Presenting the Santander Golf Tour 2018, National Women’s Circuit that will have eleven events

Santander Golf Tour

Santander Golf Tour

On May 30 the Santander Golf Tour 2018, Female Golf Circuit was presented at a press conference. The tour consists of eleven events that will be held at golf courses, throughout the year, all across Spain.

The presentation, held at the headquarters of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, was attended by Gonzaga Escauriaza, president of the federation and with Marta Figueras-Dotti, adviser of the Ladies European Tour and ambassador of the Santander Golf Tour 2018 Circuit. Adela Martín, Director of Private Banking Santander Spain, Felipe Martín, director of sponsorships and RRSS of Santander Spain and Íñigo Aramburu, director of the circuit.

Santander Golf Tour. Escorpión Golf Course

Escorpión Golf Course – Valencia

The event served to publicise the third edition of the circuit, which on this occasion will visit eleven prestigious golf venues throughout Spain:

Tournament
Date
10-13 July
17-20 July
24-27 July
3-6 September
26-27 September
1-4 October
8-11 October
R.C.G. Neguri (Vizcaya)
15-18 October
22-25 October
6-9 November
12-15 November

As a new feature, the tournament that will be held at the Real Club de Golf de Sevilla will be in doubles format, with greensome formation on the first day and the best ball on the final day. For its part, the Santander Golf will host a two-day Pro-Am: the Pro-Am Legends, which will bring together the legends of professional women’s golf in recent decades, both national and international.

Gonzaga Escauriaza, president of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, highlighted the magnificent opportunity that this circuit represents for the promising youngsters: “I am especially grateful to Banco Santander for its commitment to women’s golf and to Sports & Business for the twenty years it has been driving golf female professional in Spain“.

Santander Golf Tour. Golf Santander

Golf Santander – Madrid

Finally, Marta Figueras-Dotti, pioneer as a professional golf player, and member of the Board of the Ladies European Tour, in her role as ambassador of the circuit and on behalf of all the Spanish professional players, thanked Banco Santander in the first place for maintaining and strengthen your support for professional female golf, also to the golf courses, which give the opportunity to promising youngsters to compete in some of the best venues in this country. “One of the things that the players have asked me is that the golf courses were more demanding at the sport level. In this sense I am convinced that we will not have any problem, both for the excellent level of the chosen courses and for going hand in hand with Deporte & Business“.

Santander Golf Tour. Golf Real Club de Sevilla

Golf Real Club de Sevilla – Sevilla

On a personal level, Figueras-Dotti was very excited about the idea of spreading this great circuit as an ambassador, both nationally and internationally. Marta has wanted to strengthen and perpetuate the golf legacy of Emma Villacieros, recently deceased: “This circuit arrives at a very special moment. As you all know a few weeks ago, Emma Villacieros died. She was my captain since she was 12 years old, she was my president … I think she has been a spectacular person, and what she has done for women’s golf in this country can not be compared with anything. It helped me a lot, it was very influential, and it helped me get there in my career. We owe him a lot, and I concretely very much. She was a very strong woman, very powerful and had a lot of genius. And as a result of this we have thought that in each golf course we are going to play we will plant an oak tree as a symbol of Emma’s strength and power. The symbol will reflect those ideas, the resources, the vitality, the energy and the passion that Emma had for this sport. And in name and in recognition of what this woman has done for me, I want to give at the end of the circuit a prize to the winner of the Santander ranking. I will donate a € 5,000 prize on behalf of Emma Villacieros.”

The Santander Golf Tour will have its own app and website: www.santandergolftour.eu. Likewise, it will be broadcasted through multiple channels, and for the first time it will be retransmitted through Twitter.

IAGTO Costa Calida Murcia Tournament Pre Fam Tour

Golf Vistabella. IAGTO Costa Calida Murcia Tournament Pre Fam Tour

IAGTO Costa Calida Murcia Tournament Pre Fam Tour

IAGTO Costa Calida Murcia Tournament Pre Fam Tour. I was excited to take part in the IAGTO Costa Blanca Trophy this month, which took place in Murcia, Spain.

With 22 golf courses in a 50 km radius, Murcia attracts more and more golfers from all over Europe, mainly because of their high quality golf courses, great climate and gastronomy.

Our team arrived on 18th May to the hotel NH Cartagena for a two nights stay. The hotel is well located, close to the port, a typical modern city hotel. Cartagena is lively and vibrant city. We had a guided visit to the museum and ampitheatre, afterwards we dined at a charming restaurant, La Catedral. A lovely start to our Murcia visit.

Our first round of golf was played at Roda Golf Course. Roda proved to be a great golf course with some gentle slopes, large, fast greens, bunkers and lots of rivines, some of which are hidden from the tees. Being an open golf course the wind played a part on some holes, making for a challenging game. There are more water hazards on the back 9. Two large lakes influenced the play on 5 holes. The driving range is excellent, covered and floodlit with putting área and a small chipping área.

