Garda Hotel San Vigilio Golf is now the new name for Chervo Golf San Vigilio

The change of name of the prestigious real estate complex, with annexed 36-hole golf course, has been made official.

The Board of Directors of SAN VIGILIO R.E. Spa, headed by President Pietro Apicella together with the directors representing a group of entrepreneurial friends, who have always controlled the prestigious hotel complex, with inside it 4 golf courses for a total of 36 holes, has deliberated to change the structure's current name from Chervò Golf Hotel Spa & Resort San Vigilio to GARDA HOTEL SAN VIGILIO GOLF

"The decision to change part of the name", explains Pietro Apicella, president of SAN VIGILIO R.E. Spa and of the amateur sports association linked to the golf sector, "represents a further and important moment of commercial growth, which gives further strength to the strategy of wanting to contribute to enhancing the structure as well as the entire Garda hinterland area in which our structure is located. With GARDA HOTEL SAN VIGILIO GOLF, it becomes spontaneous in fact, especially for the foreign tourist and golfer, to identify already from the name the marvelous natural context in which our structure is set, and which in these first 15 years of history has seen us committed to an ambitious development project with continuous and important investments. In recent years,' Pietro Apicella continues, 'our facility has been chosen for important corporate events of major companies recognized at world level, but also for major golfing events at international level, such as the 77th Italian Open held in the middle of the Covid period, during which we were able to guarantee the smooth running of the competition on the 'bubble', or the recent European Journalist Team Championships held at the end of October. It was precisely the Nations Cup, also organized with the contribution of the Lombardy Region, that gave further prominence to the Garda region, given the participation of 110 journalists representing 11 nations in the field, with a total of more than 180 guests present throughout the week of the event, including other journalists and accompanying guests.

Portmarnock Golf Links, originally designed in 1995 by the great Bernhard Langer, has completed a multi-million Euro course renovation project which included the ambitious elevation of greens and tees from the eighth hole all the way through its climactic coastal finishing stretch.

The enhancements – led by Jeff Lynch of the innovative and burgeoning golf course design company (re)GOLF – have created a breath-taking back nine (or back ten!) stretch which now takes in picture-postcard views of Portmarnock’s Velvet Strand beach, the expanse of the Irish Sea and the famous uninhabited island which greets visitors as they land into the nearby Dublin airport – known as Ireland’s Eye.

The venue, whose history is inextricably linked to the famous Jameson whiskey dynasty – indeed, many generations of the Jameson family are laid to rest in a graveyard just to the right of the first fairway – is set to wow Irish golfers and international tourists alike as it enters a new chapter in its distinguished history.

Those visiting will also experience a recently-upgraded and award-winning Hotel which blends modern elegance with a fascinating history, encapsulated by the quaint Irish charm of its Jameson Bar – which in 2022 was commended in the Icons of Whisky Ireland Hotel Bar of the Year Awards.

The Hotel provides a perfect base for any golfers hoping to explore the vast array of world-class links courses along the north Dublin golfing coast – including Portmarnock Old Course, The Island and Royal Dublin.

Lidia Muñoz from Malaga has been appointed Director of Operations of Abama Golf y Tenis, sports complexes located in the municipality of Guía de Isora, in the south of Tenerife, after twenty years occupying various positions of responsibility in tourist courses and resorts in Andalusia and the Valencian Community, mainly.

"It is an honor to join the Abama Golf team, one of the most important courses in Spain and Europe, as distinguished by publications in the Golf Digest category. I believe that my experience in the industry will help to continue consolidating this project, and positioning it as a national and international reference", says Lidia Muñoz.

In her most recent responsibility, Muñoz served as director of operations of The San Roque Club from Cádiz, one of the most prominent in Spain, where she led the comprehensive remodeling project of the field and the clubhouse facilities.

She previously served as commercial and marketing director at Villaitana Golf in Benidorm, sales director at Alhaurín Golf Hotel in Mijas and sales director at Fairplay Golf & Spa Resort in Cádiz. She has also been part of Rio Real Golf & Hotel in Marbella and La Cala Resort in Mijas as well as responsible for reservations at the St Giles Hotel in London's West End.

Brendan Breen, CEO of Abama Golf and Abama Tennis, will rely on Muñoz to carry out the future strategic development of the two sports facilities of Abama Resort Tenerife, for which she has an expansion plan that plans to add nine new holes to the offer of eighteen holes at Abama Golf. and incorporate new catering and customer service services at Abama Tenis.

"Lidia Muñoz has excellent leadership skills and verifiable results in team management. Throughout her career she has always stood out for her ability to find business opportunities, optimize processes and maximize the benefits of the companies in which she has collaborated, something that will help us enormously with the project we have for our sports spaces at Abama," says Brendan.

Abama Golf, a course designed by the renowned Dave Thomas, has established itself among lovers of this sport as one of the best in the world. During your tour you can enjoy incomparable panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the island of La Gomera, which makes the practice of golf an unforgettable experience and a wonderful immersion in nature, with a layout that integrates more than three hundred species of subtropical plants, among which are around twenty thousand palm trees.

PGA Catalunya Golf and Wellness, Spain’s No.1 golf resort, has expanded its offering with the opening of seven new wellbeing suites at its 5* Hotel Camiral, a member of The Leading Hotels of The World.

The 72m² Camiral Suites are directly connected to the Wellness Centre which promotes holistic health and wellbeing with the support of the latest state-of-the-art technology and treatments.

Ideal for golfers, hotel guests and visitors opting to book one of PGA Catalunya’s many wellbeing programmes and packages, the suites provide ample living spaces inside and out, while linking with the Wellness Centre, the extensive grounds and the healthy ethos of the resort overall.

