Apr 22, 2010 Posted by Seamus Whooley on Apr 22, 2010 in Golf News, Golf Update | 1 comment

Golf and Travel update for Costa Del Sol 2010

Golf Experience Travel Industry Update 2010 Well, Now that the dust is settling (ouch!) over European skies we thought we would drop you a line to update you on affairs on the Costa del Sol in the wake of this latest disaster to hit our industry. Hero of the hour Willie Walsh. The travel sector is one which seems to hobble from crisis to crisis – in this decade alone we have endured 9/11, various food related travel paralysis, swine flu, a recession and now a volcano. The volcano coming after the worst winter in living memory in southern Iberia was quite untimely. However the industry is resilient if only because you the traveller love to do just that – travel. The last 10 days have been a very stressful period with staff working flat out to cope with the problems faced by our clients. We were busy repatriating golfers overland to Ireland, UK, Norway and France. Others choose to sit tight and see the storm out. These were accommodated and taken care of and most actually enjoyed the prolonged period and some fine weather. We had numerous cancellations over the last 10 days. Our policy has been to refund all money or to reschedule if clients could arrange new dates. Many of these groups were able to roll-over the booking to future dates. Others cancelled and rebooked immediately when the skies suddenly reopened on Monday 19th April. Most of our suppliers, the hotels, golf courses and transport companies all cooperated and in the spirit of a real disaster “played ball” by ignoring the usual stringent cancellation policies. For this we would like to thank them. Serious questions will have to be asked about the events and the management of the crisis. The politicians, aviation experts, air traffic controllers and meteorologists all seemed to have been a little at sea in coordinating a response. I personally feel that the travelling public owe a debt of gratitude to British Airways CEO, Willie Walsh, who single handedly seems to have convinced the other sector decision makers that enough was enough and to allow planes to fly again. Walsh, a former pilot himself had the authority and credibility to bang heads together and get things moving. We are not so impressed by the policy of the other infamous Irish aviator Michael O’Leary whose Ryanair simply issued a statement that they were closed for business until whenever the dust settled. And when it did that they would only refund passengers the amount of their tickets in total defiance of the EU charter on Air travel. Mr O’Leary needs to realise that with flying passengers on return tickets comes responsibilities and consequences and if he needs to factor this into his pricing policy so be it. Good News Valle Romano Golf Club in Estepona has now opened and we are delighted to say that it lives up to the hype. This Cabell Robinson (Finca Cortesin & La Reserva) designed course is setting the standard in terms of service and value for money. It is a very open course measuring 6000m off the yellows and is relatively flat although buggies are recommended due to the distances between greens and tees. The greens are very large and undulating and the club house is among the most impressive on the Costa del Sol. We have a great “opening” offer of €55 up to the end of September so we would highly recommend you including Valle Romano in your itinerary – you won’t be disappointed. New Terminal 3 open at Malaga Airport Terminal 3 Now Open Note that you will now be arriving into the new terminal at Malaga Airport. If you have rented a car with us, the Espacar representative will meet you as you enter the arrivals hall. Do not go to the car-hire desk area. Unlike in the past he will not have your name on display but will have an Espacar logo. Look for the Espacar Logo If you do not see him immediately wait with the other car hire reps as he is probably out taking care of another client and will return very shortly.. The Espacar Team We reiterate our call for clients to book their car-rentals for peak periods early this year. The shortage of cars will remain a feature throughout the year so for summer, Easter and all school breaks contact us as soon as possible. We recommend as usual our preferred partner “Espacar” at Malaga and Gibraltar airport. Contact Golf Experience on: Tel:00 34 952 88 74 92 e-mail :info@golfexperience.net Web:http://www.golfexperience.net Skype us at golf-experience To facilitate cheaper communication with our customers Golf Experience is now contactable on Skype. Our Skype address is “Golf-Experience”

May 11, 2009 Posted by Seamus Whooley on May 11, 2009 in Golf News | 0 comments

Alferini Golf Club a True Challenge for any Golfer

Located in One of the Most Luxurious Resorts in the Costa del Sol

From last May, the second golf course at the Flamingos Resort, Gran Flamingo Golf,  begun a process of radical changes involving the name, management, image and, above all else, improvements to the amenities and services.

From now on, the course, located in one of the most luxurious resorts on the Costa del Sol, will be known as Alferini Golf Club.