We played our 2nd round the next morning at Hacienda Del Alamo. The golf course has brilliant practice facilities, large áreas for putting and chipping with an academy. This golf course is also very open, quite long and flat. There are large greens protected by water or bunkers, some slightly elevated with undulated fairways. Carefully placed palm trees add to the beauty of several holes. The signiture holes could be either the 8th, par 3, 190m over a lake or the 9th, stroke 1, par 5. Hacienda Del Alamo has all the qualities of a championship golf course.

Hacienda Del Alamo. Tenerife Golf set to erupt with Azalea

Hacienda Del Alamo

After our game we visited the resorts new luxury hotel, due to open summer 2018.

Later the same day we headed off to El Valle golf course, part of the GNK golf tour group. El Valle is a truly fantastic golf course. In my opinon it is one of the top golf courses in the Murcia region. It is a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. El Valle has an amazing layout, it has a desert feel due to the sand and vegetation, much like a links golf course. There are 2 lakes on the golf course affecting 4 holes on the back 9. The 17th green is protected by a lake and the 18th is played over the lake. There are some gentle slopes and undulating fairways. The golf course has some natural valleys and you feel as though there is privacy at each hole.

After the round we headed off to the Intercontinental Mar Menor Hotel where we received a warm welcome. It’s a great 5 star hotel with a marvellous spa. The hotel is perfectly located to play several golf courses in Murcia.

The hotel boasts a superb restaurant with a terrace overlooking the swimming pool and many other dining options within the resort. The hotel is just 2 steps away from Mar Menor golf course.

Our next round was played at La Serena golf course, par 72. We only played 9 holes here, but we had great fun and played well.

Mar Menor Golf Course. Tenerife Golf set to erupt with Azalea

Mar Menor Golf Course

La Serena is also another flat golf course and has excellent driving range facilites. Almost every hole at La Serena is played alongside a lake and the 8th hole is an island green. There are only 2 holes that don’t have a water hazard involved making for a great test of skill. The golf course guide is very useful when playing at La Serena for the first time.

We played our afternoon round at La Manga South golf course and checked into the resorts 5 star Hotel Principe Felipe.

La Manga South is a modern golf course. It is a long golf course, par 73 with large tee boxes, doglegs, large greens and wide fairways. Some wind, trees and well placed bunkers played a part in the outcome of our shots on the day. The pin positions are marked in white, yellow and red. The best hole in my opinion was the 4th, stroke 6, par 5 with a lake before the green. Overall it was a challenging golf course with good practice facilities, a great example of a championship golf course.

The Hotel Principe Felipe served excellent food and provided wonderful rooms which overlooked the North Course. There is an amazing swimming pool and in general just a relaxing ambiance.

Hotel Principe Felipe. Tenerife Golf set to erupt with Azalea

Hotel Principe Felipe

On the following day La Manga hosted the Costa Calida Trophy Team Competition. It was played at both La Manga West and North Golf courses. The West golf course proved to be totally different to the North and South Courses, it has an old parkland golf course design. It is well intergrated into the land. Although it is par 72 and shorter than the South Course, it is compensated by doglegs and trees. On the West golf course you really have to think about each shot as the fairway can disappear, you have to land your tee shot or it’s gone, ending in disaster. It is a very technical golf course and has one of the best finishing holes, the 18th has a great elevated tee. We were proud to take 2nd place in the competition.

We spent the next day meeting with suppliers in the golf and hotel industry, a great opportunity to make new business contacts to all relevant hotels and golf courses throughout Spain.

Our team played Mar Menor golf course the next day. It is conveniently located on the doorstep of the Mar Menor Intercontinental Hotel. Mar Menor golf course is also part of the GNK Golf Tour group. Another Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. Originally it was a 9 hole course, then a further 9 were added to make it 18 holes. You can see a difference between the original 9 and the new 9 where the houses are futher away from the golf course. There are some houses on the original 9 holes which are very close to the golf course with a few nets around them for protection.

Our next stop was La Torre Golf course, par 68. Also a very nice Gnk Golf Tour Course. This golf course has a lot of water hazards to be aware of. It consists os 6 par 3’s, 10 par 4’s and 2 par 5’s. La Torre is an interesting golf course, not very long but the wind, well placed bunkers and water hazards made it very challenging.

La Torre Golf Course. Tenerife Golf set to erupt with Azalea

La Torre Golf Course

After the game we checked in to the Hotel La Torre. We received a lovely welcome. The hotel overlooks the golf course and is surrounded by a large lake. It’s a modern hotel with lovely spa and indoor pool, good entertainment and friendly staff. There is also a large area for conferences. In general, there is a relaxing, peaceful atmosphere, ideal for those seeking a tranquil holiday with easy access to entertainment and various golf courses.

We played our final round the next day at Altorreal Golf Course. The golf course is located in the city, surrounded by apartments. This town golf course is technical and challenging with nice greens. There is a magnificent clubhouse and terrrace overlooking the putting green. Both the 9th and 18th holes finish in front of the clubhouse. In general a great atmosphere.

