Welcome to the Second Edition of the Ascot Golf Newsletter.
It seems that our first newsletter went down very well with
the majority of you. Thanks you very much for the feed back
and any suggestions or ideas you have would be greatly appreciated.
This second edition covers the following topics:
1) Heard on the golf courses around the country
2) The pricing issue regarding the golf clubs and
in general
3) Barry just visited Thailand and compares the
it with South Africa
4) Familiarization trips
5) Scheduled Tours
6) Special golfing tours in conjunction with one
off events
7) Incentive Packages
8) Tournament Packages
9) Ascot Golf Tours website
1. Heard on the golf courses around the country 
It seems even I was miss-informed about the number of new
golf courses that are being built in the Western Cape Region
over the next couple of years. The list includes Greg Normans
first signature course in South Africa which will be situated
next to Ernies Course Oubaai, Jack Nicklaus will be building
a ‘Bears Best’ course at Pearl Valley, The Gary
Player Design Group will be building a 36-hole resort course
between George and Mossel Bay and another course at Plettenberg
bay, Simola (a Nicklaus Design which has been sitting idle
for 7 years) will open early next year in Knysna, Pinnacle
Point (as spectacular as Sparrabosch/Pezula) at Mossel Bay,
Kingswood between George Golf Course and Fancourts Links Course,
as well as the Knysna River Reserve in Knysna.
That’s not all because further along the Garden Route
will be the Tsitsikamma Coastal Forest Course and the St.
Francis Links. The Alicedale development north of Port Elizabeth
in the heart of the game reserve area will also be getting
a championship Gary Player Designed Golf Course.
And last but not least is the further 18 holes being built
at Arabella and a Links Course being commissioned in the same
area.
The majority of these courses will be Estate Courses, but
will all offer something unique for all golfers.
The Montague Golf Course at Fancourt has been closed and
is scheduled for re-opening in December 2004. After the Presidents
Cup, Hasso Plattner the owner of Fancourt decided that he
wanted the Montagu to be back on top of the golf course rankings
and he is spending R20 – mil on re-developing the golf
course. My guess is that he will do the same to the Outeniqua
once the Montague is up and running.
The Gary Player Golf Course has been forced to close until
July as a combination of fertilizers on the greens killed
them all off overnight. The course managers have decided to
lift all the greens and after re-shaping a few to relay them
completely, instead of trying to recover them. Maybe they
will be a little more user friendly for the average putter
as they grow in.
2. The pricing issue regarding the
golf clubs and in general
This is still a very hot topic subject and I will be meeting
with the club captains around the table on the 29th of April
to discuss contracts with the clubs. The good news to come
out of the meeting with the managers is that a couple of the
clubs have now offered a restricted number of operators a
10% incentive. This is still far too little in the tourism
context and we are pushing for a greater discount which will
benefit us all. Ill keep you informed.
3. Barry has just visited Thailand on a Golf Holiday and compares
the destination with South Africa
Thailand and South Africa are both competing for the European/Scandanavian
golf/traveler that wishes to take a long flight to an inexpensive
but enjoyable sunny destination some time during their winter
when they are not able to play or enjoy their golf.
