Friday, April 08, 2011

Clubstohire.com offers the drive of your life...

Golfers using the burgeoning ClubstoHire.com service at Dublin, Faro and Malaga airports are now able to try out golf’s most talked-about new driver: the TaylorMade R11, pictured above.

The R11 has been a major buzzword since it was launched in late 2010 with glowing praise from tour professionals and amateurs and strong recognition from the golf industry. There is plenty of substance and technology lurking beneath the driver’s stylish white crown with options for the player to adjust loft and face-angle for maximum flight control.

Accompanying the iconic driver, a full set of R11 Burner woods and irons – complete with pristine white R11 stand-bag – are available for hire at all locations for only €55 for a full week.

With ClubstoHire.com experiencing its busiest month to date in March, the opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ is sure to be a popular draw.

Irish Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley is a partner in the company, which offers travelling golfers a massive saving on airline golf bag charges – and complete peace of mind.

In a further development, all stores will soon be stocking Wilson Golf equipment, giving consumers an increased choice of leading brands with Callaway and MD Golf sets also available. Rentals start from as little as €35 per set, per week.

Golfers are already voting with their feet with more than 7,000 hiring sets in the past six months at Dublin, Faro and Malaga – a combined saving of €200,000 – and the company is on course to be established in several more European golf destination hubs by the end of 2011.

■ Bookings for Dublin, Malaga and Faro can be made online at www.clubstohire.com.

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Life goes full circle for golfer Graeme

Life has gone full circle for a Knaresborough golf professional who is now teaching youngsters the same coaching programme which developed his passion for the sport.

Graeme Steven, 21, an assistant pro at Knaresborough GC, joined the Young Masters Golf (YMG) programme at Knaresborough aged just 14. And last Saturday, almost seven years to the day that he joined, he relaunched YMG at the club in the hope of instilling the same passion for the game into today’s youngsters, that he discovered back in 2004.

Steven turned pro only in October last year, although he has worked in the club shop for some time and is already a familiar face to members and regular visitors.

He said: “I still have my original YMG folder. It was a good, enjoyable course and I did quite well in the national competitions. I really enjoyed my golf as a result of the programme and got into coaching through that.

“It’s a very good system for coaching youngsters, but what I also like about it is that it teaches you the rules, etiquette and golf knowledge – as well as the skills – which I believe is very important. And what’s more it’s fun – and that’s the main factor for the youngsters. It keeps them interested.”

Developed by a team of highly experienced PGA professionals, the YMG programme is the ultimate solution for boys and girls from the ages of six to 14-years-old who want to start playing golf or, if they already play, to improve.

The programme has recently been overhauled and improved to offer a focused approach to golf development, but its ethos is as it always was: to encourage youngsters to participate in golf and to teach them the basics, rules and etiquette of the sport, through the auspices of PGA-trained professionals.

Chris Smith PGA, sales director for YMG in the UK, said: “The YMG programme has been utilised at Knaresborough previously but, sadly, when the pro moved on it stopped. Many of the youngsters followed him to his new club which is one of the benefits of the YMG system as it is transferable.

“But that did not help the youngsters who remained. So we are delighted that one of our own students has progressed to the stage where he wants to impart the same knowledge on to another generation. We wish him well and look forward to hearing about the exploits of Knaresborough’s newest generation of golfers.”

Places are still available on Graeme Steven’s YMG courses at Knaresborough and anybody interested in learning more or signing up should contact him on 01423 864865 or by email at knaresboroughproshop@hotmail.co.uk.


■ To discover more about delivering the Young Masters Golf programme to juniors or for information on clubs providing the scheme in your area visit www.ymg-golf.com

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Five-star resort planned for Romania

Austrian investor Kurt Neuschitzer plans to create a five-star resort in the mountain city of Busteni, in Romania.

The project, named Zamora Golf, Ski and Holiday Resort will include the Cantacuzino Castle that will be revamped and integrated in the luxury leisure resort...

For full story see Romania Business Insider

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Action group investigates possible mis-selling

An action group has been set by property investors from the UK who believe they were mis-sold apartments and villas in and around the proposed Larnaca Golf course in Tersefanou, Cyprus.

The Larnaca Golf Property Action Group (LGPAG) is investigating whether its members have been victims of ‘overselling’...

