McDowell becomes first mid-Atlantic winner of US Open

”THE British are coming!” Colin Welland wasn’t talking about golf during his acceptance speech at the Oscars over twenty years ago but it seems an apt comment after a majestic start to the season by our homegrown players on the US Tour. Wins by Ian Poulter, Rory Mcllroy, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood and, perhaps most memorably, Graeme McDowell have placed European Golf at the very pinnacle. Indeed, on an intriguing final day at Pebble Beach, McDowell became our first golfer to win the US Open after Tony Jacklin at Hazeltine in 1970. Playing in the final pairing it would be fair to say that he did not play scintillating golf – 3 over 74 – but, after seeing his own playing partner,Johnson, implode with an 82 and Major winners like Els, Mickelson and Woods seemingly intent on giving shots back to the course after threatening a charge, he did not really need to. A par on the 18th was enough for the Portrush lad to give his waiting father the best Father’s Day present he could have wished for. Spare a thought for Frenchman Gregory Havret though. This was a golfer ranked 391st in the world prior to start of play. He only gained classification into the event courtesy of a 50 foot putt on the 18th to get into a 6 man playoff at a qualifying event at Sunningdale. A subsequent 20 footer on the next guaranteed his passage. In the final round his swing belittled his world ranking as he made light of partnering Tiger Woods; only failing to force a playoff by not making sand saves on the 17th and 18th. This was no Van de Velde meltdown though in a US Open by name and truly open in nature. So congratulations to Graeme McDowell who kept us awake into the early hours. Your swing certainly doesn’t need any tweaking but, geez man, could you please do something about that irritating drawl? We want you firmly on the European side during the Ryder Cup.

Tags: British, Championship

Tip of the week

MEET Francisco, El Chaparral Golf Club’s newest member of staff, who is responsible for ensuring that your cherished clubs are spotless after a round of golf. In a move designed to offer clients better value for money the course manger, Mr Domingo Gavira, told me that this laudable initiative was included completely free of charge in the price of the green fee and would help maintain El Chaparral’s status as one of the more user-friendly courses on the coast. Tips remain at the discretion of the client but, considering the normal price at some other courses is in the region of 10€, who wouldn’t begrudge Francisco a euro or two? Especially since your clubs will have received that recently polished / ‘as good as new’ look. Although El Chaparral wouldn’t lay claim to be one of the longest courses around, its curious technical layout – 6 Par 5’s, 6 Par 4’s and 6 Par 3’s -  along with some of the slickest and truest greens I have played, will please both low handicappers and beginners alike. Check out some of the two plus buggy summer offers until the end of September for a great deal all round.

Tags: el chaparral golf, tips

Ryder Cup ever nearer

The golfing world received confirmation that the Celtic Manor course will be a perfect venue for this year’s Ryder Cup as the European Tour players competing in the Wales Open were full of praise for the quality of the course. Mind you, it’s unlikely that the two teams will be enjoying the same benign weather conditions which prevailed last weekend.
Although the first 4 members of the European side are virtual certainties (Westwood, Poulter, McIlroy & Donald),  the remaining 4 qualification places and the four captain’s picks are up for grabs. Rhys Davies has already shown what can be achieved in a short space of time and the events leading up to the September deadline when the team will be confirmed, are heavily weighted as far as Ryder Cup points are concerned. In fact, there could be at least 4 young rookies in the side, but as relative newcomers, such as the Molinari brothers, Alvaro Quiros, Martin Kaymer, Rhys Davies etc all have already shown, the youngsters fear no-one and can perform at the highest level.
The irony is that the US team are in the same transitional stage, with several of their own young players coming through, so this year’s Ryder Cup could be unique in terms of the average age and number of rookies representing
both teams. What helps to keep the Ryder Cup so spellbinding every other year is the guarantee of a new young star emerging. This year, there will be so many, that it will be nigh-on impossible to guess who he (or they) will be.
While the bookies’ favourite will undoubtedly be Rory McIlroy, my money will be on Rhys Davies.  All he has to do now is to win his place on merit, although Monty will find it hard not to pick him, even if he doesn’t.

Tags: Ryder Cup

The demise of a Lady?

