We are saddened to learn of the passing of Australian golfer, Peter Thomson, who shall forever be remembered as one of the great champions in the game. Read more “Passing of Peter Thomson, a Five Time Champion of The Open”
How To Attend The 148th Open at Royal Portrush in 2019
The 148th Open at Royal Portrush in 2019 shall see a significant change in the distribution of tickets to the Championship when sold as part of a travel package. Whereas previously, an untold number of companies could include daily or weekly tickets as part of their “travel package”, effective in 2019, only authorized companies can do so. Read more “How To Attend The 148th Open at Royal Portrush in 2019”
Enjoy a PerryGolf cruise to South Africa in 2020
PerryGolf is thrilled to add three exciting new golf cruises to its calendar in 2020. We’ll spend the next couple of weeks giving a glimpse of each unique, enchanting destination, starting today with a preview of our maiden cruise to South Africa, a 10-night 4-round trip offered January 21 – January 31, 2020 on the exquisite Azamara Quest. Look for more details – including pricing – on the PerryGolf website in the coming weeks.
Azamara Quest, a 690-guest luxury vessel, is intimate, yet never crowded, delivering fine dining, the full-service award-winning Sanctum Spa, live entertainment and impeccable poolside service with ample room to lounge and enjoy the view.
The South African Cruise embarks in Cape Town and returns there after visiting the fascinating ports of Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Durban and East London.
PerryGolf offers multiple options for travelers aiming to add South Africa to their portfolio. A visit there and it will become obvious why this diverse nation is one of the top five destinations for golfers in the world.
The Best of South Africa Escorted Tour 2019 is a 14-night, 5 round journey that is fully hosted by PerryGolf personnel throughout from February 23 – March 9, 2019. This Escorted Tour covers all the bases – golf, wine, cities and Big Game. Our 2018 South Africa Escorted Tour in November is sold out and on a wait list. We also offer Customized Tours to South Africa with travel dates of your choosing. For example, The Best of South Africa includes 14 nights (four on Safari) plus 8 rounds of golf. Of course, our customized tours can be tailored to satisfy your preferences.
With a population of roughly 3.8 million, Cape Town is the second-largest city in South Africa, trailing only Johannesburg. From wine to hiking, beaches to boutiques, Cape Town has evolved into a diverse, cosmopolitan city that appeals to visitors from across the globe. Azamara Shore Excursions can lead you to the top of Table Mountain in a cable car with a revolving floor or schedule a leisurely bike ride through the city’s streets, allowing you to see, hear and inhale all of the sights, sounds and scents of Cape Town. PerryGolf president Gordon Dalgleish visited this region in 2014 with his family and shared his thoughts and appreciation for the bustling, beautiful city and surrounding area.
Many travelers became familiar with Durban in 2010 when the city was host for the soccer World Cup. Suffice it to say the city is no longer South African’s hidden gem. Home to the Zulu people and Africa’s largest Indian population, the city is rich in culture and architecture, and the majestic Golden Mile of beaches lies east of the city center. A trip to the African Markets begins with a scenic drive down Victoria Embankment and features stops at areas devoted to the spices, herbs and beads that reveal the essence of Durban. Azamara Shore Excursions also include a beer tasting and high tea while those inclined toward cardiovascular activity can rent a bicycle and pedal at their own pace down the coast, gazing at the myriad lagoons and coves.
Port Elizabeth is a wonderful coastal town on Algoa Bay in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. Take a stroll down the Storms River Suspension Bridge (left) inside Tsitsikamma (aka Garden Route) National Park and perhaps catch a glance of the whales and seabirds of the region. As you wind down this coastline you’ll understand its billing as one of the most beautiful stretches in the world.
Those interested in spying big game, such as lions and rhino, can make the short ride inland to Addo Elephant National Park, where there are self-drive and safari hosts available.
Of course, golf is an essential part of the journey. South Africa has produced classy champions for generations, beginning with Bobby Locke, who won The Open on four occasions and is widely considered one of the game’s greatest putters. In 1946, Sam Snead traveled to South Africa to play Locke in 16 exhibition matches. Locke won 12 and halved two with Snead winning two. Our trip includes a round of golf at Humewood Golf Club, a challenging links that Locke considered the finest in South Africa during his era.
First and foremost on any list of South African golfing greats is the Black Knight himself, Gary Player, the nine-time major champion and one of only five men to win the professional Grand Slam. Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen have followed the path he blazed, claiming major titles in the last two decades.
Durban Country Club, established in 1922, possesses a strong reputation and has served as a frequent host of the South African Open. It’s the only course in Africa to be included in Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World.
Pearl Valley, located on the luxurious Val de Vie Estate, has developed a terrific reputation as the best conditioned course in South Africa and ranks as one of the top 10 courses overall. Course designer Jack Nicklaus and the legendary home hero Player inaugurated the layout in 2003 and it served as host for the South Africa Open on three occasions. The 230-yard par-3 third hole is unforgettable and unforgiving as a hazard cuts into the right side of the green and a cavernous bunkers swallows errant shots to the left.
Our South African Golf Cruise is another program that showcases the diverse portfolio of golf and travel experiences that we offer. Not only does PerryGolf offer more options for couples by land and sea than any other operator, but PerryGolf Cruising alone in 2018/2019/2020 with Azamara Club Cruises features 25 of the World Top 100 courses as recognized by Golf and Golf Digest Magazines.
