Golfing holidays, a tourist’s view
October 17, 2008
Golf tourism is growing all the time in Tenerife, but with so much competition from other countries, it’s important to make sure that visitors want to come back for more. Going Golfing Holidays have years of experience in sending golfers to major courses in Europe and beyond, so it’s good to hear a typical response from one of their first time visitors to Tenerife.
Nicky Cosgrave came over with a small party from Dublin, using the services of Going Golfing Holidays. They flew in with Aer Lingus and home with Ryanair, and stayed at Fañabe Costa Sur. So what did they think of the 2 courses they used, Nicky gives his verdict. “Golf Costa Adeje was the better course as the Golf Las Americas greens were not good.”
Cost can often be a telling factor, so how did Tenerife measure up compared to other destinations and golfing holidays. “It was a fair price for the service we got from Going Golfing Holidays, they were there for us from arrival at the airport to the games, they even woke some of us up in time to make sure we got to our games.”
As for the final verdict, and the big question, would they recommend Tenerife to their friends? “Yes, we will be back next year and hope to have more people with us, as it is a good place to come for the golf, and the night life.”
Well you can’t say fairer than that, more happy customers, not that Tenerife or Going Golfing Holidays are complacent, but for all year round weather, a wide choice of courses and plenty to do when the clubs are back in the bag, Tenerife has plenty to offer.
Tenerife Golf Course Information
August 29, 2008
Tenerife has 8 golf courses all of which are with superb hotels next to the the courses and many companies arranging tee times and holidays for the golfer. If you would like to find out more information about Tenerife Golf Courses, you might like to visit mytenerifeinfo.com and etenerife.com as well as webtenerife and association golf for Tenerife Golf.
Golf del Sur
Location: near Los Abrigos
Telephone: 922 738170
No of holes: 27 – Par: Varies
Opening times: 7.30am – 7.00pm
Green fees: €56 – 18 holes, €34 – 9 holes
Website: http://www.golfdelsur.net/
Los Palos Centro de Golf
Location: Guaza
Telephone: 922 169080
No of holes: 9 – Par: 27
Opening times: 8.00am – 5.30pm
Green fees: €19 – 9 holes, €28 – for two rounds
Website: http://www.golflospalos.com/
Golf Costa Adeje
Location: Adeje
Telephone: 922 710000
No of holes: 18 – Par: 72
Opening times: 7.00am – 7.00pm
Green fees: €57 – 18 holes, €35 – 9 holes Course A
Website: http://www.golfcostaadeje.com/
Golf Las Americas
Location: Playa de las Americas
Telephone: 922 752005
No of holes: 18 – Par: 72
Opening times: 7.40am – 2.00pm
9 holes after 4.00pm
Green fees: €63 – 18 holes, €43 – 9 holes
Website: http://www.golf-tenerife.com/1024×768/basein.html
Amarilla Golf & Country Club
Location: near Las Chafiras
Telephone: 922 730319
No of holes: 18 – Par: 72
Opening times: 7.30am – 7.30pm
Green fees: €55 – 18 holes, €35 – 9 holes (after 1.00pm)
Website: http://www.canarycompanies.com/amarillagolf/
Real Club de Golf de Tenerife
Location: Tacaronte
Telephone: 922 636607
No of holes: 18 – Par: 71
Green fees: €50 – 18 holes
Website: http://www.realclubgolftenerife.com/extranet/
Buenavista Golf
Location: Buenavista del Norte
Telephone: 922 129034
No of holes: 18 – Par: 72
Green fees: €56 – 18 holes, €35 – 9 holes
Website: http://www.buenavistagolf.es/frameenglish.htm
Abama Golf
Location: Gran Bretaña,Guía de Isora
Telephone: 922 126300
No of holes: 18 – Par: 72
Tee off from: 8.00am – 2.00pm
Full day of golf – E200 inc buggy
Website: http://www.abamahotelresort.com/eng/golf-tennis/abama-hotel-tenerife.htm
Golf Costa Adeje to welcome McCartney and Clapton?
August 27, 2008
Keen golfers in Tenerife have long appreciated the fantastic setting of the Golf Costa Adeje course, rolling fairways that run down to the sea, plus palm trees and old stone walls, make it the perfect venue for a big gathering. It looks like this Decemeber 6 could herald A Wonderful Christmas Time, as musical legend Paul McCartney performs a selection from his decades of songs. If that wasn’t tempting enough, talks are already underway to welcome Eric Clapton for another mega concert in April 2009.
