Poland's only signature golf course to celebrate in 2019

MODRY LAS Golf Club has rounded off an impressive record-breaking season that has laid the groundwork for a special anniversary year in 2019. With bookings up and new facilities taking shape, the Gary Player-designed course will celebrate its 10th anniversary in style. 

The Polish resort, which was officially opened by Player in 2009, has collected a host of international awards during its first decade in operation. Now in its ninth year, Poland’s only signature course recorded a 20% increase in associated accommodation bookings and a similar hike in stay-and-play packages.

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Temples to Tees

THE South East Asian nation of Cambodia is becoming increasingly popular with foreign tourists, attracting more than five million visitors in 2016 and with around seven million expected by 2020.

#Golf tourism is still very much in its infancy, however. There are currently nine golf courses in #Cambodia: four in capital Phnom Penh including the country’s oldest course, Cambodia Golf & Country Club, which opened in 1996, the Grand Phnom Penh Golf Club course by Nicklaus Design and the IMG-managed Garden City Golf Club, which opened in 2013; three in Siem Reap, including Angkor Golf Resort’s Nick Faldo-designed course which opened in 2007 and former Asian Tour venue Phokeethra Country Club; and two courses on the coast at Dara Sakor Golf Club, forming the first part of a project by a Chinese developer in Koh Kong province.

A further two Faldo Design courses are set to open soon at Vattanac Golf Resort, a development 15km from the centre of Phnom Penh which is being built by international construction group Arup. The first course at the resort is due to open for play by late 2018.

Cambodia’s lure for golfers is underpinned by its appeal as a tourist destination, with the main attraction being the Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site temple complex near Siem Reap that includes Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. It was named the world’s top UNESCO heritage site by review website TripAdvisor in November.

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Golf and More in Oregon

#GOLF tour operators will get the chance to explore #Oregon when the 10th annual North America Golf Tourism Convention (NAC) heads to the central region of the Beaver State in 2018.

The event, organized by global golf tourism organization IAGTO, is being staged at Sunriver Resort, near the town of Bend in Central Oregon, from 24-27 June 2018. For state and regional tourism officials it will be a chance to showcase the incredible golf product of Central Oregon: more than 30 courses that, when combined with world-renowned Bandon Dunes on the coast, is set to make Oregon one of the most desirable locations for golf travelers.

“While many know Oregon because of the success of Bandon Dunes, there is much more to the Oregon golf experience – and Central Oregon is a story in itself,” said Teresa O’Neill, Travel Oregon Vice President, Global Sales.

Alana Hughson, CEO of the Central Oregon Visitors Association, added: “Three of the US Top 100 golf courses (Crosswater, Pronghorn and Tetherow) are located in Central Oregon and the PGA Champion's Tour was held at Sunriver's Crosswater from 2007-2010, but our destination offers much more than an award-winning golf experience.

“Bend-Sunriver is famous as an outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise, with world-renowned fly fishing, cycling, hiking and rock climbing, as well as Oregon's famous wineries and microbreweries.”

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Championship Cyprus

THE #Cyprus Amateur Men's Open is a counting event for World Amateur #Golf Rankings (WAGR). For 2017 the event will be hosted by Aphrodite Hills Golf Course and will be played between May 19 - 21 (Registration and Practice day on May 18).

The Championship will be decided by Stroke Play in a 3-day event over 54 holes, and the player with the lowest gross score over 54 holes will be the Cyprus Amateur Men’s Open Champion. Entries will be accepted from gentlemen players who conform in all respects to the current Amateur Status Rules of the R&A and hold a current handicap under the handicap system adopted by the recognised authority controlling golf in their country.

The award-winning 5-star Aphrodite Hills Resort set on a 234-hectare Resort is magnificently positioned on two plateaux with breathtaking sea views of the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. The first of its kind in Cyprus, Aphrodite Hills is a Resort for both families and couples alike and the first ever leisure and golf development of its kind in Cyprus, #AphroditeHills Golf Resort is home to a magnificent 18-hole championship golf course.

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Hole In One

THE Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort won in the Nature Protection category in the 2017 IAGTO #Sustainability Awards for its reforestation programme alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service and Rafiki Foundation in the local Eburru community.

Each year global #golf tourism industry body IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators), in partnership with GEO (Golf Environment Organization), celebrates the outstanding sustainability achievements of golf facilities, resorts and destinations around the world.

Alongside her partners, the Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort will help in restoration of one thousand acres of native forest in Eburru Forest, providing valuable habitat for local wildlife, encouraging biodiversity and protecting watersheds and soil from erosion. The introduction of zebras, impalas, antelopes and reedbucks will also return a balance to the ecosystem and a more natural food-chain cycle.

The Great Rift Valley golf course lies 12 km off the Nairobi to Nakuru highway on the slopes of Eburru Range. From the golf course one can view the Mount Longonot volcano, Lake Naivasha, the Mau escarpment, Mt Kipipiri and the Aberdare ranges. Built to USGA specs with “tiffgreen” grass, the course has 3 par 5’s, 11 par 4’s and 4 par 3’s with the 3rd hole par 3 the most spectacular. Every golf hole is a challenge, with the par 5 - 17th the “signature” hole being 654 yards from the championship tee.

