|
February 2008 Edition Of the PGT Newsletter
Compiled by Dominic Ward
In this month’s PGT Newsletter:
For the golfing holiday of a lifetime think New Zealand
IF you’re one of the thousands of Britons who will be visiting relatives in Australia this year take a tip: go the few extra miles and spend a week in New Zealand. Golfers will think they’ve arrived in Heaven.
Because New Zealand has become one of the world’s major golf holiday destinations and, despite its isolation, it is growing in scale and prestige. So much so that it has now has two courses ranked in the world’s leading 30.
Both Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers are spectacular, courses woven into the awe-inspiring coastal landscapes of this unique part of the world. To play both would alone be worth the trip but other golfing treats await the visitor.
Located near Kerikeri on the Bay of Islands, Kauri Cliffs was designed by David Harman of Florida and is an eye-popping par 72 with 15 holes overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The inland holes wind through marsh, forest and farmland and six of the 15 sea view holes are played along the cliffs with a sheer drop that plunges into the sea. Visually, they may be unmatched by any course anywhere.
Highly regarded for his prize-winning courses in the US and the designer of Cape Kidnappers, US architect Tom Doak has said that, “If this were a book it would be an epic. Enjoy your game and enjoy the setting. You may never play golf anywhere like this again.”
Located at Hawke’s Bay on the North Island, Cape Kidnappers is built on a ridge-and-valley landscape with spectacular sea views. Like Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers plays above the ocean, atop dramatic cliffs. But unlike Kauri Cliffs, where the land dictates play along the shoreline, this course runs to and from the edge of the cliffs.
Playing the back tees is advised only for players with single figure handicaps who are also long and straight off the tee. If that's not you, save yourself a fight and play from one of the other four tee boxes. This is one of the most spectacular and challenging golf courses in the world, no matter which tees you use.
Many other New Zealand courses are attracting international attention, particularly the outstanding property called the Lakes Resort in Pauanui and the nearby Wairakei International. Others at Kinloch, near Lake Taupo and Jack’s Point in Queenstown add to the growing list of world-class courses to be found here.
This is a land of endless beauty and appeal. Although less than 1,000 miles long from the Northern tip to its Southern bottom, it has an enormous disparity of landscapes and some stunning golf courses. Cliff tops, deep ravines, mountains, lakes and valleys all form the backdrop to a unique New Zealand golfing experience.
Learn more about golf in New Zealand at www.bestofgolfnewzealand.com. If you are contemplating a holiday there look no further than www.greenfernz.com. This is the web site of the country’s premier in-bound travel company who will take care of all the details for you. Their site carries descriptions of major courses to which they have entrée and top class hotels convenient for them.
Golf is a golden bonus in enchanting Istria
FOR a short haul holiday that’s completely different this summer you should turn your thoughts to the Istria peninsular on the romantic Adriatic coast of Croatia. It is exclusive, serene, visually enchanting and sun-drenched. Nearby golf is a glorious bonus.
The key is to rent one of the luxurious villas available from Hidden Croatia, the winner of The British Travel Award for ‘Best Independent Specialist Tour Operator to a European Destination.’
There’s a choice of villa styles and each property has a sun terrace overlooking private landscaped gardens and offering spectacular views of the surrounding area. The nearest town is Vizinada, a short stroll away and, perfect for lazy summer days, 13 kilometres away is a beach and the town of Tar.
The villas have three or four bedrooms and facilities that include internet connection: a private chef and a babysitting service are available on request.
The course of the Pula Golf Club is a bit special, too. With a par of 71 and a touch over 6,000 yards, it is laid out on Brijuni island and reached by boat. It dates to 1922 and has been described as “an antique,” a perfectly natural lay-out where the holes follow the lie of the land, just as they did when golf began.
There are un-irrigated fairways, simple tee markers on uneven but raised tee boxes and, most interestingly, small sand greens or “browns”. There are ancient ruins nearby, and herds of roaming deer and, being on an island, water is in almost constant view. It is enchanting golf and a beautiful walk.
Today when modern courses are too long, too expensive, too difficult and take too much time to play, here’s a course where nature charms and stirs the golfer’s imagination of why the game in all its forms has given enjoyment for half a millennium.
*Villa rental prices start from £600 per person based on six sharing, to include return flights departing from London Gatwick, and accommodation only for seven nights. Details and reservations: www.hiddencroatia.com.
Green fees, including the boat fare, are 25 Euros. To learn more about the golf course visit www.golfklub-pula.com.
Highlands golf, Malaysian-style, comes with a mile high challenge.
THE Cameron Highlands resort, the largest in Malaysia, is a hill-top property set amid rolling hills and tucked away at almost 1,500 metres above sea level.
Here, in this ‘little corner of England in Asia,’ is embodied the charm, adventure and gentility of the old-world colonial lifestyle enhanced by luxuriously modern amenities. The hotel’s deluxe rooms with king or twin four poster beds overlook the golf course; there is a unique spa village, a modern gym and a cosy reading room.