5 Fantastic Courses in Portugal, the ideal golf destination
Portugal might not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning your next trip. Yet in many ways, the beautiful country that borders Spain along the Atlantic Ocean presents everything required to make it the ideal place to enjoy great golf.
Warm breezes and gorgeous scenery are par for the course in Portugal. The food and wine selections are legendary. The region has developed a reputation for its laid back vibe and welcoming nature. In 2016, more than 11 million visitors visited Portugal and PerryGolf offers a variety of options for travelers interested in adding another stamp to their passports. In a given year, more than 400,000 golfers travel to Portugal to tee it up on one of the country’s 90 courses.
Our six-night, three-round Custom Tour includes two full days for sightseeing in Lisbon and Sintra. Or you can cruise on one of our partner Azamara Club Cruises’ majestic 690-seat ships and tour the Iberian Peninsula in May or September of 2019. Explore these options using Quick Quotes to find the package that suits you best.
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Whatever your pleasure, incredible golf awaits. Here’s more information on the entertaining variety of courses you’ll enjoy on a PerryGolf journey to Portugal.
Ranked No. 55 in Golf Magazine’s 2017 Top 100 Courses in the World this is the best of prolific architect Arthur Hills’ many excellent designs. While not a true links, the course offers views of the crystal blue Atlantic as it winds through thick strands of pine trees, shaggy sand dunes and wide open coastal areas.
The layout is filled with memorable holes and spectacular views and a pair of par-3s, No. 9 and No. 14, are certainly atop the list. Not extremely long by modern standards – the course measures a shade under 7,000 yards from the back tees, a quite reasonable 6,537 from the members tees and 4,950 for the ladies – expect to feel the warm salt air breezes freshening through the day on a course that plays firm and fast and delivers pristine putting surfaces.
As a bonus, the Oitavos Hotel provides some of the finest accommodations in Portugal, including a world-class spa, multiple fine dining options and a delightful pool, complete with a bar where myriad food and drinks are available.
We’ll let Sir Nick himself tell us about this terrific layout.
“The land at Amendoeira is dramatic and the project has the potential to be a real talking point in the Algarve. With so many courses in the region, that’s no mean feat,” architect Sir Nick Faldo said during his visit in 2007.
The six-time major champion designed a gem in the Algarve. Cacti, wild herbs and olive trees dot the landscape. As expected, the master strategist Faldo crafted holes which give the players options off the tee and reward the accurate player on a championship layout that measures nearly 7,200 yards from the back tees. The course is consistently ranked among the top 10 in Portugal.
“This was a very exciting project, which gave me a great opportunity to exploit my passion for design the same way I exploited my passion for playing,” Faldo said. “You have incredible views, beautiful undulating land and any time you have natural terrain like this, it is great fun to work with.”
The 16th hole at the Royal Course at Vale do Lobo has been described as the most photographed hole in Portugal. The tee box on this par-3 is perched atop a cliff and features a demanding forced carry over a ravine to the green. The ninth, a virtual island green par-3, is another of the lasting memories for anyone fortunate enough to walk the fairways of this Rocky Roquemore’s design.
The noted American architect designed the course in 1997 based on the original drawings of the legendary Sir Henry Cotton, who won The Open in 1934, 1937 and 1948 and was one of the founding fathers of golf in Portugal. Cotton, the leading British player of his generation, designed the Royal course at Vale do Lobo.
“The Royal and the Ocean are two great courses,” said 11-time Portugese national champion Antonio Sobrinho. “On the Royal, you have to hit the ball straight – you’re going to be in trouble if you don’t. The Ocean is different, it forces you to shape more shots and I really enjoy that.”
Cabell B. Robinson is an American architect who built a career creating outstanding courses across Europe. A protege of Robert Trent Jones Sr., the mustachioed Robinson owns degrees from Princeton University and Cal – Berkeley. He spent nearly two decades running the European office for RTJ and opened his own shop in 1987. Over the last 30 years, he’s designed golf courses in France, Spain, Cyprus, North Africa and of course, Portugal where Praia d’el Rey winds through dense pine forests and provides spectacular vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and Berlengas Islands.
The course opened in 1997 and quickly became a favorite for anyone visiting the region.
Robert Trent Jones II is another of the esteemed architects to capitalize on the terrain and coastline to create, Penha Longa, yet another staple for golfers visiting Portugal.
There are 27 holes at Penha Longa and each offers a distinct challenge. The course is a past host of the Portugese Open, with its demanding tee shots and undulating greens testing the skills of the top professionals and amateurs. It’s typically rated among the top 100 courses in Continental Europe, where RTJ Jr. has enjoyed a long, extensive career.
Located a couple hours drive north of the Algarve region, there are many lakes and rivers feeding the lush vegetation in these foothills. Be sure to take advantage of your time on the driving range before the round, because the starting holes are demanding and force a golfer to be sharp from the outset.
PerryGolf Cruising Offers 25 of the World Top 100 Golf Courses
The reputation we’ve earned over 30 years since 1984 as one of the most respected providers of international golf tours is proudly presented now as one of the most respected providers of international golf cruises. PerryGolf Cruising stands alone to deliver the largest variety of voyages that combine the best golf courses in the world with the world’s most desirable destinations. PerryGolf Cruising with Azamara Club Cruises in 2018 / 2019 / 2020 brings you 25 of the World Top 100 Golf Courses, as recognized by GOLF and Golf Digest Magazines. See the list; Read more “PerryGolf Cruising Offers 25 of the World Top 100 Golf Courses”