David Ashington, Director of Golf at PGA Catalunya, said: “As more people discover the social, physical and emotional advantages of golf, we wanted to be able to enhance such wellbeing benefits beyond the greens and the fairways, positively impacting our guests’ stay at the resort.

“The new suites elevate our offering by providing our golf visitors their own private space to undertake individual exercise, like yoga or pilates, or enjoy some well-earned down-time.”

PGA Catalunya’s Camiral Suites, designed by London-based Bryan O’Sullivan Studio, whose works include the Berkeley Bar and Terrace and Maybourne Riviera, feature the latest amenities and appliances of a well-equipped modern apartment, including a stylish kitchenette, with personal fitness accessories as standard.

In line with the European Tour Destinations’ wider commitments to sustainability, the spacious suites’ furniture and lighting has been procured or manufactured within the EU to reduce Co2 emissions, and locally-sourced stone and different types of wood were selected for both their inherent design qualities and their sustainable credentials.

Architectural elements of marble and onyx and timber that evoke a sense of calm also feature prominently, while the use of a natural palette featuring touches of pink and blue gently connects the new suites to the surrounding natural landscape.

Camiral Suites: Key Features

- Ample living spaces inside and out, including a sitting room, walk-in dressing room, bathroom and bedroom with a double balcony

- Full-length windows looking out over the pool and more than 1,300 acres of Mediterranean forest

- Each suite is equipped with personal fitness accessories as standard, including yoga mats, weights and gym balls

- Minibars filled with nutritious Flax & Kale smoothies and health-boosting snacks and an integrated filtered water tap to reduce plastic waste

Located 20 minutes outside Girona in north-eastern Spain, PGA Catalunya Golf and Wellness’ new Camiral Suites complement the resort’s other amenities which support and promote physical and emotional wellbeing to make Spain’s No.1 golf resort the must-visit destination for golf and wellness.

Lanzarote Golf is in luck with the release of thirty Club Car buggies, model Tempo Litio. A latest generation vehicle that offers great reliability and safety thanks to its Excel braking system. In addition, Club Car Tempo ensures the user comfort, silence and zero emissions. The purchase of the fleet is due, among other things, to the club's firm commitment to environmental protection thanks to lithium batteries.

"For us, it is almost an obligation, as well as a necessity, to support initiatives to reduce emissions and promote sustainable mobility. That is why we have chosen Riversa as the official supplier of our new fleet of buggies, as they are also committed to technology and innovation and care about the environment as much as we do", says Marga de Luis, director of Lanzarote Golf.

"Riversa offers us great quality, advantages and facilities in the service they provide. Their brand, Club Car, has vehicles with electric motors and non-polluting lithium batteries", adds De Luis.

Tour Golf Travel is taking remote working to the extreme by sending a section of its sales team to work in the Algarve – to further improve the high-quality of travel advice offered to golf holiday seekers.

The innovative move will allow six sales team members to live and breathe one of the company’s most popular destinations, as experiencing the location will provide an even more knowledgeable service to be passed on to potential travellers.

Known already as the “YGT Six”, the small team will continue to work from sunnier climes throughout the week, while absorbing evening and weekend programmes of activity designed to become fully immersed within the product range and local culture.

Those “YGT Six” are: Jack Deasy, 24 and Ben Gardner, 28, both from Essex, Max Moor-Radford, 28, from Hertfordshire, Jonathan Squibb, 27, from Kent, and finally Joe Hicks, 27, and Craig Martin, 31, from Sussex.

Portugal’s southernmost region is well known for its Atlantic beaches and range of impressive golf facilities and has become a favourite with European tourists who enjoy its unique charm and ease of access.

João Fernandes, President of Algarve Tourism, said: “As a world-leading golf destination, the Algarve is delighted that Your Golf Travel has chosen us to further enhance the team’s knowledge of our unique fairways and venues.”

While in the area, the team will look to gain an intrinsic knowledge of the destination from a golf and leisure aspect, taking in the views from both on and off the golf course.

This will include staying, working and playing in the likes of Boavista Golf & Spa, Dom Pedro in Vilamoura, Castro Marim Golfe and Country Club, as well other outstanding golf venues in the region like Vale do Lobo, NAU resorts, Pestana resorts and Quinta do Lago.

This will translate during the two-month stay into a more detailed knowledge of the Algarve offering, which can be passed on by the sales team to customers who are looking to book their own escape to Portugal.

Your Golf Travel co-founder, Andrew Harding, said: “As Your Golf Travel continues to embrace hybrid working, what better way for our Golf Travel Experts to truly experience one of our top destinations than to live and breathe it daily.

“From spending time with our hotel and golf partners to improving their game after work in the sunshine, this really is an opportunity of a lifetime for our team. We are incredibly excited to be supporting such an exciting project and we look forward to our team developing their knowledge of the Algarve as we constantly look at ways to improve our service to our customers."

Marriott International, Inc. today announced it has signed an agreement with TEMES S.A., a leading developer and operator in high end tourism and real estate, to debut the W Hotels Worldwide brand in Greece with the opening of W Costa Navarino. Expected to open in summer 2022, W Costa Navarino is anticipated to mark the latest addition to the ever-expanding W Escapes portfolio in Europe following locations in Spain, Switzerland and Portugal.

