[email protected] tell the Chairman, Clifford Roberts, where he thought a good place for a 0845 020 5260 fishing pond might be. It was subsequently built and named Ike’s Pond.

Amen Corner A term used to describe holes 11, 12 and 13, which are particu- Club larly tough and have seen much drama over the years. It was first coined in a Sports Illustrated article in 1958.

Our in-house The Masters Rae’s Creek This river runs between Amen Corner’s holes and is named after the former owner of the land, John Rae, who died in 1789. The Hogan golf pro: and Nelson bridges run over Rae’s Creek. Be prepared for the first major of Neil Docking 2011 Crow’s Nest A small cabin-style room set at ______the top of the clubhouse. It is traditionally the living quarters for amateurs play- elcome to the he Masters takes place in April ing in the event. It sleeps five people Wautumn issue of 2011, but, being one of the most T and has lots of historic pictures the Golf Club ezine. sought-after tournaments in the hanging on the walls. Member offers world, it’s time to start thinking ______This edition covers the Masters, about hopping across the pond. It’s The 300-me- handicaps and golfing at Wentworth. the first major of the year and cer- Magnolia Lane tre driveway up to the club- • Play a round on Augusta with a Further afield, I pick the best golf tainly the most difficult to get close house, lined with 61 magnolia Masters Champion courses on South Africa’s Garden to the players at. Route and Hawaii. trees. It’s both breathtaking • Watch the Masters for as little as and awe-inspiring. £3,300, including golf in the area The course, Augusta National, I’m the in-house golf pro at lifestyle and a show from a world-famous opened in 1933, and in 1934 the first trick shot specialist and PGA Pro concierge, and you can find out Playing statistics was held on • Hospitality package: stay in a fully more about me and read other golf the hallowed ground. Rather than a staffed house, have breakfast in articles at www.tenlifestyle.com. history lesson, I’m going to give you Low rounds 63 – Nick Price (1986); Greg the International Sports Manage- some lesser known facts and figures Norman (1996) ment house with the chance to to spark your interest. 62 – Donal Delahunt (1935) meet players; tickets to the Mas- ters, from Thursday to Sunday The course • Play a round directly after the Augusta National has returned to Most wins 6 – Jack Nicklaus tournament with a top Tour Pro number one on America’s Top 100 4 – Tiger Woods; or TV presenter Golf Courses list. Biggest win Eisenhower Tree The tree that the 12 strokes – Tiger Woods (1997) president wanted cut down because he hit it so often. It’s located on the On the 16th hole in 2004 Padraig Harrington got 17th, about 210 yards from the tee. Holes in ones a hole in one, followed by Kirk Triplett in the very next group. Ike’s Pond Before he was president, No player has ever won the Par 3 Contest on the Wednesday and gone on General Eisenhower took a stroll Par 3 to win the Masters in the same year. around the grounds and returned to

[email protected] 0845 020 5260 Handicaps Wentworth

Virtually ruining the tradition of This golf club offers a harmonious handicaps mix of history and technology ______

here’s a heated debate doing e have an association with Tthe rounds at the moment as to WWentworth in Surrey that al- whether one should join an actual lows our members access to one of Golf Club or if being a ‘virtual’ mem- the best golf facilities in the UK, if ber is acceptable. not the world.

The traditionalists are of the opinion that Wentworth is an amazing golf estate you should have an official handicap from that has hosted many of the top interna- a recognised golf club. And I don’t mean a tional tournaments. The World Match Play ‘virtual club’, but a proper establishment, with a was held here for many years. The West course clubhouse, bar, rules and a committee. This entitles you to an official Eng- annually hosts the BMW PGA Championship. The inaugural Curtis Cup was lish Golf Union handicap. They believe the handicap system in golf is what played on the East, which was also the setting for a match that evolved makes the game competitive to players of all levels, and I’m inclined to into the . agree. The Edinburgh is the newest addition to Wentworth’s portfolio, designed There are many valid reasons for the handicapping system, one of which by John Jacobs in consultation with and Bernard Gallacher. is to monitor playing ability, and have all amateur golfers on a level play- Winners on the course include some of golf’s great- ing field, which also keeps ‘ringers’ in their place. Another reason is that est ever players such as Gary Player, Ben Hogan, golf clubs pump hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of pounds into their Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, courses, only to have them ripped up by the few jokers who call them- , Greg Norman, Nick selves 24 handicappers. To put it in perspective, a golf purist once said Member offers Faldo, Ernie Els and Tiger Woods. to me: ‘You wouldn’t lend your Aston Martin to someone without a ______driver’s licence’ – good point! I played the Edinburgh, which is such • Membership of Wentworth, a good test of golf. There is no use The problem lies in the joining fee that many clubs want from their including preferential rates being a big hitter on this course; prospective members. Casual golfers of today have done the maths and introductions through you’ll run out of fairway on lots of and realised that if they only play 10 times a year, it works out much our Golf Club holes. Shaping shots and putting cheaper not to be a member. While this is correct, it means you do • Access to weekend tee-off yourself in the right spot is the not have an official handicap. times answer on the Edinburgh. • Preferential rates on green The bottom line is that to be a proper golfer who plays in tourna- fees The West is a true testament to ments (club or corporate) you should have an official EGU handicap, golf. As you play each hole, it feels which only comes from a registered physical club. There are many This is a wonderful opportunity as if you’ve just put the next piece of options for membership out there, including one that fits your golfing not to be missed; give us a call the puzzle together. If you don’t get budget. If you’re unsure where to start or what the alternatives are, do to enquire. it far enough down the fairways, you’ll give us a call. struggle with approaches. The par threes are manageable but with tricky greens.