In March 2004 I accompanied a group of South Africans on
a golf tour to Pattaya ,Thailand
| |
CAPE TOWN |
|
PATTAYA |
|
| TEMPERATURE |
20-30 CENTIGRADE |
10 |
30-40 CENTIGRADE |
7 |
| HUMIDITY |
LOW |
9 |
HIGH |
6 |
| RAIN |
5% P0SSIBILITY |
8 |
5% POSSIBILITY |
8 |
| WIND |
CAN BLOW STRONGLY AT TIMES |
6 |
SLIGHT HOT WIND OCCASIONALLY |
8 |
| DAY LIGHT HOURS |
5AM TO 9PM 16 HOURS
|
9 |
6AM TO 7PM 13 HOURS |
7 |
| GOLF WEATHER |
HOT AND PLEASANT EXCEPT WHEN
VERY WINDY |
8 |
VERY HOT AND HUMID AND UNCOMFORTABLE |
5 |
| AIR POLLUTION |
NOT A PROBLEM IN CITY OR GOLF
COURSE |
8 |
BAD IN CITY AND NOTICABLE ON SOME GOLF
COURSES |
5 |
| INSECTS |
OCCASIONAL MOSQUITO IN EVENING
|
8 |
MIDGES AND MOSQUITOS ON SOME COURSES AND
IN EVENINGS |
6 |
| TRAFFIC AND DELAYS |
DRIVE ON LEFT
ONLY AT PEAK TIMES FOR WORK MOTORISTS |
8 |
DRIVE ON LEFT BAD
IN AND OUT OF CITY AT ALL TIMES |
6 |
| ROAD SIGNAGE |
IN ENGLISH WITH ROAD NUMBERS
|
8 |
ENGLISH FOR MAJOR ROADS ONLY AND IN THAI
FOR OTHERS |
6 |
| TAXIS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT |
EXPENSIVE AND NOT VISUAL |
6 |
INEXPENSIVE AND ALWAYS AVAILABLE |
10 |
| DRINKING WATER |
QUITE SAFE TO DRINK |
8 |
DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMENDED |
4 |
| SANITATION AND TOILETS |
GOOD |
8 |
NOT ALWAYS ACCEPTABLE ESPECIALLY
FOR WOMAN |
5 |
| SECURITY AND CRIME |
AS FOR ANY CITY IN WORLD CARE
MUST BE TAKEN PARTICULARY AT NIGHT |
4 |
SERIOUS CRIME AND VIOLENCE NOT A
PROBLEM |
9 |
| LANGUAGE |
PREDOMINATELY ENGLISH |
8 |
BROKEN ENGLISH AT BEST |
5 |
| AIR CONNECTIONS JET LAG |
APPROXIMATELY 10 INTERNATIONAL
AIRLINES AND ALSO LOCAL CONNECTIONS FROM JOHANNESBURG
INTO CAPE TOWN. NO JET LAG AS ONLY+_2 HOURS TIME DIFFERENCE
|
6 |
APRROXIMATELY 50 INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
FLYING INTO BANGKOK . THEN+_ 3 HOUR DRIVE
TO PATTAYA .JET LAG IS A PROBLEM WITH 6/8 HOURS
TIME DIFFERENCE |
7 |
| COST OF FLIGHTS AND AVAILABILITY AND DURATION
|
EXPENSIVE AND NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE
NO DEPARTURE TAX CHARGED +_12 HRS FLYING TIME |
5 |
REASONABLE AND ALSO CHEAPER CHARTERS.
