International

Links Golf Cup Brings Amateurs To Scotland

The Links Golf Cup in Ayrshire, Scotland, known as “The Birthplace of The Open Championship,” has proved to be a must-play experience for links lovers since its inception in 2015 with this year proving to be no exception with just a final few spots available in the 2018 field.

The event, which this year takes place September 3-7, regularly attracts amateur golfers travelling from all over the world to this mecca of golf, drawn by the lure of exhilarating links golf on this wild and windy coastline.

Little wonder given the 72-hole individual Stableford tournament offers golf over four of the finest championship links courses in Scotland, namely Western Gailes, Gailes Links, Kilmarnock Barassie and Dundonald Links whilst the option of playing the nearby Open Championship venues of Troon, Turnberry and Prestwick on the event rest day make this event an irresistible opportunity to play five days of pure Scottish links.

Testament to the quality of the competition courses, all four have staged some of the most prestigious events in golf at some point. Dundonald Links, for example, hosted the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open as recently as 2017 when it was won by Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello.

In addition to providing the opportunity of playing such revered courses, The Links Golf Cup Ayrshire gives amateurs the chance to test their mettle against like-minded, international golfers, making it both a challenging and interesting experience.

At just over £300 (around $420) per person for four rounds of golf, attendance at the presentation dinner and a goodie bag, The Links Golf Cup Ayrshire also offers unprecedented value when compared to the individual green fees rates alone at this time of the year.

Experienced golf event organizers, Hybrid Golf, launched The Links Golf Cup Ayrshire following the success of The Links Golf Cup East Lothian on Scotland’s east coast that it has now been running for seven years.

“We have been overwhelmed at how popular The Links Golf Cup Ayrshire has proved to be in just a few years. This is not only down to the event being played over some of the best links in Scotland, but undoubtedly because the competitors also enjoy the social side of meeting and forging new friendships with like-minded golfers from across the UK and beyond,” comments Andy Bowen of Hybrid Golf.

“It’s this, and the great value the event offers, that keeps bringing people back year after year.”

Tudor Park Golf Club member, Mark Higgins, who has played in both Links Golf Cups, relishes playing in some of the country’s top golf courses. “Having played a wide variety of Open competitions, I can say that both the Links Golf Cup Ayrshire and East Lothian are brilliantly enjoyable as well as offering a great opportunity to play world class courses. I can’t wait for the next one!”

Western Gailes tests all lovers of links golf to the limit and provides a magnificent start to the week. The course follows the natural contours of the land and presents a fair and interesting challenge. The clubhouse offers stunning views across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran, Ailsa Craig and beyond.

Gailes Links is a world-class links that attracts golfers from every corner of the globe. With its clever bunkering and some tricky rough to negotiate, course management is vital here and the key to scoring well.

Barassie Links, which has staged a number of R&A and PGA events over the years, including the Boys Amateur Championship, features undulating fairways, treacherous heather and punishing bunkers, all traditional hazards of true Scottish links golf.

Dundonald Links was only opened in 2005 but has proved to be a links of some repute, with much thanks to the design by Kyle Phillips and with a clubhouse and service experience to match.

The final few spots in this 72-hole Stableford Links Cup Ayrshire which is open to amateur golfers over the age of 18 and with a handicap of 24 or less, will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information & reservations, email andy@hybridgolf.co.uk or visit www.linksgolfcup.co.uk/links-golf-cup-ayrshire/

Fairmont Banff Springs Gears Up For Great 2018

Fairmont invites golfers to enjoy their best rounds yet at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course. Even players who’ve already marked Fairmont Banff Springs off their bucket lists will want to take part in the club’s outstanding special event programming for 2018.

Weather permitting, the Tunnel 9 Course will open on May 4, and the celebrated Stanley Thompson Course will open May 11, marking the kickoff of another exciting golf season in the Rockies.

So You Think You Can Putt

Friday, June 1 the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course will host the Third Annual So You Think You Can Putt contest. Players vie for the title as the best putter in the Bow Valley, and a chance to win a stay-and-play package at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Play begins with a 4 pm shotgun start. Registration is $55 plus tax, and includes tee gift, prizes, and a $10 beverage credit.

