Play golf with Helen Alfredsson at the Evian Masters in France
Spending a day golfing with one of the leading lights of European women’s golf after one of the most prestigious events on the Ladies’ European Tour might sound like the stuff that dreams are made of.
But it will become reality for six lucky golfers who will join Helen Alfredsson at the Evian Masters in France in July as part of the latest money-can’t-buy tour run by Swiss luxury travel specialists Le Bureau.
Helen Alfredsson
The group will play golf with the former Solheim Cup Captain and three-time Evian Masters champion and take part in a full day coaching session with her at the renowned Evian Masters Training Centre. The trip includes a two-night stay at the five star Hotel Royal at Evian, VIP passes for final round of the tournament itself and one round of golf on the championship course.
The Evian Masters is one of the highest profile events on the Ladies’ European Tour and next year will become the fifth major championship on the LPGA Tour schedule. As well as attracting leading players such as Yani Tseng, Paula Creamer, Catriona Matthew, Suzann Pettersen and Michelle Wie, the tournament is often attended by a glittering array of celebrities from sport and film.
The tour will be one of the last chances to play the stunning Evian Masters Golf Course before it closes down on September 18, 2012 for an upgrade ahead of the tournament changeover to become the Evian Championship in 2013.
Dominique Rey, Managing Partner of Le Bureau International, said, “This is the second tour of the Le Bureau International Golf Series 2012 and we are delighted to be able to offer such an exciting trip to our clients. They will experience the tournament in a manner that the golfers themselves are accustomed to and get a real feel for what goes on behind the scenes at prestigious events.”
“The tour will offer them a unique opportunity to enjoy the excitement of the final round of the tournament as VIP guests as well as take on the challenge of the course themselves. Spending a day with Helen Alfredsson, who has won the event more times than any other player, in the intimacy of a small group will be a fantastic experience. They will work with her on coaching drills and tips and receive advice for their round on the Evian Masters course to help them enjoy the experience to the full.”
The Evian Masters Golf Club is located in a beautiful 60 ha wooded park and the par 72 championship course is renowned as one of the best on the tour. Following in the footsteps of the best women golfers in the world, Le Bureau´s clients will enjoy the outstanding facilities of the resort along with the 5* services provided by Le Bureau.
Only two places remain on this year’s Evian Masters Tour. For booking information on the Le Bureau International Golf Series including the details of each of the six individual tours please visit www.lebureau.ch.
Kingsbarns Golf Links to support Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation
Kingsbarns has announced that the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation will be its main charity project for 2012. The award-winning golf links will undertake a number of initiatives across the year beginning with hosting a special golf day organised by The John Clark Group. Kingsbarns’ support for the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation will be in addition to its regular support for nearly 40 smaller charity projects throughout the year.
The John Clark Group charity golf day takes place on September 17 at Kingsbarns, in aid of the Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal. The victorious Ryder Cup captain, Colin Montgomerie, will be present on the day to make the experience even more special for the participants. The team event is expected to generate around £100,000 for the Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal
Colin Montgomerie and his family established The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation in memory of his mother who died of lung cancer. It aims to raise money for cancer patients and their families. The Foundation, in partnership with Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, is currently working on raising funds for the building and running of two new Centres in Scotland, which will be built in Colin Montgomerie’s mother´s name.
Colin said, “The support from Kingsbarns Golf Links has been fantastic, they have a great team, who have put in a lot of hard work and effort to make the John Clark charity golf day a huge success. I cannot thank them enough for supporting my Foundation, and look forward to working closely with them over the next year”.
Alan Hogg, Chief Executive of Kingsbarns, said, “Cancer affects so many people and it is obviously a very personal commitment for Monty to raise funds for the Foundation to support new Maggie’s Centres. We are delighted to be working with him and supporting such a worthwhile cause. I’m sure the golf day in September will be a fantastic event and that we will be able to raise a good sum for the Foundation.”
Among other Kingsbarns´ regular charity projects this year are the Rotary Golf Day held in conjunction with the Rotary Club of St Andrews. The event most recently generated funds to acquire a new set of track suits for the children from Kingsbarns Primary School to represent their school at sports events. Kingsbarns also runs a junior coaching programme with the school to introduce the children to the game of golf.
For more information please visit www.kingsbarns.com.
Albatross Golf Resort voted No. 1 in the Czech Republic by Golf Digest USA
Albatross Golf Resort has been ranked the number one golf course in the Czech Republic by the world’s most authoritative magazine ranking in only its third year since opening.
