Scottie Scheffler continues to hold first place in the World Golf Ranking. (Photo: Getty)
As the current World Golf Ranking leader, Scottie Scheffler retains his crown, Patrick Cantlay joins him atop the list as the second-ranking American player, coming in at the fifth position overall.
Xander Schauffele, Max Homa and Brian Harman Complete American Contingent
Xander Schauffele upholds his sixth position whilst Max Homa secures the eighth slot in the World Golf Ranking. Closely following, Brian Harman clinches an impressive ninth place. Wyndham Clark rounds off the unchanged Top 10.
Top Trio in the World Golf Ranking
Scottie Scheffler (USA), Rory McIlroy (NIR), and Jon Rahm (ESP) respectively secure the most sought-after top three positions. These golfers have been consistent in their performances, proving their mettle on the courses against top competitors.
Finally, turning to the rest of the top 10 players in the World Golf Ranking, Viktor Hovland (NOR) lies in fourth place completing the European block chasing Scottie Scheffler. Xander Schauffele (USA) and Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) hold the sixth and seventh slots, respectfully. With Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth and Co. six of the spots between 11th and 20th belong to US-players underlining the dominance in the World Golf Ranking.
While these rankings illustrate current standing, golf continues to remain an unpredictable yet enthralling sport. The World Golf Ranking serves as an ever-evolving leaderboard, strengthening the inherent excitement and competition within the sport we admire.
Dream golf course against a dream backdrop. Welcome to the Heritage Golf Club. (Photos: Heritage Golf Club/Jacob Sjöman and Juergen Linnenbuerger)
In his report, Juergen Linnenbuerger, introduces the impressive newcomer to the Heritage Golf Club and the Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort, which leaves nothing to be desired.
Golfing in paradise
Officially, the brand new La Réserve Golf Links, the 11th golf course on the island, will not open until December 2023 so I am all the more excited when we are invited to play the course during the soft opening in October.
I am extremely curious to see whether it will live up to the great praise with which it has been showered by experts and the golf media. Already it is considered one of the best new golf courses in the world. Have the South African golf pro and The Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen, and his compatriot, the well-known golf course architect, Peter Matkovich, really created something extraordinary?
Anticipation and excitement mount
On the non-stop flight from Frankfurt/Main to the east coast of the island, I ask myself what I can expect from the links golf course in the tropical paradise.
But the reflection doesn’t last long, because I quickly fall asleep after the delicious meal in the almost two-metre-long, completely flat prime seat, of which there are only four! They are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration and located in the front row of Condor Business Class. Their spaciousness exceeds that of the other seats in this class, especially in the foot area. You can even sit two to a seat opposite each other.
Without a doubt, they are the highlight of the airline’s new aircraft, the A330-900neo. Its two-tone striped livery reminds us of candy canes. Ours is coloured in white and green and conveys a joyful vacation mood as soon as we board.
The friendly crew impresses us with their perfect service. Entertainment is also writ large; we can watch movies in cinema quality on the 4K screen with a diagonal of 61 cm whilst a range of additional services perfectly rounds off the positive flight experience. The 11.5 hours literally fly by.
The resort shuttle takes us to Bel Ombre on the picturesque southwest side of the island in just over an hour. The 2,500-hectare Heritage Golf & Wellness Resort, located directly on the sea, includes two five-star luxury hotels, Le Telfair and Awali, as well as two impressive championship golf courses.
Driveway to the Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
We were lucky enough to get to know the Le Château Course, the first course of the Heritage Golf Club, back in 2019. I present the course, which on several occasions has been declared the best golf course in the Indian Ocean.s
It takes us less than 15 minutes by golf buggy from the clubhouse of Le Château Course to the first tee of the new La Réserve Golf Links. This is located at the highest point of the course, about 180 m above sea level where it is cooler and windier than in the resort. From there, the course descends over three plateaus at different heights until you reach the last hole.