Non-golfers will find oodles of attractions: visits to tea plantations and strawberry farms; tours that explore the mystique of the verdant highland jungle with its waterfalls and nature trails, and excursions to the nearby towns of Brinchang and Tanah Rata where every Friday and Saturday the famous ‘Pasar Malam’ (night market) is held.
Golfers will relish the only 18-hole golf course in the highlands. Situated in front of the resort amidst lush greenery and with a cool climate, the picturesque plateau is ideal for golf. By repute, the course is a tough one with challenging terrain, water hazards, thick rough and tricky greens.
Room rates run from $200 (about £102) per night, plus taxes and charges on a room-only basis. Golf fees are about £83 on weekdays and £86 on weekends. The package includes green fees, personalised Cameron Highlands resort golf balls, score card, polo shirt and hat. Golf clubs and shoes are not included.
The resort is in the state of Pahang, approximately 125 miles north of Kuala Lumpur and some three hours by road from the airport.
For reservations and enquiries, please contact the YTL Travel Centre on e-mail at travelcentre@ytlhotels.com.my.
For further details of the resort please visit www.cameronhighlandsresort.com.
Barwell and La Manga Club celebrate 30 year union
THE Surrey-based Barwell Leisure has operated to La Manga Club since its inception in the 1970s and their newly launched brochure reaffirms the company’s position as the world’s leading operator to the Murcia resort.
As well as listing more than twenty direct routes from airports in the UK and Ireland, the brochure also features exclusive deals to the newly refurbished Hyatt Regency La Manga. In addition Barwell clients may choose from the widest range of self-catering options available with a plethora of properties on offer from apartments to villas.
The resort’s facilities make it ideal for everything from dedicated golf or spa breaks to family holidays, including children’s sports academies – and Barwell say they will not be beaten on price.
The award-winning resort has recently benefited from numerous improvements including a total refurbishment of the Hyatt Regency hotel, upgraded interiors in the Las Lomas apartments and an extensive redesign of the South golf course.
The brochure launch coincides with a revamp of Barwell’s dedicated La Manga Club website, which contains up-to-the-minute information on the resort and an online-booking facility.
For more information call 0870 049 3040 or visit www.lamanga.com.
Barwell is offering great last-minute deals to the five-star La Manga Club, Murcia , with 10 per cent off selected self-catering properties.
Before March 28 a two-bedroom Bellaluz apartment will cost only £385 per week, while a five-bedroom villa with pool is available for only £2,251, a saving of £269.
For more information call 0208 786 3000 or visit www.lamanga.com.
Take a sunshine break; it’s Tee Time at Taba Heights
TAKE a break from the frozen fairways with a week of golf at the new resort of Taba Heights on Sinai’s Red Sea coast. The resort is home to an impressive course, offers guaranteed sunshine and with plenty of other activities for guests to enjoy.
The ‘Tee Time in Taba’ package is now £589 per person for departures on 11th and 18th February. The package includes seven nights’ half board accommodation at the 5* Hyatt Regency Taba Heights, return flights from London Gatwick, including taxes and resort transfers, 72 holes of golf with complimentary cart, 100 range balls per day and 25% discount on spa treatments.
The price is based on two people sharing: other hotels and dates are available. More details: http://www.tabaheights.com
Sands at Grace Bay Gets $6 Million Facelift
THE Sands at Grace Bay, in the Turks and Caicos islands, has re-opened following a $6 million facelift. This all-suite resort is located on six ocean-front acres of one of the best known beaches in the Caribbean.
The accommodation ranges from studios to three-bedroom suites of up to 1,600 square feet set in six three-story buildings situated in a lush garden courtyard and overlooking three free-form swimming pools.
More adventurous guests may enjoy complimentary bicycles and water sports equipment. Others will love stepping off the beach right into Hemingway’s Restaurant and Bar, a legendary local favourite that is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Spa treatments are available at the Spa Tropique and guests are also welcome to enjoy the resort’s indoor fitness centre and tennis courts. And only ten minutes away the Provo Golf Club offers guests one of the best and most challenging courses in the Caribbean. More details: www.thesandsresort.com
Fife’s Golfpass is a winner
SALES of the “First in Fife” Golfpass grew by 70 per cent in 2007 and indications are for a further increase in 2008 with the introduction of online tee bookings. This will allow golfers to buy their Golfpass online at www.firstinfifegolf.com and then immediately book their tee times online.
There are 12 courses to choose from - Aberdour, Balbirnie Park, Burntisland, Canmore, Charleton, Dunfermline, Forrester Park, Kinross Montgomery and Bruce courses, Kirkcaldy, Pitreavie, and Thornton. Together they offer a great selection of seaside and parkland courses, of widely varying length and character.
The Golfpass offers three rounds from only £59 or, even better value, five rounds from only £92, and they can be used any time from 1 April to 31 October 2008, on either one trip to Fife or several. In addition, there are now 14 hotel partners all keen to offer great value golf breaks based on the Golfpass.
Details of the courses, hotel partners, inclusive packages, and how to buy the pass can be found on www.firstinfifegolf.com or by phoning the Kirkcaldy Tourist Information Centre on 01592.267775.
The Posh Golf Travel team
February 2008
|