IN last week’s golf page we reported on one local course – Los Arqueros – which was making a proactive effort to offer better value for money in these testing times. Unfortunately, for every success story, there are a couple of other local courses which seem to be suffering the effects of the crisis. Chief among these is Doña Julia near Manilva. Purported to be one of the new breed    of resort courses – encompassing a six star hotel and  ‘add on’ urbanistic developments – it is now a shadow of its former self.   The proposed plans for the hotel were shelved long ago and much of the building work on the apartments surrounding the course is unfinished. A pity for those who bought into the dream. During the recent bad weather a landslide on the Par 5 5th hole resulted in nine holes being closed. On a recent site inspection it was surprising to find the car park empty and a skeleton buggy fleet of only six. A buggy is, afterall, a must on this course. The member of staff present seemed unwilling to confirm or deny reports either way. In fact, communications had broken down long before as their landline has been replaced by a mobile phone; a company email address substituted for a hotmail account and tour operators, golf agencies and general public alike left in the dark. What seems clear is that the temporary club house (even this has been downsized) near the highway seems set to stay for the foreseeable future. As a result the quirky layout of the course remains; one has to play three successive Par 3’s around the turn. The new club house, resulting in a new scorecard, would have limited this to two. Although upon completion the course wasn’t to everybody’s liking with narrow fairways, especially on the front half, and wind playing an important factor as the course meandered upwards and inland towards the village of Casares. However, on the occasions I played there, the course was invariably in great condition. In fact, the greens were Valderrama standard and amongst the quickest and truest. The pricing policy wasn’t prohibitive either with some good buggy deals to be enjoyed. If anybody from the club – or ‘in the know’ – could shed some light on this matter we would be delighted to hear some positive news.

Tags: Lady Golf, Los Arqueros

World Championship fever hits Antequera

THE 13th World University Champion-ship has arrived in Antequera Golf being held over four days from 08 – 11 June. There are 22 participating nations with each country allowed to field a maximum of 11 players. The format is mens and ladies individual strokeplay with the best three gross scores counting on each day towards their respective team prizes. I mention ‘gross’ as most of the participants have a handicap of scratch or better! In fact, given the success of the collegiate system in the USA ( Luke Donald etc ), it may well be that the next Tiger Woods is unearthed amidst the dolmens and strange rock formations of a golf course only a 45 minute drive from the Costa del Sol? One to watch is Laura Kueny who, aside from becoming the most prolific player in US college golf history, has already qualified to play in the Ladies US Open this July. Expect a decision on turning pro soon. Team Great Britian is sending a full complement hoping to improve upon the bronze medals  achieved in both the mens individual and team events two years ago. Flying back from a recce golfing trip to the Czech Republic last week I found myself in the company of the South African team looking resplendent in their green blazers. This, despite the best efforts of Iberia to lose their clubs.
The 6,562 yard Par 72 course will be no pushover either which, contrary to some reports, can hardly be described as ‘resort golf.’ Having played it a couple of times myself there are some stunning views to be enjoyed of the ‘Lovers’ Peak’ ( it is a long story! ) and El Torcal Natural Park. In fact, the stretch from the 13th to the 16th is as challenging as any found down here on the coast. To coincide with the championship the EWN Golf Page has come up with some special readers’ deals in June. Play the course midweek and a fourball with two buggies will cost only 116€; weekend 156€ with no time restrictions in either case. Accommodation can also be provided at the 4*Hotel Antequera Golf or 5* Hotel Convento Magdalena. This is the perfect opportunity to visit one of Andalucia’s monumental cities. For those of you picking up their copy of the EWN early why don’t you head up to Antequera and give your country some support?

Tags: Antequera Golf, Championship

The future of golf tourism on the CDS

As the coast’s golf clubs wrestled with the changes wrought by the mini-invasion of new residents – many of whom seek reasonably priced golf – green fees were being forced down well before the summer “low” season by the plethora of pub golf societies which now proliferate, ostensibly to cater for our new residents. But the fact remains that the Costa del  Golf is set up primarily for golf tourism, which will always remain the long term future for the coastal area of Andalucia.
There is surely room for both, and the fact that so many clubs can now offer substantially reduced green fees for residents via golf societies bodes well for the future health of golf tourism, as tourists should soon experience the benefit of reduced green fees.

But there is a proviso. A condition of membership of golf societies is that it is restricted to full-time residents, the sole reason for the existence of these societies. Once visitors are permitted to join these societies, the future of golf tourism is at risk. Why should legitimate travel agents and tour operators send clients to the Costa del Golf, only to find that they join some pub society or other and no longer book their golf through the agency which persuaded them to come here in the first place?

Travel agents and tour operators are obliged by law to be properly licensed and bonded, are bound by contracts to the golf  clubs, employ staff, pay social security, VAT and profit tax.  Pub golf societies have no such overheads and their motives have more to do with selling beer than providing a service to local golfers.

It’s time our golf clubs remembered how the Costa del Golf became recognized as Europe’s no.1 winter golf destination. The agents responsible for our initial success will not hesitate to send their clients elsewhere if they continue to receive such slip-shod treatment.  There is a simple answer which would solve the dilemma for all parties.  A 3 tier system of green fees,  comprising rack rate, society rate and tour operator rate would be simple to initiate and would provide a fair playing field for all parties.

