The European Tour, supported by The R&A and EDGA, has made a film that will “open the eyes” of everyone to the high standard of a generation of golfers with a disability now competing against each other internationally. It is hoped their story can be used to inspire greater understanding, inside and outside of golf, of how the sport can enrich the lives of those who have suffered illness or impairment. European Tour Productions has captured the quality of players who say they are ‘Golfers First’, as they compete in high-standard tournaments with the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA), in Europe and as far afield as Australia. Many of the players in the film are ‘single figure’ golfers who smash drives, swing irons and hole putts while having been challenged by a range of impairments. EDGA believes this short video and a longer 30-minute film should be seen by anyone interested in sport and health as it emphatically demonstrates that golf can offer great benefits to people with disability. The European Golf Association (EGA) gave full access for filming during its European Championship for Golfers with Disability (June 6-8), at the Troia Resort, Portugal. European Tour Productions filmed and spoke with many of the 75 players from 13 countries competing for three trophies in the men’s, women’s and wheelchair categories. In the short film, Holland’s Richard Kluwen who won the wheelchair category, says: “People look at it [disability sport]: it’s important to open the eyes and you can show them, it’s different yes, but we can play golf like anybody else.” In the longer film, you see Belgium’s Adem Wahbi (1.8 handicap) smash a drive before saying: “When I am on the golf course I don’t feel disabled. I just see in front of me, I don’t see down, I don’t see behind me, I just see the hole and that’s it.” Dutch player Monique Kalkman, a former gold medal winner and World Number One in Paralympic tennis, says: “Golf is like a therapy, but it doesn’t feel like a therapy because you’re playing a game. You find yourself confronting this piece of nature and trying to get the best out of you. The level of play has grown big time over the last couple of years.” EDGA spokesperson Sue Bennett said: “We are hugely grateful to our friends at the European Tour and The R&A for their support and the experience and technical excellence of the team making this film from European Tour Productions. We know they put in so much time to make this film work in both the shorter taster version and the full-length showing. A big thank you also to the European Golf Association for their great help.” “We are now asking all friends in the golf media to share this film because it shows how good these players are – which may surprise a few people – while it demonstrates the potential of the sport to positively change people’s lives.” You can watch the longer

With immaculate course conditions combined with stunning scenery and perfect temperatures, autumn is many golfers’ favourite season of the year, and guests can enjoy all three in abundance when booking a luxury golfing experience at the exclusive Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa in Andalucia, Spain. Renowned for its attention to detail, the deluxe venue is regarded among the finest resorts in the world and has an array of options for golfers to choose from before December 31, including stay-and-play packages, tuition breaks and play and dine experiences – with prices from €840 per person (approx £730) for a three-night break. Finca Cortesin became the first course in Spain to feature a new, environmentally-friendly type of Bermuda grass when the resort relaid all its putting surfaces last summer and, with the greens having fully settled and matured, its 18-hole championship course is now in prime condition. The resort’s desire to provide the ultimate customer experience has been rewarded with numerous honours over the last six months, including its prestigious Hotel Cortesin being crowned ‘Hotel of the Year – Overall’ by Preferred Hotels & Resorts and ‘Best Resort in Spain’ by the country’s Condé Nast Traveler magazine, and there has never been a better time for golfers to visit. Accommodation packages are available on a three-night, two-round and five-night, four-round basis, and feature golf on the resort’s Cabell Robinson-designed championship course – a three-time host of the Volvo World Match Play Championship. Players eager to learn and improve their swings can do so with Finca Cortesin’s three-night Jack Nicklaus Academy Package, which features six hours’ tuition including one playing lesson on the course, 18 holes of golf, an à la carte lunch for two in the clubhouse (drinks included) and a branded resort polo T-shirt and cap. Meanwhile, people with a taste for the finer things in life can mix world-class golf with Michelin-starred Japanese dining with the resort’s ‘Play & Dine Experience’, offering golfers the chance to combine a round of golf (including buggies) with dinner in its signature restaurant Kabuki Raw. All golf experiences include complimentary use of the driving range and a golf welcome gift, with the residential golf breaks featuring daily bed-and-breakfast accommodation in a Junior or Executive Suite. Freshly-picked flowers upon arrival, seasonal fresh fruit throughout their stay and complimentary access to the resort’s 2,200m² Spa and Beach Club are also included together with an optional complimentary facial diagnosis or corporal diagnosis and theopportunity to arrive early and check-out late. Opened in March 2006 and set across a vast 532-acre estate, Finca Cortesin’s 18-hole championship golf course moved into the top 20 of the Top 100 Golf Courses’ European rankings list after rising six places to 19th in this year’s list, while the resort was also named Spain’s ‘Most Hospitable Golf Club’ by users of respected website Leadingcourses.com last month. Designed by American Cabell Robinson, its championship has hosted numerous high-profile tournaments including the Volvo World Match Play Championship in 2009, 2011 and 2012. Complementing the

