The Biarritz Golf blog
A great charity for cancer
By Keith Sutherland 6 June 10
The ‘Biarritz Golf Doctor’ team have just entered the “Swing for Sammy” cancer charity day at Muswell Hill Golf Club, London on the 31st July. We are donating a prize of a weekend for 2 in Biarritz at a 4 star hotel and two free rounds of golf. More details to follow. This is a fantastic cause and we are really happy to be associated with the day. Watch this space for news of how we got on ..
Hallelujah !!
By Keith Sutherland 29 May 10
A client who has seen the light and recently converted to “ Biarritz Golfism” extolling the virtues of regular worshipping at the temple of fantastic golf and great service.
Strong grip ??
By Keith Sutherland 22 May 10
The first time someone told me to use a strong grip, I gripped the club so hard I almost ripped my glove open. “No, you idiot,” this person told me. “A strong grip means you turn your grip towards the right (for a right-handed golfer).” “Why the hell is that called a ‘strong grip’?” “I don’t know, but it is.” To this day, I still don’t know why it’s called a strong grip. But whatever the reason, I’ve learned that a strong grip allows your wrists to hinge properly and squares up the clubface at impact. This is essential to hitting the ball straight with the most distance. If it doesn’t work for you, then I recommend that you try a couple shots of a top-shelf tequila (Gran Centenario would be my choice), preferably with a cart girl or two. You’ll have much more fun, I guarantee it!
Good time to pop over to Biarritz
By Keith Sutherland 22 May 10
No trouble reserving a table at one of the many good restaurants .. plenty of tee times available .. no crowds on the beach or in the bars. Where is this Utopia ? Biarritz of course !! This weekend the entire population will be in Paris for the Heineken Cup Final against Toulouse. Come on BO, Ian Balshaw et al.
We have arrived on Facebook
By Keith Sutherland 13 March 10
We love blogging and we will not stop blogging on this site. But … we also love Facebook because it gives you the opportunity to interact with us and just as important, become a fan. We can now be found under the appropriate name of “ The Biarritz Golf Doctor “ on Facebook.com. Why this name? well we feel that after receiving our Biarritz Golfing Experience medicine, you will be feeling considerably better than you did beforehand. You can reach us by clicking on the facebook link on our home page (just above the map of Biarritz). Come and share your experiences of golfing in Biarritz or just tell us how we can improve our service for the ultimate benefit of all future visitors, past or present. Let us post your tour photos for all to see and become part of the Biarritz Golfing community. We look forward to keeping you informed with short informative reviews and pictures of the great courses here in Biarritz, interesting places to visit along with sharing our knowledge of the many great restaurants waiting for you to experience. The facebook journey begins .. come and join us soon.
Restaurant you should visit in Biarritz
By Keith Sutherland 12 March 10
We promised some reviews of what we consider to be the best of the many restaurants in Biarritz where we have experienced a gastronomic delight, so here we are.
Chez Albert
A well know and popular seafood restaurant in the Old port which has been the subject of many reviews in the past, so we do not want to go down the road of just rolling out platitudes and adding some meaningless remarks, but in this case that’s going to be difficult. We always recommend Chez Albert to our clients as the experience will always enhance your visit. A sublime selection of fish, crab, oysters (I’m beginning to salivate), good wine list, great desserts and all in a goldmine location overlooking the harbour.
This place is always full and not somewhere which you would just stroll along to hoping to casually expect an outside table in a prime position. Some military style planning is in order here, though of course we can do all that for you on one condition ….. BOOK A GOLF HOLIDAY WITH US .. not unreasonable really. Joking aside, however and with whoever you have found yourself in Biarritz and you are a devotee of seafood, great ambiance and also prepared for a hit on your wallet for a non Michelin star establishment, a visit here will leave you very satisfied. If you struggle with “Le langue francais” worry not as the proprietors have even thought of that in the form of english speaking waiters. Bon appetite.
A very Happy Christmas to you ... from us
By Keith Sutherland 22 December 09
A simple message to all golfers out there from all of us here at Biarritz Golfing Experience. We sincerely wish all our past clients, those who have booked with us for next year, those who are thinking about it and of course those who will become our clients in the future ….
HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PEACEFUL AND HEALTHY 2010Thank you for all your continued support as our young company grows and equally as important, your encouragement and very kind words.