Tags: golf tourism

Todos Juntos

WHICH, if you have attended your Spanish class this week, translates as, ‘All Together’. This, along with another slogan titled, ‘Madrid Quiere Golf,’ refers to Spain’s capital city’s candidature to hold the 2018 Ryder Cup. With royal, sport and cross-party political support from the likes of Mayoress Esperanza Aguirre – a figure that divides opinion in Spanish society but, admittedly, has a very nice swing – the proposed 27 hole complex in the Tres Cantos area is still at planning stage dependent on the bid being successful. It is hoped that this will give golf a much needed boost in the city as there are nearly 100,000 federated golfers (almost twice as many as in Andalucia and Catalonia respectively) with relatively few courses, especially those of the municipal variety. Do Madrid golfers sleep overnight in their cars before popping their balls in the shoot to ensure a game? I digress. Aside from these courses there are some other courses in the pipeline: one from Jose Maria Olazabal and another course in the exclusive ‘La Moraleja’ neighbourhood designed by Jack Nicklaus. The aim is to put Madrid firmly on the golfing map instead of being known as a cultural destination. Decision time is only 10 months away – April 2011 – and Spain faces fierce competition from France, Sweden, Holland , Portugal and Germany. A bilingual website is up and running (rcmadrid2018.com) where one can register support and add comments. Valderrama 97, Madrid 2018 been there, done it!?

Tags: Madrid Quiere Golf

please return to….?

THE recently ousted Labour government came in for some criticism in ‘The Sun’ last week for apparently wasting 12,000 pounds of taxpayers’ money on personalized golf balls emblazoned with the ‘UK Trade & Investment’ logo. They were subsequently given as ‘freebies’ to foreign businessmen and tycoons. Now I’d like to take their editorial to task on a couple of points. Firstly, as most golfers -including Prince Andrew – will attest, many of the best business deals are done on the course. Secondly, the government was, if I am not mistaken, also ‘buying British’ as Titleist have a factory in Cambridgeshire. Sounds like money well spent? Now the funny thing is I’d like to know how one of these balls came into my ‘possession’ recently on La Noria Golf? If there are any Russian oligarchs who have lost one of their prized Pro V1’s please contact this page for safe return of said ball.

Tags: sun

More IS less

OFTEN much maligned it is only fair that, when the golf courses on the Costa del Sol do get it right, they should receive likewise praise. How does the new VIP Service at Los Arqueros sound? Get a minimum of  8 golfers together and there are a number of benefits included in the green fee at no extra cost: Welcome meet and greet service by course representative; courtesy range balls; group class by pro on range followed by tips on how to negotiate the course; courtesy bottle of water.  Finally a courtesy drink at the 19th hole. For those that have not had the opportunity to play Los Arqueros it would be fair to class it as one of the more technical layouts on the coast. Another Seve Ballestoros course containing quite a few quirks – especially on the tighter front half – where patience and, sometimes, an iron off the tee is required. However, the course widens on the back nine offfering the golfer some spectacular views as the course meanders through the foothills of Benahavis. One aspect that remains constant is its great condition; Los Arqueros having already received several environmental and ISO awards. Many of the trees and plants are actually marked so there can be no mistaking the Mediterranean flora on display. As we rapidly approach the golfing low season take advantage of the buggy also being included in the price. In fact many legitimate operators (like some of the regular collaborators on this page ) can actually offer the golfer a better green fee price than if he/she were to go direct

Tags: golf

1st annual Andalucian Golf Classic

1st. lesson: never organize an international event during a recession, while there’s volcanic ash about! Undaunted by the threat of flight cancellations and the closure of Irish airports on the previous Monday, the 3 day event proved a success and was enjoyed by those who were able to make the trip. There were some outstanding performances on all three days, as Caron Hillier and John Ryan both carded 43 Stableford points in Saturday’s individual event at the Santana Golf Club, while 3 handicapper Jim McIlwaine carded a three-under-par round at El Chaparral on Sunday, while helping Caron to a better-ball score of 44 points. This proved just good enough to beat the 43 points total  posted by Alan Jeans and Richard Zuchlke off handicaps of 8 and 6 respectively – two remarkable performances round a challenging golf course.
A memorable dinner was served up by Ramon and his team at El Chaparral for the prize-giving on Sunday evening, when some great prizes were awarded, thanks to the generosity of many sponsors. These included a weekend for two in the 5 star hotel Vela Vila,  on the Algarve, a week’s holiday accommodation from Gary Little at the Gran Calahonda resort and a week at the Sierra Park Club in Nueva Andalucia.
Free golf was also supplied by Santana, Calanova, El Chaparral, Sta, Maria, Flamingos, Parador, Estepona and El Paraiso. Our thanks to all of our sponsors, whose generosity enabled us to auction some prizes during Sunday’s dinner, realizing a total of 660€ for the Cudeca hospice.
Our thanks also to Jane and David at the Vista del Mar bar/restaurant, who laid on a magnificent hogroast dinner at a welcoming get-together on the Thursday evening.
Golf Leisure Breaks, the organizers, have already received enquiries for the second Andalucia Golf Classic in May next year, when at least 40 entrants are expected in an event which will feature some great golf courses with some more magnificent prizes. Watch this space for details.

Tags: Andalucia Golf Classic