A golf trip with close friends is one of the game’s most endearing pleasures; they are great fun and provide years of cherished memories. To help golfers get the most enjoyment from their trips, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has armed its concierge teams with the information and capabilities needed to serve the unique needs of golf travelers.
The concierge staffs in Fairmont’s golf-centric destinations can book rounds and offer advice as to playing conditions and drive times between courses.
“With so much information available online, I think people forget you can get the best information from the person sitting at the desk,” said Anthony Mocklow, Director of Golf at The Fairmont Southampton’s Turtle Hill Golf Club in Bermuda. “When considering a new destination, it’s always best to have a quick chat with the golf director at the resort. He or she can provide course tips, dining recommendations and ideas for non-golf activities.”
Guests at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in California’s Wine Country have exclusive access to Sonoma Golf Club; where General Manager Mike Kosak agrees the Club Professional is a great place to start.
“They will be able to provide travelers with insights you just can’t find online,” said Kosak. “Understanding the course maintenance and tournament schedules or the typical weather for a certain time of year can make a huge difference in a trip. Also, if the guests are playing multiple courses, the golf professional can offer insight as to available daylight and travel times between courses, which might help smooth out the itinerary.”
Making such research easier, the concierge teams at the various Fairmont properties are well versed in the intricacies of the local golf courses. Travelers can gather such valuable information and often can book all of their golf rounds with just one phone call.
Planning ahead is also strongly advised. While guests certainly can embark on an impromptu golf junket, travelers tend to get the best pricing and availability if they book in advance, especially in popular golf destinations like Scotland’s St Andrews, The Home of Golf. Graeme Dawson, Leisure Sales & Marketing Manager for Fairmont St Andrews advises guests interested in booking a premium golf package with guaranteed tee times at celebrated courses like the Old Course in St Andrews to book at least six months in advance.
“Courses like the Old Course are in very high demand,” said Dawson. “If the success of the trip rests upon playing there, travelers need to make those arrangements early. And, the sooner the better.”
In fact, all of the Fairmont experts agree that purchasing a package is typically the best way for guests to ensure themselves of playing the best courses at the best values. Another way to save is by booking rounds during the week rather than on the weekends. And, The group also strongly suggests one person act as the single-point of contact for each aspect of the trip.
“You can divide and conquer,” said Mocklow, “But it is usually best if one person is responsible for each aspect of the trip – resort and golf reservations, ground transportation, restaurants, etc. That way everyone has a job and they know the group is counting on them to get it done. Otherwise, people sometimes put off tasks until the end and it makes things more challenging.”
Finally, Fairmont’s experts say it is important to remember no trip goes off exactly as planned and often that’s what makes for the best memories. And, while true golfers wouldn’t think of skipping a tee time, it’s often best to avoid really early starts in case the “making memories” portion of the trip runs late the evening prior.
To learn more about Fairmont’s golf properties and golf vacation packages, visit www.fairmont.com.