[email protected] 0845 020 5260 The 13th is a great hole with no view of the green from the tee, but my fa- The Links is very tough – I’ve hit greens in regula- vourite is the 17th. I love long par fives and this one begs you to have a go. tion and struggled to make bogey. Be prepared The problem is, it’s monstrously long and coming up short leaves a tricky to lose a few balls, but it’s such an experience chip. It’s a genuine championship course that one should play as often as and well worth it. possible. There are two other brilliant Gary Player-de- The new Taylormade Institute, also at Wentworth, is the only one of its kind signed courses at Fancourt – Montagu and in the UK. This is a premier club fitting facility and we’d love to get you out Outeniqua. there to have a custom club fitting session and a round of golf. George Golf Course is my favourite in the There’s also the Tennis & Health Club, an option for non-golfers or for golf- country. It’s established, well-designed and ers who like to take a break from the green once in a while. There are 13 beautiful. It’s better value for money than a lot of outdoor courts of four different surfaces, indoor and outdoor heated swim- other courses in the area. ming pools, a fully equipped gym, a fitness and dance studio, a spa offer- ing a wide range of beauty and sports treatments, a crèche, and a café and Kingswood is a new course which borders George Golf Club. It was de- terrace for outdoor dining. signed by Sally Little, the famous South African pro. There are lots of bunkers lining the wide open fairways and not as many trees as other Wentworth is much more than just a golf course or two. You feel the history parkland-style courses. of the place, and yet it’s modern. Call us for 50 per cent off visitors’ fees. Simola is a relatively new course but has already been tipped as one of the ______best in the country. It’s the first Jack Nicklaus signature course on the Gar- den Route, which means he – rather than his company – designed it per- sonally. ‘I would rather go to Simola than heaven!’ was the comment from Jason Laidlaw, owner of a golf company in South Africa. Golf on the Garden Route You can also play at three-time Major winner Ernie Els’ first signature An insider guide to courses in South course, Oubaai. There are some breathtaking views on this course. Make Africa sure you take an extra club on the 17th – it plays longer than it appears. ______Pezula, on one of the Knysna Heads, has the most stunning views of any he Garden Route in South Africa course I’ve played in South Africa. Make sure you take your camera and Tstretches from Cape Town to Port enjoy the hang time your ball will get when hitting downhill on some of the Elizabeth. There is a lot on offer in cliff-hugging holes. this region, such as wine farms, great beaches, amazing hiking trails, whale If you’re in Plettenburg Bay, you can play at either Goose Valley or Plett watching and world-class golf courses. Country Club. Goose Valley is normally in better condition, but I far prefer The area around George has plenty of Plett Country Club. For layout and golf enjoyment, I recommend playing golf, with courses designed by Ernie Els, Plett if you only have time for one round. Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Peter Matkovich and . South Africa is a premier destination during the UK winter. We are cur- rently putting together a number of trips for our members. The flight is The Links at Fancourt has hosted the Presidents Cup, the Women’s World relatively long but once you are there the cost of living is inexpensive com- Cup and the SA Open. pared with Europe. Call your lifestyle manger to arrange a trip.

[email protected] 0845 020 5260 Hawaii Maui Kapalua has the Bay and Plantation courses, where the PGA Tour’s open- ing tournament is held. They are both great tracks and well worth playing. Where pros and locals go to play in While there, try playing Wailea Emerald and Old Blue, which are also very the Aloha State solid courses. ______Kauai olf is only one of the pleasures Poipu Bay is an awesome track, but when in Kauai you should play the GHawaii has to offer. There are public course, Wailua. All the pros in Hawaii play there when they go to more than 70 courses on the islands; Kauai – it’s a must. we’ve picked a few for your next trip that we feel deserve a special men- Big Island of Hawaii tion. Waikoloa Village golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The 6791-yard, par-72 course offers a blend of natural surroundings with all the O’ahu features one expects from the famous golf architect. A great feature is the ‘Ko’olau golf course cost millions to build in lava rocks lining the fairways. a tropical rainforest in the Ko’olau mountains, but the desired effect was achieved – the views are fantastic,’ comments Mark Makalei Golf Club is known as the course where the locals play. Don’t let Bednarcyk, a Hawaiian golf pro and close friend of mine. ‘However, because that lead you to believe it’s anything less than a wonderful course. There of the location it tends to rain a lot, so take wet weather gear.’ are views of the ocean everywhere; the most spectacular is at the The Palmer course at Turtle Bay is 15th, from which you can see another great place to play on Haleakala mountain across O’ahu. It hosts a PGA Tour the channel. More member offers seniors event, and the course ______is normally in really good There are many ways condition. to enjoy the islands of • 50 per cent off green Hawaii. You can take fees at Stoke Park Mid Pacific is the course a cruise and play golf • Membership discounts at of choice in the area. in each port, go on Stoke Park The course is brilliant honeymoon (when • Golf with Monty and it’s somewhere it would be best to • Golf with Retief Goosen you need to play in rent clubs) or book • Golf with Annika order to fully under- a getaway during the Sorenstam stand the beauty of the UK winter. • Golf at Loch Lomond island. • 50 per cent off club Call us to arrange the fitting ‘Waialae is where the PGA perfect holiday and let our • Golf in Dubai Tour’s Sony Open takes experts give you the insid- • Winter getaway specials place, but it’s overrated,’ says er’s guide to golf in Hawaii. Mark.

Photos © South African Tourism © Hawaii Tourism Authority/Kirk Lee Aeder © other sources

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