The moment we step onto the first tee, we are struck by the wow factor which lasts until the final putt. From each of the holes, we gaze out over the deep blue Indian Ocean in the distance. Strikingly, the course is completely open, with a few trees only present between the eighth and ninth hole.
Right from the start, full concentration is required. The tee shot on the first hole has to be hit into the sideways sloping fairway into a strong wind with the rough waiting on the right and two hillsbguarding the green. How do we tackle that?
Well guarded green of #1 (Photo: Heritage Golf Club/Jacob Sjöman)
This question arises not only on every hole, but on every shot as each hole is different and extremely challenging. When choosing a club, less is more. Irons instead of the driver are often the better solution especially on the second hole, which runs straight but extremely narrow between dunes.
Long and narrow: #2, the most difficult hole of the course (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The third continues the series of impressive holes on the front nine with a dramatic precipice on the right that has a magical attraction. If you hit the landing zone on the plateau, all is well with the world, but you first have to get there against the prevailing wind. More golfing drama at the beginning of a round is hardly possible.
View from tee #3 (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
We pause to enjoy the great routing of the course and its magnificent views. The deep green of the fairways, the blue sea sparkling in the background with the brilliant white clouds above it and the white-yellow sand of the bunkers combine to form a colour composition that will delight golf course aesthetes. Added to this is the dark green Savanna Mountain Range that acts as a backdrop to the course and the adjacent nature reserve, which make the picture perfect.
The following par 3 requires a precise tee shot into the humpy green. If not successful, your ball can quickly end up out of bounds or in one of the pot bunkers. However, the magnificent view of the Baie du Jacotet with the snow-white crests of the rolling waves compensates for any inability to land the ball safely on the green.
Green #4 and view of the Bai du Jacotet (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
At the fifth hole, my adrenaline is pumping because the tee shot has to be played 60m deep over a ravine into the fairway. I get just over it and my pulse begins to calm down again.
Hit and hope: 60m downhill from tee #5 (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The lake, which is atypical for links courses, comes into play at six and seven (it serves to irrigate the course) and here too, there is the threat of losing your ball. At the imposing eighth, you have a couple of opportunities to land the ball on the split fairway.
Spoilt for choice: #8 (Photo: Heritage Golf Club/Jacob Sjöman)
From the beginning of the back nine the wind dies down after a beast of a front nine and the course develops into a friendly creature that allows itself to be stroked, becomes more likeable from hole to hole. We start to like it.
The 11th, the longest of the five par 3s, is the signature hole which, with the bay behind it, is both a playing and a visual highlight of the course.
Signature Hole #11 (Photo: Heritage Golf Club/ Jacob Sjöman)
By the 13th hole, the course has finally taken my heart, as I manage not to hit the bunker on the huge green and make a birdie. If the flag is placed closer to it, the bunker definitely comes into play.
Bunker on the green of #13 (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The native grasses swaying in the wind in the dense rough along the fairways on the following holes appear to have been painted onto the landscape and are a feast for the eyes. They will remain in our memories, as will the 18th hole, where a highly-playable green makes for a worthy conclusion to this spectacular course.
Rough at its best (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
This jewel of a golf course, integrated into former sugar cane fields, was created in harmony with the existing nature and is located in the vicinity of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The course meets the standards required for GEO certification and thus sets an international standard for the construction of sustainable golf courses.
The irrigation system is state-of-the-art and allows targeted control of water use whilst the paspalum grass used on the whole course is robust and resistant to heat, which helps to save water.
Sporty and challenging
In the future, the challenging course will have six different tees. Due to its sporting challenges, the HCP limit will be 36.
Golf professionals will put their skills to the test for the first time on the par 72, 6,727m course from 14-17 December 2023, as participants from not one but two internationally-recognised tours battle it out for victory. As host of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, Oosthuizen will welcome professionals from the DP World Tour 2024 and the South African Sunshine Tour to La Réserve Golf Links. We are already looking forward to watching this event on TV.