Canadian Par 3 Championship

For those players inclined to put their skills to the test, join Fairmont Banff Springs, Saturday, August 25th for the Canadian Par 3 Championship, played on the Stanley Thompson Course. With five regular par 3 holes, all of the course’s remaining holes will be converted to par 3s for the competition. Registration includes tee gift, as well as the chance to qualify for the World Par 3 Championship at Turtle Hill Golf Club at Fairmont Southampton, Bermuda. Participation is $149, plus tax for non-members; $99, plus tax for Fairmont Banff Springs members; and $50, plus tax for golf professionals. A succulent barbecue from Stanley’s Smokehouse will follow and is included in the registration fee.

Stanley Thompson Birthday Celebration

September 18, 2018 marks what would’ve been Stanley Thompson’s 125th birthday. To celebrate the occasion, Fairmont Banff Springs will offer players a rare opportunity to enjoy the Stanley Thompson Course in its original rotation. Play will begin from the current 15th tee (formerly the first tee) located adjacent to the Waldhaus Pub & Patio and overlooking the Spray River. Each player will receive a commemorative tee gift and each group will be accompanied by a forecaddie. Rates start at $299 per person.

Likewise, players are invited to celebrate their birthdays at Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, as well. During the week of their birthdays, guests may enjoy the Stanley Thompson Course for just $125, plus tax or the Tunnel 9 Course for just $52, plus tax.

For more information or to reserve these golf offers today please visit its website.

Golf In Ireland: Lahinch vs. Ballybunion

Ask anyone who has played golf in Ireland what two courses are absolute musts, and two very Gaelic-sounding names will come forth: Lahinch and Ballybunion.

Located about a two-hour drive apart — one in County Clare, the other County Kerry, with Shannon the closest international airport to both — they helped put classic Irish links golf on the world stage and occupy permanent spots on any serious golfing globetrotter’s Top 100.

But which is better? As with many things, it depends on whom you ask. Even then, their answers may shift with the capricious Atlantic breezes that whirl through each course’s marram-clad dunes.

We’re certainly not taking sides. Rather we’ll venture onto both, caddies at our sides, and make their case — leaving you to follow in our footsteps and come to your own conclusions.

LAHINCH OLD COURSE

A 120-year-old “course by committee” that continues to evolve with design tweaks here and there, Lahinch’s original links — the shorter and flatter Castle Course is across the road — may indeed have no rival in the world-class southwestern Irish canon if you consider its broader setting a few miles southeast from the famed 900-foot-high Cliffs of Mohr.

It’s as vital a part of the village that surrounds it as the Old Course is of St. Andrews, and starts just as memorably — with the first tee wedged between the tiny pro shop and caddyshack to the right and the two-story clubhouse on the left. Straight ahead the opening 4-par crests a small, bumpy rise and leads to a wind-exposed green.

Then the adventure really kicks in. Hook your tee ball on the par-4 No. 3 — the first of several blind drives to come — and you’ll watch it bound over a road, skip past a marina and drown in the Atlantic. The tee shot on the 5-par No. 4, “Klondike,” must find its way straight down a dune-tunnel, leaving a blind second shot over the same epic slab of sand that hides the entire green from the tee on the famed par-3 No. 5, known as “Dell.” The unique pair comprise two of the three surviving holes by Alister MacKenzie who, in the 1920s, added onto Old Tom Morris’ original nine. Both work beautifully, as does every hole here — seaside and inland, uphill and downhill, quirky or straightforward.

By the time you’ve negotiated the fantastic outward side and find yourself on the wicked 10th, a stout par 4 bordered by a river on one side and a deep, grassy gash on the other with a ruined castle dead ahead, you’re gasping for superlatives.

In fact, any pure links fan will find him or herself thinking, “This is genius.” It happens again and again and doesn’t stop until you drop your last putt on the par-5 closer. And that feeling stays with you, long after you’ve crossed the sea and found your way back to wherever home may be.

www.lahinchgolf.com

BALLYBUNION OLD COURSE

golf in ireland ballybunion — The par-4 11th at Ballybunion (Old) is one of the world’s great seaside holes.

