Oitavos Dunes makes 88th in Best Courses in the World

Golf Travel bug has long been extolling the virtues of Oitavos Dunes.  The links course of Lisbon is one of my top 5 favourite golf courses.  Its a fantastic layout with awesome greens..... well now someone agrees with me.

Oitavos Dunes has recently been ranked as the 88^th best Course in the World by GOLF Magazine. In celebration Oitavos has created a TOP 100 package starting the 15^th of November and running until the 30^th of June 2010 which provides great value for serous golfers.

 

Click on www.oitavosdunes.pt/TOP100 and have a look at the GOLF Magazine article as well as the full TOP 100 list.

 

For more detailed information click on http://www.golf.com/golf

enjoy....

LISBOA GOLF COAST

Hotel Quinta da Marinha Resort receives travel agents

The main aim of the Fam Trip - Lisboa Golf Coast was to get to know and explore the tourist potential of the Lisbon coast and the golf courses on offer. The event, which was based at the Hotel Quinta da Marinha Resort, brought together travel agents from Germany, Croatia, Poland, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, UK, the Netherlands and France. Over five days in September, the participants had the opportunity to visit Cascais, Tróia, Óbidos and Lisbon, as part of an exciting program that included games on the Hotel Quinta da Marinha Resort course as well as at Troia Golf Course and Oitavos Dunes e Bom Sucesso Golf Course.

3 announces Killarney as venue for 3 Irish Open in 2010

 

New 3 Irish Open date to bring tourism boost to Kerry

 

Dublin 20^th October 2009

 

3, Ireland’s fastest growing mobile network, is pleased to announce that the 3 Irish Open will take place next year at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club from the 29^th July to 1^st August 2010. 

 

This will be the third time that Killarney has hosted the Irish Open following consecutive events in 1991 and ’92.  The event’s new prime slot on the European Tour is a major boost for title sponsors 3 and elevates the 3 Irish Open to the position of one of the most prestigious tournaments in European golf.  The prize fund for the 2010 3 Irish Open will be over €3 million.

 

The staging of the 3 Irish Open over the August Bank Holiday weekend on the magnificent Killeen course, just weeks before the European Ryder Cup team is announced, is expected to attract golf’s marquee names to the Co Kerry venue.  Many will still be in the chase to secure a place on the European team for the showdown with the USA at Celtic Manor in September 2010.

 

Robert Finnegan, Chief Executive of the title sponsor 3, said:

 

“Last year we were very proud to come to the rescue of the Irish Open, Baltray provided a wonderful spectacle in spite of bad weather and produced a fantastic finale with Shane Lowry winning after the third play-off hole.

 

As part of the National Broadband Scheme, we’re bringing much needed internet connectivity to rural Ireland and we’re delighted to announce today that we are bringing a real tourism boost to Co Kerry with the 3 Irish Open 2010. Killarney’s Killeen is a magnificent course in an idyllic setting and we expect many of the world’s top golfers to take part in what will be a magical weekend in one of the world’s great beauty spots.

 

After robust negotiations with The European Tour, we are delighted to have a new, improved date and our move to Killarney reflects the importance the 3 Irish Open will play in the weeks leading to the selection of the Ryder Cup team to take on the United States in Celtic Manor. It should also prove a big draw for golf fans to holiday in Kerry around the tournament and to enjoy the wonderful festival atmosphere we’ll bring to the Bank Holiday weekend.”

 

This year’s 3 Irish Open was the highlight of the sporting calendar, with amateur Shane Lowry delighting home fans during a fairytale play-off victory over England’s Robert Rock in Baltray.

 

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen TD said:  

 

"I welcome the announcement of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club as the venue for the 2010 3 Irish Open, in its new late July slot in the golfing calendar.  This famous and prestigious venue, set amidst the magnificent scenery of the Lakes of Killarney, is an ideal location to show Ireland as a golfing destination to millions of television viewers and prospective visitors worldwide.  I wish to congratulate Killarney Golf and Fishing Club who successfully hosted the event in 1991 and 1992.  I also welcome the continuing title sponsorship provided by mobile communications company 3. It is enabling the 3 Irish Open to grow into one of the most important events on the European Tour."

The Minister also said:  "The 3 Irish Open also receives significant Government support through Fáilte Ireland.  The worldwide media coverage of the event is an important element in our overall strategy to promote Ireland as a golfing and holiday destination.”

 

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said:

 

“We are delighted to see The 3 Irish Open returning to Killarney. The Killeen Course at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club is a truly world class lay-out and befitting of such a prestigious tournament. There were many outstanding candidates to host next year’s Irish Open, but the commercial benefits attached to the new date and venue made Killarney an irresistible choice for 3.”

Three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington has played the Killeen course. He said:

 

“The 3 Irish Open going to Killarney on this new date will make it a tremendous event. I believe the golf course is superb but I am 100 percent sure that the venue would be very popular on the tour with the players. That is very important - The Irish Open has to give a little bit more than other events: it has to give the whole package with people enjoying the whole week around the golf. That’s what The Irish Open did in the past and that’s what future Irish Opens have to do. We have to go forward and give a little bit more than everybody else. The guys will have a great time and I will be telling all the players to bring their families that week to have a great time regardless of how the golf goes. We have to deliver a little bit more than all the events on Tour.”

