David McClure, a sales executive at Golf Escapes, caught the golfing bug at the age of 12 and has been driven by a desire to better himself ever since. From early days playing at his local course in Sussex with friends on rugby-free weekends, to gracing some of the most impressive and captivating locations around the world, David has a deep love not just of the sport, but the great friendships that can be formed as part of it.
With a style most comparable to the late, great Seve Ballesteros, David likes to combine a hint of flair with a sprinkling of aggression and a whole lot of passion. Taking the occasional chance of being all over the place, David is a player who wants to find that once-in-a-lifetime wonder shot, a player full of excitement others want to share the course with.
As a sales executive at Golf Escapes, David thrives on helping others find that ideal trip. Golf Escapes is passionate about sharing their irresistible tips and knowledge with fellow golf-lovers around the world.
From short UK weekend breaks to luxurious golf and spa holidays across the world, Golf Escapes has the right trip for everyone. Their in-depth understanding garnered through personal experience means they can recommend the perfect package, or help you design a unique, tailor-made tour especially for you.
With every detail thought of, you can be sure that your visit to some of the grandest and most enticing courses around the world will be memorable for life.
David himself has played at many such courses. With a peak handicap of just two, he has been blessed with opportunities to play at some of the finest courses around the world. Favouring those that bring a smile to your face and special memories flooding back, here are David’s favourite courses to play:
LES CHATEAUX COURSE - GOLF DU MEDOC
The par 71 course is widely regarded as one of the best in France. Set in the majestic wine region of Bordeaux, strong winds and unforgiving roughs demand precision and technique for a successful round. One of two courses at the Golf du Medoc resort, the Chateau is the award-winning ‘big sister’. It was designed in 1989 by the American Bill Coore, who has worked across the world and is famed for using the natural contours of the land to help in his designs. Bordeaux’s beautiful countryside combined with Coore’s philosophy has made the Chateau course a stunning picture.
MONTE REI
The Monte Rei is the unrivalled eastern Algarve course. A world-class setting with the Serra do Caldeirão mountains to the north and the Atlantic Ocean in the south places the course with its 7182 yards of pure beauty on the must-play list. Featuring five lakes and a border of indigenous trees, the Monte Rei has enough challenge for any handicap and ability, and a unique way of surpassing all expectations on each hole as it improves even when that is seemingly impossible.
TPC STADIUM SAWGRASS
The host of the annual Players Championship, the TPC Stadium Sawgrass is among the best-known courses worldwide. It is impeccably attended to and has an ideal location being just a mile in from the Atlantic coast in Florida. Adrenaline rushes characterise the course, with no greater buzz than the seventeenth. Alcatraz, as its known, is a par three that fills even pros with equal measures of excitement and dread. An island green jutting out into a lake provides a real challenge, one that any adventurous golfer should relish and target.
THE BLUE MONSTER - DORAL
Renovated to be longer and more exhilarating than ever before in 2014 by the world-renowned Gil Hanse, the designer of the Rio 2016 Olympic course, The Blue Monster is a truly world-class course. Popular with many of the top players in the world, the course enables visitors to follow in the footsteps of their favourite pros in creating memories and moments to savour. With long, flowing fairways, but deep and strategically placed bunkers and water hazards, the course promises an enthralling experience for all players.
YAS LINKS
Set against stunning views of the Arabian Gulf, Yas Links in Abu Dhabi consistently ranks highly on lists for the best courses in the world. The course lives up to the expectations of its surroundings with a great variety of challenges and rewarding outcomes for those having a good round. Over two miles of coastline was reshaped in the construction of the course so every inch is designed to perfection. World-class facilities only add to the grandeur, so at the end of a day’s play, you can relax and marvel at the stunning views over the course.
QUINTA DA LAGO - NORTH
Playing courses designed by professional players gives you an insight into what they enjoy and how they like to see golf played. Redesigned and redeveloped in collaboration with European Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley, this stunning Quinta do Lago North is a must for any golfer playing in the Algarve. Aesthetically spectacular, great care was also taken to ensure the development encouraged new eco-systems, culminating not only in a fantastic golfing venue, but one of great charm and beautiful scenery. Well-positioned bunkers and water hazards will challenge any golfer, while four sets of tees can be an encouragement to players of all levels.
SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB
Designed by Gary Player, the South African widely considered as one of the greatest golfers of all time, the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club provides mouthwatering 360-degree views. A short ten-minute ride from the city centre, the magnificent, must play Abu Dhabi course is located right on the beachfront. Blue waters, white-sand beaches, native dune grasses and palm trees give a paradisical feel to the place. Challenges such as saltwater lagoons, sand dunes and an impressive 67 bunkers make this course its own special kind of test.
FINCA CORTESIN
Renowned as one of the best golfing experiences in Spain and Europe, if not the world, the Finca Cortesin was designed by the world-famous golf course architect Cabell Robinson. The attentively cared for course combines perfectly with the natural vegetation in the area to create the ideal playing space. Having hosted European Tour events in the past, the course is one for any serious golfer to take on. World-class service and extensive practise facilities both add to the overall feel that this is a serious golfing venue.
THE NICKLAUS COURSE AT ST MELLION
The first European course personally designed by Jack Nicklaus, the Nicklaus course is one of two at the St Mellion resort in Plymouth and is renowned worldwide. Advocating strategic play, the course can be an unforgiving place with numerous water hazards, which drives great challenge and competition for the golfer looking to push themself. The Nicklaus Course at St Mellion is kept to an immaculate standard and surpassed even the high expectations of the designer himself who, as the record holder of the most major wins, knows a thing or two about his courses!
CASA DE CAMPO - THE TEETH OF THE DOG
The signature course of the designer Pete Dye, Casa de Campo’s Teeth of the Dog is often considered to be the number one course in the Caribbean. Located in the most visited Caribbean destination of the Dominican Republic, the course features 18 staggeringly beautiful holes and uses the coastal landscape to great effect. Demanding great ability of players, the course is a rewarding but unforgiving journey of tough shots. It is a must-play course in one of the most idyllic locations in the world.
David McClure works for Golf Escapes, a company of professional golfers and enthusiasts that specialise in golf holidays. David very much enjoyed coming up with this list and now looks forward to the next time he might be able to take his next golf trip. When ever that may be.
