About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+
Golfers enjoy collecting books as a by product of their passion for the sport and provides an ideal source of gift giving ideas;
Tomes for the Holiday: Three Great New Golf Books
James A. Frank TheAPosition
True Links: An Illustrated Guide To The Glories Of The World’s 246 Links, by George Peper and Malcolm Campbell (Artisan Books, $40), …
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About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+
A recent trip to the Oitavos Hotel in Cascais, Portugal introduced me to a unique hotel on many different levels. It could be described as a boutique, beach, warehouse, modern hotel that is very much charting a course for itself as an independent property in a marketplace consumed by chains or marketing consortium’s.The hotel is situated a few miles from the charming town of Cascais, approximately 30 minutes to the west of Lisbon. It sits on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with it’s golf course to the side and behind the hotel. With only three floors above ground to comply with local zoning regulations (no taller than the native pine trees) it does a great job of fitting into the landscape. A short video that still uses computer animation is strikingly accurate and worth viewing as it gives a effective overview of the hotel and interior space.The footprint is a classic “Y” with the base of the letter facing directly to the ocean. As you enter the hotel you are struck by the sheer size of the public spaces. With very few exceptions, there are no fixed walls in this space that encompasses bars, restaurants, lounges, even a pool (snooker) table. The resultant flexibility this provides the hotel to adjust to guest needs is remarkable. Although the space is large, due to the use of furniture, dividers and acoustical seperators at the same time it feels very intimate. Make no mistake about it, this is a modern hotel with a chic, contemporary look. The furniture is comfortable, attractive and functional with a myriad of seating & dining options, including high tables.
Downstairs is housed the Spa and breakfast restaurant. I am not a Spa person but was enormously impressed by the facilities and service (no moveable walls here). The hotel has both an indoor and outdoor saltwater pool, sauna and Turkish bath.
Each of the three floors above the lobby contain approximately 48 rooms & suites which all provide ocean views of varying degrees. The size of the hallways and central lobby space on each floor allow the hotel to sell on an exclusive basis one or multiple floors to a group and provide check in, breakfast, cocktails, etc on their private floor without impacting other hotel guests. Indeed other guests would be entirely unaware and this capability is very compelling.
One of the thoughtful service features of the golf experience is that the hotel and golf clubhouse are sufficiently integrated to let golfers go directly from the hotel to the range and courses without requiring them check in at the golf shop in the clubhouse. In summary, a wonderful facility with genuinely engaged and personable staff who will do all possible to ensure your visit is memorable.
About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+
It is hard to believe almost one month has passed since the wonderful drama at Celtic Manor. Many people may not have forgotten the unfortunate rain of Friday and Saturday but the Monday finish was so dramatic that it will forever record these Matches as one of the best. Jim Frank offers his thoughts on both Celtic Manor and Wales as a golf destination;
Ryder Cup Teems: Reflections In The Rain
James A. FrankTheAPosition
About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+
The mystique of the Ryder Cup continues to grow thanks to another exciting event. From a television vantage point at least the Matches appear to have been played in the spirit in which intended with sportsmanship displayed by members of both sides. The crowd, while clearly favoring the home team, were respectful to all of the players.
The course design looked ideal for the Matches. The closing hotels, fifteen onwards were terrific match play venues.
I think in general, given the electric finish to the Matches, the frustrating weather conditions were regarded as a thing of the past. I have seen some bloggers suggest the Matches be hosted in warmer climes, while the dates for Celtic Manor may not have been ideal there is no doubt it was a reasonable risk and well within “the season” to host such an event.
Looking forward, what will be the impact on golf tourism to Wales? From an American perspective I think Celtic Manor has certainly made it’s way onto the golf map and golf in Wales will enjoy a bump. If history is anything to go by, both Valderamma (Spain, 1997) and the K Club (Ireland, 2006) enjoyed short term activity but the longer term benefit from the U.S. marketplace has been more muted. Another dynamic that is now in play as more continental European countries are connected to the event by virtue of team members, e.g. Molinari brothers from Italy. Golfers from these countries are also now keenly aware of Celtic Manor as a golf destination.
For the last several years, and I suspect it will continue for the foreseeable future, the Welsh Tourist Board have worked tirelessly to promote golf in Wales. A number of noted golf travel writers and publications have been hosted in Wales during the last 18 months with commensurate exposure.
Longer term, the key for the Welsh is to sustain the interest generated at this event and continue to focus attention on many of the outstanding links courses which dot the coastline….coupled with unique hotel experiences.
About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+