The Killeen course, which is the jewel in the crown of the three-course Killarney Golf Complex, was originally designed in 1972 by Eddie Hackett and Billy O’Sullivan.  The Killarney lakes and high mountain range provide a stunning backdrop to this Championship course.

 

Re-opened in June 2006 the course is slightly longer with faster greens that have been brought closer to the water hazards around the course. At 6564 metres it will challenge long hitters with accuracy being vital as there is water on many of its holes. It previously staged the Irish Open in 1991 and 1992 when Nick Faldo won back to back victories. It also played host to the Curtis Cup in 1996.

INTA Group ceases trading

The recession has taken another bite out of the golf travel industry.  Following on from the Liquidation of both Barwell Leisure and Rightclub, Inta Group ceased trading 23rd October 2009.

Inta Group comprised of 3D Golf, Bill Goff Golf Holidays, Longshot Golf Holidays & 4Golf.com, Teetimes Anywhere.com.  It was considered to be the 3rd largest golf tour operator in the UK.  This news follows the merger of the above brands in 2007.

The websites for Bill Goff, Longshot, 4golf.com and Teetimes Anywhere are all down.  however 3D Golf appear to have struck an introducer agreement with Your Golf Travel.

YGT is considered to be the 2nd largest UK Tour Operator in the UK and following the acquisition of Rightclub and the 3D Golf - they will have Golfbreaks.com in their sights.

All of this may be good news for YGT and Golf Breaks.com, however it leaves a near monopolistic environment for the UK Golf Travel market place, with only mid-sized players such as Premier Iberian and Golf Kings still breathing.

In particular, Golf break reliant courses across the UK, Spain and Portugal must have concerns as their UK footfall suppliers shrink amidst recession and a strong Euro.

WOODS AND MICKELSON HEADLINE STRONG AMERICAN CHALLENGE FOR WGC – HSBC CHAMPIONS

Tiger Woods will aim to continue his remarkable record in the World Golf Championships arena when he and World Number Two Phil Mickelson headline an impressive American challenge for the WGC – HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai from November 6-9.

 

The World Number One has enjoyed a decade of dominance in WGC events, claiming an astonishing 16 individual WGC titles in total. His first triumph came in the WGC – NEC Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Ohio in August 1999, while his most recent success came a mere two months ago at the same venue in the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational.

 

While next month sees the HSBC Champions elevated to a WGC event for the first time, it is a tournament Woods has not won in the past. Therefore, the chance to put that particular statistic right, while at the same time extending his own WGC record, is a challenge he admitted he will relish.

 

“I played in the HSBC Champions in 2005 and 2006 and I look forward to returning to Shanghai in November,” he said. “It is an event that symbolises the amazing progress of golf in Asia and its new WGC status underlines how firmly China has established its place on the global golf calendar.”

 

One man, however, who knows exactly what it takes to win the HSBC Champions is Phil Mickelson, who did just that in November 2007 when he emerged triumphant from a thrilling play-off at Sheshan against Englishmen Ross Fisher and Lee Westwood.

 

The left-hander finished in a tie for eighth place in the last HSBC Champions in November 2008 but has already experienced success in the WGC arena this year, bravely overcoming a spell of heat exhaustion and dehydration at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Florida in March, to hold off the challenge of fellow American Nick Watney on the final day to win the WGC – CA Championship.

 

“After The Open Championship, it is hard to think of a bigger and better tournament held outside America,” he said. “This tournament already had everything in place and deserves to be part of the WGC series. It has always attracted strong fields and so has a great reputation worldwide and I am really looking forward to trying to reclaim my title.”

 

Watney, along with fellow US PGA Tour winners in 2009 – Brian Gay, Jerry Kelly and Sean O’Hair – will make the trip to Shanghai as will Stewart Cink, who memorably pipped Tom Watson for The Open at Turnberry in July.

 

“I am really excited to be going to China for the first time,” said Cink, who already has a WGC title in his locker in the shape of the 2004 WGC – NEC (now Bridgestone) Invitational. “Anywhere the best players in the world are gathered together, you don’t want to miss out and I think it’s fantastic for world golf that China will be hosting the WGC – HSBC Champions.”

 

The WGC – HSBC Champions will feature an increased prize fund of US$7 million and will bring together tournament winners from all over the globe as well as the best players from the International Federation of PGA Tours.

Ballesteros and Christy Jnr to introduce Olazábal and O’Connor

 

Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros will introduce his good friend and compatriot José María Olazábal via a video message at the World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in November.

 

Olazábal has asked Ballesteros, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, to introduce him but the 52 year old will unable to be there in person because of health reasons, having spent the past year battling a brain tumour.

