlantic as Morocco looks to target the American and Asian markets besides Europe. However, there are also more planned projects in the Atlas Mountains region to add to the recently-opened Michlifen Resort & Golf in Ifrane. Marrakech has seen the greatest increase in the number of golf courses and now boasts more than a dozen. Underlining Morocco’s golf tourism ambitions, the city hosted the International Golf Travel Market in October 2019. Golf is part of a diverse tourism offering in Morocco, its wide range of hotels spanning traditional riads to resorts offering activities from wellbeing to nature, adventure, water sports and more. New four- and five-star hotels are being built in resorts being created along its coastline. Morocco also offers excellent air connections with key tourist markets including direct connections from the USA, making it an ideal golf break destination. Located less than three hours’ flight away from major European capitals, Morocco offers sunshine and year-round golf on courses designed by famous international architects. Throughout Morocco, golfers can experience the game in Atlantic beach resorts, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, alongside the Mediterranean or in cities famous for their history, culture and gastronomy, providing different ways to enjoy golf in a variety of settings. Among other advantages are highly competitive green fees and low caddies’ fees. Morocco’s golf courses are concentrated in seven clusters - they are... 31


Morocco

Snow-capped Atlas Mountains behind Amelkis Golf Club

Marrakech-Essaouira – Imperial Marrakech Diversity, a huge choice of golf, top-drawer accommodation and warm hospitality characterise this world-class twin centre. Voted Golf Destination of the Year for Africa, the Indian Ocean and Gulf States in the 2015 IAGTO Awards, one-time capital Marrakech is Morocco’s pre-eminent city of golf and is now firmly established as a winter golf break destination. It has 13 facilities offering at least 18 holes in addition to the nine-hole Atlas Golf Marrakech course. The courses are spread around the Red City, some just a few minutes from the airport and all within half an hour of the city centre. Wherever golfers play, the nearby Atlas Mountains provide a stirring backdrop to the lush fairways and greens, their peaks capped by snow during winter months. The oldest golf course in Marrakech is Royal Golf Marrakech, the first four holes of which were inaugurated by the Pacha of Marrakech in 1927. In its early days it was graced by dignitaries including British politicians Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George and, later, by American president Dwight D Eisenhower. A nine-hole course augments the original, modernised 18 holes while facilities have been enhanced with the opening of a grand, new clubhouse. The early 1990s saw the addition of the PalmGolf Marrakech Palmeraie course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr, and the Amelkis Golf Club course, by Cabell B Robinson. Both now offer 27 holes. Simon Saliot

Since then, Marrakech has seen a golf course building boom featuring several by leading golf architects or their design companies. They include the Montgomerie Marrakech and the Tony Jacklin Marrakech, Royal Golf Marrakech respectively designed by Europe’s Ryder Cup winning captains Colin Montgomerie and Tony Jacklin, the Kyle Phillips-designed Al Maaden Golf Resort, and Samanah Golf Club, a Nicklaus Design layout. Among other courses opened in recent years are Assoufid Golf Club, Noria Golf Club, PalmGolf Marrakech Ourika and the Royal Palm Marrakech, now managed along with the adjacent hotel by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. 32


Morocco

Cosmopolitan Marrakech has a wealth of other options for visitors, from exploring the ancient medina’s bustling souks and colourful Jemaa El Fna square to visiting historic monuments such as the ornate Bahia Palace, museums and attractions including the exotic Marjorelle Gardens, or shopping in modern malls, as well as enjoying traditional Moroccan cuisine in its many restaurants and lively nightlife in bars and clubs. The High Atlas Mountains make for a fascinating, adventurous day trip from the city and there is even skiing at Oukaimeden mountain resort. Just two and a half hours away by road is the city of Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. Visitors can choose from relaxing on its wide beaches to taking in its medina, souks, historic city walls and fortified harbour, and soaking up its Gnaoua culture and music, highlighted by the annual Gnaoua Festival. Essaouira also has top-notch golf, in the form of two courses by South African golf legend Gary Player amidst trees and coastal sand dunes at the 27-hole Golf de Mogador resort.

Golf de Mogador

Future golf developments include more courses in Marrakech, an 18-hole course at Oukameiden that would be the highest in Africa, and the reopening of the golf course at desert city Ouarzazate.

Agadir-Taghazout – Agadir resort With 300 days of sunshine annually and cooling Atlantic breezes giving average temperatures between 20°C and 26°C, golf can be played year-round in the popular seaside holiday resort of Agadir and neighbouring coastal village Taghazout. Set between the Atlas Mountains and the ocean on the edge of the Sahara Desert, Agadir sits on a bay edged by 10km of sandy beaches. It is Morocco’s second-largest golf destination after Marrakech and features five golf facilities with fairways lined by fragrant eucalyptus trees, brooms and mimosas.

Golf du Soleil

Agadir’s golf courses lie close to its beaches and hotels, many of them offering wellness facilities, all-inclusive stays and extensive entertainment and activities for adults and families. Golf des Dunes comprises three nine-hole layouts designed by Cabell B Robinson in 1991. Owned by Club Med, free transfer shuttles operate from its beachside resort hotel to the course. Golf du Soleil offers two 18-hole courses alongside the Tikida Golf Palace hotel, with residents enjoying discounted green fees. Golf de l’Ocean is another combination of three nine-hole layouts and hosted the Hassan II Golf Trophy, and the simultaneous Ladies European Tour’s Lalla Meryem Cup, for four years from 2011. Also in Agadir are the nine-hole Royal Golf Agadir course and the private Golf du Palais Royal, host venue for the Hassan II Golf Trophy and Lalla Meryem Cup tournaments before they returned to Rabat in 2016.

Golf de l’Ocean 33


Morocco

The village of Taghazout, 19km north of Agadir, has developed into a laid-back holiday destination that is particularly popular with surfers and windsurfers for the Atlantic breakers that roll into the bay, created by constant trade winds.