Biarritz Olympique sail through
By Keith Sutherland 22 December 09
Have to be slightly careful what I write here as I do have good friends in Glasgow, Newport and Gloucester …. but, come on lads and lasses, after your recent exploits in the Heineken cup, to say that you are floundering in the wake of a very strong Biarritz Olympique side, would I think be an understatement. Only the seriously demented would back against them reaching the final in Paris in May.
If you are one of those supporters who have had to sit by watching your team suffer at the hands of Biarritz, help is at hand. Bring your golf clubs instead of your rugby shirt over here and let us soothe your battered pride with a few rounds of golf and unbeatable Basque hospitality.
Great new stuff for 2010
By Keith Sutherland 22 December 09
OK, we are not making out that we have just invented the wheel, but if you have just taken a tour around our BIARRITZ GOLFING EXPERIENCE website, you will have noticed that as our company grows, we are now offering our discerning golfing clients considerably more services for the coming 2010 season
These fantastic additions Include an even greater selection of accommodation, with two private houses for the larger groups who prefer a “team” environment and more privacy, and a wider Hotel selection to suit the budget of every tour party. We have of course personally inspected each of these establishments and recommend them wholeheartedly.
A new “a la carte” service which offers clients a variety of additional services, from private wine tasting to shopping trips to San Sebastian to watching Biarritz play rugby (in season of course). We are also offering clients the opportunity to pay for all these great services using a credit or debit card.
The fantastic selection of Biarritz golf courses are still here for you to enjoy and of course all this is topped of with our renowned high level of personal service and attention to detail, throughout your visit here.
We hope you like the “new look” to the site and these great new improved services and that you and your party are tempted to contact us for a tailor made quote for your 2010 Biarritz Golf Tour. As ever, if you would like to make a comment about the site or a constructive suggestion as to how we can help you even more, please feel free to contact me at the following e-mail address: keith@biarritzgolfingexperience.com or go to the contact page on the website.
Lots for Biarritz to drink about in the Heineken Cup
By Keith Sutherland 18 October 09
Another powerful display from the Boys from Biarritz in the Heineken Cup this weekend, beating a very good Gloucester side 42 – 15. Despite the size of the result I am sure you kind folk from Gloucester were treated to some fantastic hospitality in Biarritz and we look forward to you returning here, but when you do … can you bring your golf clubs?
What makes our Biarritz Golf Pro tick ?
By Keith Sutherland 13 October 09
You have seen his regular tips on our Biarritz Golfing Experience site, all of which have been extremely useful, but you have also probably been thinking what lurks behind that smooth, sophisticated exterior ? Do we really want to know ? Are we afraid what we might uncover ? …. Yes, to both, so we thought we would throw some deep meaningful questions at our “Touring Pro” Paul Creamer from Mllford Golf Club in Surrey and try to find out more about him. Nothing to intrusive of course at this stage as I still need the odd free lesson from him ….
“Your ultimate fourball with anyone past & present?”
Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan & Paula Creamer (obviously)
“Before a big game, what’s on your iPod to get the adrenalin pumping?”
LBC talk radio, it’s a chill out thing for me!
“Where would you take them on?”
Augusta – Say no more. Simply the best place on this planet. I have played there twice. Very privileged.
“What’s your fairway style – Bling or brogues?”
Definitely brogues
“How would you celebrate your win?”
Great meal and some nice wine with my wife and a few close friends
“1st and last drink on the 19th?”
Lager top. Followed by Southern comfort and lemonade ( just to get in touch with my feminine side)
“Your missus has gone out for the evening – what d’you cook?”
Chilli or chicken fajitas
“Your private jet is on the tarmac and ready to fly – where d’you go?”
Las Vegas, most fun place to be, day or night!!!”*
“Which club’s first in your bag?”
Makser rescue 18 degree. I love her.
“How has this season been for you so far?”
Lots of 2nds and thirds. Not enough wins
“What are your main goals for the remainder of the season?”
Keep going until the bitter end
“Where do you want to be in 3 years?“
Director of golf at a resort club with beautiful facilities
“If golf didn’t exist, what would you be doing?”
Car Salesman. I love cars
“Which amateur player has the most rhythmical swing and tightest game?”
Well, Keith Sutherland of Biarritz Golfing Experience .. of course … what a player, should be a Pro really. ( Paul wasn’t really asked this question .. I answered it on his behalf otherwise he wouldn’t have said me !!)
