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2009 Newsletters

January 2009 Golfbreaks.com Newsletter


This month:
  • The year ahead – what to look out for in 2009
  • Scores on the doors - Top 10s
  • Vive La France
  • Fore! Hot shots for 2009
  • Tempted to Tour?
    • The year ahead – what to look out for in 2009

    2008 proved to be a fantastic year for golf and Golfbreaks.com; record numbers of you chose to book your golf breaks with us, and the Ryder Cup and The Open had us gripped.

    So how can we top that for 2009?

    As far as the team in the office is concerned, getting out onto the course and playing remains a high priority. If I had a pound for every person who’s told me that their New Year’s resolution is to lower their handicap, then I’d be rich!

    In terms of the golfing world the key event this year is the Race to Dubai. I predict that the question of who will emerge victorious (and with a significantly healthier bank balance) will keep golf fans glued to the action right up until the conclusion on 19th November at Jumeirah, Dubai. Other highlights include the Masters Tournament at Augusta on 9th April, the 138th Open Championship at the iconic Turnberry Resort on 16th July and the English Open at the breathtaking St Mellion on 13th August.

    For Golfbreaks.com, our aim in 2009 is to carry on doing what we do best. As Europe’s largest golf travel company we continue to guarantee great choice, expert advice as standard, top customer service and, most importantly in this current economic climate, exceptional value for money. Our product teams have been working hard over the past few months to secure a host of amazing deals - over 60% of our offers are exclusive to Golfbreaks.com – and we have some fantastic group offers including a Golfer’s Gift Pack giveaway (worth over £100) if you book a group of 8 or more before 28th February 2009. In addition you have the added security that we’re ABTA bonded and a member of IAGTO – so you can rest assured your booking is safe with us.

    We’re also proud to announce that for 2009 we’re the official travel supplier for the PGA!

    So to sum up, 2009 is going to be a great year of golf and a great time to go on a golf break. All that’s left to say is that my advice is to book early and make the most of our fantastic offers to ensure you get the best tee times.

    Happy golfing 2009!

    Gill Hamilton, Editor.

    Scores on the doors - where did you choose to go in 2008?

    Top 10: UK & Ireland

    1.     The Belfry
    2.     De Vere Belton Woods
    3.     Marriott Forest of Arden
    4.     Selsdon Park
    5.     Forest Pines
    6.     De Vere Slaley Hall
    7.     Five Lakes
    8.     Marriott Meon Valley
    9.     Gleneagles Resort
    10.     The K Club


    Top 10: Europe

    1.     Le Touquet/Hardelot
    2. Vilamoura, Portugal
    3. La Cala, Spain
    4.     La Manga, Spain
    5.     Hotel du Golf Barrière, France
    6.     Le Meridien Penina, Portugal
    7.     Nicklaus Golf Trail, Polaris World, Spain
    8.     Martin’s Grand Hôtel, Belgium
    9. Gloria Golf Club, Turkey
    10.     Aphrodite Hills Resort, Cyprus


    Top 5: Rest of World

    1.     Myrtlewood Villas & Golf Resort 3* - South Carolina, USA
    2.     Fancourt Hotel & Golf Estate 5* - Garden Route, South Africa
    3.     Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa 5* - Ponte Vedra Beach, USA
    4.     The Sindbad Hotel 5* - Hammamet, Tunisia
    5.     Palmeraie Golf Palace 5* - Marrakech, Morocco

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    Nick Liddle Vive La France


    Nick Liddle, Product Manager France

    Northern France, especially the Pas-de-Calais, is the most sought after golf destination in France. Yes, the French are renowned for their sumptuous food and good wine, but look a little bit further and you will find some gems of golf courses and vibrant towns packed with quality restaurants and friendly bars. Taking only 35 minutes to cross with the Eurotunnel, not only is it convenient to get there but during these tough times it is an economical way to take your golf break.

    The most popular destination is the lively town of Le Touquet, 55 minutes drive from Calais. It caters for all needs with a great selection of restaurants, some lively bars, including the entertaining Globetrotter Pub, and a twice weekly market renowned for its traditional local produce. We have a large selection of affordable and comfortable hotels and I would personally recommend the Hôtel Red Fox 2*, especially with its 1 in 8 stay FREE offer. Likewise, the golf is superb, with the exquisite championship ‘La Mer’ course at Golf du Touquet benefitting from some recent investment, and Belle Dune to the south - an absolute stunner!

    Just 25 minutes drive up the coast, the 2 stunning courses at Golf d’Hardelot lie in wait. Both ‘Les Pins’ & ‘Les Dunes’ are consistently voted in the Top 50 French golf courses. You can stay at the lovely Hôtel du Parc 3* where we have another 1 in 8 stays FREE offer – exclusive to Golfbreaks.com.

    It is true that getting room availability on weekends can be a challenge, and therefore we offer alternative areas like the beautiful market town of Arras, only an hour's drive from Calais. It has a large central square surrounded by cafes and bars and the nearby Golf d’Arras hosts the Ladies European Tour annually. Aa-Saint-Omer Golf Club, 25 minutes from Calais, hosts the European Challenge Tour every year and has a brand new 3* hotel onsite, the Aa-Saint-Omer Hotel du Golf.