The new W Escape will be located in Navarino Waterfront, the newest integrated resort of Costa Navarino - the prime sustainable destination in the Mediterranean. The 13-hectare beachfront destination is located in Messinia, southwest Peloponnese. Designed by renowned Greek architects, Tombazis and Associates Architects, W Costa Navarino is inspired by the region’s traditional residential areas and set to use local, natural materials such as stone, wood and reed. The distinctive interiors will be led by London-based MKV Design. The Escape is expected to feature 246 stylish rooms, suites, and villas, many with private pools staged in the Bay of Navarino with stunning Ionian Sea views.

‘‘We are thrilled to build on our fantastic relationship with TEMES S.A. to open W Costa Navarino, strengthening Marriott International’s presence in this Mediterranean paradise,” said Candice D’Cruz, Vice President – Luxury Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “Joining our portfolio of coveted W Escapes around the world, W Costa Navarino will add a distinct take on modern luxury to Navarino Waterfront. We look forward to welcoming free-spirited travelers to this new luxury playground.”

W Costa Navarino is set to offer five dining venues including a destination beach club overlooking a long sandy shore, designed by Athens-based K-Studio. The ‘Culinary Square’ is the hotel’s playful take on a deli food market with individual outlets creating a socially driven destination for all day dining. Other planned amenities include a sunset bar and the signature W Living Room. Guests will also be able to enjoy experiences and dining at neighbouring venues in Costa Navarino including the new Navarino Agora, an open marketplace with retail, street food, open-air cinema and exciting programming throughout the day and night.

“W Costa Navarino will generate a unique energy encouraging free expression and connection between a diverse mix of people, whilst respecting and honoring authentic experiences and cultures. In this important chapter for the growth of the destination, we believe W Costa Navarino will significantly contribute to our vision in further establishing Messinia as a top international destination to visit and to live,” said Achilles V. Constantakopoulos, Chairman TEMES S.A.

Tennis courts and a water sports hub are part of the vision for guests to enjoy at W Costa Navarino, along with access to the destination’s four signature golf courses and an array of outdoor programming including biking, hiking, rock-climbing and sailing.

“The beginning of 2022 is an immensely exciting period with a series of European Tour events. The Peter Harradine designed course at Al Hamra Golf Club will be a fitting challenge to those playing in the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital.  Al Hamra has gone from strength to strength. The fact that we have been selected to host such a significant event underlines the impact our talented team has had on this facility. In addition, the international recognition that this tournament brings will deliver visibility to a broad audience and showcase the fantastic experience that Al Hamra Golf Club provides.”

Based in the northern most Emirate in the UAE, Al Hamra Golf Club has risen to prominence thanks to the course's renowned condition and welcoming winter climate. Al Hamra Golf Club continues to welcome visitors and golfers from all over the world, with the eighteen-hole championship course situated within a series of interlinked water features and set against a desert landscape.

Paul Booth, General Manager of Al Hamra Golf Club said: “We are delighted to be working with all of the key stakeholders, the European Tour, Phoenix Capital, RAKTDA, Al Hamra, and Marjan, to showcase the wonderful Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The long-term strategic goal is to make the Ras Al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital a steadfast tournament on an expanding Middle East Swing. These are exciting times for Al Hamra Golf Club and Ras Al Khaimah”

Al Hamra Golf Club previously hosted the European Challenge Tour over three consecutive years from 2016 – 2018. It was initially the venue for the Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge in 2016 and 2017, before hosting the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final as the final stop on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah in 2018.

During the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final, Spaniard Adri Arnaus finished one shot clear of France’s Victor Perez, with the pair ending the season in second and third position on the 2018 Challenge Tour Rankings behind Denmark’s Joachim B. Hansen. All three players are now firmly established on the European Tour.

With completely new greens and bunkers, the reopening of the spectacular Europa Course at La Cala Resort in southern Spain marks the completion of a final phase of golf course improvements at the renowned golfing destination. All 54 holes at La Cala have now been upgraded and improved for playability.

Despite the unprecedented nature of the last 18 months and its obvious challenges, La Cala has looked to the future and used the time advantageously to complete significant and impressive course improvements. The resort has finalised renovation works on the stunning Europa Course, as well as putting finishing touches to works on the beautiful Asia course. La Cala is delighted to announce Europa reopens for play on Monday 6th September 2021.

The greens on the Europa course have been changed to Bermuda grass – the same process as was undertaken on the Asia course in 2019. La Cala was the first golf resort on the Costa del Sol to make the change by seeding rather than by sodding. The process on Europa was completed last August so the greens have had a full year to successfully mature and are now rolling beautifully.

One of the biggest benefits of this change of grass type is that it has made La Cala more environmentally sustainable by reducing the amount of water consumption, chemicals and fertilisers, as well as reducing the risk of grass diseases. Overall, it means better and more consistent putting surfaces all year-round.

In addition, new bunkering has been instated across the Europa Course this summer. All bunkers have been renovated or remodelled to be visually more appealing and the sand has been replaced to be consistent with that on the Asia and America courses. It’s of a far higher quality and much more pleasant and fair to play from. There have also been small design changes with some bunker sizes reduced and other unnecessary bunkers removed.

Not only do these alterations improve the aesthetics but there is also a positive environmental impact. The remodelled bunkers are more accessible for the raking machines and require less trimming. This means less machinery and fuel is required during maintenance.

“We are thrilled with the work that has been completed on the Europa Course and are excited to reopen to golfers,” says Director of La Cala Resort, Sean Corte-Real. “The last 18 months has, of course, been challenging for us as it has for so many, but we are delighted to have a positive story to tell. It has allowed us to complete a significant project and to offer a hugely enhanced golfing product. Every cloud has a silver lining.”

On top of the Europa changes, La Cala has also taken the opportunity to further improve playing surfaces on the Asia course. Refurbishments following Storm Filomena in January were completed, while rough and untidy grass areas have been replaced by wood chips and pine needles.