Thanks Paul, great fun and look forward to getting even deeper into your psyche next time
Biarritz Buzz the Glasgow Warriors
By Keith Sutherland 13 October 09
Another Heineken Cup competition kicks off and Biarritz Olympique had a long trip to Glasgow Warriors last Saturday. Despite Glasgow coming agonisingly close to making a dream start to their campaign, Biarritz just had too much for them in defence. All first half points came from the boot as both Glasgow stand-off Dan Parks and Biarritz scrum-half Dimitri Yashvili. Each slotted four penalties to tie the game at 12-12 at the break. Despite Parks’ boot adding six second-half points to Glasgow’s tally, Magnus Lund’s converted try was too much to overcome. After the game, a despondent Glasgow head coach, Sean Lineen, said: “We lost but we weren’t out-played. We lost that game, they didn’t win it….OUCH !!, well he would say that wouldn’t he ? Come on guys you were beaten 22 – 18 on your own turf. Well done Biarritz …. could be long competition for Glasgow Warriors.
Credit Card payments for 2010
By Keith Sutherland 3 October 09
Up until now our clients from the four corners of the world have paid for their Biarritz Golfing Experience, by cheque or direct bank transfer to our company account. Some of our clients have let us know that they would have preferred to have paid us using their credit or debit card. In always seeking to respond to our clients needs, we now have a PayPal account with which you can conduct any future credit or debit card transactions. To make the whole process even easier, you will not need to open an account with PayPal, as was previously the case. Instead when you reach the point where we need some money from you, we will send you our invoice and a secure e-mail link to our Pay Pal account, after which you simply make the payment. So whether you are “Putting like a drain in Paris”. “Shooting low scores in Spain or “Launching a 300 yard drive in London, we will be able to cater for all currencies and afford you even more protection for your hard earned money. Watch out for the PayPal logo appearing on our website soon
The winner ? .... charity
By Keith Sutherland 29 September 09
What a great day !! The Frome Lions Charity golf event at Orchadleigh golf club last Friday was a complete success. The sun shone and the golf was good. Our team “The boys from Biarritz” didn’t win despite great leadership and meticulous planning .. and some dodgy putting, but we returned a respectable score and finished in the top half. Thanks a million to my fellow team mates, David Gill, Robin Kirwin-Taylor and Kev Readman for making a decent fist of it all.
Our Biarritz Golfing Experience donated prize of a two night stay in the Radisson Hotel, Biarritz with two rounds of golf at Golf d’Arcangues and Golf de Biarritz along with chauffeur driven transport to and from Biarritz airport and both golf courses, was won by Andrew Alden from Frome. The prize was presented by Norman “bites your legs” Hunter, the great ex Leeds and England footballer, who in his day struck fear into many of the top strikers in the old English first division and still looks like he could now !!
Charity of course was the big winner and we know that the “Hope for tomorrow” charity will benefit from the day. Well done to all the volunteers from Frome Lions who did all those jobs around the course that us golfers sometimes take for granted as we strive for golfing excellence.
Watch this space for further events when we hope to offer a similar fantastic prize of a golf trip to Biarritz for the benefit of a local charity.
Raring to burn it up !!
By Keith Sutherland 23 September 09
As a regular reader of our blog, you will know by now that we are sponsoring a hole and offering a prize of a golf trip for two to Biarritz, at the Frome Lions Charity Day on Friday the 25th September at Orchardleigh Golf Club in Somerset, in aid of “Hope for Tomorrow”.
But it does not end there … we at Biarritz Golfing Experience are not only committed to providing our clients with a first class golfing experience but we also love playing the game and so we will be entering a team of four at the event this Friday.
I will of course be charged with trying to bring a sense of decorum to our team and marshaling their undoubted golfing talents as we burn up the fairways of Orchardleigh and pepper the pin on each hole. Our team which is called “The boy’s from Biarritz” is teeing off at 9.44 am and if you would like to see some smooth, rhythmical swings resulting in arrow straight 300 yard drives … can I suggest you wait until one of the other teams tees off !!
If you are in the area and fancy a laugh come and see us on Friday. It’s all for a great cause.
Charity Golf Day
By Keith Sutherland 30 August 09
To all those golfers out there who don’t live too far from the beautiful county of Somerset … Biarritz Golfing Experience are sponsoring a hole (not a difficult one we hope) at a Charity Golf Day at Orchardleigh Golf Club, Frome on the 25 September 2009. The event is being organised by The Lions Club of Frome and the aim is to have a lot of fun, play some good golf and more importantly raise loads of money for the “Hope for Tomorrow” charity (Reg No 1094677), which provides mobile chemotherapy units that bring treatment to the homes of hundreds of cancer patients in the region …. I’m sure you will agree, a very worthwhile cause.
