Destinations

Riviera Maya Golf

Published December 11, 2024 in Mexico , Mexico/Carribean - 0 Comments

Monumental Memories of Riviera Maya Golf, Mexico

By Dave Finn as published in the October 2024 issue of Golf Central Magazine

What’s your pleasure?  Is it wading into the Caribbean Sea or plunging into the crystal-clear freshwater cenotes?  It is exploring the many archeological sites or simply chilling around the pool with a cool beverage.  Either way the Riviera Maya Golf in Mexico is the perfect winter getaway – me included, on more than one occasion.  It stretches over 140kms along the eastern Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to just south of Cancun and is home to several world-class golf courses just waiting to be played.  Here is a quick rundown of the courses I’ve recently played just to ‘whet your whistle’.

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Sailing the Greek Isles

Published December 10, 2024 in Europe , Greece - 0 Comments
Saling the Greek Isles

Bird on a Wire – Sailing the Greek Isles

Join Jane Finn as she sails the Greek Isles and develops a new circle of friends.

by Jane Finn as published in Issue 28 of Planet Golf Review Magazine

The instructions read like a scavenger hunt: Find your way to Dia Noche Café in Piraeus, where you’ll meet fellow travellers and your skipper. So here I am, scanning the bar, with both excitement and a tinge of trepidation, wondering how will I recognise the people we are destined to meet, and will we be compatible?

Dave and I are about to embark on a weeklong sailing journey with seven people we’ve never met. This trip has been postponed and rescheduled many times for several reasons, so I understand why I’m thrilled to be here and at the same time, anxious to connect with our group so we can get under way. Suddenly, a peal of laughter ripples across the room and I’m drawn to six folks tucked away at the back of the restaurant. Their gear bags are piled high in the corner, but the conversation seems too animated, too easy, too natural for strangers who have just met.

That’s when I lock eyes with a vivacious redhead whose voice rings out loud and clear. “Are you guys looking for G Adventures?” I nod, and she promptly responds, “Well then, get over here; we’ve been waiting for you!” – not in the sense that we are late, but in the sense that they’re waiting to welcome us.

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Bermuda Grand Slam of Golf

Published December 3, 2024 in Bermuda , Mexico/Carribean - 0 Comments

Bermuda Grand Slam of Golf

By Dave Finn as published on pages 38 and 39 of November 2024 issue of Golf Central Magazine.

Port Royal Golf Course - Bermuda

Port Royal Golf Course – Hole #16

Rich with history and architecture, blessed with safe friendly people, Bermuda offers world-class golf, pink sandy beaches, crystal clear water and magnificent restaurants all within an easy 2½ direct flight from most major cities on the eastern seaboard of North America.  The weather is perfect year-round, and the scenery is second to none.

For us golfers there are five 18-hole championship courses, one 9-hole and an 18-hole par-3 to test your skills.  In fact, Bermuda boasts as having the highest concentration of golf courses per square mile in the world that takes up almost 17% of the country’s 21.6 square miles of real estate.

From 2007 to 2014, Bermuda proudly hosted the PGA Bermuda Grand Slam of Golf in mid-October pairing the winners of all four majors in a 36-hole event vying for bragging rights and a $1.3 million prize purse.

Here you can play some of the more picturesque courses in the world as well as follow alongside the footsteps of the most decorated professional golfers. 2010 participant Martin Kaymer reportedly said, “It’s like a paradise, playing golf in paradise” and I could not agree any more.

During my brief visit I only got a chance to play four of their courses and I was not disappointed.

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Cali Colombia – Salsa Capital of the World

Published November 25, 2024 in Colombia , South America - 0 Comments
Cali Colombia

Dancing in the Streets

Join Jane as she dances her way through the Capital City of Valle del Cauca, Cali, in Colombia

by Jane Finn as published in Issue 29 of Planet Golf Review Magazine

Cali is hot, hot, hot in more ways than one, but before this trip, Columbia’s third largest city wasn’t even on my radar. A bit like Cinderella, she lives in the shadows of her sisters, Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena. Colombians who don’t hail from here consider her a bit gritty, not as charming as her siblings. But beneath the surface I discover a bold beauty and a wildly beating heart that strikes a chord within me. A place where I can easily find my rhythm.