For full story see fly-2let.co.uk

Monday, April 04, 2011

Take a picture, win an outfit ... with Sub70


Sub70, the UK-based funky golf clothing brand, is inviting customers to send in pictures of themselves wearing items from the range to stand a chance of winning a complete new outfit.

The designer range offers nearly 1,000 options for bespoke trousers alone ensuring style and individuality in equal measure. The competition runs throughout April and a spokesman for the company insisted creativity was actively encouraged.

He said: “The more entertaining the picture the better really. There are no rules as to where the picture must be taken so as long as the subject is wearing Sub70 gear, the pictures are only limited by the imagination of those involved.

“We’re really looking forward to judging this competition and the winner will receive a complete new Sub70 outfit – trousers, shirt, belt and cap – from the new 2011 range. We’re also going to give two runners-up the chance to choose a shirt of their choice from the same range.”

The company is also currently offering a special US Masters deal with 20 per cent of everything purchased through the website right up until the moment the final putt is holed in Augusta.

■ For further details on either the competition or the special Masters discount visit http://www.subseventy.co.uk/ or email your pictures to info@subseventy.co.uk.

Friday, April 01, 2011

Entry open for sixth annual Banks and Brokers Championship

Teams are now able to enter the sixth annual Banks and Brokers Golf Championship which will culminate in a grand final in Spain in October.

The event – sponsored by Extrabet, the sports betting specialist – provides golfers from the financial services sector with the chance to battle for golfing supremacy among their peers.

A maximum of 18 teams of four will scrap it out in two qualifying events – at Brocket Hall on June 6 and East Sussex National Golf Resort & Spa on July 1 – for the right to jet off to Antequera Golf, near Malaga, during October, for a two-day final.

Unlike similar events where only the winning teams make it to the final, in the Banks and Brokers Golf Championship the winning team and the runners-up from both regional events qualify for the final in Spain.

And the captain of the first winning team, in 2006, is determined to be there to once again to capture the title his colleagues fought so hard to secure in the inaugural event.

David Heffer, from Tradition UK, said: “It’s a brilliant event – well organised, with a good buzz about it, and a great atmosphere among the teams. And it’s getting better year on year. We’ve played in every one and we’ve certainly got an eye on being on that plane down to Spain.”

With a one-in-nine chance of being on the plane for the complimentary grand final, and with a number of other fantastic prizes on offer – including golf holidays and the latest equipment – tournament organisers are banking on entries filling up fast. Teams can even enter both events to increase their chances of success.

Those lucky enough to win through to the Spanish final on October 16/17 will enjoy free flights and transfers; two rounds of golf; five-star accommodation at the impressive Hotel La Magdelena, a former convent; tapas lunches on both days and a three-course gala dinner in the Hotel La Magdelena.

The event also helps to raise funds for STAR4Africa, a UK-based charity dedicated to providing opportunities and support for children in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Plus, title sponsor Extrabet will be running a number of exclusive spread-betting promotions for competitors starting with one for next week’s US Masters. A spokesman confirmed: “Sell a player on finishing position and if your player wins, we’ll double your profits!”

Event organiser Jim Nicholson said: “This is a unique opportunity for people working in a high-pressure sector to unwind and take on their contemporaries in a friendly, yet competitive environment, while helping to raise funds for a very worthwhile cause. And of course there’s a great break to be had if you qualify for the final.”

The Banks and Brokers Golf Championship is open to all companies and individuals but is aimed primarily at corporations, individuals and other bodies operating in financial services and other related sectors such as energy, commodities and precious metals.

■ To find out more about the Banks and Brokers Golf Championship, visit http://www.banksandbrokersgolf.com/

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Teenager hailed as catalyst for inaugural Junior Disabled British Open


The first youngster to sign up for August’s inaugural Junior Disabled British Open will be a 16-year-old with cerebral palsy, for whom the event will be the culmination of a year’s lobbying.

Richard Warren, a 28-handicapper from, Ascot, in Berkshire, (pictured above) was so enthused with last year’s Disabled British Open golf championship that he immediately contacted organisers to enquire why there wasn’t a junior event.

And the event’s organisers were so impressed with the teenager’s enthusiasm and dynamism that they worked with him to launch this year’s inaugural Junior Disabled British Open.

Warren has been playing golf for eight years after his mother thought the game might prove physically beneficial.

He said: “I have a real passion for golf despite the cerebral palsy which affects all of my limbs. I first started playing at the age of eight when my mother thought it might be a good way of improving my hand-eye coordination.

