ESCAPE THE POST CHRISTMAS BLUES & BRITISH WINTER

GREAT VALUE, EXCELLENT GOLF, WINTER SUN & GREAT FUN

JOIN US IN THE ALGARVE FOR OUR MOST POPULAR ANNUAL EVENT

Arrive Monday 10th  &  depart Saturday 15th  January 2022

Package includes:

-   5 nights in the apartments on the Vale do Lobo Golf & Beach Resort or the Magnolia Hotel

-   4 rounds of competitive golf on the excellent Royal and Ocean Courses

-   Shared buggy for each round

-  Optional practice round on day of arrival - Monday 10^th Jan

-  Presentation drinks

-  Transfers from accommodation to golf course if staying on Vale do Lobo Resort

-  72 hole competition with prizes for all four rounds

-  GAGT Order of Merit points for all four rounds

The package does not include flights. Accommodation is based on twin / double share in a standard apartment

Package prices:    

Accommodation in Vale do Lobo apartments – breakfast not included

Full package price in a standard apartment                       £685 per person

Single supplement for 5 nights in standard apt                  £190

Non golfer in a standard apartment                                    £350

Golf only (including shared buggy each round)                  £570

Additional night in a standard twin / double                        £  60 per person

Additional night in a standard single                                   £  98

Supplement to upgrade to a deluxe apartment                  £  30 per person per night

Additional night in a deluxe twin / double                           £  90 per person

Additional night in a deluxe single                                      £128

Accommodation in the Magnolia Hotel, Quinta do Lago – breakfast included

Full package price in a twin / double room                         £795 per person

Single supplement for 5 nights                                           £180

Non golfer                                                                           £350

Additional night in a twin / double                                       £  50 per person

Additional night in a single                                                  £  86

****   There are only 8 one bedroom apartments at Vale do Lobo and these are allocated to the couples.

The basic package price of £685 includes a shared room in an apartment, that is 4 persons in a 2 bedroom apartment.

Please note that if you request a single room at Vale do Lobo you will be sharing a two or three bedroom apartment.  The single supplement at Vale do Lobo does not entitle you to sole occupancy of a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment.

If you require a single room but you do not want to share a two or three bedroom apartment you may prefer to stay at the Magnolia Hotel in Quinta do Lago which is less than 5 minutes drive from Vale do Lobo for the same single supplement price.

PLEASE NOTE THE ABOVE PRICES ARE BASED ON AN EXCHANGE RATE OF 1.12 Euro / £. IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO MAKE A SURCHARGE IF THERE IS AN APPRECIABLE CHANGE IN EXCHANGE RATES.

Golf Itinerary:

Mon  10            Practice round from 12noon on either course -  if flight timing permits

Tue 11              1^st round - Ocean / Royal Course -  tee times from approx. 09.30am

Wed 12             2^nd round - Ocean / Royal Course -  tee times from approx. 09.30am

Thu 13              3^rd round - Ocean / Royal Course -  tee times from approx. 09.30am

Fri 14                4^th round - Ocean / Royal Course -  tee times from approx. 09.30am

Each day half the field will play the Ocean Course and the other half will play the Royal.  All competitors will play two rounds on each course with daily prizes.

Playing format will be Individual Stableford with full handicap allowance.

Accommodation:

Accommodation is booked for arrival on Monday 10th and departure on Saturday 15th January.

Vale do Lobo Resort        www.valedolobo.com

Accommodation is in the recently refurbished one and two bedroom apartments on the Vale do Lobo Resort www.valedolobo.com  The apartments include en suite bathrooms, kitchen area and separate lounge.  There is an opportunity to upgrade to the deluxe Royal apartments.

2022 will be the 26th year that Vale do Lobo has hosted the Grand Final of what is currently known as the Titleist FootJoy Matchplay Championship.  Vale do Lobo is a very classy resort and every year our competitors are wowed by the friendliness of the staff, the quality of the accommodation and the facilities the resort has to offer. 

In addition to the two excellent golf courses there is a first class Spa and gym for the non golfers and a variety of bars and restaurants close by.

Magnolia Hotel                   www.magnoliahotelqdl.com       

We are offering alternative accommodation to Vale do Lobo to cater for those golfers who want a single room but prefer not to share a two or three bedroom apartment.

The four star Magnolia Hotel is located in Quinta do Lago opposite the shopping precinct and less than a 5 minute drive to Vale do Lobo.  The hotel has recently been completely refurbished.

Breakfast: 

Breakfast is not included in the package at Vale do Lobo but there are several options on the resort and if you prefer to self cater each apartment includes a fully equipped kitchen. Breakfast is included at the Magnolia Hotel.

Evening activities:

Whilst not all the restaurants are open in January our experience enables us to select the best restaurants and bars and each evening there will an option to dine as part of the group or we can recommend restaurants.

