Italian golfers will be inspired to swap the Riviera for the Carmarthenshire coastline as they seek exciting new golf holiday destinations.
Carmarthenshire is set to feature in the Spring edition of the popular Golf e Turismo (Golf and Tourism) magazine, as a leading UK destination for golfers looking for challenging links courses to try out their game.
A features writer for the Milan-based magazine, Andrea Vercelli, has been shown around the county by tourism officers, and was impressed by the fantastic golfing facilities Carmarthenshire has to offer.
His trip included a guided tour of Jack Nicklaus designed Machynys Peninsula Golf and Country Club at south Llanelli.
The £3.5million links championship course offers golfers of all handicaps a challenge, with up to five tees at each hole and 25 acres of salt and fresh water lakes.
Mr Vercelli was also shown around the Ashburnham Golf Club at Pembrey, a demanding seaside course which has long been regarded as one of the best links courses in Britain.
Overlooking Carmarthen Bay, golfers have to tackle prevailing sea winds and plenty of rough as they challenge the course.
The Golf e Turismo feature will hopefully attract a whole new army of tourists to Carmarthenshire which will provide a further boost to the tourism economy.
Huw Parsons, Carmarthenshire’s marketing and tourism manager, said: “The Golf e Turismo features writer was really impressed by the facilities Carmarthenshire has to offer, especially the range of top courses we have within a few miles of eachother.
“We would love Italian golfers to come to the county, and would welcome the business they would bring to our hotels, restaurants and shops – as well as to the golf courses, so we are thrilled to have secured coverage in this magazine.”
Cllr Clive Scourfield, executive board member for regeneration and leisure, said: “It’s easy to see how this magazine would be so interested in featuring Carmarthenshire on its pages.
“We’re quite rightly proud of the sporting facilities that this county boasts, and securing high-profile coverage in foreign publications will help drive new visitors to our corner of the world.
“Their custom will help to boost our economy, and we would hope that they would make many return visits to sample the other top quality attractions Carmarthenshire has to offer.”
The Golf e Turismo magazine can be viewed online at www.golfeturismo.it. A translated version can be viewed through a popular search engine.