Exclusive access
The club management is limiting numbers to 60 tee times per day, allowing starts to flow at relaxed 15 minute intervals. La Réserve is exclusively available to the approximately 180 members of the Heritage Golf Club as well as the guests of the resort’s two five-star hotels, as well as those staying in the resort villas and in the Château’s private suites.
The Le Château Course and the 9-hole Academy Course are still open to green fee players. Guests of the Heritage Resort play here free of charge. With the new course, the resort now establishes itself as the only 45-hole facility on the island and shines with a new star on the global golf map.
Jonathan Menteath, General Manager of the Heritage Golf Club, is confident that La Réserve Links has the potential to be ranked among the top 100 golf courses in the world. The new course is expected to attract more guests to consciously travel to Mauritius to play golf. At the moment, the type of group that predominates here are those looking for a beach and wellness vacation combined with a few rounds of golf still.
Interview with Jonathan Menteath (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
All-round comfort and enjoyment at Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort
We stay in the exclusive Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which is designed in an elegant colonial style.
The two-storey villas with 158 suites are located in a very well-kept tropical park. The brilliant white of the buildings shimmer through the otherwise dominant green of the densely overgrown grounds whilst tall palms and trees provide ample shade.
Colonial style building of Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The tastefully-furnished rooms are equipped with classic as well as modern elements. Our Junior Suite Garden View with large terrace impresses us with its super comfortable bed and bathroom with free-standing bathtub.
Living room and bathroom of Junior Suite Garden View (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The beach, which is not very wide, is clean and fringed by tropical palms. The ocean water shines blue and is crystal clear. Its lateral current acts like a counter-current, making swimming on the spot in the ocean an interesting experience. Further out, the metre-high waves break on a coral reef.
Gorgeous beach at the Heritage Resort (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Those who prefer relaxing by the pool will find various options alongside the various water sports that are available at the C Beach Club.
Pool with direct view of the Indian Ocean (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Gastronomically, 13 restaurants and bars offer great variety both in terms of cuisine and ambience. From sitting barefoot in the sand at Le Palmerie to fine dining in a refined atmosphere at Le Château de Bel Ombre – there is something for every guest. We enjoy the delicious food and fine wines everywhere.
Extensive and high-quality wellness offers complement the resort’s feelgood program. The multi-award-winning Seven Colours Spa & Wellness is one of the leading ones in the southern Indian Ocean region. After the neck and back massage we feel deeply relaxed.
In harmony with nature
Environmental protection and sustainability are writ large at the resort, recycling management and waste avoidance are successfully practised, and plastic is avoided as much as possible. One example of this is the water bottles used, which are made from sugar cane and returned to the organic cycle after use.
Always a smile at the ready
Throughout the resort, the employées appear with great cheerfulness and helpfulness. They captivate us with their always warm smiles and read our every wish from our lips.
Everything at its best
We can add absolutely nothing to the frequently used positive cliché about a perfect vacation in paradise. Everything is just right in the entire resort and on the great golf courses. For us, a golf vacation could not be more beautiful, well-appointed and stylish.
Atmospheric conclusion of a dream holiday (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The news Odyssey Callaway Ai-One Putters 2023. (Image: Callaway)
Today Odyssey Golf, an industry leader in putter innovation and the #1 Putter on Tour, announced its exceptional new lineup of Ai-ONE and Ai-ONE Milled Putters. Featuring revolutionary insert technologies for more consistent ball speeds, even on off-centre hits, these new offerings are designed to help you putt smarter.
The new Odyssey AI-One Putter 2023
In the new Ai-ONE, Odyssey has leveraged Callaway’s industry-leading Artificial Intelligence design and super-computing capabilities to create the most advanced insert in golf. A multi-material construction includes unique contours on the back of the face that minimise ball speed losses on off-centre hits, and greatly increase the sweet spot. Their revolutionary Ai-ONE urethane insert delivers more consistent ball speeds, even from off-centre hits, leaving putts up to 21% closer to the hole*.