“Although I was initially apprehensive when she took me to have an introductory lesson at the local driving range, from that moment on I was well and truly hooked on the sport.”

In 2005 Mill Ride GC, in Ascot, launched a competition among local schools to offer three junior golf scholarships. The determined Warren applied and, following an interview and golf assessment, proved successful in attaining one of the three places on offer.

He continued: “I am extremely grateful to Mill Ride GC as the scholarship not only improved my game but also boosted my confidence. I am now quite well known around the club and have been supported throughout by many members and, in particular, the staff.

“My only frustration with golf is that the nature of my disability is such that each golfing day is different. One day my game can be exceptionally good; on another extremely bad – however, this has never taken away from the enjoyment.

“What became apparent to me over a number of years was that there were seemingly very few junior disabled golfers, either male or female. And that motivated me to explore opportunities to bring young disabled golfers together so they can play and be inspired by their peer group.”

It was this determination – and a series of meetings with event organiser Andy Barwell – that led to the launch of the Junior Disabled British Open and, moreover, Warren’s participation in it.

“While taking part in various events I have met with some high-profile golfers, including Ian Poulter and Colin Montgomerie, who have expressed a keen interest in my endeavours,” added Warren.

“With the possibility of golf entering the Paralympics in the future I feel it is the right time to introduce disabled junior golf into the public domain and to encourage more disabled young people to enjoy the sport.

“Through the development of the first Junior Disabled British Open, I hope to inspire and encourage other young disabled juniors to pursue their passion and realise their potential.”

The event, for disabled youngsters aged between 12 and 18, will run alongside the third annual Disabled British Open at East Sussex National Golf Resort & Spa, from August 20-21 – the largest and most inclusive tournament in the country for disabled golfers. And Barwell, a director of organiser the Azalea Group, said enormous credit should go to the teenager for helping to get the event off the ground.

He said: “Richard is an inspirational young man. He’s very driven and determined and is destined for great things I’m sure. If at 16 he can persuade us that there is a need for a Junior Disabled British Open I’m sure he can be even more influential as he gets older.

“When we first met he stated his case convincingly and backed it up with facts and figures. I can’t imagine another occasion when a company would join with a 16-year-old to launch a new product. That’s testament to him as an individual and should prove a huge fillip to young people with disabilities.”

The senior event has received Government backing from both the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Jeremy Hunt MP, and the Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, who praised it for its inclusivity and legacy.

Hunt said: “The Disabled British Open golf championship is a fantastic example of how Britain can stage a world-class event for disabled athletes competing at the highest level. As a nation we should be very proud of the awareness this event has created, and the legacy of opportunities within sport for disabled people.”

And his parliamentary colleague added: “To hear that the Disabled British Open golf championships has encouraged disabled people to start playing golf for the first time is a wonderful achievement – and testament to the spirit of the competitors and will of the organisers.”

The 2010 event – the first to be played at the current venue – attracted a full field of 72 disabled athletes, with ages ranging from 16-71, from as far afield as South Africa, Pakistan, Spain, Ireland and Germany, in addition to a strong UK contingent.

The Sky Sports-broadcast event is delivered through Tourism South East as one of the projects of the Accentuate programme, which is funded by SEEDA and Legacy Trust UK – an independent charity set up to create a cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – and set up as part of the south-east’s drive to create a cultural shift in the way disabled people are perceived by celebrating excellence and showcasing talent.

John Williams, chairman of Tourism South East, said: “The Disabled British Open is one of many excellent projects we have delivered over the past few years. It has a burgeoning reputation and seems likely to go from strength to strength. We wish it continued success.”

The 2011 Disabled British Open and Junior Disabled British Open take place on August 20-21. A range of bespoke sponsorship and partnership packages for both events can be made available including title and headline sponsorship.

Entries will open in April. For further information contact championship organiser Andy Barwell on 07961 315520 or visit http://www.disabledbritishopen.org/

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Award-winning resort fined £120,000

An award-winning Scottish golf resort has been fined £120,000 after a guest died who contracted deadly Legionnaires’ disease during a stay there.

Piperdam Golf and Leisure Resort was found to have breached health and safety legislation, which led to the death of the guest after he caught the fatal infection which was present in a hot tub.