“It makes for a cleaner surface under the trees,” says Corte-Real. “It’s easier to find balls, but most importantly it gets rid of a lot of useless green areas that we now don´t have to mow and water. Imagine the water and fuel saved doing this! We are very conscious of sustainability at La Cala.”

The works to complete the renovations to Europa and to enhance Asia demonstrate the commitment La Cala has to continuously improve the experience for guests. This commitment was evidenced by the fact La Cala was recently ranked by Golf World as the best 4* resort in Spain, with the America and Europa layouts ranked in Spain’s top 30 courses.

Situated in the foothills of the beautiful Mijas Mountains with breath-taking views of the stunning Andalusian countryside, La Cala’s superb 54-hole resort offers an idyllic rural retreat just 20 minutes from Marbella and only 30 minutes from Malaga airport.

The three superb championship courses at La Cala - Campo America, Campo Asia and Campo Europa - each present unique challenges and slot seamlessly into a natural, undulating backdrop of trees and flowers, rich with birds and wildlife. Designed by famous golf course architect Cabell Robinson, each 18-hole layout has been created to ensure a truly exhilarating experience.

La Cala resort boasts accommodation of the highest standard, including a renovated 107-bedroom hotel, plus an on-site Real Estate project with a selection of newly built properties for sale. Residents can enjoy the luxurious spa and a selection of excellent restaurants and bars. There are also further leisure opportunities with a FIFA-standard football pitch, running circuit, gym, tennis and squash courts.

A thousand-year-old natural heritage, the cave was discovered in 1849 almost by chance, hidden in a lime quarry owned by the Giusti family, father of the poet Giuseppe. With the discovery, the Righteous decided to build a spa and in 1880 the Royal Hotel where the Prince of Naples and Giuseppe Verdi who called the cave "the eighth wonder of the world" was inaugurated. The underground environments of the cave - Paradise, Purgatory, Hell - have since attracted guests from all over the world, thanks to the natural thermal environment that allows anthropological care unique on the international scene. Its primitive beauty, characterized by rooms of stalagmites and stalactites, long corridors and a thermal water bath, perfectly embody the hotels ‘mark’ a signature experience that each Autograph Collection hotel offers to leave a lasting imprint on all who stay.

"We are very happy to present this splendid project, the result of intense work that will bring to light a unique jewel of hospitality" – says Marcello Cicalò, Director of Operations of Italian Hospitality Collection. "The collaboration with the prestigious Autograph Collection Hotels by Marriott International makes us proud and confident in being able to guarantee our guests an exclusive and top level wellness experience, maintaining all our Italian identity with a strong emphasis on the most authentic Tuscanness. With Autograph Collection Hotels we will have access to the international distribution channels of the Marriott brand and this will give a very strong impetus and great visibility to the resort of Grotta Giusti but also to the resort of Monsummano Terme, representing an important economic and employment driver for the entire community". Cicalò concludes: "The renovation of Grotta Giusti is part of a multimillion-dollar investment plan that has seen the redevelopment of all the resort's rooms, the bar, restaurants, the freshwater pool in the centuries-old park and the creation of a new spa for hotel guests. Especially in this historical period, Grotta Giusti's project is a great sign of relaunch and development that IHC and its shareholders wanted to give for this 2021. A decisive contribution to reactivating the high-end hotel sector with momentum".

The design philosophy

The redevelopment project of the historic house bears the signature of the architects of Richmond International©, the London firm specialized in the luxuryhôtellerie sector that has always collaborated with the most important international hospitality brands. Richmond's creative concept, inspired by the poetry and natural elements of Grotta Giusti (from the cave to the hot springs, from the centennial park to the Monsummano hill that embraces the resort) combines the finest contemporary design with genius loci. It develops around the theme of Discovery, the discovery of the Cave. The designers in the interior design choices wanted to celebrate the foundation of the hotel, following the important nineteenth-century revelation, and lead guests on a journey to discover Tuscany, its nature and landscape, its workers and local craftsmanship, its unique thermal offer.

The Historical Park

The majestic setting of the 45-hectare park, curated by the renowned landscape architect of the beginning of the last century Pietro Porcinai, houses the freshwater pool with a new bar and restaurant area around it, as well as the tennis court and the life path that winds through the park, revisited with paths among centuries-old trees and lush gardens and trekking paths for excursions in the countryside surrounding the resort. The new "herb garden" will be a central element of the park, used for the cultivation of plants and aromatic herbs that will be used in the kitchen for the creation of culinary specialties related to local products, and to the bar for the creation of cocktails and personalized infusions. An interactive signage system will guide through the different types of plants for a unique and distinctive nature experience

Voyages.golf & its parent company Events Travel, in conjunction Fiji Tourism, have launched the inaugural Fiji Golf Week. Welcoming all golfers to Fiji's tropical shores in August 2021, Fiji Golf Week will see four rounds of golf played across a week, with daily prizes, accommodation, services and activities included. The amateur-participation event is all about celebrating fantastic golf, tropical weather and wonderful entertainment in the company of like-minded golfers.