Alferini Golf is a true challenge for any golfer. Situated next to the other course of Flamingos Golf Resort, it is a long layout of 6,600 metres, and one of the few par-73s on the Coast, with some of the fairways requiring pinpoint accuracy and large, generous greens. With four large lakes, water comes into play on several holes, and there is a minimum of five levels on each tee – enabling the course to be adapted to different playing levels and degrees of difficulty. Out on the course there is a feeling of peace and quiet, a welcome lack of noise, because Alferini Golf is truly in the midst of nature, a lush valley within the mountains of Benahavís.

Apr 21, 2009 Posted by Seamus Whooley on Apr 21, 2009 in Golf News | 0 comments

Valle Romano another World Class Course?

The eagle eyed among you will have noticed that the soon to be opened “Valle Romano Course” has been sponsoring the Andalucia Open for the last couple of years.

However this latest gem on the coast has had a few set-backs in recent times but is now due to open on November 2nd (The day after the Volvo Masters at neighbouring Finca Cortesin ends). I suppose they hope to get a few golfing hacks over to play it and pen favourable articles.

Both courses were designed by Cabel Robinson who also designed Sotogrande La Reserva. So if they are anything to go by we can expect the Costa del Sol to have yet another world class course.

Club de Golf la Zagaletta

We have it on good authority that the very reclusive and exclusive Club de Golf la Zagaletta might just be about to open its doors to the great unwashed.

Until now the situation was as follows:

“Never could so few enjoy so much”, a statement that describes exactly La Zagaleta golf private course. The Californian architect harmonised exclusive and exquisite golfing with the nature of La Zagaleta. On this golf course he combined excellent holes with the breathtaking views, making each hole an unforgettable experience for the lucky golfer enjoying La Zagaleta.”

This may just be about to change as a major international Golf Management company may be about to take over the management at La Zagaletta (On the road to Benahavis) which would lead one to believe that green-fees may soon be available on both these courses.

Exclusively for the private use of residents and members of La Zagaleta, this beautiful 18-hole golf course, designed by Bradford Benz, offers a longitude of 6.000 m with fantastic and breathtaking views.

Finally we can confirm new dates for the Volvo World March-Play Championship are October 29th to November 1st.

Apr 3, 2009 Posted by Seamus Whooley on Apr 3, 2009 in Golf News | 0 comments

Outwit Michael O´leary

Michael has indeed been hiding something, a €60 charge for transporting golf clubs!

At Golf Experience we believe that Michael is taking golfers for a ride charging €60 to transport your golf clubs.

Why not allow us provide you with state of the art new clubs which will be delivered to your first course and collected from you on your last day. No need to haul your clubs all over Europe  contributing to O’Leary’s pension plan in the process.

For as little as €20 a day we can supply you with state of the art Callaway and Taylor-Made Clubs anywhere on the Costa del Sol.

While there may be no end to Michael’s imagination in terms of generating revenue, you too can do the sums and take the better option of renting here is Spain.

Mar 18, 2009 Posted by Seamus Whooley on Mar 18, 2009 in Golf News | 0 comments

Best Courses Best Rates!

Golf Experience has negotiated unbeatable rates at Spain’s top 4 courses for 2009.

Our guarantee is that we will not be beaten on price at these top courses!

• Valderrama
• Real Club de Golf Sotogrande
• Real Club de Golf Las Brisas
• Sotogrande La Reserva

Volvo World Match-Play at Finca Cortesin

Finca Cortesin are about to announce revised dates for the hosting of the Volvo World Match-Play Championship. These are now October 29th – Sunday 1st November.

The course will close on October 18th in preparation for the tournament.

Crunch green-fees on the Costa del Sol

With few exceptions Golf Experience has negotiated reduced green-fees at all the Costa del Sol’s 40 courses. We estimate that prices have dropped in real terms on the Costa del Sol by 25% – 30% on average. So even for British golfers suffering the devaluation of sterling, year-on year prices are still lower than 2008. For Euro-zone, clients can benefit from these huge reductions and in many cases with buggies included.

The Algarve’s Golf-clubs seem not to have heard about the recession and continue to charge some exorbitant rates including up to €60 for a buggy! The pendulum has indeed swung right back to the Costa del Sol for value golf.