Slowly I adjust to the heat and humidity. In comparison, Bogotá was much cooler and no matter the time of day, the roads were congested. Here traffic flows like the seven rivers that run through the city. And unlike Medellín, most of the heritage architecture has been preserved, often interspersed with modern apartment and office towers, creating an eclectic urban landscape.

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COLOMBIA GOLF COURSES STAND OUT INTERNATIONALLY

Published September 9, 2024 in Colombia , South America - 0 Comments
La Cima Golf Club - Bogota Colombia

Award-winning Canadian journalists reveal Colombia’s unexpected golf paradise and cultural treasures.

As published in the September 9, 2024 issue of Nacion Golf

Renowned Canadian golf and travel journalists Dave and Jane Finn recently explored Colombia’s burgeoning golf scene, uncovering a hidden gem in the global golf tourism market . Their three-week trip, hosted by the country’s leading golf tour operator, Pelecanus, demonstrated Colombia’s potential to become a top-tier golf destination.

Dave Finn is a golf travel writer and photographer, with over 35 years’ experience in the industry as a member of several prestigious golf and travel media associations. Jane, meanwhile, is Features Editor for Planet Golf Review. Together, they have explored 35 countries, sharing their experiences in Golf Travel and Leisure Magazine, establishing themselves as authoritative voices in international golf tourism.

During their trip, the Finns explored the best golf courses in Bogotá, Cali, the Coffee Region and Medellín. They played at renowned clubs such as El Rincón de Cajicá, Briceño 18, La Cima, Farallones Golf Club, Club Campestre de Armenia and Club Campestre El Rodeo. In addition to golf, they immersed themselves in the rich culture and exquisite cuisine of Colombia.

Dave Finn expressed his admiration, stating: “ The courses in Colombia are world class, offering a diverse range of challenges. The landscapes are stunning , and each course presents a unique experience.” Jane Finn highlighted an unexpected moment from her trip, noting: “The Delirio salsa show in Cali was a delightful surprise. The pride and passion of the audience, as they sang ‘Cali Pachanguero’, was contagious. It wasn’t just a performance; it was a cultural celebration that made us feel part of something really special.”

The potential for golf tourism in Colombia is significant, with more than 50 top-class courses spread across diverse terrain, from the Andes mountain ranges to coastal areas. While many of these top-class courses are privately owned, specialist operators such as Pelecanus provide exclusive access to international visitors.

This unique offering, combined with Colombia’s rich culture and stunning landscapes, has sparked growing interest among golf enthusiasts around the world, positioning the country as an emerging destination in the global golf tourism market. In Dave’s words: “ For experienced golf travelers, Colombia is an intriguing destination that most have not considered before. The combination of great food, friendly people and quality accommodations makes it unique.”

Frank Spitzer, founder of Pelecanus, says: “ The golf scene in Colombia is ripe for discovery. We are excited to showcase to travelers from around the world the mix of quality golf and enriching cultural experiences that our country offers.”

To read the entire article visit https://naciongolf.com/los-campos-de-golf-colombianos-se-destacan-a-nivel-internacional/ 

 

Golf New Delhi India

Published June 19, 2024 in Asia , India - 0 Comments
ITC Grand Bharat

Golf with Gurus in New Delhi, India

by Dave Finn

As published in the June 2024 issue of Golf Central Magazine

From the moment I arrived, I knew that the sights, sounds and senses were psyched to experience one of the most exotic destinations in the world.

Okay, granted, New Delhi may not be foremost on golfers’ minds but for me, playing my favourite sport in India was an awesome opportunity to combine two of my favourite passions – travel and golf.

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