Golf Resorts International » Resorts : Europe

Slieve Donard, Ireland

GRI — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:00:04 +0000

Slieve Donard resort and spa, after recent refinements, has ensured that it is now the most luxurious destination in all of Ireland. All 178 rooms are decorated in beautiful, traditional styles with modern comforts accompanied by some of the most spectacular views of the magnificent mountains and coastline. The Victorian construction is over a century old and is immensely packed with character. The resort is located next to the Royal Country Down along the Mourne Mountains and rugged coastline and has a newly completed world-class spa.

Set against the backdrop of the spellbinding Mountains of Mourne, the Championship golf course appears to be heaven sent for golf, as there are few more incredible places to enjoy the game. Designed by Old Tom Morris, the course is remains etched on the list of the most desirable courses anywhere in the world. As Open championship legend and links golf master Tom Watson once said, “It is a tremendous test of golf and the outward half, especially, is just as fine a nine.”

St. Andrews, Scotland

GRI — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:00:52 +0000

Known as the Home of Golf, it is every golfer’s dream to walk on St Andrews Links. The courses offer a landscape of infinite variety and have been a playing field for the sport for over 600 years, but have been evolving into the game we know today, all the while. The seven St Andrews Links courses are open to the public so that all players may follow in the footsteps of the legends of the game. Many notable players and legends have walked these greens, including Old Tom Morris and Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. The hotel makes use of 144 spacious rooms including 35 suites and borders the 17th ‘Road Hole’ of the world famous Old Course in St Andrews. The majority of the suites have private balconies with postcard views of the Old Course as well as the town of St Andrews.

Beginning and ending in town, the Links Old Course still stands today as the oldest course in the world, yet has evolved over time and remains a true test of championship golf. Considered one of St Andrews’ best-kept secrets, the New Course is said to be a star that shines with its own degree of brilliance. The Links five other courses, including the Jubilee Course, the Eden Course, the Strathtrum Course, the Balgove Course, and the Castle Course total to 99 holes of golf, five 18 hole and one 9 hole course. Today, St Andrews in committed to the maintenance and preservation of the historic Links for future generations in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner – an important quality for 600-year old manicured land.

Gleneagles, Scotland

GRI — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:23:01 +0000

As one of Scotland’s most luxurious 5 star resorts and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Gleneagles is set on 850 acres of Perthshire countryside and is the home to three of the top Scottish Championship Golf Courses as well as a wide range of exhilarating outdoor leisure activities. Throughout the hotel, one finds the finest of comforts, including elegant restaurants, luxurious rooms and a calming, spacious environment. The resort spa takes a holistic approach to healing as it combines modern techniques with ancient therapies from around the world.

The Gleneagles Hotel and Resort also offers the chance to play on three of the finest championship golf courses in Scotland. Whether you are a leading pro or an enthusiastic beginner, the Gleneagles Golf Course presents its players with an exhilarating test for golfers of all skill levels alike. With a design inspired by world famous golfers James Braid and Jack Nicklaus, golf at Gleneagles is a refreshing blend of both natural experience and golfing adventure as the courses are each masterpieces in and of themselves.

Druids Glen, Ireland

GRI — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:32:31 +0000

Often referred to as “The Augusta of Europe,” Druids Glen is the leading golf course in Wicklow where both the flora and fauna of the Glen provide a beautiful, colorful background for a magnificent golf course. In this magical space, forests and streams provide a haven for wildlife in what was once home to the Druids. As an ideal location for a Dublin golfing holiday, Druids Glen acquires its name from a stone alter of pre-Christian worship, which was discovered during the construction of the course in the thickly forested area overlooking the 12th green. A Druid still stands proudly at the site as a reminder of the Glen’s history.

Designed by duo Pat Rudy and Tom Craddock, the classic parkland course features many signature holes and provides golfers with a thrilling, yet refreshing playing experience amidst a beautiful landscape – one of the many reasons Druids Glen is considered a top golf resort in Ireland as it was honored with the European Golf Course of the Year award in 2000-01. Home of the Irish Open from 1996-99, Druids Glen has played host to many of the world’s great golfers, including Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, and Seve Ballesteros, among many others. Quite simply, there are few words for the beauty and color in the green and floral landscapes captured by the layout of this magnificent course.