Founded in 1893, a year after Lahinch, Ballybunion also sits astride roiling, marram-clad dunes separating town from Atlantic. It’s a longer dune complex — long enough, in fact, to house a second course, Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s Cashen, to the south.

The Old originally started with what is now the sixth hole, a flat dogleg left that finishes on the course’s northwest corner next to the beach. But the five holes that now precede it, while skirting the heart of the dunes, are full of lovely quirks.

After the relative ease of the “new” opener — though many golfers, including President Bill Clinton, manage to hit their tee balls into the cemetery guarding the first half of its right side — No. 2 is one of the toughest 4-pars on the planet, especially if there’s a north wind. The green sits in a saddle a good 50 feet above the heart of the fairway. It’s a full 3-wood to get home into the gale for most mortals, in essence making it a 5-par — a bold beginning to a round that, in the end, has almost perfect design and dramatic rhythm.

No. 4 asks for a tee shot across the third green to a fairway pocked with an ellipses-point trio of bunkers. No. 5, a reachable par 5 in a normal southwest breeze, is Ballybunion’s version of the road hole (though you don’t have to clear the corner of the hotel).

After a stop at the snack hut that stands on the site of the original clubhouse, the transitional No. 6 transports you into the Old’s wily heart, starting with the picturesque oceanside 7th — a par 4 with two greens, one hugging the coast, the other ensconced in the hills.

No. 9 is a bunkerless beauty.

No. 11 is one of the best two-shotters anywhere and Tom Watson’s avowed favorite, its stair-stepped fairway framing the heart-shaped green behind a needle-eye chute. No. 12 is a brutal par 3, uphill to a blind green.

Then comes perhaps the best six-hole finish in golf, certainly in Irish golf — two 5-pars bookending back-to-back 3-pars (14 and 15) and two finishing 4-pars, all routed atop and through the shadowy dunes of our dreams.

But Ballybunion is no phantasm. It’s real, maybe the top-conditioned course in Ireland and better than ever after a recent series of tweaks to green complexes, bunkers and tee boxes. Its two-story clubhouse is a de facto museum of Irish golf history, packed with photos of champions dating back more than a century and the countless celebrities who have made their way to this sleepy corner of Eire.

And since every wall panel, window and blade of fescue carries that “our club is your club” DNA unique to this island, everybody who walks in the door and removes his or her cap feels the warm wash of belonging. Perhaps you won’t get quite the reception Clinton enjoyed back in the day — the entire village went upside-down to catch a glimpse of his motorcade — but you won’t soon forget the warmth of the Irish people, even when the weather isn’t as welcoming.

www.ballybuniongolfclub.ie

Both Lahinch and Ballybunion are (or should be) on virtually every western Ireland golf tour operator’s A-list. For more on where else to play, lodging recommendations and more, a great starting point is www.ireland.com/golf

Heroes & Legends Golf Tour Visits WWII Sites

Two strands of human history come together in perhaps the most unique golf travel experiences ever devised. The National WWII Museum hosts the Heroes & Legends Golf Tour, which lets golfers experience in person some of World War II’s most consequential sites and battles — including the beaches of Normandy, where D-Day turned the struggle in the Allies’ direction — while taking them to seminal golf sites such as St. Andrews, Scotland. They’ll have the opportunity to tee it up with PGA Tour legends John Mahaffey and Lanny Wadkins, and World War II historian Donald L. Miller, Ph.D., will lead historical tours. The tour runs July 17-25, 2018.

The nine-day itinerary begins in Normandy with tours of Utah and Omaha Beaches and rounds at Omaha Beach Golf Club and Barriére Courses at Deauville. Travelers then fly to Scotland for a visit to the National Museum of Flight and golf at Gleneagles plus tickets to the 2018 Open Championship at Carnoustie; a round at Edzell Golf Club and tour of Edinburgh, a whiskey tasting tour at Ferttercairn Distillery; and much more.

