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From Postage Stamp to Turnberry: the extremes of Royal Troon at the 152nd Open

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The 152nd Open Championship, the oldest and most prestigious tournament in golf, will take place at the iconic Royal Troon Golf Club from July 18 to 21.

The 152nd Open Championship, the oldest and most prestigious tournament in golf, will take place at the iconic Royal Troon Golf Club from July 18 to 21. As the year’s final major, this historic event promises a week filled with thrilling competition and memorable moments on one of the world’s most challenging courses and connects you to the sport’s rich legacy.

Royal Troon (par 71), a venue hosting The Open for the tenth time, has seen several great champions such as Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Bobby Locke, Justin Leonard, and most recently, Henrik Stenson in 2016. This year’s The Open promises to be just as thrilling with a star-studded lineup that includes Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, Ludvig Aberg, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Brooks Koepka, and Collin Morikawa. And, of course, Tiger Woods. We can’t wait to see what this edition has in store!

Royal Troon extremes

Royal Troon, a Scottish course steeped in history and tradition, is a treasure trove of secrets and stories that have shaped its legendary status. The course boasts two particularly notable holes among its many renowned features: the sixth and the eighth. Each offers a unique challenge and a distinct place in the Open Championship history, promising an intriguing and exciting experience for all.

At 601 yards, the sixth hole at Royal Troon is the longest in Open Championship history. It demands precision and power from the tee, with an arrow-straight drive needed to land between fairway bunkers on both sides. The second shot, typically with a fairway wood, must be aimed slightly left to avoid the right-side bunker, setting up a soft pitch to a narrow green framed by picturesque sand dunes.

The eighth hole, the “Postage Stamp,” is the shortest in Open Championship history, measuring just 123 yards. And from the front tee to a short flag, it’s just 99 yards. Originally called “Ailsa” for its perfect view of the rocky islet of that name, it earned its current moniker when William Park described the green as “a pitching surface skimmed down to the size of a postage stamp” in Golf Illustrated. The tee shot is played from high ground over a gully to a long, narrow green set into a sandhill. Bunkers on the left and a large crater bunker guarding the approach add to the challenge, making accuracy paramount. Over the years, this tiny target has been the downfall of many top players, underscoring its reputation as a deceptively tricky hole.

As the world’s best golfers gather at Royal Troon, Tee Times Golf Agency extends its best wishes to all participants and spectators. We hope you enjoy a spectacular week of golf at the year’s final major. May the players find inspiration in the rich history of this remarkable course, and may the fans revel in the excitement and beauty of the game.

Photos by: Royal Troon.

Tee off in paradise: Palheiro Golf’s spectacular views and offers

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Discover Palheiro Golf on Madeira Island with Tee Times Golf Agency, one of Europe’s best-kept golf secrets and a course with some of the most stunning views in the world. Opened in 1993 and designed by renowned golf architect Cabell B. Robinson, this challenging 18-hole, Par 72 course is set within a beautiful 200-year-old estate, offering spectacular natural surroundings and ocean vistas.

Perched nearly 500 meters above sea level, Palheiro Golf stands out with its dramatic elevation changes, strategically placed bunkers, and narrow fairways that reward precision. The clubhouse’s sweeping terrace offering uninterrupted views of Funchal’s harbour and the Atlantic Ocean is a testament to the course’s unique charm. The elegant clubhouse is also home to the renowned Vista Balancal restaurant, managed by the award-winning Relais & Châteaux hotel Casa Velha do Palheiro.

Palheiro Golf prestigious

Palheiro Golf has earned its place among the top 100 golf resorts, as recognised by Golf World Magazine’s prestigious list of the Top 200 Golf Courses in Continental Europe. The course winds through a pristine environment of maritime pine and botanical woodland adorned with lush, subtropical vegetation, creating a picture-perfect setting for an unforgettable golf experience.

The course takes full advantage of Madeira’s hilly terrain, with abrupt cliffs and deep valleys providing an exciting challenge for even the best golfer. Additionally, the Vista Balancal restaurant, under the 18th green, offers a glorious panorama of the bay, the mountains, and the ocean.

Palheiro Golf is a paradise for golf lovers and offers a wide range of services and amenities for those staying at Casa Velha do Palheiro and Palheiro Village Golf Gardens & Spa. The Palheiro Spa features a variety of treatments and beauty therapies, heated indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, a Turkish bath, and a well-equipped gym.

Tee Times Golf Agency presents the best deals for those looking to enjoy unforgettable Portugal golf holidays in this global golf paradise. Please take advantage of the opportunity to book with us and discover why Palheiro Golf is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Book now and ensure you experience the best golf Madeira has to offer!

Photos by: Palheiro Golf.

Finca Cortesin and the 2023 Solheim Cup: a golf championship venue like no other

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Finca Cortesin, nestled in the charming town of Casares on the Andalusian coast, stands as a unique gem in Tee Times Golf Agency‘s Spanish collection. Spanning 215 hectares, this opulent golf resort is divided into six grand areas: an internationally acclaimed hotel, an exceptional residential offering, a championship golf course, an extraordinary spa and sports area, a stunning beach club, and an exclusive shopping gallery.

The resort’s exceptional site allows easy access to Marbella, the capital of Costa del Sol, and Puerto Banús and Sotogrande, two of the Mediterranean’s most significant marinas, for unforgettable Spain golf holidays. The Malaga International Airport is just a 50-minute drive away, and Gibraltar’s airport is even closer, at a 15-minute drive.

Finca Cortesin Golf Course: a renowned design

Finca Cortesin’s golf course, designed by Cabell Robinson, is world-renowned, having hosted the Volvo World Match Play Championship three times (2009, 2011, and 2012) and, most recently, the Solheim Cup in 2023. This event marked Spain’s first time hosting the prestigious tournament, held from September 18 to 24, 2023. The competition saw Europe’s top female golfers face off against the United States, culminating in a historic tie, the first in the Solheim Cup’s history. The European team retained the cup thanks to Carlota Ciganda’s decisive putt on the 17th hole.

Golf Digest ranked Finca Cortesin among the best golf courses in Spain. The 18-hole course harmoniously integrates the natural Mediterranean landscape, offering an aesthetically stunning and challenging golf experience. The meticulously maintained fairways and greens and the perfect climate provide an ideal setting for year-round golf.

The resort’s hotel, ranked among the world’s top 50, ensures unparalleled luxury. Upon arrival, security guides guests to the appropriate parking area, where service assistants take care of their golf equipment, providing a seamless and opulent experience.

Finca Cortesin and sustainability

Finca Cortesin’s dedication to sustainability is unwavering, earning the prestigious GEO Certified® seal in July 2023. The resort’s golf course sets a benchmark, using 100% reclaimed water from nearby Manilva, surpassing the 50% requirement set by ACOSOL for efficient water use. Advanced water management techniques and weather monitoring systems ensure optimal water usage year-round, reflecting our deep-rooted commitment to the environment.

Finca Cortesin is not just a golf destination but a complete resort experience. It offers natural beauty, luxurious amenities, and world-class golf. It is one of the best high-level experiences for Spain golf holidays with Tee Times Golf Agency.

Photos by: Finca Cortesin & LPGA Tour.