GOLFING SPRING 2018

Your ultimate guide to golfi ng holidays this season

Our guide to the best courses in England

TOP 100SPECIAL

COSTA BRAVAConnoisseur Clive heads somewhere close to his heart

BAHAMASDiscover Darren Clarke’s favourite Caribbean getaway

SHORT HAUL

LONG HAUL

HOME COMFORTSA wealth of courses and resorts on your doorstep

PRE-SEASON HIGHLIGHTSStart your golfi ng yearin style

GOLFING Spring 2018 partnered with

42 GOLFING | Spring 2018

BAHAMASOur man adds another out-of-this-world experience to his photo album collection

Spring 2018 | GOLFING 43

44 GOLFING | Spring 2018

HERE is an old adage that golf writers are cash-poor but experience-rich. Certainly, in this

line of work I have experienced more highlights than adorn my daughter’s hair. For example, drinking complimentary champagne in the Jacuzzi in my room on the seventh floor of my five-star Turkish hotel while enjoying the views over the Mediterranean, was but one. Few, however, can compare with flying into Abaco in a small private plane in the company of David Southworth. That is David Southworth as in the owner of the famed Abaco Club, as well as Machrihanish Dunes, Willowbend and Renaissance Country Clubs, and Creighton Farms, a man who has brought a whole new definition to the phrase “purchasing a set of golf clubs”

This club, however, is exactly what it says on the tin – a members’ club to which non-members are welcome for up to three visits. There is no gargantuan hotel with impersonal reception; members and guests are greeted at an appropriately named Welcome Centre to be allocated personal golf buggies for one’s stay and directed to one’s residence. This, in my case, and for the half-dozen distinguished American golf writers who joined me on this press trip, were cabanas set among the trees lining the 1st fairway. Alternatively, it could have been a grand estate home owned by some captain of industry or commerce and managed and let by Southworth Estates.

However, a modest cabana, designed

for couples, suited me down to the ground. “Modest” might not, however, be the most appropriate adjective; externally these octagonal, brightly painted clapboard cabins might echo the vernacular, but the interior, with luxurious fittings and cathedral ceiling with a large central fan, speaks of gracious living. At 30 feet by 30feet and with a large, screened, furnished porch, the accommodation is also spacious.

Not that there was much time to enjoy it; the sun was over the yard arm, so it was time for a rum punch at Flippers beach bar, located right on the two-and-a-half-mile beach of silver sand, and then the opportunity to explore some of the properties, including Darren Clarke’s “Sea Breeze”,

T

The Abaco Club’s design was inspired by the great links courses of Scotland.

Darren Clarke spends three hours at a time on the impressive practice ground

Spring 2018 | GOLFING 45

named after his favourite drink on the island. Our first stop was an $8.3m mansion with half a dozen bedrooms and baths, a games room, a cinema and an open-plan living room the size of a five-a-side pitch and overlooking a private pool with the beach and ocean beyond. Slightly overwhelmed, the consensus among us cash-poor journos was that we actually preferred the “cottages” that we visited next. A mere 3,000 sq. ft. and only $3m each, they were, we agreed, rather special. Even more desirable was Darren’s four-bed “cottage” with its spectacular views over the bay; impressive in itself, it was probably even more so as an exemplar of the benefits of honing one’s golf game.

In the evening there was more

evidence of the good life; fine dining at the Cliff House perched high above Winding Bay. David Southworth was the perfect host, entertaining us as we literally feasted on the finest seafood, all washed down with innumerable glasses of Napa wines.

The following morning, I reported to the practice ground at nine prompt for some one-on-one tuition by the pro, Brian, before my first round. Extraordinarily, I hit every ball of my pyramid as straight as a die, Brian, after the first few, said: “You’ve played this game before.”

After some more he added: “There’s nothing more I can teach you”. This was certainly a first, and a great confidence booster for taking on Tom Mackenzie’s renowned Abaco course.

Built in 2004 when Tom was still with Donald Steel and before he had set up in practice with Martin Ebert, this tropical links immediately found its way into World Top 100 lists, and was the reason for my being prepared to travel over 8,000 miles for the experience of taking it on. Standing on the 1st tee, I was immediately bowled over by its beauty, its pristine fairway undulating like a carelessly discarded blanket, towards a raised green 511 yards in the distance.

It was certainly links-like, but without threatening rough on each side, for this fairway was bounded by attractive silver-sand waste, dotted with palm trees.

Confident after my practice ground heroics and in the knowledge that I could find my ball if my drive was to go astray, I bombed one down the

46 GOLFING | Spring 2018

middle, and then hit another of the same ilk to be perfectly positioned for my approach. Another fine shot inexplicably pitched into the green’s false front only to run back instead of running on. “Not to worry”, I thought, “a simple run-up and putt for par”. Not. My running shot pulled up as if it was on Velcro, and I finished with a seven. My playing partner advised that this was a characteristic of the grass, paspalum, a salt-resistant strain used widely in the tropics. I therefore resolved, in future, to stop playing links bump and run and fly the ball in.

At the 2nd and 3rd, each even more spectacularly beautiful, my resolve crumbled and the same story unfolded; good drive, approach left just short and four more to get down from the edge of the green. Sadly, just as I was coming to terms with this tremendous course, we crossed the road and its character completely changed to that of a cliff-top course, setting quite a different challenge and cutting me off at the knees.

Not that I’m complaining; the setting is spectacular, particularly the par-3 17th, set against an azure sea, and once seen, never forgotten. In fact, the whole course, with its links-inspired swales, pot bunkers and highly undulating greens, but set in a tropical paradise, is unforgettable.

