(SUN VALLEY, Idaho) – Sun Valley Resort is applying the finishing touches on what promises to be the most eventful golf season in the iconic resort’s illustrious existence. The award-winning Trail Creek Course is scheduled to open May 15, and the much-anticipated first nine holes of the White Clouds Course are in the final grow-in phase and remain on schedule to open this summer.

In addition to the Donald Knott-designed White Clouds Course – an “Alpine links” design with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valley below – Sun Valley also will unveil a 25-acre practice facility, 18-hole putting course named Sawtooths (patterned after the Himalayas putting course at St. Andrews), a 54,000-square-foot clubhouse, and the Sun Valley Music Pavilion that will cater to the area’s thriving arts scene.

“We’re always excited for the start of golf season here at Sun Valley Resort, but this year brings a great deal more excitement, of course, because of all the additions and enhancements,” says General Manager Wallace Huffman. “While early-season guests will enjoy the challenges of our Trail Creek Course, we’re only a few months away from introducing a brand-new, enhanced golf experience.”

Trail Creek Course – named after the creek that traverses the course seven times – is a parkland-style design with narrow fairways bordered by beautiful Cottonwood trees. Originally opened in 1937, the course was redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Knott, his lead architect, in 1978-79.

Nearly 30 years later Knott, now heading up the Knott, Brooks, Linn Golf Course Design Group of California, returned to Sun Valley to create the White Clouds Course, which complements the original 18-hole course that rests in the valley below. The White Clouds Course has an anticipated opening date of Aug. 1 and boasts breathtaking views and striking elevation changes.

Golfers looking for immediate satisfaction can experience the Trail Creek Course and enjoy early-season green fees of $89 for 18 holes and $58 for nine holes through June 1.

For golfers needing to tweak their games at the start of the season, Sun Valley offers full swing and short game spring clinics May 15 through June 15. The clinics are scheduled weekdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m. An all-season two-day school also will be taught by PGA Professional Doyle Corbett. For enrollment and more information, please call 208-622-2251 .

Sun Valley Resort’s “Spring Golf Package” includes 18 holes of golf and one night’s lodging for $120 per person double occupancy and runs through June 1. For reservations please call 800-786-8259 .

For more information about Sun Valley Resort call 800-894-9941 or visit www.sunvalley.com.

About Sun Valley Resort
There can only be one original ski resort and since 1936 Sun Valley has held that distinction. Born out of a desire to bring the mystique of the European ski resorts to America, Sun Valley quickly became a phenomenon without peer on this continent or any other.

America’s first destination resort, where the world’s first chairlift was engineered, Sun Valley was built to enchant the nobility and celebrity of the day. Today the patina of old world charm blends beautifully with everything modern, easily accessible with non-stop daily air service.

Originated in 1936 by Union Pacific Railroad, Sun Valley is located in the Northern Rockies region of south central Idaho and is open year-round with four distinctly beautiful seasons. There are more outdoor recreations here than any other destination resort in the U.S.

Sun Valley Resort is privately owned by the R. Earl Holding family, owners of Sinclair Oil Corporation. Sister properties include Snowbasin Ski Resort, Grand America Hotel, Little America Hotel and Towers, all SLC, UT., Westgate Hotel, San Diego, CA, Little America Flagstaff, AZ, Little America, WY, and Little America, Cheyenne, WY.

Kenya is safe to visit, renowned British supermodel Naomi Campbell has told foreign tourists. 

Naomi Campbell said contrary to reports in the international press regarding the security situation in Kenya , she had proved for herself that peace and tranquillity had returned to the country.  

“Many people dissuaded me from coming to Kenya , saying the country was not yet safe to visit. But I insisted that I would come and here I am. I feel quite safe. I didn't feel anything different from the way I have felt during my previous visits. There is tranquillity here. People should not shy away from visiting Kenya ,” she said.