R100/PERSON DEPARTURE TAX PAYABLE. +_12 HOURS FLYING
TIME |
8 |
| HIGH DEMAND PERIOD |
JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH |
8 |
NOVEMBER, DECEMBER JANUARY |
8 |
| HOTELS AND PRICING |
VARIOUS CATEGORIES BUT 4 AND
5 STAR HOTEL PRICING IS EXPENSIVE. GUEST HOUSES AND
SELF CATERING OFFER BETTER VALUE |
6 |
ABUNDANT AND AT GOOD RATES FOR TOP
HOTELS . VALUE FOR MONEY RATES FOR BUDGET HOTELS. |
9 |
| FOOD |
EXCELLENT QUALITY AND HYGIENE
AND VALUE FOR MONEY FOR VARIETY OF CUISINES |
8 |
LOCAL FOOD INCLUDING SEA FOOD AND
RESTAURANTS ARE EXTREMELY CHEAP AND GOOD |
10 |
| ALCOHOL |
BEER AND SPIRITS CHEAP EXCELLENT
CHOICE AND VARIETY OF REASONABLY PRICED WINES |
8 |
LOCAL BEER PRICES ON PAR BUT WINE QUALITY
AND PRICE NOT COMPARABLE AND NOT GOOD |
7 |
| SERVICE |
IN HOTELS AND SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS
NORMALLY GOOD |
8 |
LANGUAGE CAN LEAD TO PERCEPTIONS OF BAD
SERVICE BUT THE THAIS ARE ALWAYS SMILING AND TRYING
THEIR BEST TO PLEASE |
8 |
| SIGHTSEEING AND ATTRACTIONS |
MOUNTAINS, SCENIC DRIVES, WINE
FARMS, NATURE RESERVES, PENGUINES, WATERFRONT, ROBBEN
ISLAND, BEACHES AND LOCAL ATTRACTIONS |
9 |
BEACH AND ISLANDS AND WATER
SPORTS, MASSAGE, TEMPLES , SHOPPING FOR VARIOUS
BARGAINS SEX FOR THE ADVENTUROUS AND PREDOMINATELY SINGLE
MALE |
8 |
| TV AND NEWSPAPER |
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL VIA SATELITE
TV |
8 |
LIMITED EUROPEAN COVERAGE ON TV AND LOCAL
ENGLISH PRESS |
6 |
| NUMBER OF GOLF COURSES |
20 WITHIN 50 KLM FROM CAPE TOWN
CENTRE (MAX 45 MINUTES DRIVE) |
8 |
22 WITHIN 70 KLM OF PATTAYA (DRIVE CAN
TAKE UP TO 90 MINUTES) |
8 |
| STANDARD OF COURSES |
AT LEAST 6 OF CHAMPIONSHIP STANDARD
10 OF GOOD CLUB STANDARD AND USER FRIENDLY REMAINDER
QUITE PLAYABLE BUT NOT WELL MANICURED |
8 |
ONLY 2/3 OF CHAMPIONSHIP STANDARD 4/6
WORTH PLAYING WITH GOOD FACILITIES REMAINDER,
CHEAP BUT SOME NOT IN GOOD CONDITION |
7 |
| GREEN FEES VALUE FOR MONEY |
APPROXIMATELY R500 FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP
TOP 3/4 AND APPROXIMATELY R350 FOR THE NEXT 5/6 AND
THEN BETWEEN R200 AND R3OO FOR THE REMAINDER PRICES
FOR ALL DAYS BUT NO PLAY ON SATURDAYS (MEMBERS) |
8 |
DIFFERENT PRICES FOR PLAY OVER WEEKENDS
CHAMPIONSHIP FROM R500 BETTER COURSES FROM R300 OTHERS
START FROM R90 AND OFFER GOOD VALUE ESPECIALLY FOR THE
AVERAGE HOLIDAY GOLFER |
10 |
| BUGGIES |
BUGGIES FROM R120 BUT SOME COURSES
HAVE LIMITED SUPPLY AND SHOULD BE PRE BOOKED MOST COURSES
CAN BE WALKED SOME DO NOT ALLOW BUGGIES UNLESS WITH
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE |
8 |
FROM R100 AVAILABLE AT MOST COURSES PREFERABLE
BECAUSE OF THE HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS TO TAKE ONE
