Golf in Portugal: Lisbon and Algarve destinations

Golf Travel in Portugal
by Stacy Solomon

Picture yourself visiting picturesque villages many which have not changed in several centuries, basking on inviting beaches and playing golf on some of the best courses in Europe and chances are you will be traveling to Portugal.

With only a seven hour flight time from New York, a golf vacation in Portugal is not a world away, as I originally thought!

Destinations in Algarve and Madiera were long considered to be the 'creme de la creme' of Portuguese golf excursions and now the Lisbon coastal region is being added as an intriguing option.

Lisbon, the legendary capital and largest city on Portugal, may be both sophisticated and cosmopolitan but golf in the surrounding area is considered tranquil and a great value. Most importantly, it has the three components of what I consider to be a winning vacation; beach, a casino and nightlife while at the same time retaining its charm. Fishing villages line the coast, culture surrounds the visiting tourist and golf courses amid fine resorts are growing in number.

A five-star golf and beach resort situated on the Silver Coast in Obidos which delivers all of the above is Praia d'el Rey. Uncrowded beach, temperate climate and a famous golf course within the hotel - with additional courses to try in the region - make this fantasy golf vacation a reality.

Considered to be one of the top twenty golf courses in Europe by Golf World Magazine and ranked number one in Portugal by the the Peugeot Golf Guide, Praia del Rey Golf Club is challenging yet also a fun experience. It has hosted a number of professional events and comes complete with driving range and golf academy.

With a total of twelve highly rated golf courses in Lisbon, another playing option is located in Estoril at the Penha Longa Golf Club. Travel there in the beginning of April and watch some of the greatest golfers on the European Tour courageously try to win on the Atlantic, one of the top courses in Europe. Play the nine-hole Monastery course as well which is considered "less demanding" than it's acclaimed Robert Trent Jones counterpart.

The Penha Longa, a Ritz Carlton Resort, has its own monastery, spa, mountain views and is considered luxurious by Portuguese and foreign dignitaries.

For those travelers who want to visit a new and stunning resort with a grand golf course designed by Donald Steele (whose portfolio includes Ailsa), the Westin Campo Real Golf Resort and Spa will provide a five star experience.

Another brand new golf course with five-star luxury compound is the Quinta da Marinha, situated in natural surroundings about nineteen miles west of central Lisbon. In 2007 the entire location won the award of Best Established Golfing Destination Europe by the IAGTO with the golf course being host to numerous professional events.

Speaking of European Tour events, Portugal will host a total of three tournaments for the 2010 season: the Estoril Open de Portugal at Penha Longa G.C., the Madeira Islands Open (just after the Masters) concluding with the Portugal Masters at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura.

Although Lisbon was my initial inspiration for considering a vacation of golf in Portugal, Algarve's coastline situated on the extreme south side intrigued me as well. With temperate clime, the location is ideal for water sports activities, beach relaxation and, of course,  golf!

Fabulous scenery, warm sunny days, luxurious resorts with pristine golf courses and interesting cultural flavor will invite even the most discerning tourist to visit Portugal. The only question might be how many golf courses will you play during your stay?

Softspikes Enters The Golf Grip Market

After 15 years of innovating and dominating the golf cleat and tee market, Softspikes®, claiming to be the number one cleat on the PGA TOUR, recently enhanced its position as the game’s premier accessory brand by entering the golf grip market and debuting BLACK WIDOW® Grips.  Branded alongside the game’s all-time best selling cleat model, BLACK WIDOW® Grips are born off Softspikes’ heritage for advanced technology and developing products that offer best-in-class traction and feel.

 

The new BLACK WIDOW® Grips line, which was created to meet the demands of players at all levels, offers five distinct models, each one complete with bold colors and excellent performance features to improve any golfer’s game:

·         Tour Silk – Tour Silk features a Softspikes inspired horizontal “S” traction pattern embedded in a specialized rubber compound for the ultimate performance.  Available in black or white and round or ribbed models.