Tazegzout Golf Club

The Kyle Phillips-designed Tazegzout Golf Club course lies in the heart of Taghazout Bay Resort and commands panoramic views of the ocean from its clifftop holes and clubhouse terrace. Early 2020 sees the opening of the Hyatt Regency Taghazout next to the course, adding to the exiting Hyatt Place hotel. A second golf course is planned.

Besides golf, visitors can learn about Morocco’s Amazigh culture at the Museum of Amazigh Culture, shop for local crafts and products in souks and medinas or simply relax on the beach. The Agadir area is also home to groves of argan trees, the oil from which is used in many health and beauty products globally. Visitors can visit cooperatives to see how they are created and buy some to take home.

Rabat – Royal Rabat The imperial city of Rabat is Morocco’s capital. Just 15 minutes from its historic centre lies the country’s foremost and largest golf facility, Royal Golf Dar Es Salaam. It offers 45 holes, all designed by famed golf architect Robert Trent Jones Sr and laid out through mature trees and around lakes. The Red course is home to the prestigious Hassan II Golf Trophy and Lalla Meryem Cup tournaments and has been totally renovated in the last four years. A unique feature is the Roman columns, brought in from the ruins of the ancient city of Volubilis close to Fez, that now grace the fairway on the 11th hole. The other 18-hole course, the Blue, is less challenging but still highly regarded, while Royal Golf Dar Es Salam also has a ninehole, par-3 practice course and a new training centre, with extensive outdoor and indoor facilities. The luxury Ritz-Carlton Rabat hotel opens alongside the Red course in mid-2020.

Montgomerie Rabat

A 40-minute drive up the coast from Rabat is one of Morocco’s newest courses, the Montgomerie Rabat, designed by Colin Montgomerie and built by European Golf Design. It opened in 2018 and forms part of the Plage des Nations resort development.

Rabat is a real feast for the senses. Among historical monuments are the Hassan Tower, the Oudaya Kasbah, the wall that surrounds the old city and its five monumental stone gateways, and the Chellah necropolis. Cultural offerings include museums, events such as its annual Jidar Street Art Festival and nine-day Mawazine international music festival, and its old medina.

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The Red course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam


Morocco

Mazagan Beach Resort

Casablanca-El-Jadida-Bouznika – Casablanca coast This coastal cluster has the second-highest number of golf courses in Morocco after MarrakechEssaouira, with more than half a dozen 18-hole layouts and three nine-hole courses. Casablanca itself is mainly a business destination although it does possess tourist attractions, cultural heritage and vibrant nightlife. Several courses in and near the city have opened in recent years, some close to the Bouskoura Forest. Among new 18-hole golf courses are the Tony Jacklin Casablanca, which is part of the new Bouskoura Golf City Resort, the California Golf Resort’s PalmGolf Casablanca, and Casa Green Golf Club. The nine-hole Royal Golf Anfa serves up views of the city’s Hassan II mosque from the clubhouse roof terrace. Golf de Bouznika Bay

The area also encompasses one of Morocco’s original golf courses, the 90-year-old Royal Golf Mohammedia, as well as the 18-hole Bahia Golf Beach course in Bouznika and nine-hole courses including Golf de Bouznika Bay, set by a beach and floodlit for night play.

The old port city of El Jadida, an hour south of Casablanca and formerly called Mazagan, is the main draw for visiting golfers, however. Close to the city, with its beautiful beaches and Portuguese fortifications, is luxury family hotel Mazagan Beach Resort. Besides featuring Morocco’s largest casino and a huge spa, it has an adjacent 18-hole golf course designed by multiple Major champion Gary Player, several holes of which play alongside the sandy beach. Nearby, Royal Golf El Jadida is a design by Cabell B Robinson that opened in 1993 and plays through trees before finishing with holes giving spectacular coast and Atlantic views.

Fez-Meknes-Ifrane – Imperial heartland Historic former Moroccan capitals Fez and Meknes are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and key tourist destinations. While they also offer golf, it is the opening of Michlifen Resort & Golf in the Middle Atlas Mountains in 2018 that has raised the profile of this cluster with international golfers. Set 1,650 metres up in the Middle Atlas Mountains in the town of Ifrane, known as “Little Switzerland” for its alpinestyle architecture, Michlifen combines a five-star chalet suite hotel and spa with Africa’s first Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course a short transfer away. The 9th and 18th holes provide stunning views over the mountain scenery, culminating in a double green below the clubhouse terrace.

Michlifen Resort & Golf

Michlifen’s name means snowflake, as Ifrane is sometimes carpeted with snow in winter. However, the course is open year-round and its mountain setting means temperate playing conditions in summer and a peak period between spring and autumn. 35


Morocco

Oued Fez Golf

Fez has two 18-hole golf courses. Royal Golf Fez was laid out in 1994 in the middle of an olive grove close to Fez Airport, the Cabell B Robinson creation featuring fairways that wind between lakes and large bunkers. Oued Fez Golf is a parkland course located in the heart of the city and has just opened a new clubhouse. Royal Golf Meknes enjoys Morocco’s most unusual setting for a golf course. Its nine holes lie in the lush gardens of the royal palace, surrounded by old walls surmounted by stork nests. Away from the fairways, golfing visitors can enjoy the area’s history, unspoilt nature from mountains to forests, gastronomy, music and cultural heritage – exemplified by the ancient medinas of Fez and Meknes.