 

Christy O’Connor Jnr, Jim Nantz and Arnold Palmer will be in attendance to present 2009 Inductees Christy O’Connor, Lanny Wadkins and the late Dwight D. Eisenhower, respectively, on November 2.

 

Ballesteros said: “It is fantastic knowing that José María will become a member of the Hall of Fame. He deserves it for all he has done and is still doing for golf. I am very happy for him as a professional but it makes me happier for him as a person. He really deserves to be there. He means a lot to me. He is one of my best friends and I have had the honor of sharing with him many different moments in our lives.

 

“He has been by my side in the good times and in the not so very good times and I will always be there for him. Provided I am unable to be physically there [at the ceremony], believe me that my heart and thoughts will be with you all. José María, welcome to the Hall of Fame my friend.”

 

O’Connor will be presented by his nephew, fellow Irish golfer O’Connor, Jnr., who said: “It will be an absolute privilege to recognise my uncle’s scores of achievements in golf as he is inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. He has been a great representative of Irish golf for so many years and it will be a magnificent night for him, our extended family and Ireland as a whole.”

 

Nantz, who shared broadcast responsibilities with Wadkins from 2002 to 2006, will welcome his former colleague and friend.  Nantz said: “I am thrilled to present my dear friend at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Lanny was a champion golfer at every stage of his distinguished career.  What always impressed me the most was the way he represented the game with the utmost class and dignity.  He is long deserving of this recognition and I consider it a deep honor to tell his story on November 2nd.”

 

Palmer, who will speak on behalf of the late President Eisenhower, said: “I couldn’t be more proud of anything than having the honor of presenting President Eisenhower at this year’s Induction Ceremony. He was a great American whom I admired very much and was fortunate enough to have as a close friend. I think it’s wonderful that he is being recognised on this level for the many contributions he made to the game. President Eisenhower received many honors in his life, but I think he would have really enjoyed this one.”

 

Jack Peter, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Hall of Fame, said: “Each year’s induction class represents stories in the game of golf that are both powerful and captivating.  The guests who attend the ceremony and those who watch the international broadcast will enjoy hearing the personal stories and irreplaceable anecdotes that invariably surface during the evening.  It’s a special time in golf and surely for the 2009 Class.” 

 

The Induction Ceremony will take place at the World Golf Hall of Fame at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida, USA and will air the same night on the Golf Channel (US) at 2200 ET.

Penha Longa Spa and Golf Resort re-launches Golf Courses

Sintra, Portugal, 15 July 2009 – Following a €2 million investment program, Penha Longa Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort is proud to unveil two newly renovated golf courses. All 27 holes—the 18 hole, par 72 championship course Atlantico and the nine-hole, par 35 Monastery course—offer unparalleled golf experiences in the serene and lush environment of the Serra da Sintra, just 30 minutes from Lisbon.

 

The renovation also included the preservation of the natural beauty, the protection of wildlife habitat and a sustainable water and resource conservation management. Penha Longa’s efforts  to obtain sanctuary status on its courses has just been recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Audubon International. Penha Longa is the 1st course in Portugal and the 711th in the world to receive the honor to be a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary".

 

"Penha Longa has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Jim Sluiter, Staff Ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs. "To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas," explained Sluiter. These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.

 

Designed by Robert Trend Jones, Jr., the drainage and irrigation systems of both courses have been improved, using new technology and a more eco-friendly use of valuable water resources, including a computer-controlled sprinkler system, allowing the immediate adaption of actual wind and water need conditions.

 

All tees and greens underwent a full ventilation, environmentally friendly fertilization and top dressing to improve the root growth, overall quality of the plant, and the general condition of the surfaces.  All bunkers were reshaped to increase protection from wind and water erosion, equipped with new white silica sand, and a more Floridian-style design has been adopted so the bunkers’ aesthetic appeal enhances the overall presentation of the golf courses thus providing maximum playability.

 

In an effort to improve the length of the course, new tees were added to the nine-hole Monastery course thus allowing golfers to explore the historical and palatial buildings of Penha Longa. Lakes play a major role in golf course design; they may be hazards for golfers and make a course more challenging. However, they also serve as water reservoirs which add to the landscaping while blending in harmoniously to the course. Thus, a new lake has been crafted on the Monastery course.

 

The new Faldo Academy will cater to new and existing golfers to develop and improve their golf skills. The academy includes a practice facility, indoor teaching school, driving range, and short game area.

 

The first phase of the 12 month-long renovation marked the summer 2008 opening of the Golf House’s new Arola restaurant by Spanish Master Chef Sergi Arola. It is the second partnership with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company following the success of his eponymous Arola at the Hotel Arts, Barcelona. The venture brings a new level of culinary delights, design and ambience to the Sintra region. Innovative, fashionable and defiantly cool, Arola is a relaxed and stylish restaurant featuring unobstructed views onto the greens of Atlantico while enjoying the soothing music by the resident DJ during the summer months. The menu offers a creative and contemporary twist to Portuguese cuisine, mixing tradition and heritage with the chef’s inimitable modern approach.