A rare and extremely affordable opportunity for serious golfers to visit Wales and play in a three-day Connoisseur Golf Tournament on some of the best links courses in the UK has been made possible by the World Airline Golfing Alliance, and their sponsors: the Wales Tourist Board, Vale Hotel, Golf & Country Club, and PGF Golf Australia.
Activities for the Wales event get underway on Saturday, August 30, 2003, with a welcome dinner at the Vale Hotel, Golf &Country; Club near Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. (Sunday is a rest day, with an option to play a practice round at the new Wales National course at Vale.) The tournament begins at 9:30 AM on Monday, September 1 at Tenby Golf Course (www.tenbygolf.co.uk) located west of Swansea on the south coast. Founded in 1888, it’s the oldest golf course in Wales. Tenby boasts 6,337 yards of natural golfing terrain of sea-washed turf with dunes, pot bunkers, and a breeze off the ocean. A medieval walled town is close by, and the area lends itself to a wonderful air of tranquility.
On Tuesday, golfers meet for a 9:30 teetime at Royal Porthcawl, which holds an honored place among the world’s best golf courses -- a status quickly confirmed by playing the first three holes that run along the beautiful scalloped edge of Rest Bay. Royal Porthcawl (www.royalporthcawl.com) offers 6,432 yards with no trees, but with enough wind and water to present golfers with a real test in a stunning links-course environment.
After another rest day on Wednesday, the competition picks up at 10:30 AM on Thursday, September 4, at Pyle &Kenfig; golf course. Pyle and Kenfig (www.pyleandkenfiggolfclub.co.uk), the site of the 2002 British Amateur Championship, has high dunes and deep, disconcerting valleys in a layout that offers plenty of diversity. Two loops of nine holes, spread out over 7,628 yards, return you to a cozy clubhouse with the second nine being regarded as the most difficult.
On the evening of the 4th golfers will receive prizes at a special dinner at nearby Fonmon Castle, a handsome 17th-century structure surrounded by walled perennial and vegetable gardens.
Throughout the tournament, participants will stay at the famous Vale Hotel, Golf &Country; Club (www.vale-hotel.com), home of the Welsh PGA, which offers 36 holes located in the grounds of Hensol Castle. Transportation will be provided daily to and from the courses.
The fee for the entire tournament -- including six nights at Vale (double occupancy), daily breakfast, three dinners, three rounds of golf with a caddy, transfers by luxury coach, a golf shirt, and a commemorative golf bag tag --is 659 British pounds (about $1,000 US).
The fee for non-golfing spouses or significant others -- including the same accommodations and meals as for the golfers, plus three days of touring by luxury coach with a tour guide and lunch, complimentary use of pool/spa/gym, and a polo shirt -- is 599 British pounds (about $900 US).
The optional, pre-tournament practice round at Vale on the 31st is an extra 55 British pounds. In addition, golfers may opt for a round on Wednesday, September 3rd, at the magnificent Wentwood Hills course at the Celtic Manor Resort (www.celtic-manor.com), site for the 2010 Ryder Cup. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Wentwood Hills offers sweeping views over the spectacular rolling countryside. Fee for the round, including golf cart, is 85 pounds.
Finally, for those who can’t get enough golf, there’s an optional add-on for Friday and Saturday, September 5th and 6th, which includes two rounds at the De Vere Belfry-Brabazon Course (www.devereonline.co.uk), some meals, and transportation.
Brabazon, as golf enthusiasts will recall, was the site for the 34th Ryder Cup held in 2002,which was won by the European team. Fees are 310 pounds for golfers, 245 pounds for non-golfers (who will be treated to sightseeing, including a tour of Stratford to visit Shakespeare’s cottage, and other historical sites in the area).
The Connoisseur Golf Tournament is open to all golfers with a certified handicap (maximum 27 for men, 45 for women). All prices are based on double occupancy; a 270-pound supplement will apply for a single room.
Deadline for a 100 British pound deposit is May 30, 2003, with final payment due by June 30.
For further information and a registration form, please visit the World Airline Golfing Alliance at www.wagagolf.com, or email: [email protected]
or write/fax Brian Lassen, PO Box 1343, Crows Nest NSW 1585, Australia.
Fax: 61-2-9439-3279
The World Airline Golfing Alliance (WAGA) was begun in 1985. The tournaments started in the United States, then spread to Europe followed by Australia, and each year are played in a different country. Major WAGA sponsors include the Wales Tourist Board, De Vere Hotels, British Tourist Authority, PGF Australia, Waterford Wedgwood, St. George Bank, Sporte Leisure, Airbus Industrie, and the Vale Hotel, Golf & Country Club.

This story was published on 15 Mar 2003.