For full story see STV 

Friday, March 04, 2011

Irish golf club goes bust owing €2.5m

A company part-owned by the Shannon Airport Authority chairman has gone bust after running up debts of over €2.5m.

Accounts filed at the Companies Office show that Brian O'Connell, the authority's chairman, is a shareholder in Limerick County Golf & Country Club...

For full story see Belfast Telegraph

Irvine golf legend Jack Cannon dies

Jack Cannon, the oldest man to win the Scottish Amateur Golf Championship and the last surviving member of the legendary Bartonholm Trio, died on Tuesday, aged 94.
Jack, along with Jimmy Walker and Hammy McInally, was one of the three sons of the tiny miners’ row on the outskirts of Irvine who won Scottish amateur golf’s greatest crown, but although he was widely regarded as the quietest of the trio, he was not afraid to do his talking on the course...

For full story see the Irvine Herald

Three years with no new golf course approval in Andalucía

The new law which controls new golf courses in Andalucía has now been in operation in the region for three years, and over that time not a single new golf development has been authorised.

The so-called ‘Golf courses of tourist interest’ mix new sporting facilities with new residential developments...

For full story see TypicallySpanish.com

Emergency meeting will seek to reopen Letham Grange golf courses

An emergency general meeting will be held in Arbroath this month as the rescue bid to save famous fairways at a collapsed Angus resort hotel picks up pace.

The captain of Letham Grange Golf Club has revealed the club committee hope to gain acceptance for a plan that would see the two 18-hole courses — the 6632-yard par-73 Old and the par-65 Glens — quickly playing again...

For full story see The Courier


Travel agent takes golf tour to North Korea

A Wigan travel agent is organising the first international amateur golf tournament ever to be held in North Korea...

For the full story see the Manchester Evening News

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Celtic Manor Wales Open boosts local economy

Spectators attending the 2010 Celtic Manor Wales Open spent more than £1.5m in Newport and south Wales, according to an economic impact study.

The substantial boost to the local economy came as visiting golf fans spent the money on accommodation, food, travel, tournament tickets and associated costs while attending the European Tour event last June 3-6...

For full story see EuropeanTour.com 

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Foresight's GC2 is all right on the flight

European golfers are about to discover what Titleist and other major manufacturers have known for around 12 months – Foresight Sports’ GC2 is the future of ball-flight analysis.

The GC2 has dominated the US market since its launch last year and is now available in Europe. It revolutionised club-fitting and teaching Stateside because of its unique design, which offers unrivalled launch stats accuracy; unprecedented data speed; true portability – the unit weighs just 1.7kg and takes just 40 seconds to set up; an eight-hour battery life and a simple plug-and-play operation.

The system has been adopted by many of the world’s leading club manufacturers including Titleist, Cleveland/Srixon, Cobra/Puma, PING and TaylorMade – and it’s easy to see why.

The unique ultra-high-speed dual camera design of the GC2 records the most accurate ball flight statistics on the market today. It doesn’t rely on any backward extrapolation to generate ball-flight data but, instead, directly measures ball flight and spin at club impact and launch, recording precise ball speed, spin (side, back and total), direction and launch angle, and calculates carry and total distance in a split-second, to the tightest tolerances in the industry.

Richard Temple, Titleist Golf Clubs’ product and fitting manager (EMEA), explained why his company is recommending using the revolutionary equipment.

He said: “We are recommending GC2 because of the quality of the numbers it puts out. Our US research and development team has worked very closely with Foresight Sports approving the system in terms of its performance, relating to launch angles, spin rate and ball speed.

“The feeling is it provides numbers consistent with our own launch monitors to the point where we feel this is the great option for accounts which are looking for an accurate launch monitor at a more reasonable cost. The team in the US is happy to put the Titleist name alongside it and we have done the same for Europe.”

Distributed in UK&I exclusively by Foresight Sports UK, the GC2 has been quick to win admirers this side of the Atlantic – among them one of Britain’s most respected golf coaches.

The GC2 is light, compact, quick to set up,
but above all very accurate

PGA master professional Luther Blacklock, the head pro at Woburn GC and a Golf International teaching panellist, is an enthusiastic advocate of the system – having agreed to purchase one within minutes of seeing it in operation.

Blacklock said: “As soon as I saw the unit’s immediacy and ease of use I was sold. I bought one on the spot and it’s already paid for itself in terms of benefits to my pupils.