·         Widow Maker – Widow Maker features a multi-compound hybrid feel and a two-color design that features a corded top for traction in all conditions and a firm responsive bottom for performance and feedback.  Available in round and ribbed models with black/white and black/red color patterns.  In the future, it will also be available in a putter grip model.

·         Signature – Signature features a firm two-compound composition that delivers enhanced feel in the finger tip contact points, as well as Web Traction Technology on the backside for greater control,  resulting in an unmatched combination of an aggressive design, superior feel and performance.  Available in round and ribbed models with black/white, black/red and white/black color patterns.  A junior model with a black/white color pattern is also available, as well as a putter grip model.

·         Fusion – Fusion features a firm and highly textured surface for enhanced feel and control.  The two-compound, multi-color material controls vibration and delivers two distinct feels plus Web Traction Technology for greater control.  Available in black round and ribbed models.

·         Edge – Edge features a soft performance wrap design with a high tack feel.  The Web Traction Technology design pattern provides greater grip confidence and control.  Available in black round, ribbed and oversized models. 

In addition to their unique performance characteristics, all of the models in the BLACK WIDOW® Grips line feature distinctive markings, including either black widow spider icons, and/or stylish spider web designs. 

"After extensive research and testing of our new designs, and based on our track record of success in the golf cleat, tee and overall accessory market, we felt the time was right to enter the grip market and position the new Black Widow line to compete alongside the game’s best brand names," said John Hohman, Vice President of Marketing, Softspikes.  "Building off the advanced technology and design that have made our Softspikes cleats the world’s best selling brand, Black Widow Grips not only offer superior performance and feel, but offer a unique and stylish change from what is on the market today."

BLACK WIDOW® Grips, available in spring 2010, will be sold at golf and sporting goods retail shops nationwide.  Suggested retail price for the BLACK WIDOW® Grips will vary from $3.99 to $9.39 depending on the type of grip. 

Fujikura Famed Speeder Shaft Technology Winner at Bob Hope Classic

With the daily receipt of new press releases in my mail, I have decided to make this content readily available to my readers.

#1 Driver Shaft Fujikura

(Vista, CA – January 28, 2010) Fujikura’s famed Speeder shaft technology was used in the driver played by the Bob Hope Classic winner. The brand also was the #1 Driver Shaft Brand Model at the tournament.

“We’re thrilled with this victory that demonstrates the superior performance of the Speeder brand,” says Dave Schnider, President/COO of Fujikura. “This win continues to show Fujikura’s leadership in technology, design and materials. We proudly salute this talented, up and coming player in his first PGA Tour victory.”

Fujikura is building momentum entering the 2010 golf season having the #1 Wood 
Shaft Brand at the SBS Championship in Hawaii. The brand also has been the #1 
Wood Shaft Brand for an unprecedented nine straight years on the PGA Tour.  The 
new Motore Speeder shaft won the first week it was launched on Tour at the 
Barclays Singapore Open.  Motore was the #1 Driver Shaft Brand for all four 2009 
major championships and lead the Darrell Survey National Consumer Report on new 
driver shaft usages for the second consecutive year. 

Fujikura is the primary supplier to many national brand OEM’s offering both 
proprietary and brand product shaft designs.  Fujikura products also can be 
custom fitted through its network of over 900 Charter Dealers.  To learn more 
about Fujikura, visit www.fujikuragolf.com.   

Photo Credits: © Pureforged.co.uk

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Golf and Hotel Options in France

Within the land of baguettes, burgundy wine and architectural wonders also lies many of the world's best golf courses. France, well known for the Eiffel Tower, Rue de la Pais and most recently a decree banning women from wearing trousers in Paris, has also created some of the most difficult and creative courses in the world.

Several public golf courses in "L'Hexagone" as referred to by its citizens, have caught this golfer's attention, wondering whether or not it is worth shlepping clubs halfway across the world and incurring excessive luggage fees on the airlines for the effort and expense of playing in the land of professional Euro Tour golfers Gregory Havret and Thomas Levet.