Tangier-Tetouan – Tangier peninsula Just a 45-minute ferry journey from southern Spain, Tangier was the birthplace of golf in Morocco while the country’s northern peninsula is also seeing some of its newest golf developments. Royal Golf Tangier celebrated its centenary in 2014 and has kept the British feel and spirit imbued in it by its designers even after renovations and modernisation. From the 5th green, the highest point on the course, golfers enjoy a view of the rooftops of the White City. The new Hilton Tangier Al Houara Resort & Spa, 15 minutes from Tangier’s Ibn Battouta International Airport, features a soon-to-open golf course collaboration with an eco-perspective between golfersturned-designers Graham Marsh and Vijay Singh. Close to the Atlantic harbour town of Larache, Lixus Beach Resort has an 18-hole golf course located right on the coast alongside a wellbeing-focused hotel 45 minutes south of Tangier. A second course is planned at the resort. On the Mediterranean side of the peninsula near Tetouan, Cabo Negro Royal Golf Club lies below the Rif Mountains. It was designed by Hawtree & Sons in 1976 and later modified by Cabell B Robinson. Cabo Negro Royal Golf Club

Also close to Tetouan is the planned Tamuda Bay project featuring an 18-hole course by Nicklaus Design.

The Tangier peninsula offers visitors plenty of activities and attractions, allowing golf stays to be combined with seaside experiences, culture and nightlife. Tangier is establishing itself as a popular city-break destination with its easy sea and air connections, while the new Al Boraq high-speed train has been operating to Rabat and Casablanca since November 2018. 36


Morocco

Saidia-Marchica – Mediterranean coast Morocco’s Mediterranean coast is largely undiscovered by international golfing visitors at the moment – but that is set to change with new golf resort developments. In the country’s far north-east, the resort of Saidia lies on one of its most beautiful beaches and has several large hotels and a marina. There are also two golf courses at Golf de Saidia, which is part of the Madaef Group that also includes Noria Golf Club in Marrakech, Tazegzout Golf Club near Agadir, Royal Golf Fez and Oued Fez Golf in Fez, Royal Golf El Jadida and Casablanca’s Casa Green Golf Club. The original Les Lacs course is an American-style layout that opened in 2009. It has now been joined by the Teelal course, which opened in 2018 and runs alongside the beach. A third course is also planned at the resort. Teelal course at Golf de Saidia

Atalayoun Golf Resort, a leisure development on the shores of a natural lagoon national park in Marchica Bay near coastal city Nador, features three hotels and the Marchica Golf Academy, run by international golf management group IMG. For more information, go to www.visitmorocco.com and www.frmg.ma Adapted from information supplied by the Moroccan National Tourist Office

Les Lacs course at Golf de Saidia 37


Hainan Island, China

Hainan Island, China Sunny Hainan, golfing haven Hainan International Golf Alliance Bolstering Hainan as an International Golfing Destination The Hainan International Golf Alliance was established in Haikou in May 2019, with the aim of stepping up overseas promotion and raising the profile of Hainan golf tourism across the globe, while contributing to the development of the province as an international tourism consumption centre.

Jointly launched by Haikou Mission Hills Golf Club, the BFA Golf Club, the Dunes and Luhuitou Golf Club, the Alliance will continuously seek to expand its network to include counterparts in the region, formulate improved competition systems and build on the reputation and influence of Hainan golf tourism through tournaments, forums, exhibitions and awards. Hainan International Golf Tourism Forum & Invitational 2019, Mission Hills Haikou The Alliance held its first major event on 19 September, launching the Hainan International Golf Tourism Forum & Invitational 2019 at Mission Hills Haikou. More than 200 industry delegates from Japan, South Korea, the Hong Kong and Taiwan regions, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia and other countries gathered to jointly discuss the future development of Hainan’s golf industry. At the Forum, it was also announced that Hainan will host the inaugural World Golf Expo in 2020 as well as the 2021 Asia Golf Tourism Convention, both of which will be held at Mission Hills Haikou, adding to an exciting year-round calendar of tournaments and events. Participants also deepened their understanding of the popularity of golf tourism in Hainan Island – China’s tropical golfing haven – with the Forum and Invitational providing a friendly exchange platform among countries and regions across Asia-Pacific, strengthening the international influence of Hainan’s golf industry in overseas markets. 38


Hainan Island, China

Mission Hills Haikou World’s largest volcanic golf course complex – an ideal destination for golf enthusiasts Set foot upon a boundless stretch of rugged, black rocks, setting your sight upon a golf course complex filled with verdant ancient lychee groves, a vast expanse of bare rocks and low ancient-stone walls. When you are immersed in such an environment, it feels like you’re setting foot on the moon to experience the relaxing sensation of "zero gravity". The Mission Hills Resort in Haikou is a world-class golf, leisure and wellness facility set on a vast plain of centuriesold volcanic landscape on exotic Hainan Island, integrating sports, tournaments, spa and wellness, culture, entertainment, dining, business, commerce, training and accommodation. Among the many tournaments and world-class events that have taken place here are the Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am, Omega Mission Hills World Cup, World Ladies Championship and The Match at Mission Hills – featuring Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Golf Resort Mission Hills Hotel Haikou has a total of 539 guestrooms and suites characterised by spaciousness and comfort. All guestrooms and suites are imbued with an elegant design style and are also equipped with balconies commanding a panoramic view of the resort’s world-class volcanic golf courses. Movie Town The Mission Hills • H Brothers • Feng Xiaogang Movie Town is named after the renowned Chinese director. As the world's first large-scale movie-themed tourist spot that integrates tourism with TV and film production, it allows visitors to fully immerse in movie magic, travelling through time and space. MH Centreville MH Centreville Haikou is committed to providing customers with brand-new and entertainment-focused retail experiences. It brings together the HNDF & MH International Shopping Centre, the Barça Experience Haikou, the NBA Exhibit interactive experience and a myriad of dining, retail and entertainment experiences. 39


