Ramada has ticket to legendary courses

Vijay signs up for Fiji project

World No.1 Vijay Singh, is to design a new 18-hole course at Natadola Marine Resort in his home country of Fiji. Located on Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu, it’s 45 minutes from Nadi International airport and includes ocean villas and a 5-star hotel.

"This is a dream I have had since I was a young boy – to design a golf course in my homeland," said Singh. "We have been pursuing this project for seven years and have a beautiful piece of land to work with and a developer with the financial resources and clear vision to create a resort golf experience that will rival any in the world.

"I don’t want to design a lot of golf courses, but the ones that I do will be on special pieces of land with exceptional developers. Sixteen of the holes have ocean views and seven play down to or along the shore line."

He added that the course will be ‘visually stunning’ but pointed out ‘it will be challenging, but my approach is not to design a golf course where I’m the only one who can break par.’

Club manufacturers Olyo are offering the chance for golfers to take part in the Olyo Alliance International pro-am in the eastern Algarve from February 1-6, 2005.

Each team consists of a professional and three amateurs for a tournament which takes place over three courses – Benamor, a Henry Cotton creation, Quinta da Cima and Quinta da Ria, both laid out by the American designer Rocky Roquemore. Participants in the 54-hole event will stay at the four-star Vila Gale Hotel in the market town of Tavira, only a few minutes’ drive from the courses.

Basic cost for each amateur is £389 and includes accommodation three rounds of golf, prizes and a gala dinner. Bookings can be made through Russell Meek Golf on 0115-986-2179/2220.

Halmstad – second in Europe

Halmstad Golf Club in Sweden has been named as the venue for the 2007 Solheim Cup between the professional women golfers of Europe and the United States. The course fought off rivals Barseback, which staged the event in 2003 and Vidbynäs GC in Stockholm.

"It was an extremely difficult decision to choose from three excellent golf courses, all of which would have provided the perfect venue for an event of this magnitude," said Ian Randell, chief executive of the Robe di Kappa Ladies European Tour.

"But we are delighted to be able to visit another of the finest courses in Sweden which coincides with the town of Halmstad celebrating its 700th anniversary.

The Swedish Golf Federation (SGF) will again be the official host alongside the Norwegian, Danish, Finnish and Icelandic federations

Commented John A. Solheim, chairman of sponsors Ping said: "It will be thrilling to have The Solheim Cup played at Halmstad Golf Club, rated the No.2 course in Europe."

Spanish property developer and golf management company, Sea & Sun Resorts, currently developing three major new golf resorts in the Murcia and Almería regions of Spain, has appointed Sam Torrance its ‘captain of golf.’

The former victorious Ryder Cup Captain will help to both establish the course protocol and to formulate the rules.

Said the ex-Ryder Cup player and captain: "What Sea & Sun Resorts is doing in this part of Spain is very interesting. They have land and housing plans in progress that are really spectacular and that will make fantastic second homes for British golfers and holidaymakers."

The three resorts - Roda Golf & Beach Resort (already under construction), Corvera and Ballabona – are designed by Torrance in conjunction with European Golf Design.

Paul and Sandy Kinch

Many of you will have entered the American Golf Discount Matchplay championship during the year and perhaps wondered who won it and where.

Well, the men’s title went to Danny Payne from Swindon and Marc Coombs from Bristol, while Paul and Sandy Kinch from Wokingham, claimed the mixed event. The finals were played at the spectacular Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Danny and Marc, are both members of The Kendleshire near Bristol with handicaps of 24 and 14 respectively. Paul (8) and his wife Sandy (11) are members of Reading Golf Club.

For a chance to take part in the 2005 Matchplay Championships, visit www.the golfersclub.co.uk or call 0870 902 2110.

If you're passionate about golf, you probably dream about early retirement with time to play a new and beautiful courses every day. Even better when you can step ashore from a luxury cruise liner on to some of the most exotic first tees in the world.

GolfAhoy UK is about to launch into Europe from its London HQ and is searching for golfers with business and entrepreneurial skills to take on franchises to offer holidays to friends and clubmates in their region.

"In the USA and Canada, GolfAhoy franchisees have found great success working directly with exclusive golf and country clubs, where as many as 40 members book luxury 14-day cruise packages together," says Golf Ahoy’s Nick Elmer.

"Earning generous commissions from selling cruises is the most profitable ticket sale in the travel industry," he says.

For more information visit www.golfahoy.com.