With multi-generational luxury breaks soaring in popularity in a post-pandemic shift to valuing quality time with extended family, Apes Hill Barbados is turning heads as the resort that has it all.

As Barbados looks forward to welcoming cricket fans for this year’s ICC T20 World Cup, Apes Hill has announced a new activity programme for guests visiting during spring/summer 2024, with no shortage of options for those looking for an active retreat at the Caribbean holiday destination on an island that boasts more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year.

Sunset yoga, couples golf tournaments, boot camps, padel tennis events, gully walks, children’s movie evenings, cooking demonstrations, sports camps and freshwater fishing excursions are just a few of the activities on offer for Apes Hill guests looking to visit in 2024.

Sunil Chatrani, executive chairman of Apes Hill Barbados, says: “We are cultivating a new sense of luxury island living here at Apes Hill, and our new activity programme only adds to the exceptional lifestyle we are offering.

“The programme is full of choices for the whole family to keep busy during their stay whether it is to relax, keep active, embrace the outdoors, make friends, or learn a new skill. Our location and surroundings is the place to do it.”

Apes Hill’s family-friendly accommodation starts with three-bedroom courtyard villas, framed by Barbados’ natural coral and foliage. All feature a private swimming pool with ocean views never far away. Each villa is oriented to catch natural light, breeze and the spectacular vistas allowing for complete privacy and entertaining in the same measure.

Sustainability lies at the heart of Apes Hill with its farm producing fresh herbs, edible flowers, banana, breadfruit trees and honey to provide for the on-site restaurants at the 20th Hole and Noisy Cricket, which pride themselves on a farm-to-fork menu.

Apes Hill’s critically acclaimed golf course – which will welcome some of the game’s most famous names in May when it hosts the season’s first Legends Tour event - is maintained by an irrigation system which collects rainwater in its 58-million-gallon reservoir. Teamed with using local seaweed, manure and compost for fertiliser to redirect rainfall through bioswales to recharge aquifers, Apes Hill’s dedication to the environment is unwavering.

With future developments, guests will be able to enjoy a range of additional wellness amenities which will include a state-of-the-art fitness centre and health club and spa treatments. The resort’s personal trainer, yoga teacher and padel/tennis coaches are all available for one-to-one sessions as well as taking part in group activities with certified babysitters available to take care of younger guests in the comfort of their own villa should mum and dad like some child-free time.

And while the children are occupied by the programme of events tailored towards the younger guests, the adults can take advantage of Apes Hill’s 18-hole par-72, world-class golf course designed by the late US golf course architect, Ron Kirby. Cited as a ‘must-play’ venue with stunning unrivalled views over the Caribbean Sea to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the layout is perched on one of the highest points of Barbados 1,000ft above sea level and is the most elevated golf experience on the island.

Set within 475 acres of natural, unspoilt terrain and where large troops of Barbados green monkeys roam, the resort also offers a state-of-the-art Performance Centre and floodlit driving range, while a family friendly nine-hole par-3 golf course is close to completion, meaning the entire family can enjoy some tee time.

Chatrani adds: “Not only do we have the T20 World Cup on the island this summer, but we also recently announced we will be playing host to a new tournament on golf’s Legends Tour, formerly known as the European Senior Tour, which will see an array of golfing greats tackle our world-class course here as part of ‘Barbados Legends hosted by Ian Woosnam’ in May.

According to Golfasian, a preeminent name in Asia’s golf tourism industry, in some cases it will be hard to book tee times in several regions until after Easter.

Golfasian has capped off a remarkable year by being named the World's Best Golf Tour Operator at the prestigious World Golf Awards in Abu Dhabi.

This accolade is a testament to tour operators’ dedication to excellence, as the company also garnered titles for Asia's Best Golf Tour Operator, along with country-specific awards in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

In 2023, Golfasian demonstrated exceptional growth and commitment to enhancing the global golfing experience. The company expanded its presence in Vietnam with new offices in Hanoi and Danang, complementing its existing operations in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan. This year also marked Golfasian’s foray into the Philippines, establishing a full operational presence and further broadening its geographical footprint.

Golfasian's commitment to providing bespoke golf holidays has been met with an overwhelming response. In 2023 alone, over 15,000 golfers chose Golfasian for tailor-made golf vacations, a number that is already being surpassed in forward bookings for 2024. This surge in popularity is indicative of the company’s deep understanding of what golfers seek in a premium golf holiday.

Demonstrating innovation and a passion for the sport, Golfasian has also launched several golf tournaments in Asia, hosting over 2,000 club golfers from across the globe. The company's calendar for 2024 includes seven prestigious golf tournaments, with plans to add more events to cater to the growing demand from golf enthusiasts worldwide.

Investing in both technology and personnel, Golfasian is dedicated to elevating the customer experience to new heights. This investment is not only focused on enhancing the quality of services but also in scaling the business to accommodate its expanding clientele.

Reflecting on the company’s achievements, Mark Siegel, Managing Director of Golfasian, states, “As we look back on a year marked by both accolades and expansion, we extend our deepest gratitude to our partners and clients. Our focus for 2024 is clear: to continue delivering refined and memorable golfing experiences that exceed expectations.”

Established in 1997 in Bangkok, Thailand, Golfasian stands as a beacon of excellence in the golf tourism sector. Renowned for its comprehensive services, expert knowledge, and attention to detail, Golfasian has become the go-to operator for golfers and tour operators worldwide. The company's philosophy of crafting unique, tailor-made golf itineraries has distinguished it from conventional golf vacation providers.

With a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of service and professionalism, Golfasian continually sets the benchmark in the industry. The company’s partnership with top golf resorts, branded hotels, and premium golf courses ensures that each golf holiday is not just a trip but an exclusive experience in luxury and comfort.

Siegel added” It is true that in some regions such as Vietnam’s Danang, it is going to be extremely hard to book a round of golf as most club’s report being fully booked until the end of April 2024. We reserve tee times up to 12 months in advance so luckily our customers will still get their prime tee times.”

Now in its 28th year, The Gold Coast Masters has become the World’s biggest and richest tournament for amateur club golfers.

Over 500 competitors aged over 35yrs from around the world will play and compete with golfers of a similar age and golf handicap.

The four-round tournament this year will be played from 15th-21st October on Queensland’s Gold Coast teeing off at Links Hope Island (Johnnie Walker Classic), Royal Pines (Australian PGA Championship), Palm Meadows (Daikyo Classic) and Palmer Gold Coast.

Go Golfing’s CEO and organizer Peter McCarthy said, “This event was my first ever tournament 28 years ago and we have run it every year since. In fact, this event has stood the test of time and we have now successfully expanded the event format in South-East Asia with the Centara World Masters (Thailand’s Hua Hin) and Vietnam World Masters (Danang).

Golfer vacationers are now seeking more from their vacations with many taking trips to exotic destinations including Morocco, South Africa, India, Canada, Alaska and Las Vegas.

However, this trend for friendly competition at golf events has become a great way for golf clubs and destinations to attract a large number of global golf vacationers.

McCarthy added, “ All our tournaments are run just like professional events, similar to a PGA or LPGA tour event.”

“Therefore we also have caddies wearing the player's name and country, we have rules officials, we have sponsors with advertising hoardings, and this year at the Golf Coast Masters we will also award over USD$100,000 in prizes for tournament winners and a final night lucky prize draw.”

In fact, over the past 28 years, they have given away over USD$2,000,000 in prizes at the Gold Coast Masters.

Perhaps the other main difference is their nightly 19th hole parties and the final night gala, a high-class awards dinner at Star Casino.

If you fancy a trip to Australia’s beautiful Gold Coast, there are a few slots still available in October and even their tournaments in SE Asia next year are filling up too. Check out details at www.gogolfing.net.au/golf-tournaments/gc-masters

They may not win millions, however, all these golf vacationers come together for a great value week of golf, friendship and entertainment.

Palheiro Golf is at the forefront of the drive to promote women’s golf in the idyllic destination of Madeira after hosting a sold-out event at the start of this month in which around 80 per cent of the participants were beginners.

Held to bring together players from all over the Portuguese archipelago, the Palheiro Women’s Golf Day attracted a capacity line-up of 90 ladies of all ages including leading Portuguese actress Vanessa Martins, who was invited by the Madeira Promotion Association.

In addition to a nine-hole tournament for the more experienced players, the event featured golf clinics at four activity stations – Putting Green, Chipping Green, Driving Range and Closest to The Wine Bottle.

A meditation/yoga station was also provided to ensure that players had plenty of opportunity to relax when not hitting shots before the day of celebration was rounded off with a prize-giving ceremony, drinks and show cooking on the clubhouse terrace.

Following in the footsteps of the annual Women’s Golf Day, which this year was a week-long global celebration from May 30 to June 6, the event marks the beginning of a series of future initiatives that Palheiro Golf is planning to carry out to promote and strengthen the women's golf community in the region.

Jonathan Fletcher, president of Palheiro Golf, said: “We are committed to providing equal and exciting opportunities for women to enjoy, learn and compete in this amazing sport.

“It was a pleasure for us to host such a fun day and to bring together women from all over the region who are interested in playing our great game.

“It was particularly pleasing to see so many new players taking part, reflecting the growing desire that there is for golf from women in Madeira, and we’re looking forward to building on the success of the event in the months and years to come.”

Palheiro Golf is situated within the magnificent Palheiro Nature Estate, which is more than 200 years old, and is one of three outstanding golf venues in the archipelago of Madeira together with Clube de Golf Santo da Serra and Porto Santo Golfe.