The amphitheatre like driving range was the venue on January 24 for a concert by Sir Elton John, and it proved to be a huge musical success. Local company Canarias Live Sun Festival were behind that event and are also organising the Paul McCartney date and are close to finalising details. For the Elton John concert the golf course became a 20,000 capacity showground and although there were some problems getting all the fans to their alloted places, it was the first such event and lessons will no doubt have been learned.
The golf course suffered very little, due to good preperation and covering of key areas, and there is no reason why these big concerts can’t become regular events. The artists are being carefully selected to appeal to a wide audience of all nationalities, the former Beatle would certainly pack them in, as would guitar hero Eric Clapton. More news will be posted here as details become confirmed.
Tenerife Golf Services keep you out of the rough
August 6, 2008
Which golf course, what game time, how do I get there, will it cost me a fortune in fees? All questions that run through a golfers mind when booking a holiday in a strange country. But golf is supposed to be a relaxing game, that’s why Paul and Sue Cooper set up Tenerife Golf Services.
Dealing directly with the Tenerife golf courses on a regular basis, has built up a good understanding and trust which allows Tenerife Golf Services to offer discounted rates, no booking fees and no credit card fees. It’s a dedicated golf service from 2 keen players, Paul plays off a handicap of six. They can also arrange transport to and from the courses, club hire and any other special needs you may have.
It would take a lot to put Paul and Sue off their stroke, Sue was an air stewardess for 15 years with a top international airline, and later a financial director. Paul had one of the safest pairs of hands in football, in a 22 year career he was goalkeeper for Leicester City, Birmingham City, and Manchester City and most famously Ipswich Town, winning the F.A. Cup in 1978 and UEFA Cup in 1981. Paul’s speciality was penalty saves, he saved 56 during his career, earning the nickname of penalty king.
Paul and Sue moved to Tenerife in 1997, and with attention to detail and a personal touch, they have built the business to the success it is now. First time visitors and repeat customers have all found that they make sure that golf in Tenerife is stress free.
25,000 euros raised by Ashotel golf day
July 22, 2008
For the 107 players at Golf Las Americas on Saturday July 18, the second annual Ashotel tournament was a winning day out with good company, and good golf. The real winners though were the AMISUR charity for the disabled, they will benefit from the 25,000 euros raised on the day, thanks to the generosity of sponsors and players.
For the record, John Gernon was the male winner with a return of 39 points and the womens champion was Maria Eulalia de la Rosa Yanes on 40 points. There was a special Ashotel prize for Susana Fernandez de Caleya, which was presented at the evening cocktail party in the club house.
AMISUR will put the 25,000 euros to good use, mainly at their occupational therapy centre in San Miguel, where they help the disabled to live independent and fulfilling lives.
Tenerife Ladies Open ends in cliff hanger
June 23, 2008
It was left to Rebecca Hudson and Anne-Lise Caudal to show that the Spanish football team didn’t have the monopoly on nail biting finishes on Sunday, as they went to a sudden death play off to decide the outcome of the 2008 Tenerife Ladies Open.
This thrilling finish at Golf Costa Adeje pitted England against France after both players had tied on 278 strokes, 10 under par. It was settled at the 17th hole with a neat putt from Doncasters Rebecca Hudson. There was a tie for third spot as well, with European Number One Gwladys Nocera, and find of the tournament, Spains amateur, Carlota Ciganda both hitting 281strokes during the 4 rounds of play.
What a great end to four days of tough competition, and what a great advert for Tenerife tourism and golf, the event was shown on television across Europe, the sun shone and the Costa Adeje course had never looked better. The standard of play raised the bar a little higher for ladies golf and the Tenerife Open keeps adding to its prestige as one of the key competitions on the European Tour. Roll on next year.
Tenerife tourism experts get mean on the greens
June 17, 2008
They work hard bringing tourists to Tenerife from all over the World, but give them a chance to relax, and they are even more competitive. Tour operators and their agents love to pit themselves against each other on the golf course, and the 9th annual International Golf Challenge will see them battling for personal and professional pride.
The tournament started today and runs through until Saturday at 2 of the islands best courses, Golf Del Sur (above) and Golf Las Americas. This year there are 50 players involved from 11 different countries, not just from the obvious markets like the UK and Germany, but also Finland, Holland and Norway, to name just a few.
It’s a great way to promote golf on the island and is sponsored by Turismo de Tenerife and Tenerife Golf, 2 of the leading government promotion agencies. These tourism experts maybe off duty, but they will be swapping notes and advice and forging strong links that will hopefully help in the battle to increase awareness of golf tourism in Tenerife.