PGA Catalunya Resort near Girona, home to Spain’s No.1 course*, has been recognised by leading international trade publication Golf Inc. for its clubhouse renovation, becoming the first Spanish venue to win the category, which is often dominated by entries from the USA. Barcelona interior design guru Lázaro Rosa-Violán was commissioned to enhance the interior of the clubhouse as part of a three-year, €53 million investment programme, aimed at transforming the European Tour Destination into a world-leading luxury lifestyle estate. The result is a bold move away from traditional golf course clubhouses, whereby expansive glass walls and mirrors were used to create light-drenched spaces filled with natural tones of wood, leather, copper and the bright foliage of a legion of indoor plants. Natural materials complement the airy, modern feel of the new interior, playing contrast against clean lines of marble, white and charcoal grey surfaces to create a warm and inviting atmosphere with a bold edge. The judges at Golf Inc. commented: “Everything was done with taste and a touch of class. If you are a golf purist, don’t look any further… here is your new home. This timeless renovation will make the club a winner for many years to come.” David Bataller, Head of Golf at PGA Catalunya Resort, added: “The clubhouse is right at the heart of the golf experience, and this award demonstrates the level of time, care and resources we invest in that experience.” With a range of residential properties and two on-site hotels, PGA Catalunya Resort continues to evolve and develop its offering, building on its solid foundation of world-class golf. Nestled in the spectacular pine forests that sweep from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean on Spain’s Costa Brava, the expansive 300-hectare estate offers multiple dining options, state-of-the-art sport and leisure facilities, nature walks and bike rides, a new Forest Adventure Park and soon, a man-made recreational lake. Located within easy reach of the historic charm and Michelin-starred gastronomy of Girona, as well as the cultural vibrancy of Barcelona, PGA Catalunya Resort continues to establish itself as one of Europe’s premier luxury lifestyle destinations. www.pgacatalunya.com  

European Tour Properties has extended its portfolio of Destinations by welcoming Moscow Country Club as the 28th venue within their extensive network of world class venues. Situated only an hour outside of Moscow, the club features Russia’s first 18-hole championship course and will host the Staysure Tour’s VTB Russian Open Golf Championship (Senior) from August 17-19, 2018. The Country Club combines five-star hospitality with top-quality golf in a tranquil setting close to the Russian capital, and this new partnership extends the network to 28 venues within 21 countries, across three continents. The course itself was designed by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones II and is nestled within dense Russian forest of thick firs and birches, offering a fascinating landscape for any golfer. In addition to golf, Moscow Country Club features a five-star hotel, cottages and townhouses to rent throughout the year, and a choice of eight restaurants for guests to enjoy. With an indoor and outdoor pool, state-of-the-art gym, tennis courts and other leisure activities, the extensive facilities at Moscow Country Club make the venue a strong addition to European Tour Properties’ network. David MacLaren, Head of European Tour Properties, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Moscow Country Club as the 28th member of our network of world class venues and particularly pleased to welcome our first Destination in Russia. “Moscow Country Club is both a fine golf resort and an established tournament venue. Our other Venues are sure to welcome the further expansion of our network within key geographical locations worldwide. “In August, Moscow Country Club will host the VTB Russian Open Golf Championship on the Staysure Tour and we look forward to golfers from all over the world visiting our newest Destination.” Andrei Dukhovny, Director of the GlavUPDK affiliated Moscow Country Club, said: “We are very excited to be part of the European Tour Properties network. We are looking forward to working with their team and using their expertise to enhance our customers’ experience both on and off the course. “Moscow Country Club is a stand-out Russian golfing destination, with the Staysure Tour set to visit in August for the VTB Russian Open Golf Championship. “By becoming a European Tour Destination, we are hoping to grow even further and continue developing as a venue.” For more information, please visit: http://www.moscowcountryclub.ru/en/