Apart from sponsoring a hole, we are also offering a two night trip to Biarritz staying at the fantastic Radisson Blu Hotel (breakfast included) along with two of rounds of golf at Golf D’Arcangues and Golf de Biarritz. We will of course chauffeur the winners to and from Biarritz airport and to both golf courses on the day of play. (Terms & conditions apply)
There will be loads of good things happening and some other great prizes to win as well, so if you fancy taking part or just coming along to discuss how we can organise your golfing break to Biarritz, or even better … win one … you know where will be on the 25th of September
Dance the fairways then watch the Pro's
By Keith Sutherland 20 August 09
The Biarritz Dance Festival, le Temps d’Aimer La Danse will be held between the 11 – 20 September. It is among the best European festivals devoted solely to dance, in all its guises. You will be able to take in everything from break dancing to ballet for ten days at venues across town. So when you pack those golf shoes for your trip here don’t forget to pack those …. blue suede shoes !!
Roxy Jam is coming
By Keith Sutherland 2 June 09
Between 10 – 14 July, the Roxy Jam, Biarritz will be celebrating its 4th birthday. In its magnificent setting on the Basque Coast, the event has become a major meeting-place in the world of women’s surfing, as well as being an authentic cultural and musical festival. Keeping faith with its principle of mixing surfing competition with art and music, the Roxy Jam Biarritz shares its summer quarters below the Villa Belza, with an intense schedule of surfing, concerts, exhibitions and shows …all free of charge. The world’s elite are coming to Biarritz to compete for the ASP Ladies’ Long board World Championship. 32 professional women surfers, 16 of which have pre-qualified due to their 2008 classifications, specialists in nose riding from the four corners of the globe, will fight for the title of 2009 World Ladies’ Champion, in a new competition format with elimination from round 1 onwards.
So there you have it, when you have finished enjoying your Biarritz Golfing Experience, there is plenty more to see and do just along the coast … and all in a spectacular setting.
What is going on ?
By Keith Sutherland 27 May 09
The surf us up, the sun is shining and there is a noticeable increase in the number of people, from all over the world, visiting Biarritz right now. The golf courses are in peak condition and playing well, the various clubhouses are offering some great cuisine to enjoy after your game and I have to say life is …. pretty good at the moment. You may well be on the verge of visiting Biarritz, so we thought it would be a good to post some notices of the cultural goings on that will be available to you in Biarritz and the surrounding area, after you arrive here.
BiarritzArt & Exhibitions
Voyage in the Himalayas (runs until 28 June) – A very private collection of Himalayan art, organised to celebrate the 10 anniversary of the Asiatic museum
Dance
La Bayadère – On June 04, Ballet (3 acts) performed by the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre at Gare du Midi.
Festivals
Les Océanes – From June 20 to June 28, Street arts, music, concerts & exhibitions
Music
May 31 Maceo Parker is in concert at Atabal & on June 19, Calvin Russel is in concert also at Atabal.
Next week – we will take in the surrounding towns of St Jean de Luz and Bayonne along with a dip into Sans Sebastian, just over the border.
Biarritz Radisson Hotel do it again !
By Keith Sutherland 24 March 09
“Innovative”, “on the ball”, “client aware”, “great service” – just some of the phrases that we like to think our past clients can attribute to us, however on this occasion we must attribute them to our good friends at The Radisson Hotel in Biarritz. Now I keep harping on about what a fantastic hotel it is to stay in and I will certainly not cease from that. They have come up with another amazing offer for the months of May and June.
If you would like to make your golf tour here extra special and stay at the Radisson during May, between the 3rd – 7th, 10th – 15th and the 24th – 31 and in June except the 8, 9, 13, 18 & 19th, they are offering an incredible 20% discount on any standard room with a city view .. and this includes a great breakfast each morning.
We feel this great offer really adds something to your Biarritz Golfing Experience. All you have to do is hit the “get a golf quote” button on our home page or at the bottom of this one and you could be experiencing Biarritz, playing the superb golf courses and enjoying the eclectic mix oflocal restaurants in this very chic town and all whilst staying at the excellent Radisson Hotel …. see you soon.