With mild temperatures all year round, it goes without saying that Mallorca in the Balearic Islands is one of the best spots in Europe to play golf. Mallorca is home to a number of stunning golf courses with an excellent range of accommodation and restaurants to match.
Cut into the gently undulating hills in the outskirts of Palma, Son Muntaner is a picturesque and thoroughly rewarding golf course.

As part of the Arabella Golf Resort, Son Muntaner is the ideal addition to a golfing itinerary in Mallorca.

Thanks to its convenient location and close proximity to the island’s capital, avid golfers can explore Palma’s awe-inspiring architecture, such as the vast gothic-style cathedral, La Seu, tree-lined shopping boulevards, enchanting cobbled streets and excellent cuisine, after finishing a round at Son Muntaner.

www.illesbalears.travel

Your Golf Travel offers a three-night stay at Castillo Hotel Son Vidain Mallorca, including two rounds at Son Vida, Son Muntaner or Son Quint golf courses, priced from £659pp (based on October 2021 departures). The offer is ABTA and ATOL protected.

PRESS RELEASE C/O LOTUS
IMAGES C/O IAGTO

-Sir Nick Faldo announces a new lake peninsula design in spectacular setting near Hanoi-

(Windsor, UK – 23rd March 2021)
Sir Nick Faldo has revealed his latest golf course design with a new peninsula layout near Hanoi, Vietnam – Thanh Lanh Golf Club – wowing golfers with lakeside views and mountain horizons.

The unique setting is celebrated from all angles of the design with the site’s returning nines routing reimagining the peninsula layout and inviting the landscape into the playing experience across every hole.

Away from the surrounding views, the design harnesses the natural context of the course and responds to it through the detailing of features, most notably using unique bunker shaping to mirror the overlooking mountain skyline.

Having recently adapted to remote working and virtual design direction in the latter stages of construction, the six-time Major Champion and World Golf Hall of Famer is set to complete work this summer on the new 18-hole course in Vinh Phuc Province near Hanoi.

Sir Nick Faldo commented: “This is a special site and presents us with an opportunity to create a memorable, world-class golf course. In addition to 9 lakeside holes, our design features spectacular mountain and lake views from all 18 holes. We are also very fortunate to be working with a client who shares the same vision as we do in terms of incorporating the existing natural landscape into a high-quality strategic golf course and development.”

The course will measure at over 7,000 yards and present a strategic challenge using preserved local features, such as natural streams and relief, to create interest and shot variation around all 18-holes. However, with five sets of tees, the design offers an inviting playing experience for all golfing abilities with generous tee shots and downhill run offs supporting shorter hitters.

Inspired by the local surroundings, Faldo Design Lead Architect, Andrew Haggar, said: “From the start of design to the completion of construction we have looked to be creative and innovative on this project. Establishing returning nines which both play out and back, and which share in the beauty of the lakeside, really set the foundation for maximising the site’s surrounding assets.”

“The closing stretch, I think quite fittingly, encompasses much of what we’ve tried to achieve by returning players along the shoreline of the lake to the new clubhouse with a magnificent mountain backdrop. This place certainly has memorability and once visited players will definitely want to return.”

Sustainable practices have also remained at the forefront of the design’s decision making, implementing a comprehensive planting programme to support an ongoing thriving environment in addition to the ‘cut and fill’ practice used during the course’s construction phases to eliminate any earthmoving waste at the site.

PRESS RELEASE C/O Performance54

Iceland has not required those with immunity to undergo border measures. From 18 March this exemption will apply to citizens outside the Schengen area, including the UK and USA.

The Icelandic government has announced that all those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to travel to Iceland without being subject to border measures,

such as testing and quarantine. Until now, this exemption has only applied to those presenting certificates from the EU/EEA Area but will now apply equally to everyone who can provide proof of a full vaccination with a vaccine that has been certified for use by the European Medical Agency as well as requirements defined by the Chief Epidemiologist of Iceland and Icelandic regulations. Certificates from the the World Health Organization (WHO) (the International Certificate of Vaccination or the Carte Jaune/Yellow Card) are also accepted for vaccines the WHO has validated.

The exemption also applies to those who can provide valid proof of prior infection. Documentation on prior infections must be in accordance with the requirements defined by the Chief Epidemiologist.

Iceland has announced that from 1 May it will use the ECDC risk assessment colour code at the border. From that time travellers from low-risk areas (green and yellow) will be exempt from quarantine measures if they present a negative PCR result at the border.

No one is at this time hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Iceland.

PRESS RELEASE C/O IAGTO

Following a recent government announcement, golf courses in Northern Ireland will reopen from 1st April for members only.

