Southworth Development, LLC have recently announced that Machrihanish Dunes, the new McLay Kidd layout beside the famous Machrihanish, has received top honours from Links Magazine as one of the “Top New International Courses” and has also been given 21st place in Golfweek’s “Best New Modern Courses of Great Britain and Ireland”. You can see more details on each of these awards at the links below but this certainly makes the rugged Mull of Kintyre a very attractive destination for those who like their golf away from the crowds and played the way golf used to be played!
I recently travelled to China for a trip which was truly breathtaking. Included in the trip was some of the most spectacular sightseeing I’ve ever experienced; including the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square, plus golf on the highest and longest course in the world – Jade Dragon – and the two best courses in Asia (the Lake and Mountain courses at Spring City).
One of my most memorable experiences however, was the evening meal and Minority Show in the Kunming area. We were lucky enough to be staying at the Spring City Resort, where the two best golf courses (mentioned before) in the whole of Asia are located, so we were already enjoying a couple of extra special days during the ten day trip…however the night we went to the Minority Show was nothing short of spectacular!
Minority Show in China
An array of colourful dancers performed on stage throughout the evening, each in their own ethnic minority’s traditional outfits. I’m not normally the most cultured of people when it comes to the performing arts, but this was an absolute treat! We also enjoyed a fantastic meal while the show was going on, and at one point the dancers came over to our table for a bit of interaction. If you’re in China and staying at the Spring City Resort, make sure you find time to go to a Minority Show, because it will turn out to be an evening you’ll thoroughly enjoy and will never forget.
By Keith Baird. Keith has worked with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists who manages programs to China.
On a recent trip to New Zealand, one of the highlights was a flying visit to the fantastic Cape Kidnappers. We arrived at around 2pm after the scenic 2 hour journey from the town of Taupo. We drew up to a rather unassuming front gate that doesn’t instantly suggest you are at one of the best golf resorts in the world. We made our way along the 8 mile private driveway to the “Farm” (as they call it). Note: to call it a farm doesn’t do it justice; as while the building is in a traditional farmhouse style, it is of a very luxurious standard. After check-in we made our way to our private lodges just a short walk from the main building. The rooms, again, are in a homely but comfortable style and each have their own reception area with bar leading into the main large bedroom which have patio doors opening onto a porch and provide a view over the estate and out to the Pacific. The bedroom also has a remote controlled ‘real’ fire and large screen TV discretely located on the wall behind some local photography…as well as a very comfortable king size bed. The bathroom is also of a high standard; a very large spacious area offering a bath with a view out to the ocean.
Cape Kidnappers Golf Course
After unpacking it was down to the course – which is around a 5 minute drive away – for a quick few holes on a course that can only be described as breathtaking. I was there in November just as the better weather is beginning in New Zealand and the course was in great shape. It’s difficult to pick out any one hole as there are so many, but the back 9 played out along the cliff tops with a 500 foot drop to the ocean just yards from the semi-rough and is like no course I have ever experienced. The 15th is a 600 yard par 5 played straight out to the ocean with a sheer drop on the left that leaves no margin for error. The 16th takes you back inland but has the best view from any tee I have ever seen; to your left and right there are views along the coast line and behind you lies the Pacific Ocean. I didn’t play particularly well, but thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the round and was glad of my golf cart with all of the elevation changes on the course.
Cape Kidnappers
After golf there was time for a quick dip in the pool, which again has great views over the estate and out to sea…the next thing I knew it was time for dinner. Guests usually get together for drinks prior to dinner providing a warm and friendly atmosphere. During our visit there was a large group celebrating a birthday, so dining was slightly delayed, but this was a welcome problem as we were well looked after by staff with canapés and this also allowed us to sample some of the great local wines in the area. Hawkes Bay is just up the road so there are plenty of local vineyards. We had dinner in the Loggia beside a warming fire and, again, with a view out of floor-to-ceiling windows over that great view.
Dinner was scallops with pork belly followed by beef and a passion fruit dessert – all of which were excellent and a great way to end a busy day.
Dining at Cape Kidnappers
The following morning was a fantastic breakfast of fruit and Eggs Benedict, again in the Loggia, before our early departure for the flight from Napier airport (approximately 40 minutes away).
By Alastair Niven. Alastair has been with PerryGolf for over 9 years and is one of the members of staff responsible for our South Pacific programs.
The January 1, 2010 issue of Golfweek magazine was on my desk this morning and it contains on page 85, rankings of modern (as defined as built 1960 or later) golf courses built in GB & I.
Rankings for me are a great source of discussion, but please do not take them too seriously. The interesting courses I noted were;
Castle Stuart #2 – for a course which opened 4 months before the end of the golf season in 2009 this is remarkable but speaks volumes to the course itself
Waterville #4 – always one of my favorites in Ireland. Tom Fazio did a fine job of improving the front side.
Castle Course (St. Andrews) #15 – it has been subjected to much criticism so great to see recognition
Machrahanish Dunes #21 – as above but more for maturity
Celtic Manor (Twenty Ten Course) – #19 – venue for 2010 Ryder Cup
K Club (Palmer Course) – #35 – venue for 2006 Ryder Cup
Gleneagles – (PGA Centenary Course) #38 – venue for 2014 Ryder Cup
Do you notice a theme?
Anyway, good stuff and ideal for endless conversation & analysis on a golf trip.
About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him onGoogle+
Castle Stuart Golf Links, the wonderful new links course to the east of Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland has been awarded “Best New International Golf Course 2009” by the highly respected Golf Magazine’s Joe Passov. The first of many awards that will undoubtedly be coming Castle Stuart’s way. It only opened in July 2009, but already is a must play on a visit to the Highlands. Further reading available here.