The next day we were given a taste of the other great attraction of both the club and, indeed, the Bahamas

in general – the wonderful beaches and sea. Darren Clarke is on record as saying that it is not only the fabulous golf course and practice facilities which have made him choose the Abaco Club as his second home, but what he claims is “the best sea fishing in the world”.

On site are snorkelling, kayaking, wind-surfing and paddle boarding and, off-site, trophy bonefishing and boating. From the club’s Little Harbour, we explored the islands on an Intrepid 28-footer powered by two 300 horse-power Yamaha engines, swimming with pigs, (yes you read that correctly), and turtles, and drinking rather many bottles of the local Kalic beer, finishing the day at the legendary Pete’s Pub eating wahoo, a fish that was new to me but highly recommendable.

All good preparation for my final round, which I was sure would be an improvement. Sadly, I still couldn’t bring myself to hit the ball past the flag.

There was, however, a memorable hotdog at Flippers to follow, the sausage split and filled with cheese, then wrapped in bacon and served in a toasted bun. Not your normal hotdog. Equally self-indulgent and memorable was the swim that followed in the infinity pool high above the bay, the massage in the splendid spa and the farewell meal at The Cliff House.

Abaco is experience-rich indeed and unmissable, (if you have the wherewithal). Just remember to fly the ball all the way.

LONG HAUL: BAHAMAS

CURRENCY: US DOLLARS/BAHAMIAN DOLLAR

Month

MarAprMay

High

25˚27˚29˚

Low

19˚21˚23˚

Hum

71%73%76%

Rainfall

46mm58mm119mm

CLIMATE

Airports: Marsh Harbour

Flight time from London: 8 hours 30 minutes

Time difference: 5 hours behind

THE LOWDOWN ON...

The Bahamas, known officially as the

Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an

archipelago of more than 700 islands, cays, and

islets in the Atlantic Ocean, located south-east of Florida. The

islands were the site of Columbus’s first landfall in the New

World in 1492. They became a British crown colony in 1718,

and an independent Commonwealth realm in 1973, retaining

the British monarch as head of state. The Bahamas still feel

British, with driving on the left. What is distinctly un-British

is the wonderful climate: virtually 80 degrees Fahrenheit all

year round and with cooling sea breezes.

Such a tropical paradise inevitably attracted the wealthy to

build homes, making the Bahamas one of the richest nations

in the world, and also providing an ideal location for such

films as Jaws and several Bond movies. Above all, it is a

tourist honeypot and the home of one of the world’s great

international sporting clubs and residential communities, the

Abaco Club on Winding Bay. Situated on 435 acres, the Abaco

Club offers a world of relaxation in an atmosphere of barefoot

elegance with two-miles of pristine white sand beach, an

infinity pool, dining, water sports and more.

The jewel in the crown, (at least for Go Golfing readers), is its

18-hole tropical links course designed by Donald Steel and

Tom Mackenzie, the number one course on the islands and

listed in the World’s Top 100. It was this course that Clive flew

across the Atlantic to do battle with.

Ever dreamed of owning a home in a private

tropical paradise? There’s a range of great-value

properties available to buy, which can be rented

out when not being used. Visit theabacoclub.com/homes

FACTFILE

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MANOR HOUSE & ASHBURYDevon

The course: A golf and leisure complex set in

some 600 acres of stunning Devon scenery, in

the foothills of Dartmoor National Park, a total

of 99 holes await on seven courses. The colossal venue also

offers sport, craft, leisure and spa options.

The deal: For the latest deals, visit

manorhousehotel.co.uk or call 01837 530531205

PYLE & KENFIGMid Glamorgan

The course: With giant sand dunes rising up

down among the pristine fairways, Pyle &

Kenfig is located on a magnificent stretch of

golfing coast. As well as being a testing links track, P & K

offers countless picture-perfect moments.

Deal: Winter special (Jan, Feb, Mar) from £99,

includes one night, breakfast and two rounds

of golf. pandkgolfclub.co.uk | 01656 783093

WATERVILLEKerry

The course: One of the top-ranked courses in

Ireland – in fact, the world – Waterville is a

special place to tee it up. The gorgeous links

can be found in a remote location on the south-west coast

with views that are the envy of golf clubs across the world.

Deal: For the latest deals, visit

watervillegolflinks.ie or call 353 66 947 4102

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PRE-SEASON DEALS

GARSTANGLancashire

The course: This parkland winds its way

along the rivers Calder and Wyre, offering a

picturesque distraction from the challenges

of the round. Playable year round thanks to its excellent

drainage, Garstang also boasts tricky greens.

Deal: Enjoy golf breaks from £59

garstanghotelandgolf.com | 01995 6001001205

MACRIHANISH DUNESArgyll and Bute

The course: What you’ll find at Machrihanish Dunes is minimalist, old-fashioned links golf in a stunningly natural setting. With undulating

fairways, beautifully sited greens and huge bunkers – this is seaside golf in its original and undiluted form.

Deal: Stay & play (Mar 1-Apr 30) from £80pp, includes unlimited golf as well as discounted green fees at Machrihanish & Dunaverty. machrihanishdunes.com

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UFFORD PARKSuffolk

The course: With water coming into play on

12 of Ufford Park’s 18 holes, this pretty Suffolk

course calls on players to use a more measured

approach in order to score well. Ufford Park also benefits

from naturally free-draining soil.

Deal: One-night golf breaks from only £98,

includes complimentary use of the Health Club.

uffordpark.co.uk | 01394 383555