Hainan Island, China

Hainan Island golf courses The Dunes The Dunes, a 36-hole golf complex with an additional five practice holes, has been thoughtfully designed by internationally-renowned golfer and architect Tom Weiskopf to make the most of the distinctive geography and dramatic beauty of this unique location – from rugged coastal dunes to strong, craggy boulders. The unique native bunker style has also been designed to blend in with natural surroundings and made to look like it has been there for centuries. The BFA Golf Club The BFA Golf Club (Boao Forum for Asia Golf Club) was built by Cosco Shipping Boao Co. Ltd and covers an area of 111 hectares with huge man-made lakes measuring more than 7.5 hectares. Designed by famous Australian architect Graham Marsh, the golf course has 18 holes and a par of 72, with a total length of 7,129 yards. The design merges the unique terrain of the land, its surroundings and streams, waterfalls and garden landscape into a symphonic harmony to form a unique and exotic golf course. Yalong Bay Golf Club Yalong Bay Golf Club is located in the southernmost part of China and enjoys about 300 sunny days per year. The 7,189-yard golf course is an 18-hole masterpiece, nine holes of which have floodlights, and covers an area of 12 hectares. It is dotted with 99 challenging bunkers and is laced by a winding river. The course, shaped like a dragon’s claw and with each fairway having five tee boxes and featuring large stretches of grass, is hemmed in by adjacent green hills and beautiful Yalong Bay, all combining to form a beautiful landscape. For more information, visit www.hainaninternationalgolfalliance.com Copy supplied by Hainan International Golf Alliance

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« Come as a guest, leave as a storyteller »

115 Luxury Suites & Villas | Two 18-hole championship golf courses European Tour Performance Institute | Terre Blanche Spa | Kids’ Club

TERRE BLANCHE HOTEL GOLF RESORT ***** 3100 Route de Bagnols-en-Forêt 83440 Tourrettes | Provence Côte d’Azur | France

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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 recognized by the Guinness World Records™.

The world’s largest golf club 22 golf courses spanning 42 square kilometres

Norman Course, Mission Hills Shenzhen

10 acclaime d tour name nt 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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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 Terra Art Ecological Park. MH Mall in Shenzhen features 516,000 square metres of international retail brands, the trendiest restaurants, cafes and bars, a state-of-the-art IMAX cinema, one of Shenzhen’s largest ice skating rinks, a bowling alley by one of the world’s leading operators and an internationally-acclaimed Hard Rock Hotel. 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 world-class restaurants, a fullyequipped sports and recreation centre, a world-class golf academy, a Chinese middle school, 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, as well as the Mission Hills Centreville. Spanning one million square metres, highlights of Centreville in Haikou include duty-free outlets, 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 www.missionhillschina.com 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

Follow Mission Hills on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Copy supplied by Mission Hills

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EXPLORE THE EXPANDING GREAT NORTHERN GOLF TRAIL Announcing Erin Hills, Deacon’s Lodge and SentryWorld

Get into the swing of 2020 with this dream itinerary along the Great Northern Golf Trail of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Tee off on more than 10 bucket list courses, including three new additions: Deacon’s Lodge, SentryWorld and Erin Hills. The Straits at Whistling Straits, set to host the 2020 Ryder Cup, is also included. To learn more about 2019 golf packages and pricing, visit GreatNorthernGolfTrail.com

GOLF TRAIL

Todd Lehrke tlehrke@bloomingtonmn.org 952-278-8518


Waterville Golf Links, Ireland

Waterville Golf Links, Ireland Unforgettable links golf experience & 18th century manor house

Jamie Gibson / 3DEagleview.com

Waterville Golf Links is one of the world’s most coveted links golf courses with a rich history that dates back to 1889. Set on the breathtaking South West Coast of Ireland in County Kerry, on the famed Ring of Kerry, Waterville Golf Links showcases the vision of noted international golf architect Tom Fazio, who was commissioned to update the memorable Eddie Hackett masterpiece. Fazio has assisted many of the world’s leading clubs, including Winged Foot, Pine Valley and Augusta National. Over 125 years old, Waterville Golf Links is currently positioned at No 2 in the Golf Channel’s Top Courses in Ireland and ranked No 3 in Ireland by the UK’s Golf World. In 2019, Waterville Golf Links completed an extensive clubhouse renovation including a new larger clubhouse with state-of-the-art locker facilities for men and women, a beautiful fully-stocked golf shop and a full-service restaurant, 1889 Bar & Restaurant, serving Irish classics as well as international favourites. The restaurant is designed to highlight the breathtaking, panoramic view of the links course and Ballinskelligs Bay. A cosy half way house was recently added for a quick bite or pint at the turn or after a round.

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Waterville Golf Links, Ireland

The magnificent 18th century Waterville House is an elegant period Irish manor house set on the Wild Atlantic Way on a stunning 40-acre estate overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Waterville House has 13 en-suite bedrooms, a sauna and steam room, health facility with massage room, billiard room and private golf practice facility. A Fazio-designed practice facility was added in recent years to the Waterville House Estate grounds as well as a state-of-the-art health facility. Guests of Waterville House enjoy preferential tee times and access to fishing in private lakes and rivers, including Lough Currane. Waterville House provides the most famous sea trout and salmon fishery in Ireland. All these projects have firmly positioned Waterville’s reputation as one of Ireland’s premier links golf destinations. Waterville Golf Links & Waterville House have received numerous awards including four from IGTOA, most notably Best Golf Course of the Year and Best Boutique Hotel. Since 1889, Waterville Golf Links has come to represent a world-class golfing experience shared with friends old and new, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Designer Tom Fazio says: “Everything at Waterville is spectacular. The setting is one of the best I have ever seen anywhere in golf.” For more information about Waterville Golf Links & Waterville House, visit: www.watervillegolflinks.ie Reservations, rates and information: tel +353 669 474102; email info@watervillegolflinks.ie Media contact: Elisa Gaudet elisa@execgolfintl.com / Facebook & Instagram: @watervillelinks