“It’s more accurate than other products on the market; it’s truly portable – so tuition is not affected by adverse weather conditions; it takes a fraction of the time other products take to set up and it’s around a fifth of the cost of some of its rivals. When you see it in action it’s easy to see why so many of the world’s leading manufacturers are using it as the standard launch monitor for club-fitting and testing.

“I was hugely impressed by the ‘real time’ nature of the shot, powered as it is by exceptional software. The practice ground setting is even better than hitting shots on the range in teaching terms, as the ‘vapour trail’ left on the screen as you practice, is a ‘video’ of the last shot – which is even more beneficial than a video of the last swing.

“It’s made a massive difference to the pupil analysis I can offer as a golf coach as the information is more accurate and easily demonstrable.”

Another convert is Tim Mickelson – brother of four-time Major-winner Phil – who is the head golf coach at the University of San Diego.

He said: “I was blown away by the GC2’s portability, ease of use and, above all, accuracy. It’s not only an incredible tool for college golf programs, but for any player looking to get to the next level – it’s that good.”

The fact that the GC2 has a price-point around 80 per cent cheaper than existing competitors with comparable data is not lost on the industry’s leading professionals.

Titleist’s Temple added: “GC2 came along with comparable results but is pitched at a much more affordable price. Our sales force in the USA now uses GC2 for its fitting days and we’re going to provide it, not just to some of our sales force, for some tech reps and future Fitting Centres across Europe, but also to our FittingWorks accounts – of which we have about 800 across Europe – as their suggested launch monitor technology.”

Connected to a PC, real-time ball flight and statistics are available immediately and the data can be recorded to a spreadsheet and emailed to a customer in an instant. There is even the ability to instantly deliver data, via Bluetooth, to an Android-based mobile or hand-held device.

The flexibility and test-proven accuracy of the GC2 also allows it to be upgraded to provide a simulator experience, whether with a simple net and PC or as a full-size, bespoke studio experience.

Rob Thöle, sales manager for Foresight Sports UK, said: “The GC2 really has it all: it’s totally portable; it’s the most accurate system on the market; it’s self-levelling; requires no calibration; is up and running in 40 seconds; works perfectly indoors or out; can work as a standalone unit or with a computer and can be upgraded to provide the full simulator experience. It is the ultimate in ball-flight analysis.”

■ The Foresight Sports GC2 costs just £4,995 (+ vat). For further information call 0845 644 3870 or email info@foresightsports.co.uk.

http://www.foresightsports.co.uk/

Friday, February 25, 2011

Second bid for homes on golf club site

The owner of a golf club fighting for survival has launched a second bid to transform part of the site into housing.

Robin Day said Bolton Open Golf Club in Longsight Lane, Harwood, needed a cash boost to secure its future, but Bolton Council threw out his controversial plan to build 13 homes on greenbelt land last July...

For full story see Bolton News

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Kilkea Castle & Golf Resort brought to market by receivers

Kilkea Castle & Golf Resort in Ireland will be brought to the market by BDO, the receiver of Arnosford.

CBRE Hotels has been appointed to market the resort with a guide price of €6m. The 12th century Kilkea Castle, in County Kildare, includes an 18-hole golf course and golf clubhouse. In total 27 of the 33 three-bedroom lodges are included in the sale. Of the 27 lodges up for sale, 18 are partially constructed. The resort sits on 140 acres of land...

For full story see Property Week

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Your Golf Travel.com launches new brochure

Europe’s largest golf travel company, Your Golf Travel.com, has introduced an increased range of worldwide destinations and additional savings in its new 2011 brochure.

With the company having booked services for more than 150,000 UK golfers last year and increased sales by 70 per cent, consumers have been eagerly awaiting their copy of the 2011 golf travel bible...

For full story see Golf International

Braemar Golf to manage Oman golf club

Scotland-based Braemar Golf has secured a two-year management agreement to operate the Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club in Oman.

The company has completed a successful six-month technical advice period and will now be responsible for overseeing the business performance of the club...

For full story see AMEinfo.com 

Two men charged after golf club drug raid

A historic golf club was among premises raided as part of a police operation that netted £500,000 worth of cocaine.

Two men were arrested and charged following raids on the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club in East Lothian - which was founded more than 200 years ago and is the fifth oldest club in the world - and a children's dance school in nearby Prestonpans...

For full story see The Scotsman