Airport transfers:

Airport transfers are not included but Vale do Lobo is only 20 minutes by taxi from Faro Airport and the fare is approximately 25 Euro. 

Car Hire:

We can recommend VdL Car Hire who are offering us discounted rates.  You can collect your car from and return it to the airport and VdL Car Hire have an office at the Vale do Lobo resort in case of any difficulties.  Contact  Lizzie Redman  UK Reservations Team: 0800 145 69 55 or vdl@vdlcarhire.com

Flights: 

Flights are NOT included and we recommend you contact Water Orton Travelcentre (ABTA number 17618) on 0121 749 1493 and speak to Janet, Vicki or Cheryl (email info@travelcentres.co.uk) or Flight Centre based in St Albans on 01727 893993 or email Caroline or Julia on their dedicated email gmm@flightcentre.co.uk  Remember to quote GAGT to get the best quote.

Daily Draw:  The draw for the first two rounds will be on the website by 5.00 on Sunday 9^th January. The draws for the last two rounds will be made in score order.

If you have any requests for early / late tee times please use the message facility in your Locker / account and we will do our best to accommodate your requests.

Scoring format:  Play will be predominantly in fourballs on all five days.  The scoring format will be Individual Stableford with 95% of Course Handicap allowance.  The maximum handicap limits will be 24 for men and 30 for ladies.

Tees:  TBC – depending on conditions on the day

Handicap:  PLEASE ENSURE YOUR HANDICAP INDEX IS UP TO DATE IN YOUR LOCKER / ACCOUNT & IF YOU ARE A UK GOLFER WE HAVE YOUR CDH NUMBER. To do this please login to your account on www.eagt.co.uk > click on MY Account > Account Details.   

All four rounds will be run under the WHS system but scores will NOT automatically be forwarded to England Golf.  You MUST return your daily scores to your golf club and the easiest way to do this is to forward the email from Golf Genius, which you will receive after each round and which provides details of your scores.

When you check in for the first round you will be asked to show proof of your current Handicap Index. The relevant Golf Union app on your mobile is acceptable.

GAGT Overseas Handicap System (OHA):  Where appropriate handicaps will be adjusted after each round in line with the GAGT OHA system which is based on the CONGU handicap system prior to the introduction of WHS, details of which we can provide.  Any adjustments will not affect your club Handicap Index.

The GAGT OHA system will take precedence over any adjustments made by a player’s home club so that everyone is operating on the same system as some clubs are slow to update overseas scores.  

Prizes:  There will be prizes for the leading three scores each day.

To avoid any excess baggage charges prizes will be in the form of vouchers for the 2022 Tour as follows:

Daily vouchers: 1^st - £100, 2^nd - £70, 3^rd - £50       Overall vouchers:  1^st - £175, 2^nd £150, 3^rd - £125.

Range balls:  Tokens are available from the Golf Reception

Buggies: Shared buggies are included.

Local Rules: Local Rules on the scorecard will be in play in addition to the R&A Rules of Golf.

Sweep:  There will be an optional sweep of £40 (£10 per round) which will be split evenly between  a 2’s and competition sweep per round.  The sweep is payable in GBP with the exception of overseas competitors who can pay €50. We will collect the sweep when you check in for the first round.

The sweep will be paid out each day

Nearest the Pin: There will be two Nearest the Pin competitions per round.

Order of Merit: Merit points will be awarded for all four rounds. You will need to be a current member of the GAGT to qualify for merit points.

Shorts:  Ankle length socks are acceptable at each course, shorts must be tailored

GPS & Range finding equipment: The use of GPS range finding devices is permitted on the Tour.

REMINDER OF COVID TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

The requirements for UK citizens now travelling to Portugal and returning to England include the following.

1.     Everyone must complete a Passenger Locator Form for travelling to Portugal and be able to show the document when required at flight check in.

2.     Provide proof of a negative PCR ‘Fit to Fly’ COVID test taken in the UK within 48 hours of arriving in Portugal

3.  NO LONGER REQUIRED SINCE 4.00AM ON FRIDAY 7TH JANUARY - On departure from Portugal – provide proof of a negative Lateral Flow COVID test taken within 48 hours of departure.

We have made arrangements with a local company to come to Vale do Lobo to carry out the LFD tests for a fee of €35 per person. 

4      Everyone must book a 2 day PCR test to be taken on return to the          UK.  You will need to include the test booking reference in your return to UK Passenger Locator Form

5.  Everyone must complete a Passenger Locator Form for travelling to the UK and be able to show the document when required at flight check in.

6.  When you check in to Vale do Lobo you will be required to show proof of negative COVID test taken with 48 hours of arriving in Portugal.

7.  When you visit bars or restaurants in Portugal you will be required to show proof of negative COVID test taken with 48 hours of arriving in Portugal.

8.  Masks are obligatory in all enclosed spaces (including means of transport).