Jamie Gibson / 3DEagleview.com

Copy supplied by Waterville Golf Links

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Vidanta Golf, Mexico

Vidanta Golf, Mexico Legendary courses, visionary designers, tournaments & outings Nuevo Vallarta The Norman Signature Course 18 holes | par 73 | 7,326 yards | 88 bunkers | 15 lakes The Norman Signature Course boasts a beautiful and enjoyable layout, which can only be accessed by the Ameca Bridge. This course features wall-to-wall paspalum and challenging shots around the greens. The Nayar Course 18 holes | par 70 | 6,668 yards | 49 bunkers | 7 lakes Surrounded by lush jungle, the Sierra Madre Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean, The Nayar Course is a joy for every player. With seven lakes, 49 strategically-placed bunkers, and constant, strong crosswinds, this course always presents a satisfying challenge. The Lakes Course The newest addition to the golf offerings at Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta, this beautiful 10-hole, par-3 course showcases views of some of the resort’s most beloved landmarks while you play. It’s also the region’s only floodlit course, offering the last tee time at 8.30pm to enjoy until 10pm. Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf Golfers of all levels have the opportunity to sharpen their skills and refine their game at the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf. Combining the playing philosophy of one of the game’s greatest players with the latest training technologies and facilities, expert instructors provide personalised instruction, proven teaching methods, and feedback to improve your game. Through a variety of hands-on instruction and patented tools, the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf will shorten learning curves and enhance retention in an enjoyable atmosphere surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

The Norman Signature Course, Nuevo Vallarta 48


Vidanta Golf, Mexico

The Nicklaus Design Course at Puerto Peñasco

Riviera Maya The Nicklaus Design Course 18 holes | par 54 | 2,923 yards | 28 bunkers | 2 lakes The Nicklaus Design Course at Riviera Maya is a masterful blending of natural and historical influences. It was designed to take complete advantage of the incredible tropical landscape and boasts a layout that pays homage to the complexity of classic 1950s courses. The finished course is a triumph of natural and technical beauty, a unique challenge that provides invigorating play to golfers of all skill levels.

Los Cabos The Course at Vidanta Los Cabos 9 holes | par 35 | 3,153 yards | 32 bunkers | 1 lake With an energising mix of hole lengths and pars, the Course at Vidanta Los Cabos provides opportunities for varied styles of play. Golfers can enjoy long drives on sweeping fairways, tight putts on hazardous greens, and still make it back to the resort for lunch. When you’re finished, wind down at the clubhouse above the green and enjoy our signature cocktails in a high-end, laid-back setting.

Acapulco The Course at Vidanta Acapulco 18 holes | par 72 | 6,156 yards | 49 bunkers | 3 lakes Enjoy the Course at Vidanta Acapulco, one of the most spectacular courses on Mexico’s Pacific coast. It is a semi-flat course with soft undulations and paths and 49 sand traps that will challenge any golfer. The course is located in the exclusive tourist zone of Punta Diamante, meaning guests can play a round, enjoy select shopping and sightseeing, and enjoy this beautiful place to the fullest.

Puerto Peñasco The Nicklaus Design Course 18 holes | par 72 | 7,210 yards | 87 bunkers | 2 lakes | 10 ocean view holes The Nicklaus Design Course at Puerto Peñasco cuts an emerald channel between rolling sand dunes and brilliant desert flora. Bordered on one side by the Sea of Cortez and on the other by a vast tidal estuary, the course is a unique beauty and its challenging intensity equals the richness of its surroundings. Explore the course that has been called “one of the 20 best and most fascinating courses in the world”. For more information, call +1 866 231 4423 or email alacielaguilar@vidantagolf.com Copy supplied by Vidanta Golf 49


Alabama

Alabama Sweet Home Alabama – a golfing destination unlike any other Sweet Home Alabama is more than just a song or a movie, although they both certainly evoke the spirit of the beautiful state. It’s also a mantra for the hard-working, friendly folks that travellers encounter along the way. From the bagboys and beverage cart girls on the world-class golf courses to the servers and chefs in the award-winning restaurants, visitors are made to feel right at home, ensuring that time spent in Alabama is as sweet as the tea.

RTJ Golf Trail Ross Bridge

Sweet Home Alabama is a golfing destination unlike any other, as home to the original golf trail, modern and historic golf resorts, and over 32 miles of sugar-white beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. The incomparable Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and both the Arnold Palmer-designed courses at Craft Farms Golf Resort and Jerry Pate’s Kiva Dunes in Gulf Shores put Alabama on the radar of travelling golf groups more than two decades ago.

The ensuing years have upgraded the state’s position on all types of vacation bucket lists by spawning award-winning hotels, spas and luxurious resorts; exciting craft breweries with medal-quality beers; world-renowned bass fishing events and red snapper rodeos; and a thriving culinary scene, ranging from fresh Gulf seafood and a unique BBQ Trail to James Beard-recognised chefs and restaurants.

Craft Farms Golf Resort, Gulf Shores 50


Alabama

Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa, Birmingham

Just a few of the golf resorts that make Alabama so special are Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa in Birmingham, boasting an RTJ Golf Trail golf course, luxurious spa and delectable dining; the Marriott Grand National Resort & Spa located 90 minutes southwest of Atlanta in Auburn-Opelika, which has 54 holes of Robert Trent Jones golf on site; the century-and-a-half-old Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa on Mobile Bay, considered the “queen of Southern resorts;” and Kiva Dunes in Gulf Shores, Alabama’s only beachfront golf resort offering a Jerry Pate-designed course, clubhouse and fairway condominiums, as well as beach homes to rent.

Kiva Dunes Golf & Beach Resort, Gulf Shores The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa (below)

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, with its eight hotels/resorts and 26 courses at 11 sites around the state, and Coastal Alabama Golf, the booking entity for nine premier golf courses and lodging options ranging from golf resorts and hotels to beachfront condos and homes in the Gulf Shores-Orange Beach area, are eager to put together customised golf packages for your clients. Here’s a snapshot of some of the golfing locales in the state to allow you to create a custom golf vacation to Sweet Home Alabama... 51


Alabama

Huntsville Huntsville is a great place to start your Alabama golf journey, as the most northern location of the golf trail (RTJ Golf Trail at Hampton Cove). Situated in the Tennessee Valley, it’s often referred to as the “Rocket City” for its role in America’s space exploration programme and it offers an experience like no other destination. Home to the Earth’s largest space museum at the US Space & Rocket Centre, you’ll find high-tech cool mixed with Southern hospitality and captivating valley views.

