The Confederation of Professional Golf’s key Championship events are hosted by some of the best golfing destinations in Europe, offering a variety of options for even the most discerning PGA Professionals.
Here IGPN looks at the hosts of the Associations three PGA Professional Championships and reveals more about what they have to offer…
Gloria Hotels & Resorts
International Team Championship & Annual Congress (8-11 December, 2015)
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W: www.gloria.com.tr E: info@gloria.com.tr T: +90 242 710 06 00 TW: @Gloriahotels |
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Belek, Turkey |
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Antalya Airport (AYT) |
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Belek is a year-round destination but October to May is the ideal time for golfers. Winters are mild and sunny – around 17°C – although you may need a jacket in the evenings. If you want your golf break to include some pool time, go between June and September, when temperatures can climb to 38°C. |
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Turkish Lira (Approx. 3.10 Lira to 1 Euro) |
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Citizens from various countries require e-Visas for permission to enter and move around Turkey. E-Visas can be bought online ahead of travel at www. evisa.gov.tr and fees vary according to country of travel document and type of travel document. Travellers must also carry a passport that is valid for 150 days minimum from the date of arrival in Turkey. (www.goturkey.com) |
Where the Mediterranean Sea and the river Acisu encounter, Gloria Hotels & Resorts inspire with their Five-Star Resorts in the sun-blessed and whole year destination Belek at the Turkish Riviera, which is only 30 kilometres away from Antalya airport.
“Unforgettable diversity, elegance and geniality” is the motto of the Gloria Hotels & Resorts, which comprises the facilities Gloria Golf Resort, Gloria Serenity Resort, Gloria Verde Resort, Gloria Villas and Gloria Golf Club. All sites are connected via a wonderful trail full of beautiful plants and trees with the beach.
Golfing all year round – in the Gloria Golf Club
Throughout the whole year Golf Club, the largest golf course of its kind in Turkey and the largest playing area of a hotel in Europe on 3.200 square meters, is the ideal place for some excellent golf.
The Gloria Golf Club has a total of 45 holes (two 18-hole championship courses, the “Old Course” and “New Course”, and one 9-hole academic course “Verde Course”) was designed by the renowned French golf course architect Michel Gayon. Here golfers find the perfect service: whether on the golf course, in the Club House, in the restaurant-bar, in the Pro-shop with well-known brands or individual oases of quietness.
Health at Gloria
Today, the hotel group keeps up with the times and launches new health programs: From purification via healthy sleep to right nutrition guests can find a wide selection in the new VITA by Gloria Cure & Care Centre. Next to therapeutic treatments new equipment for ultrasonic and electrotherapeutic procedures were installed – such as for the MBST® – Magnetic Resonance Therapy, which is an ideal alternative for osteoarthritis, arthropathy, brittle bones, sport injuries and osteomalacia.
The enchanting world of Spa & Thalasso
Gloria Hotels & Resorts Spa & Thalasso provide international brand products and engage professional SPA-therapists with international experiences, who offer relaxing and natural healing treatments with seawater, algae, slab and sea salt.
In addition to the first thalassic centre of the region, the Asklépion Spa & Thalasso of the Gloria Verde Resort, two further wellness areas are available for guests: the Serenity Spa of the Gloria Serenity Resort and the La Source Spa of the Gloria Golf Resort.
Gloria Sports Arena is open!
Europe’s largest private investment in sports – the Gloria Sports Arena – opened its doors on 30th December 2014! The arena offers modern technology and services to more than 50 indoor and outdoor sports across a 105,000 sqm Sports Medicine and Athletic Performance Center.
The Özaltin Holding group has invested more than 50 million Dollars for this huge project. The Gloria Sports Arena – a cradle for many Olympic sport disciplines – will be the new landmark for the sport tourism of Turkey and thus will change the image of Antalya as a true golfing and soccer destination.
Lumine Mediterránea Beach Club & Golf Community
Golfbreaks.com Fourball Championship (10-12 February, 2016)
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W: www.lumine.com E: golf@lumine.com T: +34 977 129070 TW: @LumineGolf |
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Tarragona, Costa Daurada, Spain |
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Reus Airport (REU)
Barcelona El Prat (BCN) |
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Costa Daurada is graced with a quintessentially Mediterranean climate, marked by mild winters and warm summers with little rain. The region’s mountainous geography likewise contributes to its stable climate, making it an optimum place to enjoy outdoor activities all year long. Average temperatures range from approximately 14º in winter to between 21º and 29º in summer. |
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Euro |
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Costa Daurada is a coastal region at the southern tip of Catalonia. Its capital is Tarragona and it is divided into six counties with a total of 131 towns. With an area of 2,999 square kilometres, it forms, along with Terres de l’Ebre, the province of Tarragona, which, along with Lleida, Girona and Barcelona, is one of the four provinces of Catalonia. (www.costadaurada.info) |
Just 40 minutes south of Barcelona or a 15-minute transfer from Barcelona’s Reus airport, golf in the Costa Daurada remains something of a well-kept secret. The renowned ‘Golden Coast’ already has some seriously good golf, including the Greg Norman-designed course at the 36-hole venue LUMINE Mediterránea Beach & Golf Club in Vila-Seca/La Pineda Platja – a state-of-the-art Spanish resort that is fast gaining a reputation for being one of Europe’s premier golfing destinations.
With a broad variety of attractions, including 45-holes of championship golf, a variety of hotel options to suit all budgets, a first-class events and conference centre, restaurants serving modern Mediterranean cuisine and a magnificent Beach Club, LUMINE offers a luxurious haven in which to unwind and get away from the stresses of daily life.