Voted as the world’s leading island destination for the last eight years in a row at the World Travel Awards, Madeira – which is located approximately 1,000km from the European mainland and just 500km from the African continent – enjoys an amazingly mild climate with very mild average temperatures and moderate humidity, making it the perfect year-round location for a golf break.

And golfers can enjoy incredible value when they stay in an apartment or villa at Palheiro Village throughout 2023 with a range of five and seven-night golf packages bookable for parties of two to six people. Prices for a five-night break including three rounds of golf at Palheiro Golf or Clube de Golf Santo da Serra start from €460 per person, while a seven-night stay including five green fees is available from €650 per person.(subject to change)

This is the 2022 edition of the 100 Best Golf Resorts in Europe. It's golf's only ranking of resorts that is entirely unbiased and fully based on user reviews. The overall rank is based 50% on the rating of the golf club on Leadingcourses.com and 50% on the Booking.com rating for the resort itself.

The Best Golf Resorts in Europe ranking has become the reference point for golfers looking for a great golf trip or golf break. Leading Courses has been publishing the ranking since 2016 and ever since it has been very popular amongst their community. It's based on Leading Courses review data and their hotel partner Booking.com reviews to provide a comprehensive list of the best golf resorts throughout Europe.

How the Best Golf Resorts rankings are determined

One of the major discussions is: when does a combination of a golf course and a hotel qualify as a resort? Is St. Andrews with the Old Course Hotel a resort? Does Royal County Down with the Slieve Donard Hotel across the road qualify as a resort? Difficult to answer.

Leading Courses turned to Wikipedia for a proper definition: “The term resort may be used for a hotel property that provides an array of amenities, typically including entertainment and recreational activities. A hotel is frequently a central feature of a resort.” So, having a hotel and a golf course is not enough to qualify as a golf resort.

Criteria to be listed in Best Golf Resorts rankings Below are Leading Courses' criteria to be in the Best Golf Resorts in Europe rankings:

• the rating of the golf club on Leadingcourses.com must be active, so it should have enough (recent) reviews
• the rating of the resort or hotel on Booking.com must also be active ● the (official) hotel must be located next to the golf course or must be located on the premises of the golf course.
• the resort should include more facilities in addition to having a golf course (for example a spa, tennis court, swimming pool, etc.)
• the golf club should explicitly mention or refer to the specific resort or hotel on its website (so linking to multiple hotels is not sufficient)

Finca Cortesin is the Best Golf Resort in Europe

For the 4th time, Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa is crowned Best Golf Resort in Europe. They score a whopping 9.4 overall, combining the score of the golf club and its hotel. The golf club is rated with a 9.2 and the Finca Cortesin Hotel with a 9.6 out of 10. The Finca Cortesin Hotel boasts 67 spacious suites and the golf course consists of an 18-hole Championship Course. Not surprisingly Finca Cortesin’s golf course also ranks very high in Leading Courses' annual Golfers’ Choice Rankings.

10 Best Golf Resorts

Below is the ranking of the 10 Best Golf Resorts in Europe. Click the link below to see the full top-100.

1. Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa 9.39
2. Trump Turnberry Resort 9.19
3. Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg 9.19
4. Monte Rei Golf & Country Club 9.15
5. The Gleneagles Hotel 9.15
6. The Machrie Hotel & Golf Links 9.14
7. Costa Navarino 9.07
8. The Montgomerie Maxx Royal 9.06
9. Dundonald Links 9.04
10. Der Oschberghof - Osch Golf 9.03

About Leading Courses

Leading Courses was founded in 2012 to help golfers find and play suitable golf courses around the world. The website and app provide information on more than 25,000 golf courses worldwide. Over the past years, hundreds of thousands of reviews have been written to help golfers make the best decision on where to play. Today, Leading Courses has over 400,000 website visitors per month and offers tee times for 3,000 golf clubs in 18 countries. That makes it Europe's largest platform for golf course reviews and tee time bookings. Leading Courses HQ is located in The Netherlands.

Ba Na Hills Golf Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Dixon as the club’s new General Manager.

Born in Australia, Gary recently moved to Da Nang and joins Ba Na Hills Golf Club from The Bluffs Ho Tram, another of Vietnam’s leading golf courses. Gary previously worked with IMG as General Manager at Sky Lake in Hanoi, and is also a member of the PGA of Australia.

Paul Burley, Senior Vice President, IMG Golf Course Services commented, “We are very pleased to be working with Gary again, and look forward to his outstanding knowledge and experience driving exceptional results for Ba Na Hills Golf Club. Gary’s impressive leadership and marketing skills will enable him to continue the remarkable success of this world class club.”

Gary Dixon commented, “I feel incredibly privileged to be given the opportunity to lead the team at Ba Na Hills Golf Club. The quality of the golf facilities and guest experience is of the very highest standard, and the club is widely recognised as an industry leader. I look forward to working with IMG and the owners Sun Group, as we look to capitalise on the return of international travel to Vietnam.”

Designed by European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald and managed by IMG, Ba Na Hills has won more international golf course awards than any other course in Vietnam.

Surrounded by magnificent scenery that offers spectacular views on every hole, the course offers a great test of golf and a wonderful playing experience. A world class driving range and magnificent clubhouse add to the excellent facilities, and all 18 holes are fully lit for night golf.

A memorable experience on and off the course at one of Portugal’s most iconic golfing venues awaits players competing in this year’s Aroeira Trophy, which will take place from June 1-5.

Nicknamed the ‘Wentworth of Lisbon’ by many observers, Aroeira Golf Resort – which is 25km south of Lisbon – is a two-time host of the Portuguese Open and is ranked among the best golf resorts in Europe.

Organised by ORIZONTE – Lisbon Golf, tournament packages for the 2022 Aroeira Trophy cost €470 per person (based on two people sharing a room) and include four nights’ bed-and-breakfast accommodation at the chic Aroeira Lisbon Hotel and three rounds of golf on Aroeira’s two championship courses – Aroeira Pines Classic and Aroeira Challenge.

A welcome cocktail, free golf shuttles and a prize-giving dinner are also included – with a two-night stay for two people at the Aroeira Lisbon Hotel including two rounds of golf on offer to the winner of the 54-hole competition.

Designed by Frank Pennink and meandering through tall avenues of pine forest and surrounded by wildlife and nature, Aroeira Pines Classic plays to 6,650 yards and demands accuracy and placement off the tee if you’re to score well.

Opened in 2000 and designed by Donald Steel, Aroeira Challenge compliments its older sibling well and visitors will discover a course that possesses a few more thrills and spills along the way. At more than 7,000 yards from the tips, the course bares its teeth with water in play on nine holes and large, undulating greens testing the putter to the max.

Alongside the courses on the stunning Aroeira estate, the Aroeira Lisbon Hotel provides the ultimate in chic modern design, including 68 bedrooms and suites, an outdoor pool, a spa and a bar and restaurant, and offers easy access to the many golden sandy beaches in the Costa Azul region.

ORIZONTE provides golfers with the opportunity to play five of the leading courses in close proximity to Lisbon in the stunning Costa Azul, together with exceptional value for money on a wide range of accommodation options.

Lee Westwood, Jason Kokrak and Jhonattan Vegas teeed off with Saudi Cup-winning jockey David Egan to promote two of Saudi Arabia’s flagship sporting events.

Last year’s Saudi Cup-winning jockey, David Egan, swapped the racecourse for the golf course when teaming up with leading golfers Lee Westwood, Jason Kokrak and Jhonattan Vegas at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club to showcase sporting participation in Saudi Arabia ahead of two of the country’s biggest sporting events, the PIF Saudi International Powered by Sof tBank Investment Advisers and The Saudi Cup.

Arriving at the iconic 16th tee on a racehorse, Egan was joined by former world number one Westwood and fellow PGA Tour winners Kokrak and Vegas to played the hole in preparation for his first ever appearance in a Pro-Am on Wednesday.

The fourth edition of the PIF Saudi International, a tournament owned by Golf Saudi, features a start-studded field including Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele and two-time champion Dustin Johnson, just six  weeks before Egan climbed back aboard Mishriff to defend their crown in the $20m Saudi Cup.

Westwood, who has had plenty of success as a racehorse owner, said: “Horse racing has always been a huge passion of mine. I love horses, and spending time with family and friends during race days, both flat and jumps.

“It was great to meet David Egan. To win a race as big as The Saudi Cup at just 21-years-old is an amazing achievement, a bit like winning a Major.

“Golf is growing in Saudi Arabia and the PIF Saudi International has become pivotal in adding the Kingdom to the golfing map each year, attracting the world’s best players from across the globe. As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom is introducing sports to new audiences, and the PIF Saudi International and The Saudi Cup create the perfect opportunity to watch international champions compete in their own country."

Egan, a regular golfer, was understandably delighted to get the chance to play alongside three renowned names in the game: : “I’m a massive golf fan, so getting the chance to meet and play a hole with Lee Westwood, Jason Kokrak and Jhonattan Vegas at the PIF Saudi International was a dream come true.

“It’s a beautiful course and with so many of the world’s best players travelling to play the tournament, it’s clear that Saudi Arabia is becoming a real hub for top class sport.”

The Irish jockey won the world’s most valuable horse race last year aboard Mishriff and he is excited to be jumping back aboard the John & Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old at the end of the month: “Winning last year’s Saudi Cup for His Royal Highness Prince Faisal was such a special moment – it really made my career.

Harold Varner III is the champion this year.He put Bubba Watson on the seconad place with an extremely amazing eagle. Congrats!