BUT ALL COURSES CAN BE WALKED (HARD SWEATY WORK) |
9 |
| CADDIES |
FROM R1OO PLUS HALFWAY DRINK
AND EAT (R10-R15) PLUS TIP +_R20/R50 LOCAL CADDIES (ALL
MEN) ARE VERY KNOWLEDGABLE AND CAN BE VERY HELPFUL WITH
DISTANCE AND PUTTING AND SWING ADVICE SOME CAN BE A
BIT FORWARD AND UNRELIABLE AND UNTRUSTWOTHY THE BEST
CAN REALLY ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THE COURSE CADDIES
ARE NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE |
7 |
FROM R40 AND WITH R40 TIP AND ALSO 2/3
DRINKS AND SNACKS DURING THE ROUND (R30) SMILING
WILLING LADIES WHO IN MOST CASES HAVE ONLY LIMITED BASIC
KNOWLEDGE OF GOLF AND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND ACT AS
BAG CARRIES ONLY COMPULSORY ON ALL COURSES AND
THIS COST IS IN ADDITION TO THE GREEN FEE AND POSSIBLY
YOUR BUGGY COST |
8 |
| CLUBHOUSES |
MOST HAVE UPGRADED THEIR FACILITIES
AND OFFER MENS AND LADIES CHANGE ROOMS AND BAR AND CATERING
AT RESONABLE PRICES |
8 |
GOOD FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT MOST CLUBS
DRINKS MORE EXPENSIVE BUT LOCAL FOOD GOOD VALUE
|
8 |
| GOLF CULTURE AND COMMENTS AND AVAIABILITY
|
CLUBS AND PROFESIONALS AND MEMBERS
SET HIGH STANDARDS FOR DRESS AS WELL AS GOLF ETTIQUETTE,
RULES AND BOOKING PROCEEDURES DUE TO HIGH NUMBER OF
CLUB MEMBERS WEEKEND GOLF TEE- TIMES AND ALSO AT CERTAIN
TIMES DURING THE WEEK IS SOMETIMES NOT AVAILABLE RULES
OF THE ROYAL AND ANCIENT STRICTLY APPLIED |
8 |
LITTLE OR NO GOLF TRADITIONS OR KNOWLEDGE
ESPECIALLY IN THE CHEAPER LESS INTERNATIONAL TOURIST
COURSES COMMUNICATION CAN BE A PROBLEM AND TEE
TIMES CANCELLED OR MOVED DEPENDING ON CIRCUMSTANCES.
TEE-TIMES OBTAINABLE ON ALL DAYS LOCAL RULES APPLY
IE SAFE DROP ZONES FOR WATER HAZARDS |
7 |
| VARIETY OF COURSES |
PREDOMINATELY OLD ESTABLISHED
PARKLAND MEMBER OWNED COURSES; WITH MODERN AND NATURAL
FEATURES .NEW COURSES ARE ALL ON HOUSING ESTATES AND
THESE ARE SIGNATURE COURSES AND ALSO THE MOST EXPENSIVE.
MOST HAVE FANTASTIC MOUNTAIN VIEWS |
8 |
VERY FEW COURSES OLDER THAN 15 YEARS. COUNTRYSIDE
VIEWS MOST COURSES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY FAMOUS
NAMES AND REFLECT THEIR PARTICULAR STYLE BUT ARE GENERALLY
ALL MORE LIKE THE AMERICAN TYPE WITH MODERN BUNKERING
AND LOTS OF WATER |
8 |
| VAT AND SERVICE FEES AND TIPPING |
14% VAT AND NO SERVICE FEES ADDED
ON EXCEPT SOME RESTAURANTS WILL ADD 10%FOR TABLES OF
8 OR MORE TIPPING IS AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND IS ACCEPTABLE
AT 10% FOR GOOD SERVICE |
7 |
7% VAT AND 10 % SERVICE FEE SOMETIMES INCLUDED
IN THE BILL ADDITIONAL TIP AT OWN DISCRETION AND
ALWAYS THANKFULLY RECEIVED |
9 |
| TIME TAKEN TO COMPLETE A ROUND |
SELDOM LESS THAN 4.5 HOURS DUE
TO THE CUSTOMARY STOP AFTER 9 HOLES FOR DRINK AND EATS.