Although decades have passed, reminders of World War II can still be found in beaches, pastures, towns, and cities across Europe. Golf was hardly just a game when World War II ended—it signaled an attempt to return to normalcy in the postwar period, a return to pastimes largely forgotten in the chaos of a world at war.

If booked by November 17, 2017, guests can save $2,000 per couple.

Pricing starts at $12,999 | Information & reservations

Los Cabos Golf Is Calling Your Name

Los Cabos Golf Quivira — The sixth hole at Quivira

A warm wind whips off the shimmering sea and the white flag – somewhat ironic, I’m thinking – snaps with the gusts. The narrow green, 170 yards away, clings to the ragged cliffs; a small oasis of turf that beckons the brave. The problem? Bravado is not really my forte. I make a quick, white-knuckled swing with my 7-iron and the ball soars into the infinite blue sky where the gulls and frigates fly. And, no surprise, it lands where the humpbacks and swordfish swim. Indeed, spending a week playing Los Cabos golf has been tough on my Titleist stash. But, while there have been losses, the gains have been substantial.

Situated at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, in a hot-and-dry Mexican region of saguaro-studded hills, never-ending seas, and beautiful white sand beaches, Los Cabos is a playground with plenty of appeal. The string of high-end hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and luxurious homes that line the corridor between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are proof of that.

Los Cabos is known as “Land’s End” — the southernmost point on Baja California that’s marked with the famous natural rock arch, “Los Arcos,” that the sea chiseled out eons ago. Famous bars (Cabo Wabo and El Squid Roe immediately come to mind), world-renowned marlin fishing, and, of course, miles and miles of exquisite beaches, are other notable attractions.

And then, of course, there is the golf. There are now 14 outstanding courses in the region. Due to the quantity and the quality, Los Cabos is widely considered the best golf destination in Mexico. And the courses keep coming. In fact, in the past three years, five new courses, including Tiger’s first course design in North America, have emerged. While other golf destinations are struggling to find their way, even losing courses, Los Cabos is in growth mode. It’s really one of only a few golf destinations in the world that can claim this.

Los Cabos Golf Diamante Dunes — The sixth green at Diamante Dunes

As I left Calgary, Alberta on a cold spring day, I could feel my swing-starved system warming up as I pondered flickering flags along the Sea of Cortez. And, somewhere over Utah, I think, the thought of tacos at the turn was also making my mouth water. I had visited Los Cabos once before, ten long years ago, played the Palmilla Golf Club and the legendary Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol, Jack both Nicklaus courses of the finest order. So I knew what I was getting into. Not surprisingly, I was ready for more. Thanks to an itinerary that included new layouts such as Quivira (where I would “sacrifice” a number of balls to the sea gods) and Puerto Los Cabos, as well as other long-standing favorites in the area I had never seen, I was like a kid on the way to a candy store.

Regardless of where you play in the corridor, know this: the courses all have outstanding turf conditions, warm and friendly service done the Mexican way, and the powerful presence of the sea. For the most part, there isn’t a golf hole to play that doesn’t boast a magnificent view of the Sea of Cortez. And many of the courses — Cabo Real, Cabo del Sol, Diamante Dunes, and Puerto Los Cabos — feature holes right along the surf.

Los Cabos Golf Puerto Los Cabos — Puerto Los Cabos

After settling into my resort, the centrally located Casa Del Mar, which is hard on the beach in the middle of the tourist corridor, I set out for one of the new kids on the block, Puerto Los Cabos. A massive new development in San Jose del Cabo that hugs the yacht-filled marina, Puerto Los Cabos will soon include 18-hole courses by Nicklaus and Greg Norman. At present, play is on a composite course with each designer contributing nine holes. While the uphill starts on both nines are not ideal, there are plenty of highlights. The Norman nine, for example, tumbles toward the sea and serves up a stirring introduction to golf in Los Cabos. The Nicklaus nine, much of which is located further inland, also includes a picturesque seaside par-3, the short 15^th, that doesn’t disappoint.

