England’s Atlantic Links, one of the UK’s premier golfing destinations, has appointed Countrywide Golf Holidays as its preferred tour operator to encourage more local and international golfers to experience this exceptional collection of six championship links courses located along the north Atlantic Coast.
The Atlantic Links comprises a quintet of legendary clubs in south west England: Somerset’s Burnham & Berrow, Royal North Devon and Saunton in Devon and the north Cornish clubs of St Enodoc and Trevose.
Countrywide Golf Holidays is well placed to promote the Atlantic Links as it has been organising golf tours in the UK for over 20 years and, thanks to being based in Cornwall, has in-depth knowledge of the five clubs, nearby accommodation providers and off-course attractions and activities.
“With strong focus on personal service, tailor-made itineraries and a commitment to offer value for money, combined with a passion for the West Country, Countrywide Golf Holidays is a natural partner for the Atlantic Links,” commented Iain Tym of Countrywide Golf Holidays.
“We have dealt with all the clubs regularly on an individual basis for many years and we are very familiar with the courses and their facilities. As a group they form an extremely attractive package for golfers in terms of quality links, stunning landscape and value for money so we are very much looking forward to raising the profile of this prestigious golfing destination amongst UK, European and American golfers.”
Despite the high quality of the courses, the Atlantic Links remains relatively unknown compared with the well-trodden links of Scotland and Ireland. However all six courses appear regularly in recognized course ratings compiled by top golf publications and are frequently bestowed the honour of hosting top amateur championships, further testament to the quality of these links.
In 2008 for example Trevose staged The Brabazon Trophy (English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship) whilst in 2011 it was Burnham & Berrow’s turn, for the fifth time. That same year Burnham entered golf’s history books by staging the R&A Boys Championship to become the first course to hold both championships in one year. Next year Saunton’s East and West Courses will host the English Amateur Championship, the blue riband men’s event on England Golf’s 2014 calendar.
The Atlantic Links combined appeal of history, tradition and variety is complemented by an array of off-course attractions such as pretty coastal towns like Clovelly and Ilfracombe in Devon, bustling market towns such as Wadebridge and Barnstaple and charming fishing villages like Port Isaac, Rock and Padstow in north Cornwall. Further up the coast, historic towns like Weston-super-Mare and the spa town of Bath, near Burnham & Berrow, are ideal destinations to round off a golfing adventure.
The region’s rich culture features the inimitable Barbara Hepworth Museum and Tate St Ives, displaying the very best in modern and local art, the renown Eden Project and fascinating Lost Gardens of Heligan whilst outdoor activities such as surfing around Newquay and walking and horse riding in Exmoor National Park are as good as anywhere in the British Isles.
The gastronomic delights of the South West are not to be missed either, from the exceptional Padstow seafood restaurants of famous local chef Rick Stein and a variety of other Michelin-starred restaurants, to real English ale and authentic pub grub in an abundance of traditional country pubs.
In terms of travel, the nearby M5 motorway and A39 “Atlantic Highway”, and international airports at Bristol, Exeter and Newquay, ensure easy accessibility for all visitors.
England’s Atlantic Links www.atlantic-links.co.uk