Situated at the tip of the Baja Peninsula and just 10 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas—in a dramatic setting marked by windswept dunes, sheer cliffs and lush desert foothills—Jack Nicklaus, golf’s greatest champion and globally acclaimed golf course designer, crafted a world-class layout that redefined the Cabo golf experience when the Quivira’s Golf Club opened in 2014. With Quivira Golf Club having garnered nearly every design accolade the golf and travel industry has to offer, Nicklaus has returned to create a second course at Quivira Los Cabos—the destination’s finest luxury development.

Groundbreaking for the Club’s second Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is expected to take place by fourth quarter 2022. Quivira’s second course will expand the resort and residential community’s golf offering to accommodate the increased demand, resulting from the growth of the development, including ultra-exclusive, recently launched projects such as the St. Regis Resort & Residences; the exclusive new real estate community, Old Lighthouse Golf & Ocean Club; and the Alvar hillside condominiums.

“The first golf course at Quivira is a spectacular layout playing across a remarkable piece of property,” Nicklaus said. “Now, I am excited that design is well underway on the second course at Quivira, which should be stunning and equally as spectacular. I hope golfers who play the second course will enjoy the views, the quality of golf, and the challenge.”

While the routing plan for Quivira’s second course is in its final stages, it is anticipated that Mr. Nicklaus and his design team will create another world-class layout on this exceptional piece of land. Situated in the northwest area of the 1,850-acre development, several of the holes on the new course will meander through rolling desert foothills and expansive valleys, interlaced by winding arroyos. Quivira’s second Jack Nicklaus Signature Course will provide a different challenge but one that should mirror the high quality associated with the existing golf experience. The southern portion of the new layout will feature panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the westernmost point of the Sea of Cortez, which swells with breaching whales during the winter months.  On the interior side, tall distant peaks will serve as dramatic backdrops for several holes. 

From November 22nd to the 24th the 42nd Congress of the Spanish Greenkeeper Association took place in Marbella where the Greenkeeper of the Year 2021 award was given to José Gómez, greenkeeper at Real Club de Golf El Prat.

It is an honour and pride for the Spanish Golf Club to have the winner of this award as head greenkeeper of its 45 holes. It was not a surprise, as the Club knew what kind of professional José is, but it was a satisfying recognition to a long and hard work career.

The congress had several activities starting the first day with a golf tournament. Then, on the second day, golf industry companies had the opportunity to show and present their products and new technologies at the conference centre were a fair was organized. In addition, there were round tables with presentations on golf design, tournaments, grass, etc. A very interesting day where the participants were able to share experiences and knowledge with their colleagues.

It was at the congress dinner where the different awards were given and José won the most important award: Greenkeeper of the year 2021 by the Spanish Association of Greenkeepers.

José Gómez has been at Barcelona’s most exclusive Club for more than 40 years working on its courses, taking care and preparing them to reach the high standards that a club like Real Club de Golf El Prat requires.

“The AEDG has been very generous. This award is very big, much more than they think, since it is not only for me but for many people who have helped me fulfil my almost impossible dream at 20 years of age: to be able to become a greenkeeper and a fellow AEDG member ”- José commented amidst the excitement of receiving this award.

The Spanish Greenkeeper, in addition to his passion for the sea, lives his profession with enthusiasm so he has travelled all over the world to gain all the knowledge possible. Moreover, all that effort and expertise has made Real Club de Golf El Prat great.

"For me, at a professional level, I cannot obtain a greater award than the recognition that my colleagues from the AEDG are giving me"

Congratulation to the new Greenkeeper of the year 2021 for working non-stop at RCG El Prat. We hope to continue enjoying his experience on the amazing, fast, and best greens of Barcelona.

Defending champion George Coetzee will head a star-studded line-up at the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course that includes several winners on the European Tour this season including Danes Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, who made history this year when they became the first brothers to win in consecutive weeks on the European Tour.

Also featuring four other previous Portugal Masters winners, the event is one of the most popular tournaments of the year with the players, but it’s not just the professionals who are delighted to be heading back to the Algarve this autumn with thousands of amateurs packing their bags and returning to the golf-rich region in search of sunshine golf.

With Covid travel restrictions easing in the UK and across Europe, the Algarve is buzzing again with the award-winning destination’s world-class resorts and courses reporting busy traffic and positive bookings for the coming winter and spring 2022.

João Fernandes, president of the Algarve Tourism Bureau, said: “The Portugal Masters is one of the biggest events of the year for the Algarve and is the ideal opportunity for us to showcase everything that we have to offer in our wonderful region.

“The recent pandemic has presented many challenges but, from the positive feedback that I have received from our courses, the golf market is now recovering strongly and the signs are very good for the future which is very encouraging.”

With an impressive 43 nine or 18-hole layouts that can be played all-year-round, the Algarve is a firm favourite with golfers across Europe and beyond and attracts hundreds of thousands of golfers to its fairways every year.

The southernmost region of mainland Portugal and stretching along a 150-mile coastline and boasting spectacular beaches, picturesque rocky coves, quaint fishing villages and a rich cultural heritage, the region is the perfect destination golfers of all ages and abilities, with something to suit every taste and budget.

Featuring a stunning Robert Trent Jones Jr championship golf course, distinctive modern clubhouse and brand-new luxury spa, Zala Springs enjoys an enviable location, lying within a two hour drive of four iconic European cities (Budapest, Vienna, Zagreb & Ljubljana) and within 20 minutes of the beautiful Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s largest lake and a sunseeker’s and water sports paradise.

Accommodation is provided in the form of 32 luxurious apartments and penthouse suites, offering at the same time a unique real estate and investment opportunity.

Interview with Sonja Gschwendtner

After a challenging 2020 the Club has been really busy this year, particularly in the summer period. Do you notice an increase in the number of international golfers at the resort?

SG: Definitely and we’re extremely pleased about that. Once the lockdown ended and borders re-opened we saw a significant increase in the number of international guests booking to stay with us. Since then we also had the opportunity to host the Hungarian Open Championship which was a successful event and brought more international players to Zala Springs.

Even during the lockdown period we never really stopped working and thinking of ways to continue to push the business forward. Our team works daily with IMG and together we continued to spread the news about Zala Springs and think about new strategies. We also had the pleasure to host a Media Trip in October, with most of the journalists
coming from Germany, which is a huge market for us.

Zala Springs recently opened a 5-star Spa & Wellness centre within the resort. How is it all going with the new facility and do you notice an interest from golfers wishing to enjoy it before or after their round?

SG: For a long time our owners had planned to add a new leisure facility to the resort and we were all happy to be able to open our spa after such a challenging year. Even though golf continues to be one of the main focuses for our business, thanks to the wellness centre we can offer everything inside the same property: world-class golf, gourmet cuisine, fantastic accommodation & real estate investment opportunities and now a luxury spa.

Golfers love the new spa facilities and it’s definitely a plus for us as they use it regularly either before or after their round. Our new gin & tonic bar (located within the spa) also prove to be very popular amongst guests, members and residents.

Talking about junior golf, you have been organising a very interesting Junior Camp every summer. What is included in the programme and from which areas do most of the kids come from?

SG: Indeed, the Junior Camp has been a great addition to the Academy summer schedule and we see kids coming mainly from the local area and Budapest. At present Hungary has only around 2,000 registered players so we really want to contribute to developing the game here.

We offer different options to parents and one of them is that kids can join the Junior Camp and spend the day learning about golf, while adults can stay with us and enjoy the different parts of the resort. The Zala Springs Junior Camp is in English, offering kids a great platform not only to learn golf but also to develop their English. As part of the programme we also teach them about the basics of golf operations and greenkeeping so they can understand more about the golf club general business. At the end of the course they also receive a special buggy driving license!

One of the biggest news around the Junior Camp this year was that thanks to your partnership with IMG, kids had the option to also register for a junior programme at the IMG Academy in Florida, USA. Do you feel that brought an extra motivation for all kids visiting Zala Springs this summer?

SG: The special access to the IMG Academy in Florida is definitely a massive opportunity for kids who want to improve their skills and invest in their future in golf, especially when you see players like Nelly Korda, who is an IMG Academy Alumni, winning the gold medal at the Olympic Games a few weeks ago.

We actually had a lot of interest about this opportunity, although many parents are still slightly worried with the current global situation. But we’re confident that in future and once things improve, we’ll see more kids from Zala Springs and Hungary attending these special golf camps in Bradenton. We’ll continue to do all we can to develop Hungarian juniors and help them achieve great successes in their future golfing careers.

Turismo Costa del Sol airs a video in which Azahara Muñoz tells us how the 2023 Solheim Cup is "her dream come true"

The organization wanted to show, with help from the Malagan golfer, how important it is for the destination to host an event as prestigious as the 2023 Solheim Cup

Turismo Costa del Sol has released a video in which the Malagan golfer Azahara Muñoz tells us how the Solheim Cup is her “dream come true”. The video, which shows Azahara Muñoz in different parts of the Costa del Sol, like the Malaga airport and the beach, takes an emotional journey through her dreams, from her childhood until today, when she saw her dream come true with the Solheim Cup being held in her homeland.

The Malaga-born Azahara Muñoz talks about the 2023 Solheim Cup, an international team competition that will bring together, from September 18 to 24, 2023 at Finca Cortesín, European and American players on Spanish soil for the first time in the history of the tournament.

“Your dreams grow up with you, they're with you from the time you're born, they're a part of you”, this is how Azahara Muñoz begins the video where, sitting on a bench at the Malaga Costa del Sol airport, she recalls “every time I have taken off from this airport in search of my dreams”.