To achieve this unmatched level of performance, the back of the insert is crafted out of aluminium and a White Hot Urethane is added to the grooved striking surface for the iconic White Hot feel that millions of golfers love. These enhancements provide incredible feel, speed control, and consistency in a design that’s changing the face of putting.
In a unique addition for Ai-ONE, Odyssey’s designers have developed a Panlite® window that makes the contours visible; it’s built from an automotive grade polymer that provides great clarity and scratch resistance. The window truly makes these putters unlike anything that’s come before and highlights this extraordinary technology.
A lightweight SL 90 steel shaft with 20-30 grams (depending on the grip) of counterbalance weight is placed in the butt end, an evolution of Odyssey’s Stroke Lab Weighting that will appeal to even more golfers. These putters all feature a beautiful navy blue PVD finish that really sets them apart and gives them a premium look.
Ai-ONE is already gaining attention on Tour and performing on golf’s biggest stages. Jon Rahm used an Ai-ONE model to go undefeated while earning 3 points for the victorious European Team in Rome, and Sam Burns gamed an Ai-ONE model for the U.S. Team. Plus, Women’s World #1 Ruoning Yin is already using an Ai-ONE in competition.
The milled Version of the AI-One
The new Ai-ONE Milled also leverages Callaway’s industry-leading Artificial Intelligence design and super-computing capabilities. These premium putters feature a 100% milled stainless steel body fit for the beauty and precision that the most discerning golfers appreciate, along with a 100% milled titanium insert.
This multi-material construction includes unique contours on the back of the face that minimise ball speed losses on off-centre hits, and greatly increase the sweet spot. With Ai-ONE Milled, putts finish closer to the hole on average than a traditional milled putter*.
The unique champagne finish complements the navy blue PVD of the head to give the putter a rich and striking look that sets it apart from other offerings. A lightweight SL 90 steel shaft with 20-30 grams (depending on the grip) of counterbalance weight is placed in the butt end, creating an evolution of Stroke Lab Weighting.
Scottie Scheffler's dominance as the number one in the world continues. (Photo: Getty)
Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay, both from the United States, continue to remain steadfast in the World Golf Ranking, sitting at positions 1 and 5 respectively. Scheffler’s spectacular form carries over with no changes in their ranking from last week.
Following the lead are Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark, ranked 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th respectively in the World Golf Ranking. The talent of the quartet remains undeniable, consistently making their mark in the top 10.
Morikawa and Bradley approach Top Ten
At the global spectrum, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Spain’s Jon Rahm occupy the second and third spots in the World Golf Ranking while Viktor Hovland from Norway safeguards the 4th spot making the European players put pressure on the US-Stars.
While the Top Ten of the Ranking remains unchanged, Collin Morikawa jumps from 13th to 12th place and Keegan Bradley from 17th to 16th, feeling their way towards the Top Ten.
World Golf Ranking is a testament to each player’s skill, determination, and hard-nosed competitiveness. As the golf world pitches and putts on, all eyes are on the upcoming shifts and sways in golf’s prestigious global rank list.
Rory McIlroy is still second in the World Golf Ranking and remains the best British player. (Photo: Getty)
In the latest World Golf Ranking, British, Welsh and Scottish players show a robust presence amongst the world’s golfing elite. Particularly striking is the performance of Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. He holds the prestigious second place, maintaining his ranking from the previous week. England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, placed seventh, upholds the streak for the British players in the World Golf Rankings’ top ten.
British players among the best golfers in the world
The next British players on the World Golf Ranking are Tyrrell Hatton, occupying the 13th position, and Tommy Fleetwood, at the 15th. Their positions, however, exhibit a slight shift from the previous week — Hatton dropped a spot down while Fleetwood maintained his ranking. Despite these shifts, both golfers show no signs of losing their standing among the world’s top players.
World Golf Ranking: Top Players
As we scrutinize the top echelon in the World Golf Ranking, USA’s Scottie Scheffler is seated at the apex. He retained his ranking from the previous week, further consolidating his reign at the top. His closest rival is Rory McIlroy, while Spain’s Jon Rahm and Norway’s Viktor Hovland hold the third and forth positions respectively. They all maintain their spots from the previous week, further proving their consistency and dominance in the sport.
