Great weekend golfing with friends

From the first minute we arrived we were warmly welcomed, and that continued throughout our stay.

The apartment had everything we needed, and was in a perfect location to access the crocodile club, which offered a lovely outside pool and evening dining.

For us as a group the golfing was the most important part of our holiday, and we were not disappointed.

The course was in a perfect condition and great fun to play, with the caddy master great at organizing our clubs and tee off times.

All in all we all had a great trip and look forward to returning soon.

Great Golf Resort

Fifteen (15) members of the England Cricket Squad, accompanied by twelve (12) Management, staff and coaches are now back in England having completed a successful 4-day pre-series bonding and training camp between Tuesday 16^th – Friday 19^th May in the build up to the Champions Trophy at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course with its very own dedicated Cricket Academy, in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía in south-east Spain.

Trevor Bayliss, ECB Head Coach remarked of Desert Springs Resort and the training camp;

“An environment full of opportunities to do not much at all or work as hard as we did these 4 days! Thanks for the hospitality.”

The focus of the training camp was to ensure that Eoin Morgan’s side are in the best possible shape – not just for the Champions Trophy, but also for the three-match series against South Africa beginning at Headingley on May 24th.

The camp was designed to be a relaxed affair, to provide an opportunity for the players to both work seriously on their fielding skills and fitness levels, whilst at the same time having the opportunity to benefit from the extensive resort facilities with planned bonding activities.

Players mobilisation around the resort via mountain bikes, a couple of rounds of golf on the highly acclaimed championship Indiana course, team meetings and social evenings at the Crocodile Club restaurant were all par for the course!

England ODI Captain Eoin Morgan remarked of his experience;

“What an amazing time we have had here. Everything from the service to the facilities has been as good as we get anywhere in the world!

I would like to thank everyone who played a part in making our camp the best!”

England Captain Joe Root commented;

“It’s been an outstanding few days. Everything has been run extremely well, great facilities, weather and golf course!

Thanks for a very enjoyable and beneficial trip!”

Jos Buttler remarked of his experience;

“Thanks to everyone at Desert Springs, another fantastic stay with the service to match, everyone has been so accommodating of our every need.

The facilities and villas have been awesome, as is the golf course and I look forward to seeing you all again soon!”

Dr. Mark Wotherspoon, ECB Team Doctor commented:

“Another fantastic few days. Excellent hospitality, facilities & food etc.

People were available, willing and able to help whenever needed, a really great few days!”

Phil Neale, England Team Operations Manager remarked;

“Once again a really enjoyable stay, great hospitality and training facilities and excellent food!”

We had the most exceptional time. The villa was sensational, so clean and in great order. The staff were incredibly helpful and willing to do anything that was asked. We took a 10 and 8 yr old boy who both had a great time. Neil the golf coach was outstanding and the tennis coach was top class. We also took a 6 yr old girl who happily walked around the course with us, played in the playground for hours and was generally happy to hang out. The breakfast in the golf club was far too good with exceptional service.

This was our first trip but certainly not our last. I could not recommend somewhere more for an active family holiday. The weather in March was ideal, sunny but not too hot. (not really swimming in the unheated pool weather unless you had played 18 stressful holes!)

The local markets were really quaint and some good bargains to be found. Delicious fruit and veg as well as some good fakes!

GIVE IT A GO!

Whitgift School players are now back in England having completed a successful four (4) days of warm weather pre-season cricket and fitness training between Monday 03rd – Friday 07^th April at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course with its very own dedicated Cricket Academy, in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía in south-east Spain.

Neil Kendrick and Paul Hindmarch, Whitgift School ‘Head of Cricket Performance’ and ‘Head of the Cricket Academy’ respectively, supported by eight (8) staff, accompanied seventy (70) players who completed bowling, batting and fielding practice as well as strength and conditioning training sessions and matches, as they stepped up their physical preparations for the upcoming 2017 season.

Neil Kendrick ‘Head of Cricket Performance’ commented: “Having visited Desert Springs for the last few years with our Golf Team and experienced all that the resort has to offer, I was very excited at now bringing a large group of students for a Cricket Training Camp. Desert Springs has delivered on every aspect, the service levels are just sensational and nothing is left to chance. The children have all had an unforgettable week and we look forward to returning next year!”

The training camp worked on a specific and carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity.

Whitgift School players said of their pre-season training experience at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy:

“Great facilities, great food, great place!” Theo Saitch

Amazing Cricket Academy, great food & great staff!” Haydn Rees

“Absolutely amazing place with such happy and helpful staff!” Ben Cleaver

“The Cricket Academy is awesome, there is so much space and things to do!” Harvey Stedman

“Great place, awesome cricket facilities and they even have English TV!”  Nathaniel Fitzpatrick

“The facilities are fantastic and the weather is just out of this world!” James Orakwe

“I have had so much fun and am so happy that I came!” Felix Curson

“The Cricket Academy facilities are unbelievable, and so is the Wi-Fi!” Archie Wait

“The facilities at the resort are great, I loved the swimming pool and the beds also!” Matthew Shalless

“We received great hospitality and the cricket wickets are wicked!” Jos Heaver

To view the video of the Desert Springs Cricket Academy Click Here

The players and coaches were accommodated in some of the privately owned apartments and pueblo villas normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the Crocodile Club Restaurant.