Azahara Muñoz has been dreaming and making golf fans dream from a very early age. The player from San Pedro de Alcántara enjoyed a very successful career as an amateur on both sides of the Atlantic, becoming the NCAA (the American university league) singles champion and winning the British Ladies Amateur, the most prestigious competition in that category, along with many other victories.

As a professional, Azahara Muñoz has won six victories in the main international tours (LPGA Tour and LET) and has become a mainstay on the European Solheim Cup team, whose colors she has defended four times (with three European victories).

The Malaga golfer notes that “the road wasn't always easy. It's hard to know if you're the one who is chasing your dreams or if they're chasing you". Strolling along Malaga's beaches, she sends a positive message because, as she says, “one day you land back home only to realize that your dreams landed with you. The countdown has begun. Let's live the dream”.

With this video, the organization wanted to show, with help from the Malagan golfer, how important it is for the destination to host an event as prestigious as the 2023 Solheim Cup.

The Costa del Sol is ready to host this event and people from all the sectors involved are working on this joint dream that will benefit not only women's golf, but the entire golf world, all the athletes, and the tourism and business sectors, who are seeing how Malaga will again take the spotlight as it spreads the Costa del Sol brand far and wide.

The 2023 Solheim Cup, an event of exceptional public interest whose official site is Finca Cortesín, is sponsored by PING, Turismo Costa del Sol and Rolex as global partners; and by the Regional Government of Andalusia, Acosol, the Marbella City Council and the Benahavís City Council as official partners.

Turismo Costa del Sol airs a video in which Azahara Muñoz tells us how the 2023 Solheim Cup is "her dream come true"

The organization wanted to show, with help from the Malagan golfer, how important it is for the destination to host an event as prestigious as the 2023 Solheim Cup

Turismo Costa del Sol has released a video in which the Malagan golfer Azahara Muñoz tells us how the Solheim Cup is her “dream come true”. The video, which shows Azahara Muñoz in different parts of the Costa del Sol, like the Malaga airport and the beach, takes an emotional journey through her dreams, from her childhood until today, when she saw her dream come true with the Solheim Cup being held in her homeland.

The Malaga-born Azahara Muñoz talks about the 2023 Solheim Cup, an international team competition that will bring together, from September 18 to 24, 2023 at Finca Cortesín, European and American players on Spanish soil for the first time in the history of the tournament.

“Your dreams grow up with you, they're with you from the time you're born, they're a part of you”, this is how Azahara Muñoz begins the video where, sitting on a bench at the Malaga Costa del Sol airport, she recalls “every time I have taken off from this airport in search of my dreams”.

Azahara Muñoz has been dreaming and making golf fans dream from a very early age. The player from San Pedro de Alcántara enjoyed a very successful career as an amateur on both sides of the Atlantic, becoming the NCAA (the American university league) singles champion and winning the British Ladies Amateur, the most prestigious competition in that category, along with many other victories.

As a professional, Azahara Muñoz has won six victories in the main international tours (LPGA Tour and LET) and has become a mainstay on the European Solheim Cup team, whose colors she has defended four times (with three European victories).

The Malaga golfer notes that “the road wasn't always easy. It's hard to know if you're the one who is chasing your dreams or if they're chasing you". Strolling along Malaga's beaches, she sends a positive message because, as she says, “one day you land back home only to realize that your dreams landed with you. The countdown has begun. Let's live the dream”.

With this video, the organization wanted to show, with help from the Malagan golfer, how important it is for the destination to host an event as prestigious as the 2023 Solheim Cup.

The Costa del Sol is ready to host this event and people from all the sectors involved are working on this joint dream that will benefit not only women's golf, but the entire golf world, all the athletes, and the tourism and business sectors, who are seeing how Malaga will again take the spotlight as it spreads the Costa del Sol brand far and wide.

“Thai Golf Passport” launched to offer Indian golfers a seamless golf experience in Thailand post COVID-19.

Indian golfers have rated Thailand among the best golfing destinations in a recent survey jointly conducted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) New Delhi Office and India-based golf management company, Sports and Leisure Worldwide (SLW).

Mr. Vachirachai Sirisumpan, Director of the TAT New Delhi Office, said, “We conducted the survey to ascertain the impact of COVID-19 on golf tourism to Thailand and were happy to see the enthusiasm to travel for golf among the Indian golfers.”

A whopping 97% of Indian golfers who took part in the “Golfing in Thailand” survey rated Thailand as one of the best golfing destinations. They pointed out Thai hospitality, followed by value for money and affordable luxury, as the top three key factors for them to travel to Thailand to play golf.

Thailand’s close proximity to India was another key factor in influencing the Indian golfers mind in deciding Thailand as the premier destination for golf holidays, according to the survey.

The survey was conducted during 10-27 July, 2020. The sample group of 1,005 respondents were made up of golfers from all over India, including Delhi and NCR (65%), Chandigarh (5%) and others (30%).

Male golfers (98%) constituted the majority of the respondents with the remaining 2% being female golfers. Of the total, 93% were members of a golf club and the remaining were non-members. Their golfing handicaps ranked from 0-9 (12%), 10-18 (60%), and 19-26 (28%).

Almost 88% of the respondents said they were planning to travel abroad to play golf post COVID-19. Safety was noted as the prime concern for the outbound travel for 92% of Indian golfers.

Mr. Anil Dev, Managing Director, SLW Group, said, “Golfers are a little more demanding when it comes to hospitality, and Thailand wins hands down in that department. We expect Thailand would be the first destination where the majority of the golfers would travel to for their first golf holiday post COVID-19.”

Thailand is a dream destination for the golfers from all around the world, as it has amazing golfing facilities. With more than 250 golf courses ideally located throughout the country, these top quality courses also offer reasonable green fees, and friendly caddies to attract golfers to visit this amazing place.

To bring value to this offering, the TAT New Delhi Office and SLW Group have launched a “Thai Golf Passport” to offer Indian golfers a seamless golf experience in Thailand. Indian golfers can now be a part of this rewarding loyalty programme whenever they tee off in Amazing Thailand and redeem their points for products from more than 200 leading brands.

“Thailand is a spectacular choice and dream come true destination for golfers with a stunning and vast selection of golf courses. We look forward to welcoming international golfers to amazing Thailand once the COVID-19 situation improves,” Mr. Vachirachai concluded.

suject to change

#lifestyletravelmedicus

The new Edge Golf College at Portugal’s stunning Troia Resort is recruiting elite young amateur golfers from across Europe looking to turn professional – offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of studying their passion and playing every day.

European top 10 venue Troia has partnered with Edge Golf College to develop the next generation of top level golfers – with an intensive programme which will give students the education, training, facilities and coaching they need to reach the highest level.

Edge Golf College’s two years of bespoke golf-specific education is solely dedicated to tournament performance, performance psychology and business – touching on topics such as biomechanics and sports nutrition.

Students can leave the college with a degree in Sports Business Management or Sports Coaching Performance, awarded by the University of Central Lancashire. The programme will be taught, and has been written by, a number of industry experts, specialists in their fields, to accelerate golfers’ development faster than any other college programme worldwide.

Combing a higher-education curriculum with more than 45 hours of practice a week, the college will give aspiring golfers the chance to focus on their game, with every aspect being analysed and improved on a daily basis.

Based full-time at the world-class Troia Golf Resort, Edge Golf College is perfectly placed geographically and educationally to transition players from elite amateurs to tournament professionals.

Students will have unlimited access to the spectacular 18-hole championship course, which is highly regarded across Europe for its challenging links holes and natural beauty, offering the perfect test for the up-and-coming players, with small, narrow greens and bold bunkering – requiring them to play a multitude of shots through a combination of pine trees and indigenous coastal plants.

The par-72 course is designed by legendary American golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Senior and stretches 6,317m along the beach on a beautiful sand-skirted peninsula, with panoramic views of the Atlantic ocean and Arrábida mountain range throughout.

But it is not just the top quality course that makes Troia the perfect destination for Edge Golf College, the unrivalled practice facilities include a state-of-the-art academy, newly-designed driving range and several short game areas – perfect for warm weather training.

The focused practice and education schedule is combined with regular opportunities to compete, with at least one World Amateur Golf Ranking event every month through the Portugal Pro Golf Tour. Edge’s programme has been designed to allow students to take part in regular tournaments during term time, including releasing students to compete in their national events, encouraging them to play in the European Tour Qualifying School, and, if ranked highly enough, qualify for the Portugal Masters and the Portugal Open.

Neil Connolly, co-founder of Edge Golf College, said: “We launched Edge Golf College to fill the void for top players from European countries, giving them an opportunity to play, practice, compete and learn all year round in a warm European climate, without the upheaval and current uncertainty of heading out to the US for a scholarship.

“We feel extremely lucky to be able to operate out of Troia – it’s one of the best facilities in Europe and is the ideal training environment for our students, not to mention the sunshine and warm weather offering the perfect conditions for personal golf development.

“Many European golf federations, including Portugal, are on board with the concept of Edge. They are tired of coaching their top young talent only to see them disappear to the US on scholarships. It would be hugely advantageous for the federations, the national coaches and the players to stay in Europe with regular access to the team which got them to this point.”

There are three learning options available – remote, blended and residential – with a price point to suit every player’s budget. Scholarships are also available for eligible players.

Edge Golf College is currently recruiting for the first course at Troia, which starts in September 2021, and is requesting that any players interested enquire as soon as possible, as there are a limited number of spaces available.