Rounding up the top ten in the World Golf Ranking are USA players Patrick Cantlay (5th), Xander Schauffele (6th), Max Homa (8th), Brian Harman (9th) and Wyndham Clark (10th), with England’s Matt Fitzpatrick taking the 7th spot – an excellent showcase of the American dominance on the leaderboard. Notable shifts include USA’s Collin Morikawa climbing to the 12th place and Justin Thomas falling to the 28th spot compared to their previous position. These changes, showcase the fluid and dynamic nature of the World Golf Ranking.
Oliver Betschart (center) qualifies for a PGA Tour event as a 15-year-old. (Source: Twitter / @Bermuda_Champ)
Golf prodigy Oliver Betschart will catch the attention of spectators and journalists in November. Betschart, who lives in Bermuda, qualified for the Bermuda Championship last week, making him one of three players to make it through qualifying.
15-year-old Bermudian Oliver Betschart will tee it up @Bermuda_Champ in two weeks.
He'll be the youngest player to compete on TOUR in nearly a decade. Full story:
Betschart already set a record a year ago when he became the youngest winner of the Port Royal Golf Club Championship. This year, he completed the 54-hole local qualifier with a score of 3-over par, with the win going to Eric West. Betschart will be the second 15-year-old to compete in the Bermuda event. Kenny Leseur already qualified for the championship in 2019. “This has been my goal all year,” Betschart, who shot a final round of 68 in challenging wind conditions, told The Royal Gazette. “And now it’s finally true and it’s hard to accept, but I’m really excited. … Last year I was up here working with the tournament staff and seeing all the work that goes into it, and I’m really happy to be a part of it this year. I was definitely nervous going into the home stretch, but then I hit a lot of good shots,” he added. Betschart missed qualifying for the tournament by one stroke last year, but put in a strong performance this time, playing a 68 before watching pro Chaka DeSilva narrowly miss tying with him with a birdie on 18. Betschart will be the youngest player to compete on Tour since 2014 and the fifth youngest since 2000, with only Michelle Wie (twice), Tianlang Guan (six times), Andy Zhang (2012 U.S. Open) and Lorens Chan (2009 Sony Open in Hawaii) younger. Only twice, however, did any of them survive a cut.
In case of a victory Betschart would follow in big footsteps. In 2013, a certain Jordan Spieth made history when he won for the first time on the PGA Tour. Spieth, however, was already 19 years old at the time. At the John Deere Classic, the current major champion beat his rivals David Hearn and Zach Johnson on the fifth playoff hole and became the youngest winner on the PGA Tour since 1931, when Ralph Guldahl won the Santa Monica Open.
Annika Sörenstram becomes a member of Augusta National the venue of the US Masters. (Source: Getty)
Augusta National Golf Club was founded in 1932 as a men-only club and has hosted the prestigious US Masters tournament since 1934. Augusta National is considered one of the most elite clubs in the world with only about 300 members. Among them are personalities from the world’s wealthiest and most powerful businessmen. Women have only been admitted as members since 2012.
Annika Sorenstam becomes first female professional player to join US Masters venue
Multiple sources reported this week that Annika Sorenstam, a 72-time winner on the LPGA Tour, has been accepted as a member at Augusta National Golf Club. However, a spokesman for Augusta National Golf Club declined to comment, and Mike McGee, Sorenstam’s husband and manager, also declined to comment. Membership in Augusta National Golf Club has traditionally been considered a private matter, and the club has always sought to keep its membership list private.