Courses have been closed since December and the initial opening will be available for members only and further details on when visitors can play are due to be issued in April.

Dates for hospitality reopening is pending and Tourism NI will provide updates when more information becomes available.

PRESS RELEASE C/O IAGTO

Following a recent government announcement, golf courses in Northern Ireland will reopen from 1st April for members only.

Courses have been closed since December and the initial opening will be available for members only and further details on when visitors can play are due to be issued in April.

Dates for hospitality reopening is pending and Tourism NI will provide updates when more information becomes available.

PRESS RELEASE C/O IAGTO

GreenClub has called upon a renewable energy expert to drive its Australian ambitions.
Sydney-based Trevor Eisler is formerly national technical service manager at Solarwatt and has enjoyed a long and successful career in energy and aviation before working as a renewable energy consultant for the past year.

But as the new Australia business manager, he has become the latest impressive acquisition to the GreenClub ranks – the company which builds partnerships with golf and leisure venues to generate their own energy from on-site solar installations. The added attraction is that there is no capital outlay for the installation process.

Launched late last year, GreenClub is already in talks with more than 100 golf clubs and venues eager to reduce energy costs and generate vital new revenue streams in progressing towards carbon neutrality. As a principal partner of the PGA, Open Championship and Ryder Cup venues have already expressed a keen interest with many more potential projects due to come on stream this year.

But with 1500 golf clubs and resorts Down Under, there is also a wealth of opportunities and a real prospect of transforming their energy usage.

Eisler said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me and I felt there was a real credibility and strength about this proposition when I first heard about it. Solar and renewable energy is a sector where I have spent most of my career and GreenClub presents the chance to demonstrate its adaptability to golf and leisure venues.

“As we know, there is no capital outlay for the installation and there is the opportunity to make extra revenue with the sale of surplus energy. I believe this could transform the way golf and leisure venues look at renewable energy.
“It’s not about chasing the dollars for me. If I wanted to do that, I would be staying as a consultant. It’s more about getting up every day and being excited about what you do and feeling like you are involved with something which can make a real difference.”

Chief executive, Liam Greasley, believes

Eisler’s specific expertise in solar power and renewable energy will be a vital addition to the business.

Greasley said: “We were introduced to Trevor and we are delighted he has agreed to represent our interest in Australia to kick things off over there. His background is specifically in solar and renewable energy and is incredibly well-respected. That sort of expertise will be a major asset for us.
“We have already been introduced to a number of properties which are keen to explore our proposition.”

As well as the addition of a new element of Australian focus, the GreenClub message continues to spread in the UK, Europe and beyond with Greasley fronting a presentation at the recent European Tour Destinations conference on practical resort sustainability.
Greasley said: “We’ve already fielded plenty of interest on the back of the conference. It was really worthwhile to be able to explain a little more about our ambitions and hopefully it’s a first step towards some beneficial partnerships.”

For more information, please visit www.greenclub.energy, email info@greenclub.energy or call 0800 999 1904.

Stay in touch on social media:
Facebook: @GreenClubenergy
Twitter: @GreenClubenergy

PRESS RELEASE C/O The Azalea Group

Membership revenue was up among 80% of respondents in 2020, with membership retention being the number one priority for 2021

Despite the majority of clubs being closed to visitors for more than three months, 40% reported an increase in green fee revenue

55% of all respondents saw double digit growth in rounds, with 33% reporting that rounds were up significantly in 2020

Technology plays a vital role for golf club managers as clubs report a huge jump in online bookings and payments

The date is set for golf’s return in England and golfers and golf clubs alike are looking forward to 29 March. But what has the true impact of Covid-19 been on club operations and golfer behaviour? The results of a comprehensive survey of golf clubs in the UK and Ireland by technology provider BRS Golf by GolfNow highlights the effects of Covid-19 on revenue, membership and attitudes to technology among golf club managers.

Membership momentum
Despite a challenging and volatile year, golf club operators are optimistic about what lies ahead. Membership was by far the biggest growth area in 2020, with 80% of respondents reporting their membership revenues are up, and 35% reporting it has increased dramatically. In fact, 11% said they had surpassed their membership capacity and had to introduce a waiting list.

The adult male category made up 66% of all new members last year, while adult women were the third largest segment (13%). Clubs also reported increases among junior, juvenile, student and flexible/lifestyle members, together making up 21% of new memberships.

Clubs say the renewed interest in golf and club membership from new and returning golfers in 2020 following the spring lockdown is a huge opportunity for the game to diversify and appeal to young people and women.