Ms Campbell, who is on Easter holiday in Malindi, told journalists at the exclusive Lion in the Sun beach resort, which is owned by her former boyfriend and Italian billionaire, Mr Flavio Briatore, that she would bring major investments to Kenya. 

Ms Campbell said the country had a lot to offer to the world, adding that life in Kenya was natural and beautiful.

Saying Kenya was a great country, she said she would market it for its tourism. She was accompanied by Malindi MP Gideon Mung'aro during the interview. 

Ms Campbell said Lion in the Sun and her business partner, Mr Flavio Briatore, will undertake several corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes in the country.

Mr Mung'aro praised the international model for choosing Kenya , and Malindi in particular, to spend her Easter holiday, saying this would encourage other celebrities to visit the tourist haven in future. 

Ms Campbell came to Malindi in a chartered plane on Good Friday and staid there for a week.

PORTUGAL Madeira Island Open BPI 20/03/2008

There were also the British who introduced the Golf in Madeira , creating in 1937 its first field of nine holes designed by two of its members, the brothers Miles.

Designed originally by Trent Jones, meanwhile had some changes in its route, and now a par 72, about 6000 meters long. Built to 700 feet high, has panoramic views of incomparable beauty Machico on the edge of St. Lawrence and Desertas.

aniel Vancsik of Argentina completed an emphatic maiden European Tour victory at the Madeira Islands Open BPI with a fantastic final round performance at the Santo da Serra Golf Club to record the largest winning margin of 200

Portugal Golftrotter reporting. link

Lire sur le parcours de Santo da Serra. http://www.santodaserragolf.com

PORTUGAL Open 03/04/2008   

The Quinta da Marinha routing is a continuous loop of holes, nine out nine in, similar to linksland courses in Scotland . The sequence is an undisturbed golf experience from start to finish. Distant views of the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby Sintra mountain are distinguishable from every hole. We are proud to say that each hole contributes to a cohesive statement and unique golf experience that know as Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe.

It's for that what 2008 Portugal Open takes place here.

Portugal Golftrotter reporting. link

About Quinta da Marinah http://www.quintadamarinha-oitavosgolfe.pt/

KOREA Ballantines Championship 13/03/2008

Homegrown hero KJ Choi, British Open champion Padraig Harrington and World Cup winner Colin Montgomerie will headline a stellar field at the inaugural Ballantine's Championship in Korea in March.The illustrious trio will be joined in the US$2.8 million showpiece by fast-rising American-Korean star Anthony Kim and newly crowned Asian Tour Order of Merit  Liang Wenchong. The Ballantine's Championship, which will be held at Pinx Golf Club on the picturesque island of Jeju from March 13-16, is the first European Tour event to be held in Korea and is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Korea PGA.

Korea Golftrotter reporting coming soon.

About event www. ballantineschampionship .com/

MALAYSIA Maybank Open 06/03/2008   

The Malaysian Golf Association is pleased to announce thatthe 2008 Maybank Malaysian Open will be held at Kota Permai G & CC. The premier evant is part of the European Tour and offers prize money of USD$2 million. The 2007 winner was Peter Hedblom and he will meet 2004 and 2005 winner Thonqchai Jaidee.

Malaysia Golftrotter reporting. link
About event : http://www.maybankmalaysianopen.com/  

INDIA Johnnie Walker Classic 28/02/2008   

The Johnnie Walker Classic, Asia 's luxury golf experience is multi-sanctioned by the European, Australasian and Asian Tours and the Professional Golf Tour of India. Uniquely, the tournament is a “touring” event, and as such, the host changes each year as the tournament moves from one country to another.

This prestigious tournament is also one of the Asia pacific region's longest running events, starting 18 years ago in Hong Kong in 1990. The list of champions clearly demonstrates the calibre of the field that this tournament attracts, including World #1 Tiger Woods, World #5 Ernie Els, World #6, Adam Scott and six9times major winner, Nick Faldo.

Featuring prize money of £1.25m (US$ 2.5m), the 2008 Johnnie Walker Classic will be held in India for the first time, being played Feb 28 – Mar 2 at the prestigious DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon, South of Delhi.