Twenty years ago, women’s activist Martha Burk of the National Council of Women’s Organizations protested the lack of women members at Augusta National. Nearly a decade passed before Augusta National’s then-chairman Billy Payne added former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore to the club in 2012. Other confirmed female members at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia include Heidi Ueberroth, co-chairwoman of Pebble Beach Co; former USGA President Diana Murphy; former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty; and Ana Botin, executive chairwoman of Santander Group. Golf legend Annika Sorenstam is now the first professional player to be inducted as a member of the country’s most prestigious golf club. Sorenstam has been a trailblazer for women’s golf. She has collected a total of 10 Major titles during her unique career. In 2008, she became the first woman to compete in a PGA Tour event since 1945 when she competed in the tournament then known as the Bank of America Colonial. When Augusta National Golf Club introduced the Augusta Women’s National Amateur in 2019, Sorenstam was one of the first starters.
“I wish we had done it sooner”
A decade after the first female members were admitted, Fred Ridley, the current club chairman, reflected on that decision during his pre-tournament press conference at the Masters. “I don’t know about you, but when anything happens or any idea that you had turns out well and you’re pleased about it, initiative, whatever, you might always say, well, why didn’t we do that sooner? And that’s a fair, that’s a fair thought. And so I wish – I wish we had have,” he said.
He added: “Women members are a very important part of our membership, and you will continue to see over the years, if you look, more green jackets that are women. I’m going to make sure of that.
“We have a number of women members who we are delighted are part of our organization. I think you know, certainly, who some of them are. They have been great contributors to our organization, both I would say substantively and things they are doing to help us, both with the Masters and otherwise.”
Apes Hill in Barbados wins four trophies at the World Golf Awards. (Credit: Azalea)
Apes Hill Barbados was a star performer at Monday’s World Golf Awards in Abu Dhabi, with the Caribbean resort and residential community winning in four categories, including ‘World’s Best Golf Real Estate Venue’ and ‘World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility’.
The venue’s critically acclaimed new golf course was also named the best in both Barbados and the Caribbean, completing an impressive quartet of wins.
The 10th annual World Golf Awards ceremony was hosted at the exclusive Radisson Blu Hotel Yas Island and Yas Links Abu Dhabi. With the event rewarding excellence in the golf tourism market, Apes Hill Barbados’ success is yet more recognition for one of the world’s most exclusive and luxurious golf destinations.
The ceremony brought together industry leaders from more than 65 nations across Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, North America and Oceania.
A long-standing staple of the Caribbean golf scene, Apes Hill Barbados has undergone an extensive transformation since investment from Canadian entrepreneur Glenn Chamandy in 2019. Legendary architect Ron Kirby was entrusted with overhauling Apes Hill’s original golf course and the new-look, par-72 layout reopened to rave reviews at the end of 2022. The award-winning design was Kirby’s final work before he passed away in August.
Upon opening, the layout was commended for its fun factor and playability for all levels of golfer and singled out as one of the sport’s most aesthetically pleasing new courses. Kirby’s design makes full use of native Barbadian flora and rockery, and is enhanced by views that – from 1,000ft above sea level – stretch across the Caribbean Sea and out to the Atlantic Ocean.
Meanwhile, earning the title of ‘World’s Best Golf Real Estate Venue’ is testament to the success of the resort’s ambitious real-estate development. Apes Hill is home to an eclectic range of properties and lifestyle amenities to suit the needs of any resident, each favouring a contemporary and luxurious design that blends effortlessly into the Caribbean landscape.
Complementing the championship course is the Performance Centre – a state-of-the-art facility packed with the latest technology and equipment to develop every aspect of a golfer’s game – further establishing Apes Hill as the Caribbean’s leading destination for passionate players.
Meanwhile, a short par-three course – named Little Apes – is in development for families and more casual players, while a ‘19th hole’ island-style par three, based on the iconic 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, is nearing completion.
The World Golf Awards also recognised the pioneering sustainability efforts carried out across Apes Hill’s 475-acre resort with the ‘World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility’ honour. Most notably, Apes Hill’s championship golf course is irrigated exclusively with recycled rainwater from a 58-million-gallon reservoir, drastically reducing resort-wide water usage. Turf and vegetation is carefully selected and maintained to reduce the need for fertilisers and other harmful chemicals, leading to the resort receiving prestigious Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf certification in 2023.
