By Kent Gray
Given it opened in 1917 and closed its doors during WWII with the prime land on New York’s Long Island unceremoniously repurposed by the U.S. Navy, you may not be familiar with fabled Lido Golf Club. Know that it was the masterpiece of architect C.B. (Charles Blair) Macdonald and construction engineer Seth Raynor and considered, prior to the Depression anyway, to be one of the game’s most magnificent achievements. A faithful recreation is in build in Wisconsin but there is already a nod to the Lido open for play in Thailand. Ballyshear Links is the latest work of Gil Hanse, the American architect of Trump Dubai fame. The centrepiece of the newly redeveloped Ban Rakat Club, Ballyshear features the same 18 templates imagined into life by Macdonald and Raynor, each reinterpreted by Hanse and adapted to the landscape on the outskirts of Bangkok. The layout includes replicas of the famous Redan at North Berwick, the infamous Biarritz par-3 in southern France and the ‘Alps’ at Prestwick.

BE AT 1 SERIES:
Tame ‘Sea View’, stroke index 1 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Tame the 15th, stroke index 1, at The Els Club Dubai
Tame the 5th, stroke index 1, at Tower Links Golf Club
Tame the 15th, stroke index 1, at Yas Links Abu Dhabi
Tame the 7th, stroke index 1, at Dubai Hills Golf Club
Tame the 12th, stroke index 1, at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club
Tame the 13th, stroke index 1, at Al Zorah Golf Club
Tame the 10th, stroke index 1, at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club
Tame the 5th, stroke index 1, at Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Tame the 5th, stroke index 1, at Arabian Ranches Golf Club

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The post QUICKSHOT: Ballyshear Links appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Royal St. George’s is set to host The Open for the 15th time after the 149th edition was put on ice for 12 months 

By Kent Gray
After Hideki Matsuyama’s historic Masters moment, attention switches to the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island and this month’s U.S. PGA Championship. But for lovers of links golf and the glory of The Open, July can’t roll around soon enough. After being put on ice for 12 months due to COVID-19, the return to Royal St. George’s Golf Club for the 149th Open is palpably anticipated. The snow that blanketed Sandwich in early February will be gone but count on some sort of weather event playing its part in the outcome of the 2021 edition of the oldest – and grandest – major. Who will etch their name alongside J.H. Taylor, Harry Vardon (twice), Walter Hagan (twice), Henry Cotton, Bobby Locke, Sandy Lyle, Greg Norman and 2011 winner Darren Clarke (among others) as the ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’ at England’s first Open venue?

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The post QUICKSHOT: Royal St. George’s Golf Club appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
The pictures speak for themselves. The online reviews are glowing. The facilities world-class. But if you’re still not convinced The Öeschberghof is one of Germany’s leading golf destinations, lend Martin Kaymer your ear. The two-time major champion and former world No.1 has become an ambassador for the 45-hole resort after what was clearly an inspiring stay with his family at the 5-star facility in Donaueschingen in the Baar region of south-west Germany recently.

“The facilities are superb, from the golf courses and the academy to the restaurants and the impressive hotel. I immediately came to love everything here.” Opened in 1976 and constantly updated since, the resort now boasts two 18 hole courses, a nine-holer, indoor academy, 5000sq metre spa and four restaurants. They’re planning charity and junior tournaments with Kaymer’s help and interestingly a special programme inviting guests to learn how the European Tour star goes about his daily practice routine during the colder months. Few pros work as hard on their games as Kaymer and fewer still are as interesting as the three time Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner. Time to book a stay?

www.oeschberghof.com

The post QUICKSHOT: The Öeschberghof Golf Resort and Spa appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

An hour north of Barcelona, discover one of Spain’s finest golf resorts

By Kent Gray
The signature 13th hole on the dramatic Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya Resort in Spain is a stunning window to what has become one of Europe’s most desirable luxury golf destinations.

Opened in 1999 and a European Tour Destination like Emirates G.C., Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates, the Girona property offers 36-holes of golf (including the resort-style “Tour Course”), two hotels on site and even its own vineyard. The clubhouse was recently re-opened after a makeover by celebrated interior design guru Lázaro Rosa-Violán – a “bold move away from traditional golf course clubhouses” no less – which has upped the game for golfing foodies. Did we mention it is just 37 minutes from Barcelona by a new high-speed rail link, 20 minutes’ drive from the sandy beaches and rocky coves of the Costa Brava, and boasts one of the highest concentrations of Michelin starred restaurants in the world on its doorstep? What’s not to like?

pgacatalunya.com

The post QUICKSHOT: PGA Catalunya Resort appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.