45-Holes of Golfing Paradise
LUMINE is a true golfing haven, with 45-holes that offer a wide-variety of challenges for players of all skill levels. With Troon Golf at the helm alongside dedicated staff, guests are guaranteed pristine course conditioning, smooth and fast greens alongside first-class service and hospitality. The three LUMINE courses are the first in Spain to be awarded the Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary Certificate, regarded worldwide as the kite mark for the most environmentally aware leisure developments.
The centre, previously base to their official winter training camps, has received rich praise from the Austrian and Finnish Golf Federation’s elite squads and is a popular choice for PGA Professionals leading group training.
Aprs Golf
Once you step off the final green a wealth of world-class facilities await, including two fully equipped clubhouses and the luxurious LUMINE Beach Club. Situated on 1km of golden Spanish beach and pine-clad hillside above the sweeping bay of Tarragona’s Playa Del Llarga, it offers the perfect mix of style, relaxation, excitement and fine dining. With nine swimming pools laid out on a series of terraces with luxury beds and loungers, this has become a fashionable venue for a young crowd as well as families and couples.
Surrounding Region and Attractions
The Costa Daurada region is brimming with leisure, cultural and historic attractions. Spain’s largest theme park and one of country’s biggest entertainment attractions, PortAventura, lies just 5km away.
To the north lies the Priorat wine region, the birthplace of exquisite reds that many wine writers and collectors consider to be Spain’s most elite. The historic town of Tarragona is also just a 15-minute drive from LUMINE. With 2,200 years of history and a Roman heritage preserved in dozens of monuments and architectural remains, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Essential Roman highlights include the Amphitheatre, the Circus depicting the route of early chariot racing, a one-kilometer stretch of original walls and fortifications from the 2nd Century BC, and a temple with its surviving portico.
If it’s bustling nightlife or seaside sophistication you are looking for, then the choice is yours; with both the busy resort of Salou and the more peaceful marina port of Cambrils just a few minutes’ drive away.
Pravets Golf & Spa Resort
UniCredit PGA Professional Championship of Europe (14-17 October, 2015)
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W: www.pravets-golfclub.com E: info@pravets-golfclub.com T: +359 882 550813 TW: @PravetsGolfClub |
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Pravets, Bulgaria |
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Sofia Airport (SOF) |
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Sofia has a humid continental climate with an average annual temperature of 10.2 °C (50.4 °F). Winters are cold and snowy. In the coldest days temperatures can drop as low as -15°C or even lower, most notably in January. In summer, Sofia is often subjected to heat waves with high temperatures reaching or exceeding 35°C in the hottest days, particularly in July and August. (Source: http://wikitravel.org) |
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Bulgarian Lev (Approx. 1.96 Lev to 1 Euro) |
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Pravets is a town in the Pravets Municipality in central western Bulgaria, located approximately 60 km from the capital Sofia. Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital and its largest city. Founded thousands of years ago, today the city continues to develop as the country’s cultural and economic center. At present, the city has a population of 1,250,000. (Source: http://bulgariatravel.org) |
Pravets Golf Club
Pravets Golf Club offers a Peter Harradine designed 18-hole, par 72, Championship golf course and a state-of-the-art golf academy with an extensive practice area. This parkland style golf course boasts spectacular views of the local mountains and lake, framed by the impressive RIU Pravets Resort hotel.
The par-three eighth hole, played as the 17th during the UniCredit PGA Professional Championship of Europe, is the signature hole with its challenging island green. The 9th and the 18th greens are united in one double green, alike the well-known features of the Old Course in St Andrews.
The modern clubhouse is situated on the south side of the Pravets Lake and perfectly complements the splendid picturesque mountain scenery, just a step away from the double green of the 9th and 18th hole. The unique terrace of the Panorama restaurant gives patrons a beautiful view of the parkland style course.
The Pravets Golf Academy is one of the best-designed learning facilities in Europe. The club’s coaching facilities are state-of-the-art and offer covered and uncovered practice range bays, a dedicated short game area and teaching studios.
Hotel RIU Pravets Resort Golf & Spa
Hotel RIU Pravets Resort is located 50 km away from Sofia – easily accessible, only 45 minutes drive on Hemus highway and yet distant enough from the daily stress of the big city. The hotel provides a quiet and cozy atmosphere for relaxation or work, and offers its guests breathtaking views of the lake and the golf course, as well as the picturesque slopes of Stara Planina.
The hotel has a total of 242 units offering all features and services to satisfy the most demanding requirements of the leisure and business traveler.
The “Hunters’“ and “Panorama” restaurants give guests the opportunity to enjoy fine dining through a sophisticated international menu, game specialties and exquisite desserts.
For those who appreciate good wine, the hotel has its own sommelier who has prepared an excellent international selection of white and red wines.
The proximity of Pravets Sports Complex (with multifunctional sports hall, 3 football fields, 4 basketball and volleyball playgrounds and 3 tennis courts) is a great opportunity for camping and training of sport teams.
Hotel guests can enjoy their coffee or cocktail by the open air Olympic-size swimming pool during the day or some quality time in the lobby bar, the piano bar or the bowling centre in the evenings.
Spa Facilities:
The SPA collects the best of the past and ultra- modern technology and occupies an area of nearly 3000m2. It will offer you a unique combination of cutting-edge and classic relaxation techniques. Incredible variety of procedures and individual programs supported by ultra modern facilities will satisfy every customer.
For more information on the Association’s tournament and education events visit cpg.golf/event
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