What also won’t disappoint on your golf junket in Los Cabos are the comfort stations that are a catchy — and very tasty! — theme on many of the courses. Complete with bartenders who mix mean margaritas, cooks who have their taco game perfected, and rows of salty snacks, they put the beer and hot dog “game,” the norm at many American courses, to shame. For the most part, these services are included with your price to play golf. Tipping, of course, is encouraged.

Even though they fly somewhat under the radar, both Cabo Real and Club Campestre San Jose also have plenty of merit. Cabo Real, which recently lost one hole along the sea (the land was sold to a developer for $28 million), features a stunning back nine that parades through a wild and rugged desert landscape that reaches far into the unseen hills off the strip. And even though a number of holes are situated near the highway, the quality of the golf holes at Club Campestre San Jose, a Nicklaus design with plenty of bite, makes for a highly memorable golf experience.

Not surprisingly, given the rich-and-famous reputation that Los Cabos carries, there are a handful of private clubs that are getting plenty of buzz. Diamante, for example — which features the heralded Dunes Course by Davis Love (many consider it the best course in Los Cabos) as well as Tiger’s inland effort at El Cardonal — is rightfully positioned as one of the premier golf and residential communities in the area. The development also features a brand new 12-hole short course designed by Mr. Woods. An interest in purchasing a time share here may serve you well in terms of getting access to the courses. Just saying.

My “last hurrah” was the seaside roller-coaster ride around Quivira, another new facility that features a Jack Nicklaus Signature course. Unquestionably, this is one of the most dramatic courses I’ve ever seen. Quirky? Yes. Extremely challenging? Yes. Fun and visually amazing? Yes and yes. The seaside holes here are, without a doubt, some of the most spectacular in Los Cabos. Carved through acres of wind-carved dunes and complete with an old lighthouse, a mile-long cliffside cart ride along the sea to get to the fifth tee, and, of course, comfort stations that are second-to-none, this is a jaw-dropping experience that will be etched on your brain for a long time. Just bring an extra sleeve, or three, of Titleists.

Andrew Penner is a golf writer and photographer based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Marriott Golf Expands Reach

Marriott Golf has announced more global expansion, highlighted by its first-ever golf resort property in Uruguay and two additional properties in Europe. The new additions, which include the Sheraton Colonia Golf Resort & Spa, in Uruguay; Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection Resort in the Algarve Region, Portugal, and the Westin La Quinta in Marbella, Spain, join Marriott Golf’s premier collection of managed properties.

This expansion news comes on the heels of Marriott Golf adding two new resort golf facilities in the South Pacific region to its portfolio, following Marriott International, Inc.’s acquisition and integration of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., creating the world’s largest hospitality company.

The Sheraton Colonia Golf Resort & Spa, located in Colonia Del Sacramento, Uruguay, features a wide range of amenities for the entire family. The unique Golf Course is situated among Uruguayan Eucalyptus trees, lakes, and an incredibly beautiful countryside with views of Colonia’s spectacular sunsets along the Rio De La Plata River.

Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection Resort in Albufeira, Portugal, is a special retreat for the business and leisure traveler. Pine Cliffs is a multi-faceted property, including The Pine Cliffs Residence, Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites, the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, and Pine Cliffs Golf Club and Academy. The immaculate Cliffs Golf Course is situated on top of a stunning sandstone cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The walking-only 9 hole course is challenging and fun, but truly memorable due to the pristine environment and amazing views on every hole. Pine Cliffs Golf Course is a favorite for so many local and regional players, members, and travelers.

The Westin La Quinta Golf Resort & Spa is located in the popular Mediterranean seaside city of Marbella, Spain, known as one of Europe’s best beach holiday and leisure locations, with a concentration of many golf courses. Featuring 27 holes of Championship golf, divided into three distinct 9-hole courses, San Pedro, Ronda and, Guadaiza, the course was designed by Spanish golf architect and former Ryder Cup member Manuel Piñero. La Quinta Golf enjoys a strong reputation for high quality golf, while conveniently located to all of the area’s beach, nightlife, and dining attractions.