    This region is a must visit and has plenty of variety for the seasoned golfer. With unprecedented levels of exclusive offers for individuals and groups alike, now is the time to grab your clubs and cross the channel.

    Click here to see all our French offers.

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    Edouard des Fontaines Fore! Hot Shots for 2009 in Spain and Portugal

    Edouard des Fontaines, Product Manager Spain & Portugal


    2009 is not all doom and gloom. Why? Because you can still escape to the sun for a great time, and Spain and Portugal are still the favourite destinations for UK golfers (me included). This year we have the best deals we’ve ever had, as well as more options to choose from!

    For Portugal, my recommendation is the Lisbon Coast where you have the likes of Praia del Rey. Situated along the coast of Obidos and with a golf course rated in the top 80 in the world, it was voted Europe's Best Golf Resort in 2006. If you want to go further south to the Algarve, the West Algarve will give you the best value for money. My top choices here are the Pestana Golf Resort Carvoeiro 4* and Le Meridien Penina 5*, playing a couple of rounds on the stunning Palmares, Morgado and Alamos – 3 golf courses that will really make your golfing year.

    If Spain is your choice, I would recommend a long weekend at the Nicklaus Golf Trail at Polaris World in Murcia, staying in either the 4* self catering apartments or the 5* InterContinental hotels (depending on your budget). With 4 golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, you cannot be disappointed with the quality of golf!

    For somewhere a bit different, I suggest a golf break to Majorca to sample the Palma nightlife. The 3* Hotel Dali which is situated very near the famous “Paseo Maritimo” is my Mallorca tip. Lastly, for largely undiscovered championship golf, the Costa Brava is a must see. The PGA Catalunya golf complex, venue of this year’s Spanish Open, is my recommendation.

    Finally, if you’re looking for great golf resorts with everything on site there is plenty on offer to tempt golfers. My picks in Spain are the La Manga Club in Murcia, voted Best European Golf Resort 3 times in the last 6 years, and 5* La Cala Resort and Spa in Costa del Sol, last year’s top golf resort in Andalucia. Both have 3 fantastic golf courses on offer, as well as state of the art leisure facilities – they provide everything a true holiday golfer needs!

    In Portugal, look no further than 5* Dona Filipa and San Lorenzo Golf Course, voted best European Golf Resort in 2008. Just 20 minutes away from both Faro airport and the town of Villamoura, it makes for a perfect base for a great golfing break.

    Wherever you choose to play in 2009, enjoy your golf.

    Click here to search all our Spain offers and click here to search Portugal offers.

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    Tempted to Tour? David McKevitt Cameron Ritchie

    Cameron Ritchie – Product Manager Ireland
    David McKevitt - Product Manager UK Tours



    For our money, tours are the choice for golfers in 2009. What makes them so special? They’re tailor made – so with our expert guidance you can pick and choose the courses you want to play, within your budget and in the perfect location to suit your golfing group or society. So where are our tips for 2009?

    If the unbeatable formula of great golf and bustling nightlife sounds like your kind of thing, then a Bournemouth tour could be the option for you. Play the round of your life at the likes of Ferndown (one of the “must plays” for 2009) and afterwards head into town for some serious “Après Golf”.

    For some world-class golf, England’s Golf Coast makes for an unbeatable tour and one of our personal favourites. Why not try one of the 3 Royal courses (Royal Liverpool, Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham St Annes) or some of their sublime neighbouring clubs (Wallasey, Formby, Hillside, West Lancashire and Hesketh)? It’s the stuff golfer’s dreams are made of.

    For an easily accessible and great value tour, opt for the Midlands. We have a great choice of hotels and golf courses to go and play, including a round on the famous Arden Course at Marriott Forest of Arden, which is offering two golfers for the price of one.

    Scotland is another great choice for the year ahead as it offers such good value for money. We have exclusive offers on some world-class golf courses, including pay for one round at Kingsbarns and receive a second completely free. Alternatively, if you would like to be in this year’s Open area, why not stay at the Ramada Ayr and take advantage of our Ayrshire golf pass.

    With the 2010 Ryder Cup just around the corner, now’s the time to beat the rush and discover some golfing delights in South Wales. A tour which takes in the likes of Machynys, Pennard and Celtic Manor will be a golf break to remember.

    Finally across the water in Ireland, experience some of the Emerald Isle’s best courses and the world renowned hospitality of the Irish on one of our Irish tours. Picture this – a couple of fantastic rounds on trophy courses like Killeen & Ballybunion (Buy 1 get 1 FREE) or Druid’s Glen near Dublin, followed by a few pints of the black stuff. That's got to be golfing utopia.

    Whichever tour takes your fancy be sure in the knowledge that the team at Golfbreaks.com can tailor make your perfect tour at an unbeatable price. Here’s to top touring in 2009.

    Click here to view the tour pages on our website.

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