The Gentleman Magazine Issue 2 | April/May 2017 | Page 63

“I have been privileged to be able to play some really fantastic golf courses around the world and especially in Asia. The more I played the more I wanted to play on courses where quality was the overriding factor in those courses,” he said. “ Those experiences have become the cornerstone of the luxury golf cruise that AmaWaterways have rolled out for 2017 and beyond. The golf courses, according to the brochure, have as a minimum criterion that they have hosted a European Tour, Ladies European Tour, Seniors Tour or Challenge Tour event in the last 5 years. Not so much because of the prestige of the events but much more because of the stringent requirements a golf course must fulfil in order to host an event. “Our staff accompany the boat and the golfers throughout the trip, so that our guests will have the same friendly face greeting them every day. As avid golfers themselves, they will ensure that our guests have the best possible service throughout their trip,” said Mr. Boekdrukker. This starts with the welcome gift that each golfer receives at the beginning of their trip, and goes on throughout the entire trip and beyond. On the Prague - Budapest route, the courses that are on the program have been designed by some of the best names in the business such as Jack Nicklaus and Bernhard Langer, and all 5 live up to their reputation as some of the best in Europe. Starting with 3 wonderful days in Prague, guests will play the Albatross Golf course, rated by Golf Digest as the best golf course in the Czech republic, and host of the D&D Real Czech Open. After a transfer to Vilshofen, the guests embark their vessel and enjoy the luxurious cabins and gourmet food on board. The next Golf course is the Bernhard Langer designed Beckenbauer course which hosts the Porsche European Open. Returning to their ship, guests cruise overnight to the city of Linz. While non golfers take a day trip to Salzburg, golfers will go to the Diamond Country club, host of the Austrian Open. The 8th hole was redesigned by the enigmatic Miguel Angel Jimenez, and offers golfers a real challenge from the black tees. The ship continues its journey with its golfers safely back on board to Vienna with stops along the way for passengers to explore the famous wine region of lower Austria and castle Dürenstein. In Vienna golfers have a day off to explore this Imperial city. On the next day, while the ship moves on to Bratislava, Golfers depart for the Penati Golf Resort and play the Jack Nicklaus designed Legends course, which features the only par 6 on the European Tour, a monster at 787 yards. Penati’s 2nd course, the Heritage was shaped by Mick McShane, who also shaped Kingsbarns and the K Club. Golfers meet the ship in the late afternoon in Bratislava, and cruise overnight to Budapest. There they will play at the Pannonia golf and Country club, host of the Hungarian Open and Seniors Championships. A final evening is spent on the ship with a dinner evening cruise before disembarkation. At the end of their Journey, golfers will have played the best courses of 5 different countries, experienced the sights and sounds of 3 European capital cities, and dined in luxury on the only river cruise ships admitted to the Chaine de Rotisseurs. “We want our guests to have an incredible experience, and I believe that they will return home with a smile on their face having experienced some of the best golf Europe has to offer.” said Mr. Boekdrukker. Prices Start at: £4,276pp | Booking & Enguiries: AmaWaterways: [email protected] LGTGolf: [email protected] The Gentleman Magazine | 63