When asked about critical elements in 2021 to ensure sustainability, the majority of clubs cited new membership retention as the number one priority. Many comments referenced the importance of member engagement in 2021, especially as life returns to normal and pre-Covid team sports participants decide where to spend their time and money.

A member-owned club in Midlothian, Scotland, said their key priority for 2021 was:
“Maintaining membership of new members in 2020 who started golfing at the expense of football, rugby and other team games.”

The summer surge
A summer surge in membership revenue and member and visitor rounds followed a spring golf season that will go down in history as the worst ever experienced in the UK & Ireland.

Among respondents 60% of clubs reported being closed to members for three months or more, 84% were closed to visitors three months or more and 86% were closed to members’ guests three months or more.

Most clubs in Wales and Scotland reported courses only being closed 1-2 months, while in Ireland and Northern Ireland 83% of facilities were closed for more than three months.

Despite these closures 40% of clubs reported an increase in visitor green fee revenue last year. 55% of all respondents saw double digit growth in rounds across all golfer types, with 33% reporting that rounds were up significantly in 2020. Countries benefitting the most with double-digit growth in rounds are those in England (+57%), Scotland (+72%) and Northern Ireland ( +50%). Wales (+37%) and Ireland (+45%) saw some recovery after the first four months, but at a lower rate. This is doubtless due to additional lockdown closures in Wales and Ireland.

The move online
The move to digital happened at light speed. It required generations of golfers to embrace online technologies and with it the benefit of knowing their next round was booked in a safe and convenient way.

It was the bottom 25% of courses who previously had the lowest usage of online bookings that made the biggest leaps into technology adoption. The lowest quartile of clubs saw just 6% of their 2019 rounds booked online – this leapt to 60% of rounds by autumn 2020.

The technologically proficient, or highest quartile clubs who were already fully committed to online booking pre-Covid, only saw slight changes in booking behaviours.

The vast majority, 76% of respondents, are anticipating pre-round contactless transactions are here to stay after Covid-19 has passed. The necessity of online booking has created a massive change in culture, moving mainly from walk-in bookings and cash/card payments to primarily online. This was a sea-change not only for the golfers, but for the staff as well.

The number of clubs placing a ‘very high priority’ or ‘high priority’ on technology almost doubled from just 37% in 2019 to 67% in 2020.

Hardest hit areas
Unsurprisingly the wedding and events business, society and competitions and food & beverage segments were deemed hardest hit by respondents.

81% said clubhouse F&B was down dramatically, while 70% reported a dramatic decline in weddings and events and 64% said society and open competitions were down significantly over last year.

Clubs with a higher reliance on corporate and society business reported total revenues were down from June through to September. 16% of respondents had more than 100 bookings cancelled. 69% of clubs that reported total revenues up in peak summer (June-September) had less than 50 bookings cancelled.

The return of travel?
Only 26% of all clubs reported that travel and overseas visitors are moderately to extremely important to their club. Travel-focused courses that would traditionally see a larger income from overseas visitors are, understandably, not yet optimistic about the return of visitor rounds in the first half of 2021. Only 16% stated they were extremely or very optimistic that the travel business would return soon.

Future opportunities
Working remotely received the highest agreement among golf club managers, with 71% identifying this as a key opportunity for the industry. Fewer days (if any) commuting to the office and no worries about sneaking past the boss when leaving early offer new-found flexibility for the office workforce.

“Golf in England has been handed a get out of jail free card- it is up to all of us to use it wisely and ensure that the benefits of Golf: Exercise, Activity, Camaraderie, Competitiveness are promoted heavily by the Governing bodies, Courses and Members. It is a fantastic opportunity for Golf to shed its stuffy image and embrace change to maximise the interest in Younger Members and Women in general. The stale, male & pale image could be a thing of the past within 5 years if we get it right.” – Operator from Privately-owned course in England

Meanwhile 67% highly agreed that future investments in technology will help courses capitalise on the consumer’s adoption of making pre-payments. If it is easy and convenient to get to the golf course, then golfer participation patterns will become more ingrained with new-found freedom.

Other critical elements for success in the coming year for club managers were: member retention, course maintenance, the delivery of the vaccine and the ability to open the club house safely. 87% of respondents reported that all or part of the clubhouse has been closed and for revenues to bounce back, food & beverage offerings are key.

Who was surveyed?
The 2020 Golf Operation Impact survey was fielded to the BRS Golf Business database of customers and prospects from 10-20 December 2020. The survey invitation was sent to over 2,237 golf course operators and managers, 1,160 viewed the survey and 217 participants completed the 15–19-minute, 30 question survey.

PRESS RELEASE C/O GOLF NOW