The 2 courses are in the heart of the property investment growth areas and each golf tourist these operators bring in is a potential property buyer. They would no doubt be pleased to know that Actual Properties have villas and apartments in both areas and a browse through their website is a grest starting point in the move to Tenerife to enjoy endless sunshine and golf on a daily basis.
Los Palos, Tenerife, gives Nicki a new drive
June 10, 2008
“I’d like to teach the world to swing - drive, putt and chip” You could understand Nicki MacDonnell adopting that as her theme, after all as a self confessed late starter at golf, she is eager to pass on every ounce of skill, dedication and sheer enjoyment of the game that she loves. Now installed as a professional coach at Los Palos golf centre in Guaza, she has the perfect facilities to work with, as she sets about teaching all ages, sexes and abilities, to embrace golf as a healthy and fun way to enjoy the superb year round weather that Tenerife has to offer.
It’s just a couple of months since Nicki left Amersham in the south of England, proudly clutching her coaching qualifications from the WGTF, the World Golf Teachers Federation. If the federations name doesn’t spring immediately to mind when thinking about golf, it should do as even the PGA, Professional Golfers Association, is taking on their coaching methods. The WGTF covers 35 nations and has 12,000 members, but it’s a club that requires hard work to join as Nicki can testify. “I did an intensive course, working 16 hours a day for 7 days, covering practical play and theory at the North Weald golf club. ” Nicki had taken up playing at Harewood Downs when she was married, and although she never turned professional, she was a handy player, winning the Watford Open three times.
Looking to join family in Tenerife, Nicki was well aware of the quality and quantity of courses on the island, but really landed on her feet when she scooped a job at Los Palos. “From a coaching point of view, it has probably the best facilities on the island, it’s a 9 hole course and perfect for people who are looking to learn the game . There’s a driving range, putting green, chipping green, and practice bunker, and all in a beautiful and well placed setting.”
The wider area is very much in keeping with Los Palos, the exclusive resort of Palm Mar, next door is set between Guaza mountain and the nature reserve of Malpais de Rasca, and tranquility and peace are very much bywords for the area.
There will certainly never be a dull moment for Nicki, as the course offers coaching from scratch level to the more experienced player looking to iron out a few kinks in their game. With the long summer months stretching ahead, parents can breathe a sigh of relief if they enrol their children in a 6 week course, knowing they are in expert hands, learning a discipline that will stay with them. For that extra peace of mind, it’s good to know that Nicki has her Sports Coach UK Safeguarding and Protecting Children certificate.
Coaching takes special skills, not just in the game but also patience, dedication and good communication, Nicki has them all, topped off with bags of enthusiasm. The greens are watered, the grass cut, and the bunkers raked, and Nicki is raring to go, just give her a ring on 922169080 or email nikmac@terra.es.
Young Canarian chips off the block
June 7, 2008
Golf in the Canary Islands is enjoying a boom, and at all age levels, many boys and girls are now taking up the sport at a young age. The progress of some of the young players is staggering and this has been recognised with a summons to Madrid for 2 Canarian children in the “infantil” category.
This weekend at the Madrid technical centre, Javier Poladura from the Costa teguise golf club in Lanzarote, will be joined by Cristina Cabezas from the Royal Golf Club in the north of Tenerife. Both will get a chance to shine in the Spanish Infantil Championships at pitch and putt level.
Golf schools are seeing ever greater numbers of children signing up for golf schools, and with the long summer school holidays looming up, many parents recognise that, it’s an excellent fun way to keep them occupied while learning to enjoy an active outdoor sport.
A new page for Canarian golf
June 3, 2008
If you live, breathe, sleep and read golf, there’s a new must have companian for you. Just Golf, is a new FREE 98 page colour, glossy, quality magazines produced in association with the Canarian tourism and promotion department. It covers courses and events in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, and the articles are in English and Spanish.
It’s another sign of how much importance the Canarian and Tenerife governments put on golf tourism, and shows their commitment to encourage and inform golfers that choose our islands to enjoy their favourite sport.
As well as interviews with leading figures around the Canarian golf scene, Just Golf has technical features on equipment and contact details of all the courses in the islands. The photography is stunning, if you are aware of the work of underwater camera wizard and environmentalist Sergio Hanquet, you won’t be surprised to see that he can also turn his lens expertly to golf coverage.
Just Golf is a FREE quarterly magazine and is available from all the leading golf courses and through the big tour operators. However you can also go to the website and download the main articles from each issue. Either way it will serve as a further boost to the growing reputation of golf tourism in the Canary Islands.