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Ritz-Carlton swings into China with its first golf resort

THE Ritz-Carlton, Haikou situated on the world-class #golf #resort of Mission Hills which boasts ten 18-hole championship courses designed by golf’s greatest architects.

Located in Hainan Island, often called the Hawaii of #China, the 175-room, 16-suite hotel enjoys year-round tropical sunshine for perfect days on the legendary 350-acre Blackstone Course that weaves its way around the world-renowned Mission Hills Golf Club. Built on top of a bedrock of ancient lava from extinct volcanos, the dramatic landscape features rocky outcrops with striking variations of jungle vegetation, expansive lakes and wetlands which can be viewed from every room.

Hervé Humler, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company stated that “The island is rich in culture and off-the-beaten track experiences that reflects a China many have not seen, making it an ideal spot for families and friends to travel and explore.”

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La Manga named Spain's best golf resort sixth year in a row

THE prestigious resort in Murcia, south-east #Spain, was the overwhelming first choice of readers of the UK’s best-selling #golf magazine, receiving nearly 10 per cent more votes than its nearest challenger at the 2017 Today’s Golfer Travel Awards.

The new accolade extends #LaManga Club’s amazing record of having won the coveted title every year since it was introduced, and is further confirmation of the resort’s status as one of Europe’s most popular golf resorts.

Set across an area of 1,400 acres, La Manga Club has been at the forefront of European sports and leisure destinations for more than four decades.

Featuring three 18-hole golf courses, a nine-hole academy course and outstanding practice facilities, La Manga Club has enjoyed a rich golfing history since its inception in 1972, while its array of other outstanding sports and leisure amenities, bars and restaurants has helped establish it as a firm favourite with golfers worldwide.

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Swing into Texas

WITH a mild climate and more than 800 courses strewn across rugged desert mountains, lush piney woods, hill country elevation changes, and seaside links, Texas is a giant playground for golfers. 

Premium public, private and resort courses have been developed across the Lone Star State, making Texas a year-round golf destination. Hosting competitions from Valero Texas Open, Shell Houston Open PGA Tour to the HP Byron Nelson Classic PGA Tour there really is a course for everyone.

• Barton Creek Resort and Spa, Austin
• The Hyatt Regency Lost Pines and Resort, Austin
• Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott, Austin
• Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio
• Westin La Cantera Resort, San Antonio
• J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa,San Antonio
• Newport Dunes Golf Club, port Aransas
• Rockport Country Club,Rockport
• Moody Gardens Resort and Spa, Galveston
• Redstone Golf Club, Houston
• Memorial Park Golf Club, Houston
• Four Seasons Resort and Club, Dallas
• The Cowboys Golf Club, Grapevine

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Tee off at Vietnams newest golf resort

QUY NHON #Golf Links with its Nicklaus Design course and integrated luxury resort in central #Vietnam is one of Asia’s most stunning new golf destinations. Playing from scenic mountain views to the sea this course and its associated resort consisting of a 500-room hotel, 90 villas, spa and convention centre has been developed in only 15 months.

“In June last year there was nothing here,” explained FLC Golf Director, Kelly Cherkowski, as media were shown around the resort. “Now we have one of the great golf destinations in South East Asia.”

By the end of this year, a second course – designed by acclaimed golf architecture firm Schmidt-Curley – will open in a mountain setting above the resort.

“This will make Quy Nhon even more appealing for visitors wishing to stay several days and play multiple rounds of golf,” Kelly Cherkowski added.

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Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort

FOLLOWING the completion of a £500,000 refurbishment of the health club and spa facilities at the Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort in central #Scotland, Spabreaks.com, is offering an exclusive re-opening offer, with savings of up to 60 per cent off luxury spa days.

From just £65 per person guests can enjoy a full day of pampering at one of the best spas in Scotland, including two indulgent treatments.

Why not make it a short break, book an overnight break from only £80 per person including one 30-minute treatment, dinner, breakfast and full use of the health club and spa facilities.

For further information, visit www.spabreaks.com

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Tee-off in Liguria

#LIGURIA is renowned for its coast and mountain scenery, but it is also has 12 golf courses, including four 18-hole and four 9-hole courses. 

The jewels in the Liguria Riviera's crown are the 18-hole courses in Sanremo, Garlenda, Cogoleto, and Rapallo that allow guests to play on high-end courses while immersed in nature. The 9-hole courses of Castellaro, Albisola, Arenzano, and Lerici are also on the region's green hills near the beach. There are also driving ranges and putting greens in Genoa, Quarto Alto, and Sarzana.

Liguria's golf resorts and courses are part of The Green Parks initiative that aims to promote the opportunities for golf available in the area alongside the environmental, cultural, sports, and cuisine attractions.

A Liguria GolfPass is available to guests, allowing them to enjoy special promotional rates to play on six 18-hole and four 9-hole courses in the Ligurian Riviera and southern Piedmont. The GolfPass is available from www.liguriagolf.com and directly from golf courses from €150 for three greens and €250 for five greens.