As Europe’s premier golf and lifestyle resort, Quinta do Lago is famous for serving up an array of outstanding luxury golf experiences and this year is better than ever, with golfers being offered the exclusive chance to play golf with the highest-ranked Portuguese player of all time.

The award-winning Algarve venue has teamed up with European Tour star Ricardo Gouveia to provide players with the unforgettable opportunity to learn from the very best and play a round with the former world number 77.

Gouveia, 28, has a long-standing relationship with Quinta do Lago dating back to his childhood days growing up in the Algarve, with his family home located in the grounds of Laranjal, one of the prestigious venue’s three championship golf courses.

Bookable for two or three players, the new ‘Golf Pro Experience’ includes 18 holes with a buggy on any of the resort’s three courses. Subject to availability throughout 2020, prices start from €299 per person for two players and €266 per person for a three-player experience.

The introduction of the new package is the latest illustration of Quinta do Lago’s commitment to delivering a variety of world-class golf facilities and experiences to its residents, members and guests.

In addition to launching a new online golf coaching service earlier this year, the resort is investing a further €7m in a golf course improvement programme this summer, including a major overhaul of its famous South Course and the reopening of its main golf clubhouse this month following a modern and sophisticated makeover.

Set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park and just a 15-minute drive from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago has been at the forefront of Europe’s elite golf, sports and family destinations for nearly five decades.

As well as its three 18-hole championship golf courses and outstanding practice facilities, guests can enjoy an array of sports at the state-of-the-art performance centre The Campus, a world-class sports hub designed for professionals and amateurs alike to train and live well.

Complementing the golf is a choice of 12 first-class bars and restaurants that deliver a range of delicious local and international cuisines, with accommodation on offer at the resort’s recently-acquired boutique hotel, The Magnolia Hotel.

All but one of Puerto Rico’s 18 golf courses and many of its resorts have reopened in advance of July 15, when the Island can begin welcoming back visitors.

Some Island golf courses only allowed member play when they reopened on May 26. Since then, the majority now welcome public play, including Royal Isabela, Costa Caribe Golf & Country Club, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort, Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico (home of Coco Beach Golf Club), El Legado, Deportivo del Oeste, and more. The St. Regis Bahia Beach is allowing public play on weekdays, reserving Friday-Sunday and holidays for resort guests and members.

TPC Dorado Beach and Palmas Athletic Clubs are currently limiting play to members and their guests only. El Conquistador is the only Island course not currently open. To discover specific details for any Puerto Rico golf course, call them directly at the numbers listed below.

Puerto Rico golf courses require safeguards to enhance safe recreation, including staff using personal protective gear, sanitizing golf carts and the Pro Shop common areas, and much more.

Puerto Rico’s golf courses are located throughout the Island with several in northeastern Puerto Rico near capital San Juan. The Island is an enchanting destination where history, culture, gastronomy, nightlife, beaches, and natural wonders abound. It requires no passport for American citizens, is bilingual, uses the U.S. dollar for currency, and is the air hub of the Caribbean. There are more than 4,000 restaurants, and the lodging venues range from top hospitality brands to being named a top 10 Airbnb world destination.

The Island’s golf venues include:

• TPC Dorado Beach (36 holes) – 787-626-1020
• Costa Caribe (27) – 787-812-2650
• Fort Buchanan (9) – 787-707-3980
• Wyndham Grand Rio Mar (36) – 787-888-6000
• Rio Bayamon (18) – 787-740-1419
• Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve/Coco Beach (36) – 787-657-2000
• The St. Regis Bahia Beach (18) – 787-809-8000
• Caguas Real (18) – 787-653-1573
• Royal Isabela (18) – 787-609-5888
• Deportivo del Oeste (18) – 787-851-8880
• Palmas Athletic Club (36) – 787-656-3000
• Punta Borinquen (18) – 787-890-2987
• El Legado (18) – 787-866-8894
• El Conquistador (18) – 787-863-1000

The Grove, London's ultimate five-star retreat, has completed an important renovation and redesign project that has seen major enhancements to every bunker on its 18-hole championship golf course.

In close consultation with original architect, Kyle Phillips and his shaping specialist, Theo Travis, the greenkeeping team at The Grove, in partnership with specialist contractor MJ Abbott, have revitalised all 90 bunkers across the golf course, enhancing playability and aesthetics on each one.

The work was undertaken across an intensive 10-week pre-lockdown period that saw the team re-address bunker shaping, repair damaged edges, review grassing lines and re-affirm mown and natural areas surrounding each trap.

The golf course, which continues to feature in many influential Top 100 rankings, stayed open for play during the whole process, with three holes being worked on at any one time with a temporary green being used on each, while ground staff undertook the necessary work.

Phill Chiverton, Golf Course Manager at The Grove, said: "A project of this scale, and over such a relatively short period of time, took a huge amount of planning, resources, machinery and turf in order to be completed successfully, and on time. Our team worked on an average of 1.8 bunkers a day which is incredible, considering the adverse winter weather conditions we experienced."

The Grove, open to all and with no handicap or playing restrictions, is one of the UK’s finest golf estates, being the only venue in the British Isles to have staged a World Golf Championship event in 2006 (won by Tiger Woods). It subsequently went on to host its first European Tour event - The British Masters, in association with Sky Sports - 10 years later, won by Alex Noren.

In addition to the bunker transformation work, a new tee has been constructed on the Par 4, 5th hole, and a 200m2 extension has also been added to the putting green which lies adjacent to the 1st tee.

The golf course work is part of wide-ranging enhancements across the Hertfordshire estate, including a reinvented Stables Bar and Restaurant, renovations to guest rooms in The West Wing, and to public lounges in The Mansion.

This work follows the hugely successful re-opening of The Glasshouse restaurant last year, that takes diners on a lavish food journey with eight bountiful live food stations, where chefs are constantly preparing the freshest, tastiest International cuisine.

Situated in 300 acres of historic Hertfordshire countryside, The Grove offers luxury accommodation in 26 historic Mansion rooms and suites, as well as 189 rooms within the contemporary West Wing, together with an award-winning spa, Sequoia, where guests can indulge in a variety of treatments.

Royal Golf La Bagnaia has launched a new website dedicated to showcasing both the golf club and wider aspects of the stunning Tuscan resort such as the on-site Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel and the beautiful Tuscan region that surrounds. Created by London-based agency 301 Design, the website transmits the sense of uniqueness and individuality guests can only find at La Bagnaia. It presents an easy platform to navigate and to learn more about this unique resort.

Surrounded by the beautiful Sienese countryside, La Bagnaia is a tranquil oasis set against a landscape scattered with charming medieval hamlets and towns. The golf course, designed by the award-winning architect Robert Trent Jones Jnr, and opened in 2009, is draped across the rolling Siena hills and offers a unique inland links experience with undulating fairways and sweeping fescue roughs. Expansive practice facilities include a short game and pitch & putt area and the Clubhouse, a painstakingly restored Tuscan farmhouse, overlooks the 18th green, and provides golfers with an authentic and luxurious place to relax and enjoy the views towards ancient Sienna whilst sampling the finest Tuscan ingredients and produce. IMG has been providing management and marketing services to Royal Golf La Bagnaia since 2018.

Brodie Macdonald, General Manager at Royal Golf La Bagnaia commented: “We’re really excited with the new website and very pleased with the final result. Royal Golf La Bagnaia is one of the finest courses in the country and considering our international strategy to promote the resort, we felt it was the right time to invest in a new platform which will help us showcase the facilities to a global audience”.

Through the website golfers will have access to a complete course guide and will be able learn more about the surrounding Tuscan attractions and also book tee-times directly with the golf club. As Italy prepares to host the 2022 Ryder Cup, it’s time to learn more and become part of Royal Golf La Bagnaia.

Golfers have the opportunity to enjoy one of Europe’s premier luxury golf experiences again after Finca Cortesin reopened for business following the Covid-19 lockdown.

The award-winning championship course in Andalusia, southern Spain, reopened exclusively to members on May 25, while visitors are being invited to book and play from Monday, June 1. All players are being asked to observe the social distancing and Covid-19 measures that have been put in place.

Finca Cortesin has hosted numerous high-profile tournaments since opening in 2006 including the Volvo World Match Play Championship in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

Renowned for its five-star customer experience and attention to detail, the exclusive resort is the first golf venue in Spain to feature a new, eco-friendly variety of Bermuda grass on all its greens, while its expert maintenance team worked extensively during lockdown to ensure the course condition is the best it has ever been for reopening.

Complementing the golf course are outstanding practice facilities including the recently-upgraded Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy, which will also reopen from June 1.

James Beesley, director of golf at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa, said: “The last couple of months has been a difficult time for everyone and it’s a pleasure to be able to welcome golfers to the resort again. The golf course is looking beautiful and our team has worked tirelessly to make sure that it is as good as ever for everyone that visits over the coming months.”

Located across a vast 532-acre estate in the rolling hills of southern Spain between Marbella and Sotogrande, Finca Cortesin has a well-earned reputation as one of Europe’s most exclusive modern golf and lifestyle destination resorts.

The resort’s 18-hole championship course was designed by world-renowned golf architect Cabell Robinson and Finca Cortesin’s position at the forefront of Spanish and European golf was further enhanced recently after being named as the ‘Best Golf Club in Spain’ at Leadingcourses.com’s 2020 Golfers’ Choice Awards.

Complementing the par-72 layout are outstanding practice facilities including Finca Cortesin’s recently-upgraded Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy, while the resort’s other luxury amenities include an elegant 67-suite hotel; a 6,000sqm Beach Club; an award-winning spa featuring Spain’s only snow cave; and the choice of four restaurants.

