Thanks for your custom over 30 years!
30 Years in Business !! Established in 1989 Golf Experience celebrates its 20th Anniversary of delivering Golf Holidays to Spain & Portugal. Probably the longest established inward Golf Tour Operator in Spain. The good news is that we are planning to be here for another 30 as we are passionate about what we do and there are still kids to be educated and mortgages to be paid. We will welcome expressions of interest around 2048 but in the meantime we will continue doing what we do best – providing Value and great customer service so you can do what you enjoy best, Golf!
The years have flown by and almost each year has seen growth which is very satisfying. Some of our clients are 3rd generation i.e. we now have grandchildren of original clients booking with us.
So thank you all for your business throughout the years and we look forward to continuing serving the Golf market into Spain & Portugal.
Have a great Christmas and best wishes for 2019 and a smooth and soft outcome to Brexit!!
From the team at Golf Experience
Early booking for 2019..
One recurring message of advice is to book early. And 2019 is no different. As a Tour Operator many of our contracts with suppliers contain Early Booking discounts which are subject to “Stop Sales” or time outs so the sooner you can book the more value we can inject into a package. Of course the earlier the booking the better the chance of getting popular tee-times and dates.
Golf News:
2018 a Great one for Golf.
When we look back on the year it certainly had many highlights not least the wonderful Ryder Cup which never fails to satisfy. The French certainly have set the bar very high in terms of staging a Golf event so all eyes now on Rome.
The Irish Open was held in Ulster (Ballyliffin) in stunning conditions and “The” Open is also in Ulster in 2019 (Royal Portrush) so all in all a great year for Golf
Flamingos G.C. & La Westin Quinta Pricing.
A big part of our job is to identify value where it exists and in a dynamic market like ours this changes and shifts from year to year. A few courses which have in recent years priced themselves somewhat out of the mainstream market have been La Reserva, La Quinta (the resort now being managed by Westin) and the two courses at Villa Padierna (Flamingos & Alferini). Often new foreign owners who can be removed from the market realities think that a price hike is feasible after a bit of a facelift but the market thinks differently. Eventually market forces dictate and prices return to some sort of equilibrium.
Interestingly the owners at Villa Padierna have now positioned Alferini as their “Premium” course and Flamingos is now the cheaper of the two.
We are happy to say that La Quinta and both Villa Padierna are once more offering value and we would recommend you to consider them for 2019. La Reserva is a different case and has re-positioned itself at the very top of the pile in terms of service and quality.
Doña Lucia Golf in Estepona
We informed you about the imminent opening of a new course in our previous Newsletter – Doña Lucia in Estepona
The latest news is that it is still imminent (as with many things here). We will keep you posted.
Valderrama and the Andalucia Masters 2019.
Valderrama and the European Tour have recently announced that the Andalucia Valderrama Masters dates have been switched from late October to the prime dates of June 27th – 30th 2019.
While this is good for the event it has been very disruptive for forward bookings as not only have the dates changed there has been a knock on effect on the course’s maintenance schedule. It is likely that the new dates will be the same for 2020. The Sergio foundation which sponsors the event were anxious to get better dates displacing the French Open to October 17th – 20th. Sergio himself has won the event 3 times in 2011, 2017 & last year. On the positive side the new dates opens up the second half of October to visitors.
Security on courses.
Once more we feel obliged to remind clients of the unfortunate reality of theft on golf courses.
Please be aware that your valuables are always vulnerable while on a buggy. As you settle into enjoying your game your mind isn’t and shouldn’t be focused on your wallet and mobile which you may have placed in your golf bag. At some stage you will be unsighted from your buggy and this is when the thieves will strike. The consequence of being relieved of a wallet and or phone (not to mention the Rolex) can be devastating.
This advice applies to ALL courses as none are immune and fully safe. Unfortunately the golf courses are not doing enough to communicate this message as they see it as not being good for business. So please heed our advise and leave your valuables in security lockers at the club-houses or in your accommodation or even your car. In 2019 Golf Experience will put special warnings on our golf vouchers for courses which have a persistent problem and where we do not feel enough is being done to inform our clients.
Rio Real Hotel Marbella.
For anyone seeking a golf break for a couple we would highly recommend the charming boutique Rio Real Golf Hotel on the outskirts of Marbella. All the bedrooms overlook the very popular course (hole 11) .
We have negotiated excellent package rates of 3, 5 or 7 nights including green-fees and transport.
Transport.
Garcatri New Fleet.
Our regular clients know that when it comes to transport we use only the best. We are happy to say that we will continue to use Garcatri services in 2019 and beyond which insures that you will have the most luxurious and comfortable transport with the highest level of service possible including complimentary water and WIFI.
Another Airline casualty!
In 2017 we had a group due to fly out with Monarch Airlines on their much awaited annual trip the day the airline went bust. This year the same unfortunate group were booked to travel again flying with Primera Air who also went bust 24 hours prior to their departure. Fortunately, this time there were able to make last minute alternative arrangements and did travel.
We expect this trend to continue and predict more casualties in the sector as the weaker airlines succumb to the pressures from the big low cost players. It’s just unfortunate that the collapses are so sudden and that airlines can not be wound down in a more orderly and less disruptive fashion.
Club Hire.
As more and more clients are choosing not to bring their clubs with them Golf Experience has extended its range of Rental Equipment.
This now included the new Taylor Made M4 sets, the McGregor DCT2000 and the tried and tested Wilson Pro-staff. Our rates include delivery to your accommodation or first round and collection. So with over 70 rental sets your can take leave your own behind let us do the heavy lifting. And if you play badly well, at least you have an excuse!