US Space & Rocket Centre

A day of golfing can take a lot out of you, so downtime to kick back and relax is a must. After the rounds are over, check out Campus No. 805, a repurposed school building turned brewing and mixed-use entertainment complex, billed as the “coolest middle school in the country.” Throw an axe at not one, but two, axe-throwing centres in downtown Huntsville. You’ll have over 550 options when it comes to dining. Whether it’s the mouth-watering steak at Nick’s Ristorante or the bone marrow and bourbon special at Purveyor, your taste buds are sure to thank you for choosing Huntsville. Wrap up the night with a cocktail and cigar at local hotspots such as SiP or Vintage Cigar Lounge. Plus, there are two more trails to enjoy while in the Rocket City. Wet your whistle on either the Downtown Huntsville Craft Beer Trail with 10 stops or the Downtown Huntsville Craft Coffee Trail with 10 stops as well. Lodging options range from convenient hotels near golf to upscale accommodations downtown. You’ll discover more details at www.huntsville.org RJT Golf Trail at Hampton Cove

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Alabama

Auburn-Opelika Auburn-Opelika is the coolest college town in the South, according to them, and one of the top cities in America to live, according to CNN. Easy to get to and easy to love, it’s a perfect choice for a golf getaway. Grab your clubs and follow the world-renowned Robert Trent Jones Trail right over to Opelika to play the 54-hole Grand National. Here, you’ll find the site that Mr Jones himself proclaimed “the single greatest site for a course” he had ever seen. Golf Digest‘s Number One Golf City in the US, Auburn-Opelika also features 100 additional holes of the South’s most beautiful public golf, including the “Number One Public Course in America” and one of the “Top 10 Most Affordable Courses in the US”. The mild temperatures mean you can comfortably take in a few rounds any day of the year. Let the adventure continue after dark with an indulgent dining experience from one of the James Beard-nominated chefs and local craft brewers and distillers. With over 50 independent and chef-owned experiences to choose from, you’ll see why – if you haven’t yet heard the hype – you’ll totally get it. You’ll also find plenty of speciality retailers as well as a variety of activities and diversions. The community offers year-round outdoor experiences and a wide variety of nightlife vibes from campus, college student hangouts to art deco jazz lounges. Your overnight choices include the on-site Marriott Golf Resort & Spa at Grand National, the on-campus Auburn University Hotel and a wide variety of hotels and B&Bs. www.aotourism.com is your resource for more information.

RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National 53


Alabama

Birmingham Born out of the iron and steel industry, remnants of Birmingham’s early beginnings are preserved in places such as Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark and Vulcan Park & Museum. The city is also well known for its prominent role in America’s Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. A visit to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute gives visitors an in-depth look at that important era. Today, Birmingham wears a much different face. It’s a place that’s brimming with entertainment, the arts, nightlife, outdoor recreation and world-class cuisine. Should you have Birmingham pigeonholed as serving only barbecue and fried pies, remember that the city is home to “Oscars of dining” with James Beard Foundation Award winners and nominees.

Barber Vintage Motor Sports Museum

Alabama’s largest city is home to two RTJ Golf Trail sites (Ross Bridge and Oxmoor Valley) and the state’s most luxurious golf resort at Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa, plus the Barber Vintage Motor Sports Museum, four craft breweries and exciting nightlife options that only a city this size can offer. You can choose to stay on-site at Ross Bridge, at an historic downtown hotel, a boutique inn or any number of convenient branded hotels. The website, www.inbirmingham.com, provides more destination information.

Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa 54



Alabama

Mobile Once called the Paris of the South, Mobile has long been the cultural centre of the Gulf Coast and you'll find an authentic experience like nowhere else in the southern United States. As the birthplace of America's original Mardi Gras, a good time is easy to find in this port city. Attractions include the USS Alabama battleship, Bellingrath Gardens & Home, riverboat dinner cruises, the Dauphin Street entertainment district, restaurants with water views and a couple of craft breweries.

The Chefs Table view at Dauphin's Restaurant

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Mobile Mardi Gras

Not only is the RTJ Golf Trail’s 54-hole southern stop, Magnolia Grove, in Mobile, but there are several other challenging courses to keep you in town a bit longer. And choosing to stay longer will be easier when you stay at either the historic Renaissance Battle House Hotel & Spa or the Renaissance Riverview Plaza in downtown Mobile, or the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, all part of the RTJ Golf Trail collection of hotels and resorts. Visit www.mobile.org for more information.


Alabama

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Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, An Autograph Collection Hotel 57


Alabama

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to 32 miles of white sandy beaches that line the pristine, turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Along with the beach, this area offers a plethora of adventurous activities including a variety of fishing excursions, Jet Ski and boat rentals, parasailing, kayaking and biking, and much more. Then, after a full day of fun in the sun you can grab a hearty meal at one of the many locally-owned restaurants that specialise in everything from fresh Gulf seafood to sweet Alabama BBQ. Wash down your meal and end your day with a cold beer at Big Beach Brewing Company or an infamous bushwacker (aka adult milkshake) at the legendary Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar. And don’t forget about golf. Championship courses like Peninsula and Craft Farms Golf Resort give great options to play every day. At the end of the night, you’ll want a comfy place to lay your head and, fortunately, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have an outstanding selection of accommodation options from high-rise condos and colourful beach houses to nationally-branded hotels and resorts. If this all sounds like a hole in one to you, visit www.gulfshores.com to learn more about the area and order a vacation guide to start your planning right away. Gulf Coast fishing

GOLF THE GULF COAST

Craft Farms • Peninsula • Rock Creek • Kiva Dunes • Glenlakes Gulf Shores Golf Club • Lost Key • One Club • Timbercreek

Gulf Shores, Alabama is emerging as one of the South’s best golfing destinations, and Coastal Alabama Golf is the easiest way to book tee times at all nine championship courses. Whether you are looking to book a couple of rounds or need help creating custom golf packages, we will create the perfect trip for your group!