The annual event will be held in Denarau on the main island of Viti Levu. Golfers of all abilities are welcome to Fiji Golf Week. Details are as follows:

• Dates: 28 August – 4 September 2021
• Hotels: Sheraton Resort & Sheraton Villas
• 2 x 18 Holes at Natadola Bay Champion Golf Course
• 2 x 18 Holes at Denarau Island Golf & Racquet Club
• Shared golf carts, bottled water and use of practice facilities
• There will be daily prizes, a huge overall winners prize and an incredible hole-in-one-prize to The 150th Open valued at over AU$20,000!
• Non-golfer activities
• Welcome Reception Sunday 29 August with drink vouchers and canapés
• Buffet BBQ Wednesday 01 September
• Farewell Dinner & Presentation Friday 03 September including sit-down dinner, free-flow beverages, prizes & entertainment
• Welcome pack and travel kit upon arrival
• All transfers, taxes and fees included

Fiji Golf Week is about celebrating wonderful island life in tropical Fiji, with a fun space to enjoy the country’s best golf courses. There are pre & post-event add-ons for those who want to explore more.

Packages are flight-inclusive with Fiji Airways and start at AUD 2,849 per person. Agents and group leaders are entitled to 5% commission. (subject to change)

#lifestyletravelmedicus

This week’s Northern Ireland Open supported by The R&A marks the return of the European Challenge Tour and a truly international field is set to tee it up at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort.

There will be players from a host of different nations taking to the fairways of the Ballymena parkland from September 3-6, including South Africa’s Hennie Du Plessis and Jacques Kruyswijk.

Sweden’s Oscar Lengden, who lost in a play-off in last year’s Irish Challenge at Headfort Golf Club, will lead a Scandinavian group including fellow Swedes Jens Fahrbring and Henric Sturehed, while Gudmundur Kristjansson and Andri Bjornsson are two of an Icelandic quartet set to play in Northern Ireland.

Players from around the world will return to Challenge Tour action this week, with Australia’s Deyen Lawson and Dodge Kemmer, from the United States, set to compete in Northern Ireland.

Europeans Hurly Long and Nicolai von Dellingshausen, of Germany, Austria’s Lukas Nemecz and Stanislav Matus, of the Czech Republic, will make the trip to Ballymena, while a strong Spanish contingent including David Borda and Manuel Elvira will also feature.

Swiss pair Joel Girrbach and Raphaël de Sousa will join the field in Northern Ireland, as will a strong group from the rest of the United Kingdom. David Boote, of Wales, Scots Daniel Young and Craig Howie, plus Englishmen Daniel Gavins, Jordan Wrisdale and Richard Mansell, who is second in the Road to Mallorca standings, will also make the trip for the Challenge Tour’s return to action.

There will be a strong representation from home with 16 Irish players competing at Galgorm. The Irish contingent is headed up by Tournament Ambassador and five-time European Tour winner Michael Hoey, alongside local favourites such as Dermot McElroy, Ruaidhri McGee and JR Galbraith.

Brendan Lawlor will also tee it up in Galgorm after a historic week competing in the European Tour’s ISPS Handa UK Championship at The Belfry last week. Lawlor is one of the world’s leading disability golfers and continues to fly the flag for disability golf around the world.

Several notable Irish amateurs will also feature at Galgorm as Josh Hill and Tom McKibbin look to put local knowledge to their advantage as they compete once more alongside the professionals.

After several weeks homebound and further to French authorities' approval to play golf again, Terre Blanche Golf will be reopening on 15th May.

Terre Blanche, a European Tour Destination, prides itself in offering incredible spaces within an exceptional environment nestled in lush nature and attracts seasoned golfers from all over the world for its top-notch facilities and world-class service. Today, more than ever, guests' safety and that of the staff remains the highest priority. Thus, thanks to stringent health and safety guidelines, golfers can live their passion in total serenity.

From these dates onwards, the following facilities will be available strictly upon reservation : the two 18-hole golf courses « Le Château » and « Le Riou », the driving range and short game facilities, the Terre Blanche Golf Academy for individual lessons, the Biomecaswing Center as well as a the fitting & club repair. « Le Riou » course remains exclusive to Terre Blanche Golf Club’s members and their guests. To comply with measures taken by the health authorities, the Club House, clockrooms and bag storage will remain closed until further notice.

To reopen Terre Blanche Golf under the best possible conditions, the resort is taking the highest level of preventive measures and is following a new reinforced health protocol, available on Terre Blanche's website. These measures complement the health practices enforced by the French Golf Federation and approved by the French government. The resort is closely monitoring governement and local authorities policy changes and will continue to adapt its protocols and procedures as when necessary.

Located in the heart of Provence’s Côte d’Azur, just 30 minutes from Cannes and 45 minutes from Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport, Terre Blanche’s unrivalled location provides the gateway to the Riviera, enabling guests to experience the charm and character of Provence along with the chic ambience of the Côte d’Azur. As a European Tour Destination, Terre Blanche is one of the most outstanding estates in the South of France. The 750-acre luxury resort is a member of ‘The Leading Hotels of the World’ and of European Tour Destinations, and as the only property of its kind in the region, provides refined hospitality rooted in authenticity and nature.

The 2020 golf season at the first Tuscan 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr is bringing some important news for Italian and international golf players and Royal Golf La Bagnaia is delighted to welcome the new Head Professional, Alessio Bruschi, to this 130-hectare golf course set in the heart of Tuscany.

After an illustrious amateur career, Alessio turned Professional in 2004. From 2004 to 2012 he was part of the Italian Professional National Team and, during these years played around 130 tournaments between Alps Tour, Challenge Tour and European Tour. In 2013, Alessio won the Italian National Championship, held at Royal Golf La Bagnaia.

In 2015 Alessio began to switch his attention and focus towards teaching golf with an appetite to learn from some of the game Masters and some of the greatest European coaches and has also completed the "Dr Kwon's Golf Biomechanics Instructor Training Program".

Alessio is a regular attendee of the PGA Merchandise show having attended the PGA show in Orlando the past 4 years. Alessio prides himself on continual coaching, learning and development that he achieves by participating in seminars and innovative courses relating to various golf aspects, such as the renowned Jim McLean Golf School Academy.