Learning that there are areas within France easily accessible to the Chunnel and also within my guidelines of "beach", "gaming" excitement and luxurious accomodations, how could I not consider vacationing within the confines of the most spectacular properties in some of the most desirable locations in France?

I recently read up on the Lucien Barriere chain of three to five-star luxury casino/golf hotels which dazzle the eyes as well as the senses. Some of these delightful properties are located in Southern France, others are within the Loire and Normandy and one of their properties, Hotel Fouquet's Barriere, is the first one ever built on the Champs-Elysées.

Other top-rated hotels in the area include the Dolce Chantilly and the Chateau de Montvillargenne.


Chantilly, Fontainebleau and Paris International Club are all within walking distance from the Champs-Elysées and the Eiffel Tower so a golfer can bring along the family to wonder at the Musee de l'Air et de l'Espace or the Basilique de St-Denis and have a bounty of choices for where to leave a divot!

Chantilly has hosted the French Open ten times and has a challenging championship layout. Fontainebleau is a nature-lovers dream and is set in a sandstone forest where peace and tranquility set the stage and the International Club is a Nicklaus parkland wonder considered to be one of the finest manicured courses in all of Paris. All are ranked among the top courses in Europe and impeccably maintained.

Golf afficionados may be interested in the five-star Hermitage Barriere La Baule, located along the Loire River and the largest port in France because non-golfers can play on the sandy beach while duffers can try their luck on one of the two eighteen hole courses, the Diane and Lucien Courses, or spruce up at their nine-hole executive course. Any time Jack Nicklaus' name graces an Academy be sure that there will be instructors as well as outstanding amenities on hand to prepare you for your rounds.

If you are considering old world aesthetics and charm as well as some of the finest golf near LeHavre, the elegant, five-star Hotel du Golf Barriere Deauville may be your choice for a restful holiday. Although this luxurious resort is not located beachfront, it is only three-minutes away from Deauville on the coast of Normandy, considered the "queen of the Norman beaches".

Views of Deauville compliment the New Golf Barriere de Deauville three nine-hole courses with no water worries but bunkers which are fearsome.

Here are just a few more golf courses to make note of for afficionados who will search out the toughest tests of the sport during their French vacation. Les Bordes Golf International is consistently rated as one of the top five golf courses in France. Medoc Golf Club, consisting of the Chateaux and Vignes courses played host to the 1999 French Open and is located near Bordeaux, French wine country.


Being out of the USA, the rules of play are governed by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A). There is a bit of a language barrier although some of the basic terms like bogey, bunker and fairway remain the same. It would be polite to learn a bit of French aside from "Bonjour, parlez-vous anglais?" before you visit as I understand that the people consider it rude to address them in English.

But, are the French really rude or is this just another myth coming from those who simply don't respect or understand another country's culture?

Here are a few French terms that should be learned by le Américain:


Fore!                   Balle! (pronounce as "shall")
golf course          terrain / parcours de golf
water hazard       obstacle d’eau


If you are new to the game, travel around Easter to partake in the annual event introducing new players to the sport known as Tous au Golf.


Deciding where in Metropolitan France to stay can be a daunting task as the country is the largest in area of all in the European Union. From scenic areas in Normandy to the heart of the action in Paris, wherever you finally decide to hang your "chapeau" will be a grand experience!


Check here for more Paris Hotels.

Before you make your New Year’s resolution, Read This

(paraphrased from the Talmud)
 
“G-d won’t ask if you ran a fortune 500 company.
He’ll ask if you made an effort to build a loving home and family.

G-d won’t ask how many baseball games you watched.
He’ll ask how much time you set aside for spiritual growth.

G-d won’t ask how high your salary was.
He’ll ask if you compromised your character to attain it.

G-d won’t ask why you had so many questions.
He’ll ask if you searched for the answers.

G-d won’t ask how many pizzas and burgers you ate.
He’ll ask what you did to perfect the world.

G-d won’t ask why you called Him when things were tough.
He’ll ask if you thanked Him when things were smooth.

