golf, Malta, where to play, what to see, where to stay, information

MALTA

Golfing in the Knights headquarters

Will Malta become soon a golf destination? It is the firm intention shared by the Royal Malta Golf Club and its partner the Corinthia Palace Hotels which both would like to add this sherry on the cake of the many other Maltese attractions.

by R. Bourne - Photograph C. Jaricot

Valette October 2004 - The island nation of Malta is a popular spot for tourists as the headquarters for the Knights of Malta. But it is more than that with antique temples, narrow old-world streets, limestone cliffs over sparkling seas to modern resorts in quiet small islands. And even golf!

Malta’s archipelago is made up of three islands - Malta, Gozo (smaller) and Comino (smallest) – and has more history in each of its 316 square kilometres than just about anyplace else on Earth. And it has some of the best natural harbours in the Mediterranean.
First, its location at the intersection of Europe, Africa and the Middle East has made the archipelago of Malta one of history's great takeover targets, starting in 800 BC with the Phoenicians. Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Spanish, French, British overrun it… Germans and Italians tried to take it during World War II but could not.
Malta's best-known visitors were the Knights of the Order of St. John, or Knights of Malta, the warrior-aristocrats who defended the faith from 1530 to 1798. Their massive fortifications remain intact today, ready for the next siege, and make Malta a Camelot of walled towns, castles and moats straight out of a child's picture book.

On the Malta’s guestbook, one find the Queen Elizabeth who annexed Malta for 150 years but also Saint Paul whose unexpected arrival in 60 AC (he was shipwrecked off the Northern coast) began Malta’s strong Catholic tradition. The Catholic Church is the custodian of national traditions, and its churches are the biggest landmarks in most towns and villages. The Maltese spend half the year celebrating re-enactments and their hundred of local patron saints. Catholicism is a real force in most people's daily lives. Divorce and abortion are illegal, although younger generations have been trying to liberalise laws against these.
Mediterranean culture is dominant in Malta, but nearly 150 years of British rule have left their mark even if the country is independent since 1964. English is an official language (along with Maltese), car driving is left and signalisation is a bit archaic.

Member of European Union since 2004, Malta wants to assert its identity and attract a much broader clientele than the low cost fare ones strolling half naked in the old streets. Golf could become such an attraction and in that prospect the more then centennial(1888) Royal Malta Golf course has been upgraded and brightened up.

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Malta archipelago's map

Palaces and churches

Port view from Upper Barakka

Re-enactment scene
Republic Street