Golf Escapes 2009 - (Page 86) AustriA l PES GOLF CA ES ES l ES AP C e Thld’s wor test grea lf go pes esca OL GOLF ESC AP E S lG O LF ESCAPE Sl G Austria Austria’s hills, and valleys, are alive with the sound of golf. N o longer a secret, Austria is now firmly on the golfing map. One of Europe’s fastestgrowing golf destinations, it offers 150 courses. They are spread throughout the country, from the rolling, forested landscapes of its eastern side to the alpine mountains and valleys of the west and south – and all with easy access from airports. Courses are set amidst towering, snow-capped mountains, alongside glittering alpine lakes or stately castles, and surrounded by verdant meadows, dense woodland or vineyards. You don’t need crampons on your golf shoes, either; even mountain courses are generally flat. Fairways are also uncrowded and great value. Regional golf cards make it even better value allowing play on participating courses at a big discount on individual green fees. They include the Golf Alpin Card, with 35 partner clubs in the SalzburgerLand and Tyrol regions, the Styria Golf Card and the Golf Tour Card for Upper Austria. 86 Golf ESCAPES 2009 SCAPES l G FE OL F Spa and wellness facilities at resort hotels by many golf clubs enhance the experience. Austria’s success is down to groups such as the 21-year-old Golf in Austria co-operative. Quality standards for member golf clubs and hotels, most family-run, are strict. Lower Austria has almost 50 golf courses, more than any other province. Several are in the region’s vineyards, including Poysdorf. The European Tour’s annual Austrian Open is held at the Fontana Golf Club, one of over 20 courses around capital Vienna. Others include the Schloss Ebreichsdorf and 36-hole Colony Club Gutenhof. Ebreichsdorf’s 18-hole course is laid out in ancient woodland by the historic neighbouring castle. European Challenge Tour venue Adamstal Golf Club is another of Austria’s premier golfing locations. North-west of Vienna, Golfclub Schloss Schoenborn’s 1st tee sits below the castle’s clock tower and several holes are alongside the castle. By the Czech border, the 36-hole Golfresort Haugschlag’s Waldviertel course held three Austrian Opens. Freizeitpark Tullnerfeld, a 36hole facility with its own hotel, hosted the 2005 Austrian National Team Championship. Eastern province Burgenland boasts Austria’s largest golf complex, the 45-hole Golfschaukel Lafnitztal, in Stegersbach. Burgenland is noted for its spas and thermal springs. Reiter’s Golf & Country Club Bad Tatzmannsdorf has 27 holes, a David Leadbetter Academy and a spa hotel. In Upper Austria, Linz – the 2009 European Capital of Culture – is surrounded by top-class courses, including Donau, Linz, LinzLuftenberg and Stark-Linz golf clubs. The Salzkammergut has Austria’s third-oldest golf club, the 75-year-old the Golfclub
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