Discover the cream of Cornish courses
Over 30 courses to try as new firm launches golf breaks.Plus latest news from Grampian, Dubai and Portugal.
With its balmy Spring and Summer climate and crashing surf around its coastline, Cornwall is a dramatic place to play golf and now a new company has sprung up to help make the experience even more enjoyable. Cornwall Golf Breaks, has been launched by Nick Leigh to identify the best courses and resorts in England’s southernmost county, where the sand-based soil provides an all-year-round playground for both the competitive and social player. "Cornwall has some fantastic links courses to rival the best that Scotland and Ireland have to offer and with its incredible unspoilt beaches and a burgeoning restaurant scene, you can see why it’s a golfers paradise," says Nick, who will draw on his local knowledge to give customers a tailor-made personal itinerary to suit all pockets. "We can provide an accommodation-only break or simply arrange tee times. If you want to travel by train or fly to a local airport, we can arrange transport for the duration of your holiday." | |
With around 30 courses to choose, including the Jack Nicklaus-designed St Mellion, Cornwall has every challenge a golfer might need, says Nick. Others include Trevose, St Enodoc, Lanhydrock, Bowood, Newquay and Roserrow, while elsewhere in the county, Carlyon Bay, Tedidy Park, West Cornwall (St Ives) and Bude, all provide the chance to play in stunning locations. And for non-golfers there’s the opportunity to visit The Eden Project near St Austell or the National Maritime museum at Falmouth. | |
Aberdeen and Grampian has re-emerged as a world-class golf destination following Tom Watson’s win earlier this year at the British Senior Open at Royal Aberdeen. Now local boy Paul Lawrie, the former Open champion, is helping promote the area. Golf can be played for as little as £8 for nine holes in the 70-course region around, Aberdeen, Murcar and Moray and Lawrie is excited about the prospect of helping distribute 40,000 brochures. He says: "I was born and brought up in the area area and am proud to live here. My passion for golf started here and although I’ve visited almost every corner of the world I believe we have some of the finest layouts, and best value for money golf, you can find anywhere.’’ To order the new official guide to golf in Aberdeen & Grampian Highlands, call 0845 22 55 121 or visit the website. | |
Further a field, golf fever will strike Dubai in the first week in February (January 29 to February 5), when it stages several events linked to the Dubai Classic European Tour event featuring Tiger Woods and Ernie Els. It starts with a two-day Staged over the The main event , The event also features an exhibition village for the 40,000 spectators expected to attend during the week. If you're a golfer, then there's no shortage of world class courses to choose in Dubai including the distinguished two-course Emirates Golf Club, the re-vamped Dubai Creek Golf Club, the floodlit Nad Al Sheba Club, the Colin Montgomerie-designed Montgomerie Dubai, Al Badia Golf Resort, and the renowned Desert course at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort. | |
A new Jack Nicklaus course is due to open next Autumn (2006) at Monte Rei Golf & Country Club on Portugal’s Algarve coast. The 7,200-yard course will be surrounded by an exclusive residential development Says Nicklaus: "It’s a great setting with awesome views. I will let the surroundings shape the holes and not try to force an idea on this piece of land." The Signature Golf Course traces a route around five lakes, includes five par-3 holes as well as five par-5s. The clubhouse, built in the classic Portuguese will offer a full range of amenities including several dining areas. A second course is also planned, created by Troon Golf. |