 Women’s Golf Day will bring together some of the leading names in golf in a virtual celebration of the game, whilst raising essential funds for the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although the live event- date for Women’s Golf Day was postponed to September 1st the team remains committed to Empower, Engage and Support the industry and golfers around the globe by hosting a WGD Digital Celebration on June 2nd.

On June 2nd, the womensgolfday.com website will engage golfers with exclusive videos by some of the most recognisable women and men from the world of golf, interviews, tips and insights across the 24hr period. Throughout the day there will also be an online auction that will feature ‘money can’t buy’ experiences donated by the biggest names in the game, including ClubCorp, Troon and more.

All proceeds from the online auction will be donated to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).  MSF teams are responding to COVID-19 on multiple fronts caring for patients, offering health education and mental health support, and providing training for vital infection control measures in health facilities around the world. Items are being collected for the WGD / MSF auction through May 12th. Celebrities and companies are encouraged to contact Elisa Gaudet for further information.

Elisa Gaudet, Founder of Women’s Golf Day is determined that this ‘Virtual’ Women’s Golf Day will shine a light on the game, and bring some much-needed hope for the future “We are united, resolute and want to look back and take pride in how we responded to this challenge. Every person in each of the more than 50 countries which host an event on WGD faces their own unique set of circumstances, but all share a love of golf.  We want to share the joy it brings by celebrating our amazing partners, bringing you videos and interviews with leading names all whilst raising money for MSF.”

While the Virtual Women’s Golf Day will have its home at womensgolfday.com, there will be many other ways for golfers around the world to get involved in the celebration. Last year on social media over 25 million people were viewing WGD content hence this year the WGD team are encouraging people to share their love of the game by flooding channels with images of golfers wearing WGD red and white using #WGDUnites and @womensgolfday.

There is also the chance to join the likes of Annika, Sky Sports’ Sarah Stirk, Lisa Longball  by sharing your #WGDUnites Challenge video clips. Simply catch the ball, say your name and where you are from and why you love the game of golf and pass it on using the hashtag!

WGD will also be supporting The R&A by sharing content from their #GolfAtHome campaign.
Antony Scanlon, Executive Director if the International Golf Federation is a long time supporter of Women’s Golf Day he comments, “The IGF is proud of its association with the Women’s Golf Day since its inception and seeing the tremendous growth of this event worldwide. With all of us living in these times of extreme uncertainty we support and commend the WGD Digital Celebration golf industry initiative to raise funds for the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The spectacular golf experience offered by PGA Catalunya Resort’s award-winning Stadium Course has been recognised in a new Catalan Golf Federation poll that ranked three of the course’s holes in the region’s ‘Best 18’.

Aggregating social media votes from thousands of golfers, fans and followers, The Stadium Course, a three-time host of the Open de España, was voted to have the best 1st, 9th and 11th holes. It also received more nominations than any other venue in Catalonia.

The poll was championed by Tony Enciso, President of the PGA of Catalonia, with support from the Catalan Golf Federation, Federación Catalana de Golf (FCGolf).

Thousands of people submitted their selections on social media by voting for the best opening hole on day one, followed by their favourite second hole on day two and so on, building up to the final ‘Best 18 in Catalonia’ when voting concluded.

The Stadium Course’s 1st hole, a 435-yard (398m), par 4 dog-leg left, boasts a memorable elevated tee with striking views of the Mountseny mountains at the foot of The Pyrenees. The 9th hole – the course’s longest par 4 – is a dog-leg right with an uncompromising elevated green.

Completing the winning trio, the picturesque 11th, an inviting par 3 that falls 15 yards (13m) to a well-guarded green, is flanked by sweeping bunkers to the front and sides and water at the back.

The Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya Resort, near Girona, has been a long-established Spanish no.1 layout*. It forms part of a critically-acclaimed, 36-hole resort that also offers two accommodation options – the 5* Hotel Camiral, a member of The Leading Hotels of The World, and LAVIDA Hotel, aimed at the active traveller.

In addition, the European Tour Destination comprises a discreet, low-density real estate development that carefully integrates into and connects with the natural surroundings, with first-class leisure facilities and a select number of villa plots, stylish modern semi-detached villas and luxury apartments.

Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius announces its new partnership with Anahita Golf Club, granting its guests to access not one, but two world-class championship golf courses in Mauritius, with complimentary transfers and daily green fees.

Set amidst stunning tropical settings, the golf courses offer spectacular views and distinctive challenges for both beginners and seasoned players. Guests staying at the resort already had the privilege to play on Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club, a spectacular state-of-the-art 18-hole championship golf course designed by legendary pro-golfer Bernhard Langer and named as part of the top 10 golf courses in the world.

Only a few minutes away from the resort by boat shuttle, Iles aux Cerfs Golf Club is set apart from the mainland resort by a shimmering turquoise lagoon and boasts an unparalleled golfing experience. The island’s natural beauty defines an exquisite course that includes volcanic outcrops, lakes, gullies and rich, lush vegetation, with every hole offering breath-taking views of the stunning seascape beyond.

Each hole has a minimum of four tees, Langer tees, championship tees, tournament tees and forward tees, and is suitable for beginners and pro-golfers alike. The par 72 golf course spreads across 6,476 metres and offers a challenging, if not difficult, level. The golf club also features a fully serviced clubhouse with pro shop, spacious locker rooms, a signature restaurant offering international cuisine with a spectacular view, a floodlit driving range with five target greens and Ile aux Cerfs Golf Academy.

With the new partnership with Anahita Golf Club, Shangri-La’s guests can now also access the Ernie Els-designed 18-hole golf course, making the most of its tropical setting. Set out on generously proportioned fairways on a former sugar plantation in two distinct loops of nine, the Anahita Golf Club is constructed to USGA standard and incorporates some old dry-stone walls and a links-like stream into the layout, backed by lush mountains and fringed by the crystal-clear lagoon. The par 72 golf course spans across 6,828 metres with five tee options for adults and a junior tee for a challenging level with wide fairways.

Guests can also enjoy a fully serviced clubhouse with a pro shop, locker rooms with bag storage space and delight in Mediterranean specialities at the restaurant. A driving range with nine target greens and Anahita Golf Academy complete the offering for a memorable golfing experience. Shangri-La’s guests can benefit from complimentary daily green fees – one round of golf per person per day – at these two stunning golfing destinations, a seamless shuttle to the golf courses located only a few minutes away from the resort and chilled water bottles.

For beginners and those who want to try their hand at golf, a one-hour discovery session is offered at Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club and at Anahita Golf Club daily. Located on the east coast of Mauritius, in one of the island’s most breath-taking bays, Shangri La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius offers infinity views across the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The hotel boasts two swimming pools, access to two 18-hole par 72 championship golf courses, and a kids’ and teens’ club. CHI, The Spa focuses on ‘sense of place’ treatments and relaxing massages which help ease muscle tensions after a day on the golf course.

Costa Navarino, the sustainable destination in the Greek region of Messinia, is developing two new luxury beachfront eco resorts close to the two José Mariá Olazábal-designed golf courses already scheduled to be completed in 2021.

The resorts are part of Costa Navarino's development of three new areas of the destination: Navarino Hills, Navarino Bay and Navarino Waterfront.

The hotel at Navarino Bay - designed by two of Greece's most prominent and successful architectural practices Tombazis & Associates Architects and K-Studio - will be the destination's most luxurious hotel, offering 99 suites and pool villas on two kilometres of waterfront.

The resort has an earth-sheltered design with the buildings blending into the curved hillside with planted roofs. The design follows the natural topography of the land, using local materials, giving the impression that it has grown organically. The new hotel will feature an exclusive beach club, large swimming pool, destination spa, and various restaurants, bars, lounges and terrace spaces overlooking the historic Bay of Navarino.

The hotel at Navarino Waterfront - designed by Tombazis & Associates Architects, a big proponent of contemporary bioclimatic design - north of Navarino Bay, will be different in design with a contemporary take on a traditional port town.

The design borrows architectural details from the region, such as stone-built towers, sloping stone walls and wooden elements, but interprets them in a lean and modern style. Appealing to those looking for a livelier holiday, there will be a waterfront Agora with shops, restaurants, an open-air cinema, lagoon pools and a boho-chic beach club. The hotel will have 174 rooms and suites as well as 26 bungalows.

South of Navarino Bay, development continues on Olazábal's two new golf courses, which are set high above the coastline, stretching over 150 hectares of scrubland typical of the region and bringing the total number of signature golf courses at Costa Navarino to four - all within a 13km radius.

One of the world's leading sustainable destinations, Costa Navarino is made up of several distinct sites, all in southwest Peloponnese. It is renowned for its coastal location, unspoilt landscape, cultural heritage, luxurious accommodation and exclusive real estate.

A commitment to the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility exist throughout its operation and development - the building footprint covers only 10 per cent of the land - thus protecting and preserving both its natural beauty and the local communities of Messinia.

The two new hotels and golf courses will further enhance the destination, which already offers a wide choice of luxury hospitality and real estate, high-end gastronomy, year-round golf and sports facilities, authentic experiences and activities for adults and children.

Earliest Opening Date Ever for Esteemed Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel Amenity

Circling Raven, the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel’s renowned golf amenity, will open March 27, the earliest starting date in the history of the state’s No. 1 ranked public course.

“We’ve never opened in March during our 15 previous seasons, but the mild winter we experienced enables to do so this year,” said David Christenson, PGA, Circling Raven Director Golf. “We look forward to welcoming back players, and we’re ready to blow them away with the course, customer service, and the incredible Idaho panhandle scenery.”

