Golfers in Europe have been missing their favourite sport for over three months now. Thankfully, after Sotogrande moved into Phase 1 of the de-escalation process in May, golf courses were given the green light to reopen and the 18-hole championship course at La Reserva Club Sotogrande opened its doors on the 1st of June.
During the preparations to open, which included deep cleaning and implementing hygiene and social distancing measures, the team started planning how to help their foreign clientele enjoy their fairways safely.
“Avoiding airports and being packed in an aluminium tube — it’s what people are trying to avoid in the next couple of months,” Marc Topiol, Chairman of Sotogrande SA said to Bloomberg. However, he knows that golfers are desperate to get their fix, therefore Topiol and Francois-Henry Bennahmias, Chief Executive of Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet Holding SA, have teamed up to run a private jet service to Sotogrande. They will be flying groups of five or six friends into Gibraltar, followed by a short shuttle to Sotogrande.
This private jet service will have the highest level of COVID-19 protection, incorporating virus tests before boarding, fewer passengers and private terminals. Before boarding, a nurse will test flyers, the pilot and crew, so that golfers can feel completely safe getting back to some of the world’s best golf courses and enjoying the elegant and sophisticated lifestyle Sotogrande is famous for.
The team have put together an incredible golfers’ package to attract European travellers. This includes the private transfer to Gibraltar, accommodation and green fees for Valderrama, Real Club de Sotogrande and of course La Reserva Club.
Cadiz province, where Sotogrande is located, moved to Phase 2 on the 25th of May, ahead of neighbouring Malaga and will be moving onto Phase 3 shortly. This means that visitors can enjoy the beach, tennis and padel club at La Reserva Club and socialise in groups of up to 20 people when then they visit. Shops are also gradually reopening and bars and restaurants are welcoming guests on their terraces and inside their premises. Sotogrande offers so much more than golf, and this private jet service allows visitors to enjoy the area safely and in total comfort.
The first flight could arrive in Gibraltar as soon as June 15th. With Spain announcing they would be lifting the two-week quarantine requirement for visitors and welcoming tourists from the 1st of July, travelling should become even easier from then on. Those interested in finding out more should contact the Concierge at La Reserva Club by emailing concierge@sotogrande.com or calling + 34 956 785 252.