India Golftrotter reporting coming soon.

About DLF Golf and Country Club course http://www.dlfgolfresort.com/

INDONESIA Astro Open 21/02/08

Registration for the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open is now closed, revealing a slate of world-class golfers ready to battle out for the record prize purse of US$ 1.2 million at the popular Cengkareng Golf Club. “We are pleased to confirm that Thongchai Jaidee, Arjun Atwal and Andrew Coltart will be competing at the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open 2008,” said Ichsan Lumbantobing , Executive Vice President, Marketing and Customer Care, PT Direct Vision (Astro) . “Their presence, in addition to the previously confirmed Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Jeev Milka Singh, will ensure that this year's competition will be one of the best ever for an Indonesia Open.”

Indonesia Golftrotter reporting. link

About event http://www.enjoyjakartaastroindonesiaopen.com/050208.htm

MOROCCO : Royal El Jadida in the European Challenge tour

Dear Golfing Partners,

It is with great joy that we inform you that the marvellous course of the Sofitel has been chosen by the European Challenge Tour to host a stage of the Tour for a period of 3 years.

This choice can only confort all our efforts to grant our course with worldwide reference. Indeed, after many rounds of the Alps Tour, we will now fit the Challenge Tour standards, and will continue to work on improving the Links of the Royal Golf El Jadida.

Furthermore, we inform you that our course will be closed from April 28th to May 4th, during the whole time of the Challenge Tour event, and we encourage you to take it into account as for your upcoming reservations.

We also inform you that our Pro Shop has been upgraded, and thais thanks to a partnership with Golf Plus. Your clients will now be able to rent the newest and most efficient golf clubs for not more that 30 euros for 18 holes.

Best Regards

Omar Souab  
Directeur Commercial
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Sofitel Royal Golf El Jadida
BP 116, Km 7 route de Casablanca
tel: 066 41 71 84 / 023 37 91 00
fax: 023 35 34 73
www.accor.com
www.sofitel.com
www.golfsmaroc.com

BAHRAIN Monty impressed 11/02/2008

Growing up on the links in Scotland, Colin Montgomerie has played golf’s finest courses, and he is now set on designing a few of his own. In a recent visit to Riffa Views in the Kingdom of Bahrain Montgomerie carried out an inspection of the progress of his desert course.

Montgomerie’s role is integral to the overall project, and he expressed his delight with Braemar-Nass and how well its construction team is progressing: “Being the first of its kind in Bahrain, Riffa Views Golf Course will add a new dimension to golf in the Middle East. I am positive it will become a popular destination for the residents of Riffa Views, local players and golf tourists. The course is shaping up well and I am impressed by the attention to detail and expert input from the team on the ground.”

The ground team is managed by Braemar-Nass’s Golf Courses Director Jonathan Pendry. Pendry was gratified with Colin’s statement of confidence citing, “Riffa Views is Braemar-Nass’s first project in the Middle East, and we have demonstrated our understanding of Colin’s vision and our ability to execute in this part of the world.” During his visit, Montgomerie, along with his chief architect Robin Hiseman conducted a thorough inspection of the four newly grassed holes that completes the front nine. Montgomerie and Hiseman overwhelmingly awarded their stamps of approval to Braemar-Nass and to Project Manager Martin Champion.

Champion and his team of construction specialists don’t plan to rest on their laurels. “It was a real highlight for the team to receive Colin’s praise, but our focus now is to finish the holes on the back nine with the same degree of precision.” Riffa View’s CEO Richard Browning feels that, “Having Colin involved in the development lends integrity to the golf course and an international appeal to the signature lifestyle we offer. Riffa Views Signature Estates is a spectacular community in the Kingdom of Bahrain offering luxury homes amidst amenities that include an international school, restaurants, and shopping. At the centre of the development are 27 holes of Montgomerie-inspired golf featuring an 18-hole championship course and a nine-hole executive course.