Certified for the most sophisticated and precise swing-analysis systems such as TrackMan 4, BodiTrak pressure plate, MySwing 3D analysis and Capto software for putting analysis, Alessio brings these modern technologies to his daily lessons.

Undoubtedly passionate about his role as a teacher and as a player, Bruschi enjoys helping his students improve their game almost as much as he enjoys playing golf himself. Whether he is introducing a beginner to the thrill of a purely-struck shot, watching active players progress and improve their games or helping a competitive player prepare for their next competition, Alessio is very skilled in laying out the steps and fundamentals that are required to take the student’s game to the next level.

A lesson guided by Alessio becomes truly unique at the Royal Golf La Bagnaia, the course that is perfectly harmonized with the gentle hills of Siena. The Tuscan landscape is a typical example of Inland Links, which refer to the Scottish Highlands with the “Rough” swaying in the wind. The course is enriched by beautiful lakes and a majestic Club House, from where you can enjoy a unique view on all 18 holes.

Alessio is available for lessons at Royal Golf La Bagnaia from Thursday to Sunday and is welcoming players of all levels, beginners to competitive players, making this also a perfect opportunity for the Resort guests curious about the world of golf.

Nestled in the enchanting Tuscan countryside and surrounded by incredible views over rolling hills and cypress trees La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort Siena, Curio Collection by Hilton connects its guests to the very heart of Tuscany. An authentic medieval village, the Resort is a tranquil hideaway full of history, preserved across a 1,100-hectare estate. Featuring a spa with thermal waters, an 18-hole golf course, restaurants, bars, lush gardens and authentic experiences, the Tuscan accommodations provide the perfect getaway while the location is ideal for exploring Tuscany, with UNESCO World Heritage City of Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti and San Galgano Abbey a short ride away. The Resort is the first Italian Curio Collection by Hilton property, welcoming its guests in a world of captivating stories

As Tuscany’s finest and largest championship golf course, widely recognised as a year-round mecca for golfers of all abilities, the new clubhouse design will uphold the resort’s commitment to sustainability and immersive experiences, elevating the golf offering to a new level of luxury for local members, guests, and residents who have purchased apartments, villas, and farmhouses on the estate.

Since its opening in 2007 by TUI Group, one of the world’s leading tourism companies, Toscana Resort Castelfalfi has become a beacon of luxury hospitality in the rolling hills of Tuscany, committed to promoting sustainability through its support of local community endeavours, recycling water on the estate, reconstructing historic local architecture with low environmental impact, and producing organic wine and olive oil. As the resort’s next restoration project, the new clubhouse will be housed in one of Castelfalfi’s ancient farmhouses, employing green building principles with recycled wood and reclaimed stone and incorporating authentic Tuscan design features such as wooden beams and terracotta ceilings. Once completed, the clubhouse will include luxury changing rooms, state-of-the-art-meeting and event spaces, and a fine-dining restaurant offering regional favourites prepared with local, organic ingredients and wine from the estate’s vineyards. Following the opening, which is scheduled for June 2020, a special calendar of events will be introduced, including talks from experts, golf workshops, culinary events, and wine pairings to complement the wider resort offering, and to appeal to golfers seeking diverse local experiences to enjoy around their golf holiday.

Golf Club Castelfalfi is comprised of a scenic 27-hole layout split into two modern courses by renowned golf architects Preissmann and Moroder. The courses span 9,000 metres of green hillside and have been created sustainably to follow the natural morphology of the landscape. Additionally, the club carefully manages the development of renewable energy by recycling its water resources and carries the internationally recognised golf eco-label GEO Certified™. The 18-hole Mountain Course is a more challenging option for experienced golfers while the 9-hole Lake Course is suitable for improvers and complete beginners who can take advantage of daily personalised lessons. Both courses offer an unparalleled golfing experience in a beautiful setting further enhanced by Tuscany’s mild year-round climate and accessibility to UK travellers.

A three-night golf package at Toscana Resort Castelfalfi starts from £820 (approx. 890€) per person. This includes three-nights’ accommodation at the luxury Il Castelfalfi 5* hotel with breakfast, 3 complimentary green fees for the 18-hole Mountain Course, and unlimited spa access. /subject to change

OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC 

Since its inauguration in 1989, The Dubai Desert Classic has become one of the flagship events on the European Tour.

So, get ready to experience golf as you’ve never done before with our Omega Dubai Desert Classic 2020 – this package. Guests can enjoy the comfort of the Clubhouse Terrace which offers unrivaled views of world-class golf. After the game, you can also choose to visit scenic places in the city, Make this your winter vacation Dubai

The package starting at US$ 1360 per person based on double occupancy comes with transfers and hotel accommodations, making it enjoyable and hassle-free

Includes

• Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel
• 3 Nights' accommodation in 4-star Hotel situated amid Dubai’s ever-climbing skyscrapers in downtown Dubai- Carlton Downtown Hotel
  • Check-in: 24th Jan 2019
  • Check out: 27th Jan 2019
• Buffet Breakfast
• Two Way transfer to the Tournament Venue from Hotel
• 2 Days Terrace Hospitality Ticket - Watch the World's Best Golfers from the exclusive elevated deck overlooking the iconic 18th green on the Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club
• Guests will also have access to the clubhouse overlooking the vast putting green and first tee.
• Unlimited premium food at Terrace Hospitality
  11:00 Terrace Hospitality opens
  12:00 Buffet lunch is served
  16:00 Afternoon tea
  18:00 Terrace Hospitality closes

Optional

• Extra Night
• Golf Rounds
• Tours and activities

For more information please ask  via E-Mail Terrace Hospitality package. All subicet to change.