Call us today! • 888.315.2729 • www.CoastalAlabamaGolf.com

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Alabama

It’s so easy to get to Alabama from around the world. The state is just a two hour’s drive from two major international airports – Atlanta and New Orleans. Plus, every major Alabama city offers connecting flights to and from airports all around the country, including Charlotte, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington DC and more. Check out www.alabamagolftours.com for sample itineraries and more information on how you can make Sweet Home Alabama the next golf destination you offer to your customers. Copy supplied by Alabama Tourism Department

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Auburn-Opelika

Auburn-Opelika Southern hospitality and easy access to four RTJ Trail venues Located in east central Alabama a short drive from two international airports, Auburn-Opelika is home to Grand National, one of the most challenging and award-winning sites on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The 54-hole Grand National

The bustling college town is also home to famous Southern hospitality, 3,000 hotel rooms, an array of authentic culinary experiences and a host of great diversions. Because it’s central to three other locations along the Robert Trent Jones Trail, you can stay in one place and have quick access to over 180 of the most storied holes of golf in the United States!

Featuring two championship courses and one short course, Robert Trent Jones himself proclaimed Grand National “the single greatest site for a course” he had ever seen. Awarded everything from Golf Digest‘s “Number One Golf City in the US” to the “Number One Public Course in America” and one of the “Top 10 Most Affordable Courses in the US”, our courses may hurt your pride, but we promise your wallet will hardly feel a thing. What's more, our mild temperatures mean you can comfortably take in a few rounds 364 days of the year. For more information, visit www.aotourism.com Copy supplied by Auburn-Opelika Tourism

“Number One Public Course in America” Golf Digest 60


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Florida’s Sports Coast

Florida’s Sports Coast The Best of Florida’s Sports Coast Palmer Golf Course & Saddlebrook Golf Course When discerning golfers talk about the best places to play in the state of Florida, Saddlebrook’s two pristine courses – Palmer Golf Course and Saddlebrook Golf Course – are always at the top of the list. And how could they not be? Designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer, both courses feature rolling fairways, well-maintained greens and wilderness areas full of cypress, pine and palm trees. Complete with challenging layouts and white-faced bunkers, these two Florida Sports Coast courses are a delight to play, testing the abilities of golfers of all skill levels. Named one of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in North America, The Caribbean and The Atlantic, Ireland and Scotland by Condé Nast Traveler, Saddlebrook formally opened in 1981, becoming globally renowned for its beautiful greens and challenging fairways.

Palmer Golf Course Contoured to resemble a rolling New England course where level ground is rare, the 6,641-yard Palmer Golf Couse is a par-71 masterpiece without equal. Here, you’ll find generous driving areas and TifEagle greens that are firm, fast and undulating. Facing the green from the slanting fairways, the small, elevated emerald islands are framed by white-faced bunkers, azure ponds and gently-swaying palm trees. On this course, some holes require strength but all reward finesse.

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Florida’s Sports Coast

Saddlebrook Golf Course The Saddlebrook Golf Couse is 6,480 yards of unparalleled golf surrounded by cypress and oak trees. On this beautiful par-70 course, you’ll find emerald-ribbon fairways, white-faced bunkers, lush greens and low-hanging Spanish moss. Golfers shouldn’t miss out on this amazing course; the 425-yard signature 18th hole is famously tricky, and they’ll want to tell this golfing story for years to come.

More about Saddlebrook Resort A legendary Florida Sports Coast resort, Saddlebrook has made a name for itself as an unforgettable meeting and vacation destination, as well as one of the nation’s preeminent training facilities for athletes. An ideal location for recreational and professional sports, this beautiful resort is home to 43 tennis courts (including four grand slam surfaces), three volleyball courts, three pools (including a half-million-gallon, free-form pool), two fitness centres that total 6,000 square feet and, of course, two Arnold Palmer Signature Courses.

About Florida’s Sports Coast Known as a destination for the adventurous, Florida’s Sports Coast offers a more exciting kind of vacation. With four amazing cities to explore – and countless ways to get out and play – visitors will find there’s much more than just great golf in this area. Whether they’re exploring the Gulf of Mexico, tackling tandem skydiving over Zephyrhills, or enjoying a beer at one of our craft breweries, they’ll discover Florida’s Sports Coast is an unbeatable location for their next golf trip. To learn more about golfing on Florida’s Sports Coast, visit www.flsportscoast.com or visit us on social media. Copy supplied by Florida’s Sports Coast 63


Kingsmill Resort

Kingsmill Resort Two championship golf courses. One extraordinary resort. With two renowned 18-hole golf courses, a celebrated golf academy and year-round golf schools, Kingsmill Resort offers the exciting variety and challenge you want to take your game to the next level.

No. 16 River Course

For more than three decades, the River Course has hosted the world’s best players on both the PGA and LPGA tours. The course is now home to the Pure Silk Championship after a redesign by architect Pete Dye. The Plantation Course, a 6,432-yard, par-72 course with landmarks from Richard Kingsmill’s 1736 plantation woven into the landscape, was designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay.

Pure Silk Championship

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The Pure Silk Championship, the biggest golf event in the Commonwealth of Virginia, will run May 18-24, 2020. Top LPGA players from around the world will compete for a $1.3 million purse in a 72-hole stroke play tournament.