Golfers can play Circling Raven at the Pre-Season Rate of $55 from March 27-April 9. That’s a savings of nearly 40% on Monday-Thursday, and nearly 45% on Friday-Sunday (and holidays). Green fees will increase to the Spring Rates ($89 & $99) on April 10 to May 21, after which begin peak season rates ($99 and $109).

Circling Raven Superintendent, Brian Woster, GCSAA, and his team are preparing the course now, and they’re expected to have the tees, fairways, and greens in typically superb playing condition by March 27 (subject to change)

The Son Gual Tour truck has rolled into Mallorca as part of a six-figure upgrade of its Performance Centre.

The sponsors’ versions are usually parked beside the practice range at Tour venues, with experts on hand to make modifications and repairs to equipment or stock the latest new clubs for the pros to test ahead of top-level tournaments.

But at Son Gual – near Palma in Mallorca – they have their own in-house expert in the shape of the award-winning Miki Rapado, who is considered to be one of the best club fitters and club makers in Europe. His skills are frequently put to good use by members and guests as part of the Son Gual experience.

Head professional Tim Holroyd and Rapado have invested heavily in the building and technical equipment as part of the upgraded Performance Centre. Redesigned and refurbished, it now includes the golf gym and improvements to the video room, and guest areas – with some members also making their own financial contribution to the project – while the Tour truck adds an extra dimension.

Holroyd said: “We’ve upgraded the older studio and have added several new areas, including the truck.

“The Performance Centre originally opened seven years ago but the industry is constantly evolving, so the demands and expectations of the golfers are also changing.

“The truck has been re-modelled to become a full work station, which allows us to build and change equipment as well as being able to use it to go to events and venues to be able to different services. Even we can’t all play like the Tour pros, we can make the most of our own Tour truck!”

Designed by Thomas Himmel, the 7,240-yard, par-72 course opened at a cost in excess of €30m in 2008. Now established as a leading European venue, it features large lakes, 66 bunkers, 800 olive trees – some more than 1000 years old – a superb collection of par-threes and one of the most memorable finishing holes to be found anywhere on the continent.

But the Pamer family, which built the course from scratch, is always looking to improve Son Gual and to attract new members and guests to test themselves on a venue which is consistently listed in the top 100 rankings.

Holroyd said: “The Performance Centre is probably most suitable for more advanced players but less-experienced golfers can also see huge benefits too.

“It’s also about making the whole experience more enjoyable and making people want to come back to Son Gual. The practice and learning areas of a golf club are often overlooked, but they actually play a key role in attracting new clients as well as members. Good golfers will always return to a specific club that has unique and different practice facilities.

“We are planning to add further features as spring approaches – a small area where you can have a drink in the practice facility and we will add music to the whole area, where you can play some motivational tracks or just add a little extra atmosphere.”

The Golf Ball Market report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.

https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/01061715224/global-golf-ball-market-research-report-2020/inquiry?source=openpr&Mode=RJ

Golf is an individual sport in which player strike a ball with the help of a club from a tee into the hole. The game is enjoyed globally by both players as well as viewers. It's a sport that requires concentration and accuracy, and it is enjoyed by professional and amateurs golfers, both of whom compete throughout the year for titles and prizes. The two main items that a golfer needs to play the game are a golf club and a golf ball.

Top Leading Companies of Global Golf Ball Market are Titleist, Callaway, Bridgestone, Srixon, TaylorMade Golf, Dicks, Volvik, Slazenger and others.Regional Outlook of Golf Ball Market report includes the following geographic areas such as: North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and ROW.
On The Basis Of Product, The Golf Ball Market Is Primarily Split Into

One-Piece-Ball
Two-Piece-Ball
Three-Piece-Ball
Others

On The Basis Of End Users/Application, This Report Covers
Online Purchases
Offline Purchases

This allows understanding of the market and benefits from any lucrative opportunities that are available. Researchers have offered a comprehensive study of the existing market scenario while concentrating on the new business objectives. There is a detailed analysis of the change in customer requirements, customer preferences and the vendor landscape of the overall market.

Browse Full Report at:

https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/01061715224/global-golf-ball-market-research-report-2020?source=openpr&Mode=RJ

Following are major Table of Content of Golf Ball Industry:
Golf Ball Market Sales Overview.
Golf Ball Market Sales Competition by Manufacturers.
Golf Ball Market Sales Analysis by Region.
Golf Ball Market Sales Analysis by Type.
Golf Ball Market Analysis by Application.
Golf Ball Market -Manufacturers Analysis.
Furthermore, this study will help our clients solve the following issues:
Cyclical dynamics - We foresee dynamics of industries by using core analytical and unconventional market research approaches. Our clients use insights provided by us to maneuver themselves through market .Spotting emerging trends – The report help clients to spot upcoming hot market trends. We also track possible impact and disruptions which a market would witness by a particular emerging trend. Our proactive analysis help clients to have early mover advantage.

Interrelated opportunities - This report will allow clients to make decisions based on data, thereby increasing the chances that the strategies will perform better if not best in real world.

We Offer Customization on report based on specific client Requirement:

– Free country Level analysis for any 5 countries of your choice.
– Free Competitive analysis of any 5 key market players.
– Free 40 analyst hours to cover any other data point.

The 148th Open at Royal Portrush generated more than £100 million of economic benefit for Northern Ireland, according to an independent study commissioned by The R&A and figures released by Tourism Northern Ireland today.

The Open, which returned to Northern Ireland for the first time in 68 years delivered a total economic impact, new money entering the economy, of £45 million according to the study by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC).

Northern Ireland also gained £37.3 million in destination marketing benefit from over 5,400 hours of global television coverage.

The figures relate to the week of The Open and do not include the additional economic benefit accrued in the years following the Championship.

An additional £23.7 million has been identified by Tourism Northern Ireland in Advertising Equivalent Value for Northern Ireland Golf Tourism monitored in other media coverage across the island of Ireland and internationally.

The SIRC study - which was commissioned by golf’s governing body The R&A and supported by Tourism Northern Ireland and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council - also concluded that the Causeway Coast council area alone received a £26.21 million injection of new money from The Open.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A said, “The 148th Open at Royal Portrush made history as the largest sporting event ever to be held in Northern Ireland and generated a substantial economic benefit.

“The return of the Championship to Royal Portrush was eagerly anticipated and we enjoyed a hugely memorable week where we welcomed tens of thousands of spectators to an outstanding championship venue to witness Shane Lowry lifting the Claret Jug.”

John McGrillen, Chief Executive Tourism NI, said, “The 148th Open at Royal Portrush was a ground breaking event for tourism in Northern Ireland and its success further demonstrates Northern Ireland’s ability to seamlessly deliver world class events which have a very positive impact on the local economy.

“Behind the scenes a huge partnership effort across Government, Causeway Coast and Glens Council, PSNI, Translink and Tourism NI delivered an unforgettable week for players and spectators alike.”

David Jackson, Chief Executive, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said: “I am very proud of the role Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council played in The 148th Open, and these figures confirm its hugely significant impact on our economy. Visitors to The Open were able to enjoy the unrivalled beauty of the Causeway Coast and the warm hospitality which our destination is renowned for.

“Research has shown that the positive effects of hosting The Open will be felt for many years and I have no doubt the Causeway Coast and Glens will continue to capitalise on its experience as a world class host of The Open.”

The 148th Open attracted 237,750 fans, an attendance record for a Championship staged outside of St Andrews. Over half of the spectators who attended The Open (57.6%) travelled from outwith Northern Ireland including visitors from elsewhere in the UK (20.2%), from the Republic of Ireland (18.2%) and from overseas, the United States (11.1%), Canada (2.3%) and Australia (2.1%). Some 83% of visitors told researchers they were more likely to visit Causeway Coast and Glens and Northern Ireland in the next two years as a result of their attendance at The Open.

The Open is golf’s original championship and its return to Northern Ireland and Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951 was a huge success.

A key aim of The R&A is to attract a younger audience to the Championship, and more than 30,000 spectators under the age of 25 attended this year, including 21,000 children under the age of 16 who attend free of charge thanks to the long-running Kids Go Free initiative.

The 149th Open will take place at Royal St George’s from 12-19 July 2020. Fans eager to attend the Championship’s return to the Kent links for the first time in almost a decade can purchase tickets by visiting TheOpen.com.

Ticket and hospitality sales for Royal St George’s have been the fastest in the history of The Open with Championship Days on Saturday and Sunday as well as Weekly Tickets and Weekend Bundles having already sold out. A limited number of hospitality packages are still available.

From 2 – 5 December 2019, the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] Annual Congress and International Team Championship (ITC) will descend upon Portugal’s Algarve region, when Penina Hotel & Golf Resort hosts the events for the first time.

Located on the outskirts of Portimao, 45 minutes from Faro airport and two hours from the country’s capital Lisbon, Penina Hotel & Golf Resort provides an idyllic location to host the series of seminars, presentations and delegate activities that are synonymous with the Annual Congress.

Chief Executive of the CPG, Ian Randell, gave comment on the news: “We are very excited to be returning to Portugal for our Annual Congress and International Team Championship this year.

“Penina’s five-star hotel and golf course leads the way in Portugal for its exceptional service and facilities. We are therefore thrilled to be working with them in delivering what will be another exceptional schedule of educational and competitive opportunities to end 2019.”

Penina’s 18-hole championship golf course, dubbed ‘The Home of Portugal Golf’ will also provide an enticing stage for the ITC. In its 31st year, the tournament pits some of the CPG’s Member Country PGA’s best PGA Professionals against one another over three days of competitive play, in a team-event like no other.