Portugal’s Troia Resort has been voted the country’s best course by National Club Golfer (NCG) in its ‘Top 100 Golf Courses in Continental Europe 2019’ rankings.

The resort has further established itself among Europe’s elite venues by appearing in yet another top 10 ranking – this time rated number seven by NCG.

The news caps off an impressive year for the stunning Trent Jones Senior links – which also made a sensational nine-place climb up to number eight in Golf World’s prestigious top 100 rankings.

Rated five places above its nearest Portuguese rival, the ranking reaffirms that golfers and industry experts are finally taking notice of the resort after, perhaps, being underappreciated due to the exceptional standard of golf courses across the country.

Assessed over nine different categories – design, condition, consistency, setting, playability, challenge, variety, routing and charm – Troia scored an impressive 79 points out of a possible 100, with the magazine’s judging panel scoring the course highly in all criteria.

The par-72 layout stretches 6,317m along the beach, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Arrábida mountain range throughout the 18 holes.

But it’s not just the picturesque scenery that makes it one of Europe’s best. The challenging and diverse holes test even the top pros, as players are required to play a multitude of shots through a combination of pine trees and indigenous coastal plants, on a course with small, narrow greens and bold bunkering.

When announcing its top 100 rankings, the National Club Golfer judging panel remarked: “Troia offers the feel and look of a classic links and the routing is superb – never losing sight of the sea. And, while it is very difficult, our panel loved the Trent Jones classic. Portugal’s number one.”

Alexandre Barroso, Troia’s golf director, said: “Troia really is a golfing experience like no other and we’re delighted that it’s finally being recognised and rewarded for its special and unique characteristics.

“To appear in our second European top 10 and, of course, be voted the best course in Portugal is a dream come true for everyone involved with the resort, as we all know this is where it deserves to be.

“We invite any golfer from across the world to come and experience it for themselves and discover everything the course and resort has to offer – you won’t be disappointed!”

Located just an hour south of Lisbon on a beautiful sand-skirted peninsula, Troia’s excellent location is just a 15-minute unique ferry ride from Setúbal city centre, which is filled with a wide range of highly regarded and affordable restaurants, and just a short distance from Comporta – one of the trendiest, and most sought-after, destinations for Europe’s travelling cognoscenti.

The Grove, London's ultimate five-star retreat, has today announced the appointment of Tom Minshull as its new Head PGA Golf Professional.

Tom, from Preston, Lancashire, moves to The Grove - one of the UK's Top 100 Golf Resorts - from this year's Open venue, Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. Prior to this, Tom was an assistant professional at Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland.

The 30-year-old graduated as a PGA Professional in 2013, and has since gone on to further his education by enrolling in the PGA's Advanced Certificate in Golf Studies and PGA Director of Golf Certification.

Tom will oversee a team of five PGA Professionals at The Grove, taking day-to-day responsibility for managing the recently enhanced Golf Shop and leading the venue’s busy tuition programmes, including the unique Tour Truck Experience, launched in 2018.

Anna Darnell, Director of Golf and Leisure at The Grove, commented: "Tom's energy, enthusiasm and commercially astute attitude will be hugely valuable to our golf management team. His retail experience, custom-fit knowledge and ability to develop engaging player development programmes will help us as we continue to expand our golf business over the coming years."

Tom said: "The Grove is one of the finest leisure experiences in the UK and to be part of its golf management team was an opportunity I could not resist. I am looking forward to working within a group of very talented PGA professionals, who together, have an unbelievable platform to deliver a world class golfing experience."

Aligned to its headline billing as one of the UK's premier venues, The Grove boasts a Kyle Phillips-designed golf course that consistently features in many influential Top 100 rankings. It remains the only UK venue to have hosted a World Golf Championship event, won by Tiger Woods in 2006. It also staged the European Tour's 2016 British Masters, in association with Sky Sports.

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.

Jumeirah Golf Estates – the annual host of the European Tour’s ‘Race to Dubai’ finale, the DP World Tour Championship – has been recognised for its dedication to sustainable practices and efforts to drive community engagement in the annual IAGTO Sustainability Awards.

Forming part of the prestigious IAGTO Awards that celebrate the best in the global golf tourism industry, the Sustainability Awards are staged by global golf tourism industry organisation IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) in conjunction with golf sustainability body GEO Foundation and recognise environmental and social excellence in golf.

The honour comes hot on the heels of Jumeirah Golf Estates gaining GEO Certified® status.

GEO Certified® is golf's internationally accredited ecolabel which is awarded based on the club demonstrating a commitment to continual improvement in six main areas of sustainability; water, nature, energy, supply chain, pollution control and community.

Efforts undertaken by Jumeirah Golf Estates to positively and actively engage with the wider community include:

• Enhancing the community trails of the grounds to promote a healthier lifestyle of various stakeholders to encourage walking, jogging and cycling.
• Introducing electric car ports within the club’s car park.
• Hosting complimentary fitness activities around the ‘Dubai Fitness Challenge’ including mass participation Yoga events and colleague sports days. 
• Launched a plastic-free agenda with the aim to remove plastic straws and bottles from the service chain in order to encourage the members, guests and the wider community to seek more ecologically-conscious options.

In becoming GEO Certified®, Jumeirah Golf Estates joins some of the most famous golf courses in the world that have previously hosted Ryder Cups, Open Championships and European Tour events, including St Andrews, Turnberry, Gleneagles and Le Golf National, host venue of the 2018 Ryder Cup.