“These newest additions to the Marriott International golf portfolio offer our Rewards members and all guests even more opportunities to combine world class travel experiences with great golf,” said Jim Keane, Senior Director, Golf Operations & Development Planning, Marriott International, Inc.

In keeping with Marriott’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the Company will integrate the new properties by pursuing certification through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, and any future eco-friendly programs adopted by Marriott Golf.

Marriott Golf manages 55 courses in 15 countries across 5 continents, offering nearly 1,000 holes of championship golf for Marriott International lodging brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Westin, Sheraton, Gaylord Hotels, Le Meridien, Renaissance Hotels, and Marriott Golf Academy. Since 1971, Marriott has been a recognized leader of integrated resort and golf operations, through its award winning business results and renowned service culture. Marriott provides golf development expertise, golf management, and consulting services to a unique variety of hospitality environments including resorts, private membership clubs, daily fee courses, golf schools, and franchises.

www.marriott.com

Gleneagles Again Atop Scotland Best Of List

Gleneagles, the iconic Scottish five-star hotel, has been voted ‘Best Golf Resort in the World’ for an unprecedented sixth successive year by readers of Ultratravel, the Telegraph’s luxury travel magazine, and visitors to the telegraph.co.uk website.

Readers were asked to vote for their favourite travel experiences in 19 categories, with Gleneagles taking the top golf award ahead of Pebble Beach Resorts and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, USA; St. Andrews Links, Scotland and La Manga Resort in Spain.

Bernard Murphy, Gleneagles’ Managing Director, commented: “We continually strive to offer all our guests an industry-leading experience and prestigious awards such as this – voted for by our customers – underline the quality of our world-class golf facilities and the dedication of the whole Gleneagles team.”

This latest accolade comes as the 850-acre Perthshire estate prepares to host two significant events over the next two years, The 2018 European Golf Team Championships and The 2019 Solheim Cup. The award also coincides with the completion of a detailed renovation project on The King’s and The Queen’s courses.

The King’s Course, the No. 1 inland course in Scotland by Golf Monthly, which will celebrate its centenary in 2019, has been taken back to James Braid’s original design vision last year, and similar work was undertaken last winter on The Queen’s Course.

Gary Silcock, Director of Golf at Gleneagles, added: “Following completion of the work, our courses are in fantastic condition for the 2017 golf season.

“The experience customers receive when they visit continues to be second to none and, with three critically-acclaimed 18-hole championship courses to choose from, Gleneagles remains, quite simply, a golfer’s paradise.”

An iconic country estate set beneath the beautiful Ochil Hills, Gleneagles has been a luxury destination for nearly a century. Located just one hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports and with its own railway station, Gleneagles offers the perfect retreat for those looking for relaxation, fun and adventure. Three championship courses have established Gleneagles’ reputation as a golfer’s paradise but the hotel offers so much more than golf. The 850-acre estate epitomises the natural beauty for which Scotland is famed and offers guests a glorious playground of country pursuits and activities. Whether you come to golf, fly a Harris’ Hawk, ride horses, play tennis, go off-roading, train gundogs, shoot game, fish, enjoy Michelin-starred dining, or relax in an award-winning spa, Gleneagles offers a world of unforgettable experiences.

www.gleneagles.com

Fazio Leads Adare Manor Redesign

Adare Manor, one of Ireland’s most distinguished resort hotels in the midst of a groundbreaking expansion, has selected world-renowned golf course designer Tom Fazio to spearhead the redesign of the property’s highly anticipated golf course at Adare Manor, set to reopen fall 2017.

Currently celebrated as the top parkland golfing experience in Ireland, the existing championship course, which is set amid magnificent mature trees and aquatic features including a 14-acre lake and The River Maigue, will be entirely restructured to include an extensively renovated course as well as a new arrival experience, driving range, caddy program and clubhouse. Upon completion, the new course will match the grandeur of the Manor House with a classic and well-manicured look while enjoying modern conveniences for an unparalleled golfing experience.