G-d won’t ask why you didn’t succeed in solving all the world’s problems.
He’ll ask if you cared for your neighbor.

G-d won’t ask how beautiful you looked.
He’ll ask if you looked for the beauty in others.”   --The Talmud


Good luck with your resolution.


Thank you for sharing ... 
Rabbi Benjy and Hinda Silverman
Chabad of the Rivertowns

Choices Abound for Golfers in Spain

A decision to visit Spain for a try at many of their unique golf courses is based primarily on the weather of the region. The diversity of travel from Madrid, where a largely continental Mediterranean clime is sustained, to subtropical conditions in the Canary Islands on to the most beneficial golf climate in the Murcia region will turn up many course choices so be sure to bring along your golf clubs!

Although the inaugural season of the World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin is officially in the books, the partnership of Volvo and IMG through the 2011 season is committed to keeping professional golf on Spanish soil with Volvo having its 120th title sponsorship and IMG's Mark McCormack founding the event forty-five years ago. A connection with both Seve Ballesteros and Sergio Garcia, as well as top golfers playing by invitation only should interest fans as well.

A trip to Spain would not be complete without a visit to Finca Cortesin which was placed on the 2009 "Hot List" by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine and is also a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts.

Mountains and sea views abound for testers of the "eco-friendly" Cabell Robinson gem. With a location in the south of Spain at the center of Costa del Sol and offering a Mediterranean clime, it would not be unusual to set up a game for each day of your stay.

Although this is one of the longest golf courses in Europe, there are tee areas for many level of golfers welcoming all. Have your sand game at the ready as there are over a hundred bunkers to find and "when you finish playing all 18 holes, you'll notice that you have played all your clubs." Also, the spectacular natural vegetation and the uniqueness of each of the 18 holes makes the approximate E95 greens fees easy to digest.

Check out my post on La Manga Club in the Murcia region!

It would be easy to say that a golf visit to Spain should include a trip to Valderrama. Considered by some to be the "Augusta of Europe" and host to some of the most nail-biting victories in professional golf, Valderrama is a private members club with visiting privileges that come at a high cost but always said to be in perfect playing condition.

Real Club de Golf de Sevilla, listed in eighth position of the Top100golfcourses.com and host to several professional championships (and Jose Maria Olazabel's gem) is not only worthy of a planned visit but, with so much to do in Andalucia as well, golf will not be the only topic of conversation on the first tee. But, also considering that there are over 100 golf courses in the area due to the wonderful climate, golf may be the main topic!


Besides learning how to Flamenco or trying your luck against el Toro, the test of landing on small greens at Sevilla will make you consider working on your short game well in advance of playing this golf course, one of four in the vicinity. Be aware that large fairways of Bermuda grass does not translate into "easy course" as you are forced to navigate through over ninety bunkers, nine lakes and approximately ten thousand trees (did the maintenance crew really count them all?) on way to a par score.

For golfers bringing along family and wishing for both a challenge and a luxurious property in which to spend quality vacation time, several rounds of play at Montecastillo Golf Club will satisfy all cravings.

The Jack Nicklaus designed Montecastillo borders on the Serrania de Ronda Mountain region and is close to Jerez de la Frontera, a spectacular area known for its creation of brandies, sherry and even unspoiled beaches which are said to stretch for miles but beware as the golf course is not known to be created for the faint of heart.

Montecastillo is yet another club which has been host to several professional tournaments  and, although walkable, carts are available for the hilly terrain. Voted as one of the fifty best courses in Spain and Europe, the finishing three holes are said to be among golf's most thrilling events.

Luxury hotels combined with creative layouts of courses and a myriad of unique destinations have made golf in Spain a "must-try". Stunning landscapes and, for the most part, reasonable weather has turned Spain a popular spot for touristas and golfers who wish to experience European hospitality!

Check here for great Barcelona Hotels.


Photo Credits: © Moneyweek.com, esp.Andalucia.com, AbsolutJerez.com


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