Golf Asia February 2016 | Page 19

W hen it comes to choosing where to go on a golf holiday, one destination lays out the red carpet more than most to welcome the fairer sex – Spain’s southernmost region, Andalucía. Golf courses, golf resorts, hotels and ancillary service providers throughout the region pull out all the stops to make women golfers particularly welcome, whether they are part of all-ladies groups or travelling with their partners or families. And their efforts are paying off, with golf tour operators reporting increasing interest from women in heading there to play golf. “The open mind and open arms approach of the people of Andalucía have led to high levels of interest for this part of Spain from lady golfers,” says Sarah Forrest, Managing Director of Red Tee Breaks, the lady golfer specialists in the UK who organised a ladies tournament there earlier this year. “Ladies like to feel welcomed as golfers, they want to feel part of the golf scene and Andalucía is leading the way to making this happen,” Forrest continued. “With such a rich array of golf courses to choose from in a varied landscape, this region is sure to see steady growth in months and years to come for the ladies visiting for their golf and much more.” Inbound Spanish golf tour operator Golf Booking Now offers a special Birdie Golf Package for lady golfers in the Costa del Sol, staying seven nights half-board at the Gran Hotel Elba Estepona & Thalasso Spa and including green fees at Flamingos Golf, Alcaidesa Links, Almenara Golf and Valle Romano as well as access to the Elba Thalasso Spa. Marbella-based golf club rental company Test and Rent offers a special service for ladies groups on the Costa del Sol, delivering Callaway and TaylorMade La Cala Golf Resort GOLF ASIA 69