“We are extremely honored to partner with Tom Fazio on the creation of what will be a very special golfing experience” said Colm Hannon, chief executive officer of Adare Manor. “Mr. Fazio’s reputation as an exceptional course designer precedes him and our guests and members will benefit from his expertise and passion for creating stunning yet sustainable golf courses.”

Each hole of the golf course at Adare Manor will have distinct character and strategic playability options. Any hole could be a “signature” hole. Fazio was also charged with considering the design strategy and infrastructure commitments necessary to host premier amateur and professional golf events.

Other work includes improved drainage, new irrigation and water delivery as well as sand capping of all fairways and roughs for the driest playing conditions. Construction will include greens and bunkers as well as significant underground installations for drainage and wiring for tournament power, media and telecommunications. In addition, Fazio will account for hospitality and infrastructure of roadways and access areas for major golf events and operational usage.

“This course will be a total tribute to the vision and commitment the McManus family has for the region and Ireland,” said Fazio. “I look forward to working with Adare Manor to build an enjoyable course that not only complements the stunning setting but blends with the grounds as if it’s been there forever. Our goal is for golfers to remember this course as one they dream of playing time and time again.”

Adare Manor is situated in the heart of Adare Village in County Limerick. The largest restoration project of its kind in Ireland, the renovation and expansion will honor the building’s architectural heritage as a Neo-Gothic masterpiece while incorporating the latest in contemporary luxury. Most notably, the expansion will include a new 42-bedroom wing, increasing accommodations to a total of 104 guest rooms, a ballroom which can host up to 350 guests, as well as the Fazio course overhaul. The 842 acres of Adare Manor’s beautiful parkland, walled gardens and walking trails will be enhanced and will offer an extensive range of pursuits, including falconry, archery, clay pigeon shooting, fishing, state of the art spa and cinema.

www.adaremanor.com

OTHER IRELAND GOLF NEWS

Ballybunion Golf Club — This well-regarding golf destination embarked on a bold renovation to rebuild all 18 greens on the club’s famous Old Course and convert them to the fine, fescue turf that has become the hallmark of classic links golf. Graeme Webster spearheaded the redesign to remedy poor drainage and install a new sandy soil profile. Last year, an intense regimen of seeding and top-dressing protected the greens and allowed for an onslaught of play. www.ballybuniongolfclub.com

Waterville Golf Links — Nestled in the southwest of the Ring of Kerry, Waterville Golf Links is in the process of renovating its vintage 1970s clubhouse. The redesign will increase space for the pro shop and locker rooms, which will be visible on the course next spring. In addition, Waterville has created sod-walled pot bunkers, attracting golfers with a taste for formalized hazards. This summer, Waterville will debut a new course created by Robert Trent Jones Jr. called Hog Heads, located a five-minute drive from the grounds. A private club with cottage accommodations, Hog Heads has been sand-capped to play like a true links course. www.watervillegolflinks.ie

Explore Caribbean’s Top Tropical Resort Golf

With North America’s golf season in full swing, travelers looking for picture-perfect courses and five-star luxury resorts can head to the Caribbean’s finest courses for a round or two in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Bermuda and the Dominican Republic. Here’s a sweet sampling of some of the region’s best tropical resort golf.

MEXICO: Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso

Located on the combed shores of the Riviera Maya, adult-only all-inclusive Grand Hotel Paraiso by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts provides elite luxury and tranquility for guests to indulge with personal butlers, couple-oriented spa treatments (try the Mayan Temazcal) and a stunning 18-hole course designed by world-renowned golf course designer, P.B. Dye. The course features rolling hills and challenging terrain carved from the Mayan ruins to create a round you won’t forget. Guests can also request private lessons from the on-site golf professional.

PUERTO RICO: The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa

Surrounded by both the El Yunque National Rainforest and mile-long section of tropical beach, golfers will truly be in paradise at The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa. Located in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, golfers choose from either the River course (located next to the Mameyes River) designed by PGA legend Greg Norman, or Ocean course designed by award-winning golf course designers Tom and Georgia Fazio.