Away from the fairways, Apes Hill is committed to farming livestock and growing fresh ingredients – including crops, herbs and fruit – on-site, contributing to a vibrant ecosystem.
Sunil Chatrani, executive chairman of Apes Hill Barbados, said: “We are honoured to be recognised in multiple categories in the most prestigious awards in our industry.
“Together with Ron Kirby, we set out to build one of the best experiences in golf, and recognition as the best course in not only Barbados, but the whole Caribbean, means a great deal to us as we strive to establish one of the region’s leading destinations.
“Ron’s passing in August was felt by all who he touched the hearts of at Apes Hill Barbados – and the wonderful golf course he created has left a lasting legacy on the island of Barbados. We would like to dedicate these awards to Ron’s life.
“We are also very pleased to see our sustainability work recognised, while our relatively new real estate offering being named the best in golf so early into this project is proof of the unique work we are doing to build a true community.” Press release written by The Azalea Group
Rodrigo Ulrich, Terras da Comporta director of golf, with the two trophies at the World Golf Awards. (Credits: James Hogg (Golf Course on the left), Azalea)
The Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta has announced its place on the global stage in style after being crowned as the ‘World’s Best New Golf Course’ and ‘Europe’s Best New Golf Course’ at the World Golf Awards 2023.
The par-71 layout near Lisbon claimed the prestigious accolades less than five months after its soft opening, with Terras da Comporta director of golf Rodrigo Ulrich on hand to receive the awards when the winners were unveiled at the prize-giving ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening. (October 23)
With the event rewarding excellence in the golf tourism market, Terras da Comporta’s success is significant recognition for Europe’s most talked-about new design projects. The ceremony brought together industry leaders from more than 65 nations across Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, North America and Oceania.
UIrich said: “We’ve been very excited about this project for many years. It’s incredibly satisfying to be finally open for play, and to see so many golfers enjoying what is a spectacular course, both in terms of its location and its design”.
“It’s a great thrill and honour to receive two such respected awards, which are hopefully the first of many, because the course is going to get even better as it settles and matures. We’re looking forward to welcoming golfers from all over the world.”
Situated one hour south of Lisbon, the layout has been created over 84 hectares of natural, sandy terrain on the coast in a secluded setting on the edge of the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve. The first course to have been created in mainland Europe by acclaimed architect David McLay-Kidd, the course opened to the public for play for the first time at the start of June.
McLay-Kidd, whose other famous designs include Bandon Dunes, Queenwood, Beaverbrook, Machrihanish Dunes and the Castle Course at St. Andrews, first visited the site in 2008, but the project experienced a series of delays, including a global pandemic and a worldwide recession. However, Vanguard Properties, the owners of Terras da Comporta, are optimistic about what the future holds and Portugal’s largest real estate developer has exciting plans for the site.
“The project may have a long history, but this is just the beginning”, said José Cardoso Botelho, CEO of Vanguard Properties. “Golfers will travel from far and wide to come and play here. It has put Terras da Comporta firmly on the map as a new golf destination, but there’s more to come – much more”.
Vanguard Properties took ownership of the development in 2019 and the site features two large developments: Torre, comprising 365 hectares of land and where a second course designed by Sergio Garcia and José María Olazábal is being built (set to follow in 2025), and Dunas, which occupies around 1,011 hectares.
Complementing The Dunas Course will be a new clubhouse and golf academy. Away from the fairways, an array of lifestyle activities will be available including horse-riding, wellness, tennis, padel, pickleball and many other sports, with a wide range of plots for hotels, tourist and residential condominiums also on offer. Press release written and distributed for Terras da Comporta by Azalea
The Galvin Green Open Skies Capsule Collection 2023. (Image: Galvin Green)
Leading high-tech golf apparel brand Galvin Green has today unveiled a new premium “Open Skies” capsule collection of top-performing garments in supremely vibrant aquatic colour combinations and patterns that will brighten up any golfing wardrobe and golf trip.