5 HOURS PLUS ROUNDS ARE POSSIBLE WHEN VISITORS
PLAY UNTIL THEY SINK THE PUTT ON EVERY HOLE,SOMETIME
TAKING 10 SHOTS OR MORE |
5 |
LESS THAN 4.5 HOURS IS POSSIBLE AS THERE
IS NO STOP AND DRINKS ARE AVAILABLE EVERY 3/4 HOLES
AT KIOSKS. ON POPULAR AND BUSY COURSES THE TEE
MARKERS ARE MOVED FAR FORWARD TO SHORTEN THE HOLES AND
TIME TO ALLOW FOR MORE GOLFERS AND INCOME |
7 |
| |
|
257 |
|
255 |
MY SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The grand total Cape Town slightly ahead. This is probably
due to my biased opinion as besides being a resident of the
city, I am also a partner in Ascot Golf Tours. Neither Cape
Town nor Pattaya can be considered a true golf destination
as per Myrtle Beach or Costa do Sol, but both are fantastic
destinations that offer good value golf.
For the golf purist who enjoys european customs and standards,
good food, excellent golf weather and a variety of good golf
courses, then Cape Town is the place visit.
Thailand wins on price for the total package including air
fares, golf green and caddie fees and cheap and delicious
sea food, especially if you are visiting Thailand for other
reasons than just golf and good food.
If you have not yet visited either destination you have something
to look forward to. Wishing you good golf (preferably on a
visit to South Africa with Ascot Tours)
4.Familiarization Trips
This months Fam trips were re-scheduled due to a number of
reasons. We will be doing one Fam trip in September this year
and the route will take in Cape Town, Winelands, Arabella,
Fancourt, Knysna and two game reserves (Kariega and Shamwari).
This is the most popular route selling at the moment and by
restricting the trip to this area it will allow you the opportunity
to get the most out of the visit and see as much as possible.
Final dates are yet to be arranged but we will be offering
just 14 seats on this trip so please register your interest
ASAP.
5. Scheduled Tours
The response to scheduled tours has been very good and in
the next couple of weeks we will release three trips for the
season ahead. These trips will all offer the same sort of
thing but the accommodation and golf will differ thus giving
a variance in price options.
These will be seat in coach tours with a seat confirmed with
a 20% deposit and I will include all these conditions with
the packages.
6. Special Event Packages
As you might know the Irish Rugby team visits our shores
in June and the English Cricket Team is here in the summer
for a 5 test series. We have accommodation and can source
tickets should you have clients that would want to come out
for the events or combine a golfing holiday with these events.
7. Incentive Packages
This is just to remind you of our special incentive for group
travel.
We all know that with group travel there is always one person
that does all the work. This person might get his holiday
complimentary but he also takes all the abuse when one of
the group is late or can’t find his room key etc. If
you get a group enquiry of 24 golfers or more which book and
pay for a 7 night or more holiday, not only will the group
leader go complimentary (depending on hotel policy) but we
will give the group leader a 10 night stay at Ascot Gardens
and Lodge for two people including car hire complimentary
just for putting the group together. The only catch is the
group needs to pay in full before the holiday becomes valid
and it is valid for one year from Date of travel subject to
availability.
8. Tournament Packages
We have been asked by a few operators to put together a couple
of tournaments. We are currently negotiating with the hotels
to see what deals we can get and will be looking at putting
together two tournaments for the coming season – October
and March.
These will be open to individuals as well as couples and
both men and women and again all places will be secured with
a 20% deposit. All the details will be out by the end of the
month.
9. Ascot Tours Website
Our fantastic new website will be up and running by the end
of this month. It is going to be unlike anything you have
seen from us before and our in house IT department will be
constantly updating and changing it adding hotels specials
on a weekly basis. It will also have a news section which
will keep you up to date with what is going on, on the golf
courses of South Africa so you will be constantly in touch
with the market here.
We will issue a press release when the site goes live
That’s the end of the second newsletter for 2004. Please
forward us a list of all the e-mail addresses in your office
that you would like us to send this to so that we can keep
you informed of the developments with golf tourism in South
Africa and the developments at Ascot Golf.
Yours in Golf
The Ascot Golf Team.
|