BERMUDA: Caroline Bay

Caroline Bay is a 182-acre, ultra-luxury, master planned, waterfront destination and community located in the west end of Bermuda in Southampton and Sandy Parishes. The destination will be home to luxury branded Ritz-Carlton Reserve Residences, a Reserve hotel with restaurants, world-class spa and kids club. In addition to the superyacht marina and destination amenities, residence owners will receive a complimentary one-year membership to Port Royal Golf Club, a Troon Privé club just across the street from Caroline Bay. What’s more, as a member of Port Royal, owners will have the privilege to play at any Troon Privé club around the world at member cart fee rates. In addition to the Port Royal golf course, Bermuda is home to five more world-class courses.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro

Located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the five-star, all-inclusive resort, Iberostar’s Grand Hotel Bavaro is reserved exclusively for adults looking to relax and bask in true luxury, with highlights including an entirely personalized butler service, spacious, elegant suites, a relaxing two-story ocean front spa and the Bavaro golf club. The 18-hole course was designed by P.B. Dye and is an excellent course for serious golf enthusiasts with its harsh hills and the crosswinds around the holes. When guests book a stay of seven nights or more, they will receive a complimentary two days of golfing.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: AlSol Hotels & Resorts

Golf enthusiasts will love the AlSol Hotels & Resorts’ Golf Package, offered at all four of their resorts located in the luxurious Cap Cana region of the Dominican Republic: AlSol Tiara Cap Cana, Sanctuary Cap Cana, AlSol Del Mar and AlSol Luxury Village. The four night package includes 30%-40% off an all-inclusive stay (varies at each resort), one round of golf per person at the world-famous Jack Nicklaus Award-winning Punta Espada Golf Course, golf course transfers, roundtrip airport transfers, private and early check-in, a welcome amenity and 10% off one beachside dinner.

Discover Golf On Spain’s Costa Del Sol

With over 70 golf courses, Spain’s Costa del Sol is a top European destination for golf lovers. It’s a great place for a golf holiday with friends or family because of its combination of outstanding golfing facilities, the wide range of activities on offer and an excellent climate that means you can play golf all year round. The Western Costa del Sol in particular is an excellent choice with 12 great courses in a relatively small area from Estepona to Sotogrande.

The most famous and revered of these clubs is the Real Club Valderrama, which is known as the best course in Europe. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. it has hosted the Ryder Cup, nine editions of the Volvo Masters and two American Express World Golf Championships and this year is hosting the biggest golf event of the year in Spain: the Andalucia Valderrama Masters. Part of the European Tour, this event will bring together around 150 of the best golf players in the world Oct. 19-22 and will shine a light on this fantastic area.

The Western Costa del Sol also has the first European course designed by Robert Trent Jones II — the Real Golf Club of Sotogrande, which regularly features among Europe’s top 10 golf courses and is much loved for being an old school club where the golf comes first. Other highlights include; Finca Cortesin, La Reserva Sotogrande, and Alcaidesa, the only links course on the Coast.

Estepona is an excellent base for a golf holiday, a vibrant town with excellent sports facilities, restaurants and of course beaches, so it offers something for everyone. There are eight golf courses in Estepona itself, it’s close to a further 25 incredible courses and is a great base to play the top Championship courses on the Western Costa del Sol.

The five-star Kempinski Hotel Bahía is located just a couple miles from the charming town of Estepona. Its Beauty & Wellness Centre features a state-of-the-art Fitness Centre, including a Technogym Kinesis wall, a new Finnish sauna, a steam bath and relaxation area. The Fitness Centre features the latest machines, stunning garden views and personal trainers to help clients attain the best results within a shorter period of time.

The Golf Desk, situated in the hotel’s reception area, offers various packages and special prices within the area. The hotel’s agreement with over 20 golf courses allows the golfer to book courses, such as Valderrama Golf Club, Alcaidesa Links Golf Course and Finca Cortesin Golf Club. Find out more www.Kempinski.com/Marbella or visit www.visitcostadelsol.com/golf for more information on golf on the Costa del Sol.