2010 SPRING ISSUE 3.75 Incl. VAT - Backspin Golf Magazine

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continued... Our itinerary is framed by the courses we have come to prefer, by price, availability, and also by geography as our hideaway retreat in Praia das Machas, just beyond Sintra, is off the beaten track. It’s a quiet seaside village on the road to nowhere, blessed with outstanding value for money seafood restaurants, just two pubs - one of which we move into for the week - and a beautiful sandy beach where we confound locals by taking dips in the chill briny. Each morning, we depart with hope in our hearts, stopping off in Colares for breakfast, and return each evening, invariably humbled by our standard of play, ravenous. As soon as the wine is uncorked, breads dipped, and the fish on the grill, the talk always turns excitedly to the next day, the next challenge. It helps, that we’ve come up with a varied competition format for which there is a draw - always open and fair - each evening. Apart from our nine-hole scramble, the week-long championship consists of two rounds of singles and two rounds of blind better ball stableford, where your unknown partner is in the other threeball. We also play two rounds of a waltzing scramble, where one score counts on the 40 BACKSPIN OITAVOS DUNES first hole; two on the second hole and all three on the third. One, two, three, and so on. And we reserve the option for a midweek handicap review if one of us, or more, is struggling, which can often lead to a fair and frank exchange of opinions. There are 24 courses in the Lisbon region, most of them are outstanding, all are challenging. Over the years, we’ve sifted through them like a miner panning for gold. Top of the list are the trophy tracks, Penha Longa, Oitavos Dunes, Troia and Praia D'el Rey, each one an absolute gem. Of the four, Penha Longa, from the forward tees, probably offers the handicapper most respite. The toughest one? For me, it’s Oitavos Dunes, a beautiful beast which can bring anyone to their knees. Just check the scores by the professionals when the Portuguese Open was staged there. Ranking courses is tricky but the eccentric, charming, Estoril has become a permanent fixture as has undulating Belas. Both are handy runs from Praia das Macas. We usually allow for two trips across the Tagus which brings in 36-hole Aroeira, Quinta do Peru, Montado and the new kids on the block, Ribagolfe I and II and Santo Estevao. We played Santo Estevao for the first time last year and gave it the thumbs up, simply because we all broke 30 points. Who says a course has to be intimidating to be enjoyable? For six Dubs, all on the back nine of life, what seemed like a good idea six years ago has become a great one. In these difficult times, you need something to cling on to and, for us, our spring break in Portugal has become a comfort blanket. - PHILIP QUINN (Irish Daily Mail
DOM PEDRO HOTELS The Perfect 19th Hole Avital aspect of any golfing holiday is the quality of the accommodation and many Irish golfers visiting the Algarve will either have stayed at or certainly be familiar with the Dom Pedro Hotels, which are synonymous with top quality hospitality and an established part of Portuguese golfing life. Located in Vilamoura only minutes from Europe’s best golf courses, heavenly beaches, and Vilamoura’s Marina and Casino, the Dom Pedro Golf Resort is reborn after a refurbishment.The 266 rooms are now lighter and more comfortable, equipped with LCD television, air conditioning, and the Dom Pedro Collection amenities, as well as, of course, round the clock room service. A new catering concept was conceived, resulting in two restaurants: “Oliva”, comprised of “à la Carte” Mediterranean cuisine, and “White”, the new Buffet space. The Grill in the hotel gardens continues throughout the warmer months. Exterior renovations have created pleasant and modern areas with new swimming pools, new Kids Club and new SPA Aquae (equipped with an indoor pool, a cardio-fitness room, jacuzzi, sauna, and two treatment rooms). The new Dom Pedro Golf Resort and the nearby Dom Pedro Marina Hotel in Vilamoura are superbly situated with so many outstanding courses within a short distance, including the famous Old Course and the stunning Arnold Palmer designed Victoria course. Dom Pedro Hotels in the Algarve offer attractive golf packages and special deals at various stages during the year, while special discounts are available to hotel guests on selected Algarvian courses. Guaranteed tee times can be booked through the dedicated Dom Pedro golf desk. And, of course, the fashionable resort of Vilamoura - just 25km from Faro Airport - offers an abundance of entertaining nightlife including a casino and a yacht marina to make your Algarvian golfing vacation a memorable experience every time. FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT... www.dompedro.com Spa Aquae, Dom Pedro Golf Resort BACKSPIN 41
Page 1 and 2: 33-39 B'SPIN ANN 10 25/1/10 16:24 P
Page 3 and 4: EDITOR’S COMMENT... Front Cover A
Page 5 and 6: 12 BACKSPIN’S 2010 IRISH COURSE R
Page 7 and 8: Allow us to pamper and indulge you
Page 9 and 10: ...Lee Westwood...Ian Poulter...Mar
Page 11 and 12: ©PING 2009 WHICH NEW DRIVER FITS Y
Page 13 and 14: ©PING 2009 WHICH NEW IRON FITS YOU
Page 15 and 16: BACKSPIN’S 2010 VOTING PANEL Raym
Page 17 and 18: 5th 6th County Louth (Baltray) Roya
Page 19 and 20: Adare Druids Glen IRELAND’S TOP 3
Page 21: Superb service and great value is p
Page 24 and 25: “Tour Greens Europe created a per
Page 26 and 27: New academy concept a big winner at
Page 28 and 29: JUNIOR GOLF FOCUS Leinster coaching
Page 30 and 31: On these pages we feature an array
Page 32 and 33: Leinster U-13 Series Final ROWAN LE
Page 34 and 35: Just choose your preferred destinat
Page 36 and 37: Awonderful mix of golf courses, gre
Page 38 and 39: Lisboa Golf Coast Courses ESTORIL /
Page 40 and 41: IRISH GOLFERS...COME TO SESIMBRA En
Page 44 and 45: The ALGARVE offers a truly irresist
Page 46 and 47: Savour and adopt our unique lifesty
Page 48 and 49: TIVOLI CARVOEIRO 46 BACKSPIN Choosi
Page 50 and 51: Above: A fine study of Gary Murphy
Page 52 and 53: 2010 EQUIPMENT FOCUS Right: Lee Wes
Page 54 and 55: G15 DRIVER 52 BACKSPIN PING celebra
Page 56 and 57: NEWS Desk O PEOPLE * PLACES * EVENT
Page 58 and 59: PARTING SHOT from the Editor... Lin

2010 SPRING ISSUE 3.75 Incl. VAT - Backspin Golf Magazine

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