As 2008 kicked in I was so excited to get my schools off and running, and to start off the new season at a new venue. Benalup is a 5 star resort known as the Fairplay Golf Resort. It is about one hour’s drive from Jerez in Spain and the same from Gibraltar.

The resort is a real 5 star spa resort. It has three restaurants - one French, one Italian and one Asian. There is also a breakfast bar, a pool bar with a chef to cook whatever meat or fish you choose and a bbq too! The golf club bar served us great tapas after we finished playing each day and relaxed with hot chocolate and brandy. The resort also had a fantastic spa and water treatment area to soothe our aching muscles each day and to enjoy a massage on our day off. All the hotel rooms are themed, in what looks like a small white village on the top of a hill looking down on the great resort golf course… a real jewel in the crown of Spain!!

My group had a great time finding their way around this village, practicing their golf on the range, the great big practice bunker and pitching green and on the huge putting green which helped them work on their game.

Our first day started with chipping and distance control followed by a bit of long game. Then it was time for a spot of lunch before we hit the course. We played a Texas Scramble mixing every one up, and of course on-course management. The winners were Guy, Wendy and Charmaine. My group then got stuck in to the tapas and drinks leaving just enough time for a trip to the spa for the girls before dinner in the Asian restaurant… fab it was too!!

Day two we started off with putting. This is very important I feel. We worked on getting into a solid set up, getting everyone’s head and golf ball in the right position, then working on a smooth stroke. A trip to the range followed where we worked on good contact and balance.

After a spot of lunch we hit the course. Working on direction and good ball striking. The group marked a card, as part of the running stableford competition. After play the group hit the tapas bar then after a rest there was a dance show for us to enjoy before we had dinner in the Italian reatsuarant.

After the day off where everyone did something different, from more golf, to trips to Cadiz, Santa Novo Petri, and Medina, we hit the range, working on being ready to play with only the target in mind. We worked on the right procedure to play like we practice. I feel it is important to be ready, with only one thing on the mind. A lot of people find themselves over the ball thinking a technical thought when all they should be thinking of is the target and where they want the ball to go. So we tried a great drill or two to take on to the course. Off to the course for management drills.

Day four started in fab sunshine, and the legs came out with a vengeance!! Good too as we were on the “beach”… a bunker lesson everyone looks forward to! This is a part of the game not many people practice enough, so a good session it was too. After lunch we were back out on the course and Guy came out on top with a great 37 points… a fab score… so I cut his handicap by 2!!! He was a happy chappy!!

So Guy was leading with 86 points then Sally with 82 then Linda, aka Zorro, with 73… all the group were working well, and the fabulous venue, one of the group said  ”beautiful Benalup” and I have to say it is!!

As we came all too quickly to our last day the weather just got better and better which was the icing on the cake as far as the resort goes, as it is just lovely, at around +23.

I feel there is not a weak point about Benalup, from the course to the food, the staff, the hotel, all just first class, and everyone had a great time, and they will have first refusal on next year’s dates!!

To end the tuition we had a recap on the short game, pitching and chipping, a spot of long game, lunch then out onto the course… but who will come out on top??

Sally came out on top with 121 points, then Guy with 114, and that was after the handicap committee sat and cut him 2 shots, then came Linda in third place with 99 points. All in all a great week with great people, a big thank you to you all !!!!!!

What do the group say about Benalup????

Sally – "a lovely golf course, with great service"

Charmaine – "Great food, great views, with a good course to boot"

Ann – "A little gem in every way"

John – "Very professional, great value, and very comfortable"

Joan – "Great place, great facilities, and I will come back"

Derek – "Location unique, please keep this place very special"

Linda – "The course was great – I even learnt to love the ravine!"

Alison – "Count me in for next time!!"

So, I cannot wait to go back, as I know these guys want to go back too!!

Beautiful Benalup!!!

Hope you get the chance to visit there too in the future.