Ideal for serious golfers looking to play in warmer regions this winter, the latest collection from the innovative Swedish brand features six fashionable shirts, a pair of shorts, plus two sweaters and a matching baseball cap centred around the vibrant Aqua colour and lighter shades of Grey and White that form the mix of colours associated with vast open skies.
Drawing upon the positive reaction to several styles in the core collection, Galvin Green has introduced two eye-catching colour combinations to the Mani and Markos Ventil™ Plus shirts, plus a classy new colourway on each of the Manolo, Malcome, Mo and Madden shirt styles. The striking Durante and popular Daxton Insula™ sweaters are now offered in a sharp new colourway for when the weather turns colder, while the Percyshorts and Sanford cap with bold branding complete the technically advanced collection.
“We’ve added a series of pastel, aquatic colours in this stunning range to offer an incredible choice on styles that have proved popular from our core collection,” said Designer Batur Raza Muhammad. “With Aqua being such a prominent colour in each style, we’ve integrated clear points of difference with lighter tones that are easy on the eye to deliver a superb all-round look for golfers jetting off to warmer destinations in the coming months,” he added.
Working with responsibly sourced fabrics, Galvin Green ensures that the garments provide best-in-class and long-lasting performance, while minimising the social and environmental impact in the manufacturing process.
The trendy Mani (Aqua and Cool Grey) and Markos (Aqua/White and Cool Grey/Aqua) shirts both feature an exquisite individual design that projects a bird’s eye view of a glimmering ocean from above to deliver a standout look. The shirts incorporate a tailored collar, as well as open sleeve ends for extra comfort.
The Manolo (Aqua/White) style is a distinctively bright shirt that ties the nautical world and golf together via a fun print of small lighthouses and tee pegs that form a key part of golfing experiences at coastal bucket list venues. Featuring an equally daring design, the Malcome (White/Cool Grey/Aqua) shirt with an all-over bird-print offers something totally different from anything else in the collection and is a perfect choice for those looking to make a bold statement in a supremely vibrant design.
The Maddenshirt in the super stylish Aqua/White colourway incorporates a striking wave print to resemble the powerful free-flowing movement of the ocean, while offering a sporty appearance that is sure to turn heads for all the right reasons.
The Mo (Cool Grey/White/Aqua) shirt design also features a maritime theme with a print across the chest that is reminiscent of a sun setting on a distant horizon to provide a shirt that is totally different from anything else on the market.
The matching Percy shorts in Aqua feature a shirt gripper waistband and built-in stretch function for optimum comfort and a perfect fit. They also offer two handy front and back pockets to carry belongings and scorecards. All Ventil™ Plus garments provide excellent moisture-transportation properties and top breathability to keep the body dry, while offering UV 20+ protection in warm conditions.
The smart Durante (White/Cool Grey/Aqua) half-zip sweater in Insula™ fabric delivers outstanding warmth and comfort for when the weather turns chilly on the course. The athletic design incorporates Thermore® padding on the shoulders and back to deliver extra comfort and warmth, while the three-tone colour scheme provides a top-quality look.
The Daxton (Aqua/Cool Grey/White), one of the brand’s best-selling pullover models, features a predominantly Aqua-themed colour scheme in a vivid three-tone design that is guaranteed to brighten up any cold weather day. Providing a soft and stretchy feel, all eco-generation Insula™ sweaters are crafted from 100% recycled plastic bottles to keep the body warm and comfortable.
The smart Sanford baseball cap, which incorporates an adjustable width, is designed with Ventil™ Plus moisture-wicking fabric that dries exceptionally quickly for greater comfort during the round. The all-over Aqua design matched with the stylish ‘G’ logo to the side of the cap delivers a supremely refreshing look on sunny days.
The OPEN SKIES capsule collection from Galvin Green is available from leading stockists and can be viewed at www.galvingreen.com.