We spent our final evening at Murcia Ricon de Pepe. It’s located in the centre of Murcia, a historic town, very dynamic and busy with lots of shops and restaurants and squares where you can sit and enjoy a drink and absorb the spirit of Andalusia.

Tenerife Golf set to erupt with Azalea

Golf Buenavista. Tenerife Golf set to erupt with Azalea

Tenerife Golf set to erupt with Azalea

08 August 2017

Tenerife Golf set to erupt with Azalea. Tenerife Golf, the national association for the promotion of golf on the largest of the Canary Islands, has engaged Azalea to handle its PR and marketing interests in the UK.

Comprising the island’s nine golf clubs, various hotels and some of Tenerife’s destination management companies (DMCs), Tenerife Golf – part of the Tenerife Tourism Corporation (TTC) portfolio – is jointly funded by its members and the national government.

With the volcanic island already recognised as arguably the leading choice for northern European golfers in the winter months, Tenerife Golf is looking to showcase the unique destination as a stand-out golf holiday proposition between April and October, when, unlike many other ‘year-round’ options, the temperature remains conducive to golfing.

Average summer temperatures of 23°c provide the ideal climate to enjoy a relaxing golf break thanks to cooling trade winds; while – in contrast to almost everywhere else – golf and hotel rates are generally 20 per cent cheaper than in winter time.

Golf Costa Adeje. Tenerife Golf set to erupt with Azalea

Golf Costa Adeje

The Tenerife Golf brand is responsible for promoting nine golf-course members, 17 four- and five-star hotel partners and several local transfer companies.

Vicente Dorta, Turismo de Tenerife chief executive, explained: “We did not hesitate to re-engage Azalea as we have worked with them previously and they have a tangible record of achievement for our brand.

“Everybody knows Tenerife as a great winter golf destination, yet, as ‘the island of eternal spring’ – owing to our excellent climate – it’s also the perfect place to play golf, and enjoy it, 12 months a year.

“What’s more, the island also has plenty of other attractions for golfers and non-golfers, making it the perfect all-round holiday destination too… at any time of the year.”

Andy Barwell, a director with marcomms specialist Azalea, added: “It’s a pleasure to be working once again with Vicente and the team at Tenerife Golf. With noticeably longer days, golf courses in perfect condition, great temperatures, easy flight access and hotel rates significantly lower than the winter season, Tenerife has everything needed for the ideal summer golfing break.

“And we are looking forward to raising public awareness of the opportunities that exist there for a wonderful break at any time of the year.”

Las Americas. Tenerife Golf set to erupt with Azalea

Las Americas

Tenerife features nine different and varied layouts: Buenavista in the west, Real Club de Golf de Tenerife in the north, and Golf Costa Adeje, Abama, Las Americas, Golf del Sur, Amarilla, and Los Palos in the south. Tecina Golf is a 40-minute ferry ride from the mainland on the beautiful island of La Gomera.

The island also offers 70km of beaches and a wide range of cultural highlights and activities both on and off the water, making it the ideal location for a golf break. Tenerife is served by two airports – Tenerife North and Tenerife South – with flight times of around four-and-a-half hours from the UK.

For more details on playing golf in Tenerife, visit www.teetimes.pt or www.golfingholiday.com.

Buenavista. Tenerife Golf set to erupt with Azalea

Buenavista

About Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, and shares capital status with the island of Gran Canaria.

Tenerife is located in the north-east of the Atlantic Ocean, just more than 300km off the west coast of Africa.

It is set in a subtropical climate zone, with pleasant spring temperatures all year round, and an average annual temperature of 23°c.

The population of the island is approximately 900,000. Tenerife boasts nearly 400km of coastline, 70 beaches and a variety of high-end resorts and boutique hotels, many of which offer leading facilities and spectacular sunset ocean views and including the highest concentration of five-star hotels on a Spanish coastline.

About Tenerife Golf

The spring climate of Tenerife enables golf to be played comfortably all year round, even in summer, when courses have special offers and the mild, pleasant climate makes the sport even more enjoyable.

Its nine courses – including El Tecina on the nearby island of La Gomera – were all designed by renowned golf architects, making Tenerife a paradise for golfers. Add in the vast range of supplementary attractions, including all manner of excellent golf establishments and facilities, combined with a wide variety of leisure activities, an unforgettable stay is guaranteed both on and off the green.

Getting there

Tenerife is barely a four-hour flight from the UK. Regular flights are available from many regional airports in the UK and Ireland. Tenerife has two international airports as well as two ports, one in Santa Cruz and the other in Los Cristianos.

About Tenerife Tourism Corporation

The Tenerife Tourism Corporation is a membership-led independent body, supported by the public and private sectors, which markets Tenerife overseas as a tourist destination. – Tenerife Golf is one of its portfolio of specific brands.