JJW Hotels & Resorts, said: “It is a great honour to host the CPG’s Annual Congress and ITC at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort. Holding events of this scale requires extensive facilities of high quality, so Penina’s offering of championship golf and high-end hospitality means this will undoubtedly be an enjoyable week for the delegates and competitors alike.”

In combination, the Annual Congress and ITC consistently highlight the CPG’s Educational and Tournament schedule every year, and are sure to be another successful version of the events when they returns to Portugal’s Algarve region.

The Ozarks offer some of America's most beautiful scenery, particularly when foliage is at its peak. Maple, oak, ash and hickory – not the wooden clubs, rather, the spectacular trees – display their peak colors this time of year, complementing the vibrant Branson golf courses that have begun unveiling special seasonal rates.

If you want to tee it up today with the lower fall playing rates, consider The Pointe. The 18-hole course reduced its greens fees significantly beginning today and running through Nov. 30. Golf for $45 before 10 am, $55 after 10 am, a savings of $30 and $10 per round, respectively. Further savings kick in on December 1, when the all-day rate for 18 holes is $49.

The cost to play LedgeStone Country Club – the No. 6 ranked public courses in Missouri by Golfweek – decreases more than 35% from peak-season weekend morning rates starting November 1. Players can tee it up on the beautiful Tom Clark designed layout – which features a diverse collection of superb golf holes – for $59 Sun-Thurs with cart through February, $69 Fri-Sat before 12 pm ($59 after noon).  The course also conducts promotional food or toy drive events in November and December with reduced participation rates for participants who contribute those items. Follow LedgeStone on Social Media (Instagram) to learn when these events will be held.

Green fees drop to $79 on Nov. 1 at Branson Hills Golf Club – the No. 2-rated course in Missouri – and remain there through February. That’s a savings of nearly 40% off the peak season weekend morning all-day-play rate ($130).

The four Big Cedar Lodge courses reduce their rates twice – on Nov. 1, then again on Dec. 1. You can play the brand-new, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed Ozarks National for $150 beginning in November, then $125 starting in December. Buffalo Ridge Springs (Tom Fazio) – rated the top course in the state by Golfweek – reduces rates to $115, then to $80. Those same rate adjustments are identical for Top of the Rock, the Jack Nicklaus authored par-3 short course, Last but not least, Mountain Top can be played for $50 and $45, during November and December. The Gary Player walking-only courses has 13 ingenious holes.

For those seeking more affordable playing options, Thousand Hills Golf Resort beckons. Lodging guests can play the prized Bob Cupp-designed 18-hole championship course for $39. Not staying at Thousand Hills? No problem. Groups of 12 or more can book tee times only for $49 per person. Both are exceptional values considering the normal playing rate is $69, ($59 if booked online).

Subject to change

Suzann, you're brilliant! Nerves of steel!
Wow! Congratulations to Team Europe! Wonderful win!

European Captain Catriona Matthew picks Celine Boutier, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Bronte Law and Suzann Pettersen

17^th August 2019

European Captain Catriona Matthew announced her four Captain’s picks – France’s Celine Boutier, English stars Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Bronte Law and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen - at a press conference at Gleneagles. Pettersen has played in a remarkable eight Solheim Cups and qualified for a ninth in 2017 but an injury forced her to swap to a Vice Captain role, while Ewart Shadoff has played in two Solheim Cups, 2013 and 2017, and has had four top tens this season. Law is currently the highest ranked British woman, sitting at 25th on the Rolex World Rankings, while Boutier finished sixth at the AIG Women’s British Open earlier this month and fifth at the 2019 US Women’s Open and is currently ranked 59th. 

The eight players who automatically qualified for The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, from 9^th to 15^th September, at the conclusion of yesterday’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club were Carlota Ciganda, Anne Van Dam, Caroline Hedwall, Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Azahara Munoz, Caroline Masson and Anna Nordqvist.

Scotland’s Matthew, who has played in nine Solheim Cups, explained the reasoning behind her four selections: “Bronte and Celine’s excellent recent form speaks for itself in terms of why I selected them, and I think they are both going to have fantastic Solheim Cup debuts. I chose Jodi and Suzann for their vast experience, their recent good form and because I know exactly what they bring to the European team room. With our only other rookie being Anne Van Dam, who has also had an excellent year, I feel the experience of our team will be a great advantage to us along with the home crowd support.”

Three of the Captain’s picks were in the room when Matthew announced her final line-up while Ewart Shadoff was not able to attend after having a minor procedure last week.

Ewart Shadoff said: “I am gutted not to be there for team practice today but I will be back hitting balls next week and I am really excited to be part of Catriona’s team. I think the team looks incredibly strong, probably the strongest team I’ve been a part of and I’m honoured to have been chose by the Captain to be part of it. This will be my first Solheim Cup in Europe and just to experience the home crowd will be amazing and a big advantage for us.” 

Law said: “I couldn’t be happier to be making my Solheim Cup debut here at the beautiful Gleneagles. I am so grateful to Catriona and all the Vice Captains for picking me and I can’t wait for it to start. To be part of this great team with so many Solheim Cup legends is pretty surreal but they have all been very generous in giving me advice ahead of making my debut.” 

Boutier said: “I have been dreaming of playing Solheim Cup since I was a little girl and it really is amazing to be here at this press conference and know that my dream will come true in a month’s time! Getting out there to practise with the team today on the PGA Centenary course where I watched so much of the Ryder Cup was fantastic and I think this course is going to suit me very well.” 

Pettersen said: “Catriona knows that match play brings out the absolute best in my game and that I will be ready to deliver points for her come September. I honestly believe that my best contribution to our Solheim Cup campaign will be on the course and I am very grateful to Catriona for having the confidence to choose me for this year’s team.” 

With Pettersen stepping out of her Vice Captaincy role, Matthew announced that Mel Reid would now be her final Vice Captain, joining Dame Laura Davies and Kathryn Imrie.

The final qualifying event for the USA team will end with the CP Women’s Open in Canada, 22^nd to 26^th August, with many players still fighting to join their team in defending the Solheim Cup in Scotland next month.   

Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang, Lisette Salas and Jessica Korda are all safely qualified while past US Solheim Cup team standouts  Cristie Kerr and Stacy Lewis, would need to win the CP Women’s Open to claim their place without needing a Captain’s pick from Juli Inkster.

Ten of Discover Qatar’s sales team experienced Education City Golf Club during a 3 hours familiarization trip. The sales team toured the extensive facilities and then experienced golf via a putting clinic and tournament. Education City Golf Club is a landmark project for Qatar and the world of golf, offering a revolutionary and holistic approach to growing the game of golf, with a number of short game formats. The course is due for soft a soft opening in October 2018.

Education City Golf Club has a state-of-the-art learning and practice facility housed in the Centre of Excellence, a facility designed for golf development. The course features an innovative TrackMan range, an 18-hole championship golf course, a floodlit 6-hole championship course with 7 teeing ground options per hole for quick and multi-generational golf and a floodlit 9-hole par-3 course all designed by two-time major winner Jose Maria Olazabal. The amazing golf courses are serviced by a clubhouse and academy building which will both offer all-day dining options. Surrounding the clubhouse are large gardens where a number of lawn sports will be available.

Education City Golf Clubs General Manager Michael Braidwood said: “We were delighted to receive the team from Discover Qatar for our first familiarization trip. Working with Discover Qatar is extremely important to the success of the club as they will promote and coordinate a large number of our international visitors to the club. Seeing is believing so we are very keen to get as many tourism stakeholders to the club before we open in October. Furthermore, they had a great time and we might see some new golfers emerging from the visit”

Earlier this year, Discover Qatar, the destination management subsidiary arm of Qatar Airways, announced its latest selection of pre-bookable city and desert tours for passengers transiting through Qatar, making it one of the world’s leading inbound tourism providers for transit passengers.

Initially launched in 2015, the transit tours are aimed at passengers with a transfer time of between 6 and 12 hours at Hamad International Airport. The latest selection of tours include visiting key landmarks including The Pearl-Qatar for the finest quality shops and restaurants; Katara Cultural Village, a centre dedicated to celebrating arts and heritage; Souq Waqif, for traditional jewellery, spices and handicrafts; and the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), for its stunning collection of art, architecture and beautiful park. In addition, passengers can book a unique desert experience and visit Sealine Beach and the sand dunes of Mesaieed either in the exclusive off-road monster bus or a luxury 4 X 4 vehicle during their stopover. Alongside city and desert tours, transit passengers can also book the ‘Stop & Shop’ tour which offers a chauffeur-driven car to the Mall of Qatar – home to luxury fashion brands and world-class restaurants.

The 1st tee shot at the fully renovated PGA National Cyprus The official re-opening of the renovated Aphrodite Hills Golf Course, The PGA National, Cyprus happened on Friday 19th January 2018.

The most important section of the major investment upgrade and complete modernisation of €4 million; including the rebuilding of greens and bunkers, has been completed earlier than it was originally estimated. The Clubhouse facilities and the creation of a Members’ Lounge is well on schedule and will open in the months to follow.

“The European Golf Resort of the Year 2018” has brought forward the opening date and the club captain Tony Raphael hit the 1st tee shot on Friday the 19th of January at 07:46am. The Club members followed the club captain playing a team competition. With multi awarded facilities, the unique winter sun and amazing Mediterranean climate, Cyprus offers the highest of the quality of thematic tourism.

The renovated PGA National Golf Course is now ready to welcome players from all over the world.