Albatross Golf Resort
The Golf Digest USA rankings rate courses in countries all over the world and the Albatross course, which is located just outside the country’s capital Prague, came out on top ahead of some longer established rivals. The magazine ranks courses on a series of criteria including shot values, resistance to scoring, design variety, memorability, aesthetics, conditioning and ambience.
This latest success follows on from the course being named the Golf Resort of the Year by the Czech golf industry in 2010 and 2011.
Albatross has made such an impact in its early years that it was selected to host the Ladies’ European Tour event the Raiffeisenbank Prague Golf Masters which it did for the first time in September 2011. When it was announced as the tournament venue, Tournament Director Andrew Lott said that he had never seen a course in a better state of readiness ahead of hosting an event.
Welcoming the news, Albatross´ Owner Jiri Simane said: “Our ambition was always to create something special at Albatross and to become the leading golf resort in the Czech Republic. To receive recognition from the Czech golf industry was extremely pleasing but to be ranked number one by Golf Digest in the USA after only three years in operation is a remarkable achievement.
“We have worked very hard to create an excellent course and to ensure it is maintained to the highest standard. The clubhouse facilities are modern and comfortable and the restaurant offers outstanding local and international cuisine.
“The Golf Digest ranking will put us firmly on the map for international visitors and our aim now is to attract visitors from the UK, Western Europe and the USA who visit Prague and would like to experience some top class golf while they are here.”
Albatross opened in 2009 and is located 30 minutes’ drive from Prague. It was designed by leading course architect Keith Preston who has designed a number of courses in Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy and the Czech Republic.
The news of the Golf Digest announcement comes as Albatross opens for the 2012 season. A normal green fee is £60 at weekdays and £70 at weekends. Albatross assist guests with transfers to and from Prague and Prague International Airport. There are also a number of tour operators who feature the resort in packages.
For more information please visit www.albatross.cz.
Kingsbarns Golf Links reopens for 2012 season
It is a case of out with the old and in with the new at Kingsbarns Golf Links as it prepares to reopen for the 2012 golfing season on April 1.
Among the innovations being introduced at the East Neuk links, which has been recently ranked the No. 1 Modern Course (built after 1960) in Great Britain and Ireland by the prestigious American magazine GolfWeek, are a new caddie programme, concierge service and clubhouse menu as well as continual improvements to the course itself.
The course is in excellent condition after a mild winter and a five month break. The green keeping team, led by Course Manager Innes Knight, have made improvements to the drainage system and carried out some revetting of bunkers. Several areas of rough which have been particularly penal in the past have been reduced to make it easier to find any wayward shots and give the golfer more options for the next shot. Major change has been carried out at Kingsbarns´ driving range which will newly offer practice off the grass tees enabling the golfers to better prepare for the links experience.
This year Kingsbarns will take its renowned customer service a step further by introducing a “cheerio concierge”. A dedicated member of staff will look after the golfers when they finish their game including taking care of their golf bag and helping them load their belongings onto a car or a coach and inviting them to the clubhouse to enjoy the facilities.
A new caddie programme is being implemented to deliver an even higher standard of service to golfers under the supervision of the new Caddie Master Sean Wiseman. The aim is to make Kingsbarns caddies the envy of world golf by consistently exceeding the expectations of golfing visitors.
The popular Kingsbarns´ clubhouse has been newly decorated inside and out with the main changes taking place in the gent´s locker room and the restaurant area. The fully serviced gent´s locker room will now also be used as a venue for group or corporate events for up to 24 golfers providing a stunning setting with a view of the golf course and the coastline.
Sue Hutchison, the Clubhouse Operations Manager at Kingsbarns, has designed a new menu for the clubhouse combining a range of dishes using the best of local produce and regular favourites such as the renowned Kingsbarns´ chili. The bar menu has also been updated to feature a truly innovative selection of drinks including Scottish gin.
Kingsbarns Chief Executive Alan Hogg said: “Standing still is not an option for us and we have been working hard to make the experience at Kingsbarns even better for our customer this year. Across all the different areas we have introduced new ideas and we have made some improvements out on the course and in the clubhouse. I look forward to getting the season underway and welcoming our guests to the new look Kingsbarns this season.”
The green fee at Kingsbarns for next season is £175 in April and £195 from May until November with a 50% discount for golfers playing a second round within seven days. Resident Scottish golfers who are members of a Scottish Golf Union affiliated golf club are being reminded that they can benefit from a half price green fee rate at Kingsbarns. Links Ticket holders will only be charged £25 for a round at Kingsbarns which represents a discount of £170.
For booking please contact 01334 460861 or visit www.kingsbarns.com.