No. 17 River Course


Kingsmill Resort

View from Eagles terrace

Kingsmill Resort is a stunning James River escape with championship golf courses and a boundless range of recreational activities and leisure pursuits. There are fun choices for everyone, from splashing in the pools to discovering Wareham's Pond located just a short walk from the full-service marina. Retreat with miles of jogging and biking trails. Relax and recharge in the world-class spa. The 15 courts at the tennis club are a haven for the racket set and just the place to serve up a little fun. And don’t forget to savour a meal or two at one of five exquisite Resort Centre dining venues. As the only AAA Four Diamond condominium golf resort in historic Williamsburg, Kingsmill Resort offers luxurious accommodation with (anything but) standard guestrooms, one-, two- and three-bedroom condos and riverside cottages.

Riverview fire pit

James Landing Grille

Tell your clients to pack their clubs, make a tee time and schedule their next golf event. Contact Tim McArthur at tim.mcarthur@kingsmill.com or call +1 757 253 3926 for more information. Copy supplied by Kingsmill Resort 65


Mission Inn Resort & Club

Mission Inn Resort & Club Award-winning courses and more near Orlando Mission Inn Resort is a family-owned and operated golf/meeting facility on over 1,100 acres of rolling hills near Orlando, Florida. The hospitality of a plush private estate with Spanish architecture featuring 176 accommodation options including deluxe hotel rooms, club suites, one- and two-bedroom suites, and a three-bedroom penthouse suite plus 30,000 square feet of versatile meeting space.

Golfers enjoy playing on the lush fairways and undulating greens of our two world-class, award-winning courses (36 holes). El Campeon is 103 years old with 85-ft elevation changes and is recognised as part of the Florida Historic Golf Trails. Ranked #1 in Florida by the Golf Course Owners Association, #1 by Golf Channel's Golf Advisor and #3 best golf courses in Orlando Florida by Money Inc. Improve your game on our lighted practice facility including 100 hitting stations, five practice bunkers, 10,000-square-foot putting area and two teaching academies. Enjoy a massage in Spa Marbella, relax poolside or in the Jacuzzi, try your luck at Trap & Skeet shooting, boat rentals and fishing poles for world-class bass fishing, casual or fine dining restaurants, outdoor patio and fire pit, enjoy a cigar and play poker or billiards in our “adult game room”. Its All Here – centrally located north-west of Orlando and close to world-famous theme parks, wineries, ATV riding and shopping. Mission Inn Resort & Club, Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida Tel: +1 352 324 3101 | email: sales@missioninnresort.com | www.missioninnresort.com Copy supplied by Mission Inn Resort & Club 66


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2020

Dear Golfer As a fellow golfer of over sixty years, having been a member of Royal Aberdeen for forty seven years, Cruden Bay for fifty years as well as several other Clubs, I am delighted you have chosen to stay at my hotel in Aberdeen. Among our first class facilities we are proud to bring to your attention our wonderful Golfing Memorabilia/ Pool Room situated in the basement of the hotel. We also boast a gym and treatment Spa, offering a range of massages and hydrotherapy treatments. We are obviously a golfers hotel as you will see over 56 Graeme Baxter artists proofs of the World Golf Courses on our corridor walls. For Scottish Beef (aged a minimum of 35 days) and cut to suit, any weight, along with fish, lobster and seafood, you need go no further than the Conservatory Restaurant with an extensive wine list of over 400 bins, including a page dedicated to wines produced by golfers for golfers, plus over 100 Single Malt Whiskies. This was the host hotel for the 2 teams in the 2011 Walker Cup; Speith, Cantlay, English and Henley. We were also the host hotel for the British Senior Open in 2005 and for the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen in 2014. Nicklaus, Watson, Player, O’Meara, Poulter, Jiménez, Mickelson, Fowler and many others have all stayed with us over the years. If I have one piece of advice for you when you are tackling the great links courses of the North East, it would be “keep it slow and low”! Best Wishes, J Stewart Spence (Handicap8) Owner, The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa Club Champion Royal Aberdeen 1989 Member of Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, Cruden Bay Golf Club, Deeside Golf Club, and Ballater Golf Club Honorary Life Member of Trump International

The Marcliffe Hotel, Spa and Restaurant North Deeside Road, Pitfodels, Aberdeen AB15 9YA T: 01224 861000 E: enquiries@marcliffe.com www.marcliffe.com







YOUR OTHER PLACE IN THE WORLD Located in the southwest coast of the island of Tenerife, in the area of Guía de Isora we offers stunning views of the island of Gomera and the Atlantic Ocean. Our luxurious and exclusive fully equipped apartments-suites are perfect for guests who prefer to enjoy the tranquility of an exclusive, fully serviced suite. With one, two, three or four bedrooms, have private terraces or garden, some with an outdoor private jacuzzi, spectacular views of the ocean and sorrounded of subtropical gardens. Among other wonderful facilities, we have the most refreshing swimming pools with ocean views, one of the three best golf courses in Spain the Abama Golf, the restaurant Melvin under Martín Berasategui’s leadership, a fun Kids Camp with daily recreational and educational activities in our incredible natural environment. The commitment to quality, discretion and the excellence of our services forms part of our essence. In short, your other place in the world.

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Notes

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Thanks to all our 2019 IAGTO Partners for their generous support

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Pacific Links Golf Network

Signature Clubs / Global Access / Great Golf

GENERATE REVENUE FROM CONTROLLED INBOUND PLAY

NO ENROLMENT FEES FOR THE CLUB OR YOUR MEMBERS

450+

140,000+

19,000+

50,000+

NETWORK CLUBS

INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS

NETWORK GOLFERS

ROUNDS PROJECTED IN 2019 IN 30 COUNTRIES

• Our Links2Golf call centre is open 24/7 for tee time requests • A global reciprocal program, offering valuable benefits to participating clubs pacificlinks.com | plgolf.cn | plgolf.co.kr | pacificlinks.tw

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