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From the train to the fairway – direct

THE CALEDONIAN SLEEPER is tee-ing off a new service with luxury #golf tour operator, St Andrews Golf Travel, to take guests to the ‘Home of Golf’. 

After a successful six month trial, the free door-to-door transfers by St Andrews Golf Travel will operate six days a week, morning and night, for guests arriving at and departing from Leuchars railway station.

Established in 2013, the specialist golf tour operator in St Andrews operates a fleet of luxury cars and people carriers.

Says Marc Gentles at St Andrews Golf Travel: ‘It's every golfer’s dream to visit #StAndrews at least once in their lifetime and, having played golf in all four corners of the world, we wanted to bring our passion for the sport back to the Home of Golf. 

This partnership with the Caledonian Sleeper is an ideal way to ensure visitors can enjoy St Andrews.’

Caledonian Sleeper’s Ryan Flaherty adds: ‘This service marries two globally recognized tourism experiences. St Andrews is frequently recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious golf destinations while the Caledonian Sleeper is seen as one of the world’s best rail journeys. By combining the two, our guests will be able to go straight from their berth to avoiding bunkers.’

The Caledonian Sleeper service is an overnight rail journey from London Euston to Inverness.

www.sleeper.scot/leuchars-transfer-2
www.sleeper.scot

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Accolade for Verdura golf resort

#VERDURA RESORT'S position among the world's top golf destinations has been enhanced after the #Sicily resort was acclaimed by #Golf Digest. 

The magazine – which has more than 1.6 million subscribers in the US alone – named Verdura as one of the recipients of an 'Editors Choice’ award for Best International Resorts 2016.

Verdura has two 18-hole championship courses and par-three nine-hole course.

On Sicily's southern coast, the resort has 203 rooms and suites.

www.roccofortehotels.com

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Verdura tees off for course improvements

SICILY'S Verdura resort is implementing a winter golf course improvement programme. 

Already recognized as one of Europe's elite golf destinations – and named 'Best Golf Hotel in #Italy' at the 2015 World Golf Awards – the venue is carrying out significant maintenance work on all three of its Kyle Phillips-designed courses.

Verdura's team of greenkeepers is in the process of finishing a major bunker reconstruction programme to improve drainage, playability, and presentation, with the work due to be completed by the end of May.

David Waters, golf manager at the resort, said: ‘#Verdura is such a special place to play golf and the maintenance being carried out over the winter will further enhance the resort's reputation as one of the best and most beautiful places to play golf anywhere in Europe. We're particularly excited about the reconstruction work that is taking place on the bunkers.’

Set next to the Mediterranean on Sicily's south coast, Verdura's three links-style courses have been built to the highest specifications, with starting times arranged at 12-minute intervals to ensure free-flowing play. Five sets of tees make the courses playable for golfers of all abilities.

Complementing its golf courses are extensive practice facilities including a double-ended driving range and a golf academy. The resort also has six tennis courts, a two-tiered infinity swimming pool, a gym, and a spa.

www.roccofortehotels.com 

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Accolade for golf resort

PGA CATALUNYA RESORT has been named Europe’s Best #Golf Development at the International Property Awards. 

Industry experts cited it as the best example of a golf and real estate development in Europe due to its exceptional facilities, design, continued investment in infrastructure, and location.

In 2013/2014, the resort was voted Spain’s best golf course at the world golf awards and, for the fourth consecutive year, by Top100GolfCourses.co.uk.

The #CostaBrava resort – 50 minutes from Barcelona – has two world-class courses and a range of villas and apartments.

www.pgacatalunya.com

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Golf honours for the Belfry

THE BELFRY HOTEL & RESORT in the West Midlands has been named ‘England’s Best Golf Course’ and ‘England’s Best Golf Hotel’ at the annual #WorldGolfAwards in Portugal. 

The Midlands resort saw off some of the finest competition to receive the accolades.

David Edwards, resort director at #TheBelfry says: ‘To have been named as England’s Leading Resort at the World Travel Awards, and now to have been voted for as the Best Golf Hotel and Course in England at the World Golf Awards, highlights our commitment to providing exceptional service and hospitality for each and every guest across the resort, whether that be out on the golf course, in the hotel, in our restaurants, or in the spa.’

Chris Frost, managing director, World Golf Awards, commented: ‘The World Golf Awards provide the ultimate benchmark of success for any golf destination across the world, and The Belfry has done an exceptional job in meeting and exceeding the required standards to set themselves apart from the competition within England.’

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Book a break at Villa Rooney

A #BARBADOS villa owned by England football star #WayneRooney is on the market for holiday lets. The house, described as his personal holiday retreat, is in the island’s #RoyalWestmoreland golf resort.

His villa, which sleeps up to 14 guests, can be booked for seven days in November at £8,134, giving a saving of more than £2,000. Hire includes 28 complimentary rounds of golf and access to the Mullins Beach VIP area.

Wayne’s house has a media room, a designer kitchen, and five air-conditioned, en-suite, king-size bedrooms, plus ocean views, an infinity pool, and landscaped gardens.

Other deals for stays at the Royal Westmoreland resort include 14 nights for 12 and 10 nights for 8 offers for December lettings.

www.royalwestmoreland.com

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