Based in Dubai, Jumeirah Golf Estates (now in its 11th year of operation) has established itself as an iconic golfing venue in the United Arab Emirates.

The two Greg Norman-designed courses, Earth and Fire, were opened in 2009 and today boasts world-class golfing and premium practice facilities at the Peter Cowen Academy Dubai. The club is also home to a host of casual and fine-dining restaurants, swimming, fitness and tennis facilities making it a renowned all-encompassing leisure hub.

Christopher May, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Golf said: "We are delighted that Jumeirah Golf Estates is the latest golf club in the Dubai Golf portfolio to become GEO Certified®.  The drive to become GEO Certified® has been a key milestone in Dubai Golf’s long term environmental strategy focused on protecting our natural resources. It is an incredible achievement for Emirates Golf Club, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates to hold this accolade, and I am personally very proud of the tireless efforts of the agronomy teams across Dubai Golf for their continual efforts.”

Jonathan Smith, Executive Director of GEO Foundation, said: “Jumeirah Golf Estates, UAE, takes first place in the community category for 2020. The facility engages with non-golfing locals in a variety of ways from the UAE National Sports Day and environmental awareness training for employees through to creating walking trails for residents and an annual mass participation yoga event on the 18th fairway. Jumeirah Golf Estates also provides its members and guests with stainless steel reusable water bottles free of charge to help cut plastic that could end up in landfill or the ocean.”

Additional highlights from the OnCourse report of Jumeirah Golf Estates have included the following:

• 20% reduction in irrigation consumption over the past 3 years through auditing and best practices.
• State of the art TORO irrigation system, able to control each individual sprinkler to maximise efficiency.
• Use of treated effluent water from the adjacent communities as irrigation which uses the golf course turf as a method of recycling and cleaning the water as it flows through the water cycle into ground water aquifers.
• Recycled water used for cleaning of workshop facilities and golf course maintenance equipment.
• Commitment to environmental sustainability by enhancing the conservation and protection of desert habitats, with their wildlife and vegetation.
• Creation of habitats for migratory and native bird species who seek food, shelter and sanctuary.
• Community engagement programmes through various sporting initiatives; mass participation walks, yoga, sports days, cycling races.
• Use of locally sourced materials from native sand used in bunkers and locally recycled plastic used for the production of water towers.
• Committed to land stewardship though the use of organic and organic derived fertilisers for improved soil health and reduce reliance on carbon rich synthetic Nitrogen sources.
• Commitment to protecting native species through the use of native grass in unmaintained rough areas the planting of the native Ghaf Tree (the national tree of the UAE).
• Reduction of carbon footprint by the using carbon free/zero emission vehicles for golfers and maintenance.
• Dubai Golf encourages colleague development through our ‘Service Culture’ education and training programme. Environmental sustainability is one of the primary pillars, and through regular training and colleague engagement, we aim to limit single-use plastics across the organisation.
• Electric car charging points provided across the three Dubai Golf properties.

Madeira is the perfect place to head to avoid the winter blues - and it has some amazing long-stay packages for golfers who feel frost should be limited to the outside of a beer glass.

Two Funchal hotels, the Dorisol Mimosa Hotel, and Dorisol Florasol Hotel, are offering 28-night stays - with unlimited golf at both Palheiro Golf and Santo da Serra - from just €61pppn.

The four-week breaks, available from October 1, 2019, until April 30, 2020, are available on a room-only basis, with both hotels - located centrally in Madeira's capital - providing a complimentary shuttle service to both golf courses.

The Dorisol Mimosa Hotel enjoys privileged views over Funchal Bay, and is within walking distance of both the seaside promenade and the city centre. It has an indoor pool with health club, sauna and Jacuzzi; a gym; spa; tennis court; games room; and a terrace bar and Europa restaurant - shared with two other hotels in the Dorisol complex.

Golfers will stay in the recently renovated studio apartments, containing a fully equipped kitchenette; cable TV; free wifi; bathroom with bath or shower; and a private balcony. The cost is €1,699 per person, based on two sharing.

The Dorisol Florasol Hotel is located just a 20-minute walk from Funchal city centre, close to the promenade, with great views over the ocean. Nearby are restaurants, bars, supermarkets and all the facilities one requires for a perfect self-catering break.

Accommodation is provided in recently renovated one-bedroom apartments, with a fully equipped kitchenette; cable TV; bathroom with shower and bath; and a private balcony. The four-week break costs €2,035 per person, based on two sharing, with a daily €6.50 breakfast supplement.

The par-72, 6,656-yard (6,086m) course at Palheiro Golf - designed by Cabell Robinson - is situated within the magnificent Palheiro Estate, which is more than 200 years old. At nearly 1,640ft above sea level, the location enjoys dramatic views of Madeira's mountainous skyline and the ocean, as well as - nestling below, just 10 minutes away - the island's capital, Funchal.

The original course at Santo da Serra, dating from 1937, was redesigned in 1991 by Robert Trent Jones Snr, who created a new and spectacular 27-hole complex. The third and fourth holes of the Machico course are regarded as the signature holes, sitting atop cliffs more than 2,200ft above sea level, providing views of the bay of Machico, where Portuguese navigators first landed in 1419.

Madeira, also known as ‘the islands of eternal spring', has a population of only 260,000. On the same latitude as Morocco, the Atlantic archipelago has a sub-tropical climate, a rich volcanic soil and a unique eco-system. It is one of the only places in the planet where banana trees grow next to vineyards.

In 1999 the archipelago was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and five areas have been declared nature reserves. The Madeira Nature Reserve covers a substantial two-thirds of the main island, where development is prohibited.

Prices subject to change