A Whitgift education is unique and exceptionally tailor-made, offering a variety of pathways to qualifications, including A Level, Pre U, the IB and BTEC, with a bilingual section for native French or Spanish speakers.

Whitgift’s sport is at the forefront of achievement, with over 120 national titles won in the past five years. More than 40 sports are available, including modern pentathlon, golf, cricket, judo and cycling. Many boys represent their country in a wide variety of sports, or go on to pursue a career at the highest level.

“Perfect for mixed age sporty family break”

The villa was spotless and extremely comfortable with its own swimming pool and a healthy walk to the club house for an excellent breakfast each morning. It was unusually chilly the first couple of days but once out and about this was soon forgotten. Tennis courts were extremely kind to the older slower members of the group and the golf course was in excellent condition and a definite plus if the golfers can keep straight! The neighbouring area is full of interest and good places to eat and there is an excellent supermarket about ten minutes away by car. Made you realise how expensive English supermarkets have become.

The 2014 World Amateur Team Disabled Golf Champions, The Swedish National Amateur Disabled Golf Team, are now back in Sweden having completed a successful seven (7) days of warm weather training between Sunday 26^th March & Sunday 2^nd April at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course, in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía in south-east Spain.

During their time at the resort the players utilised the excellent practice facilities at the Golf Academy and played the Championship Indiana course.

Daniel Stark, Coach to The Swedish National Amateur Disabled Golf Team remarked:

“We have been coming to Desert Springs for some years now and we love the resort, the golf course and the weather, which is much better than in Sweden currently!

The service we receive is first-class and the course was in even better shape than last year and we are very much looking forward to returning next year!”

Squad members commented of their experience at Desert Springs Resort;

 “The resort is perfect for our needs; a great course in great condition, a fantastic villa for our resort accommodation and great service!” Niklas Viktor

“It’s great to be under the sun and playing on some smooth and quick greens!” Kristoffer Eklund

“It’s great to be back at Desert Springs Resort. The course is fantastic and in great shape!” Joakim Bjorkman

The players and officials where accommodated in one of the privately owned Country Villas normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the award-winning El Torrente Restaurant.

Somerset County Cricket Club players are now back in England having completed a successful ten (10) days of warm weather pre-season cricket and fitness training between Monday 6th – Thursday 16th March at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course with its very own dedicated Cricket Academy, in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía in south-east Spain.

Seven Somerset CCC coaching staff accompanied twenty-two (22) players who completed bowling, batting and fielding practice as well as strength and conditioning training sessions as they stepped up their physical preparations for the upcoming 2017 season.

Somerset CCC Director of Cricket Matt Maynard commented:  “Another top class training camp, most importantly the playing surfaces are improving year on year which is our number one priority. Thank you to all the staff for looking after us so well.”

Jamie Thorpe, Somerset CCC Lead Physiotherapist remarked; “Another sensational trip to Desert Springs. Excellent facilities, food, and Golf Course. Thank you!” 
The training camp worked on a specific and carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity that included golf on the championship Indiana course as well as a mountain bike ride!

Somerset CCC players said of their pre-season training experience at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy:

“Yet again a great training camp at Desert Springs. Constantly fantastic facilities, alongside a great golf course. Once again leaving Spain fit and ready to go. Many thanks to all staff.” Peter Trego

“I had a fantastic time at Desert Springs. The facilities are superb and I would love to be back next year!” James Hildreth

“Excellent facilities. The net surface was fantastic and the golf sensational. Very welcoming staff and quality food, thank you!” Josh Davey

“A great 10 days. The Resort keeps on improving every year we visit!” Jim Allenby 

“The net surfaces have really, really improved! Very friendly staff. Many thanks to all staff for another great visit!” Johan Myburgh

“A very enjoyable 10 days. Great facilities, friendly staff!” Max Waller

“This was my first time at Desert Springs. Lovely facilities with great hospitality. Very good food and welcoming staff.” Dom Bess

It took us a while to research and find a quality golf resort with an English speaking golf pro and we found Desert Springs and Neil Evans. We only started golf a year and a half ago and had taken some lessons but we really felt we needed a boost. So we were looking for daily lessons and a game in the afternoons.

Neil organises not only the golf for you but also the accommodation and received us with a big smile when we first arrived at the resort.

The resort is really nice, spacious well maintained and so is the golf course. A bit tricky for beginners but nothing we were not able to deal with. While we very much appreciated the quality of the resort, first and foremost we would come back for Neil.

We can highly recommend him for anyone who is looking for a patient and calm way of teaching, and especially his skill in explaining movements in multiple ways. He helps client prefect their setup so as to increase the chance of hitting the ball exactly right, and covers all areas that one might need to perfect ones swings and techniques.

Thank you, Neil for seven days of intense improvement to be repeated asap.

Warm regards and hasta la vista
Eileen and Roelof

Lancashire County Cricket Club players are now back in England having completed a successful four (4) days of warm weather pre-season cricket and fitness training between Sunday 26th February – Thursday 2nd March at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course with its very own dedicated Cricket Academy, in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía in south-east Spain.

Glen Chappel (LCCC Head Coach), Sam Bryne (LCCC Team Physio) and Warren Hegg (LCCC Business Development Manager), accompanied eight (8) players who completed bowling, batting and fielding practice as well as strength and conditioning training sessions as they stepped up their physical preparations for the upcoming 2017 season.

LCCC Head Coach Glen Chappel commented:  “It has been absolutely great for us to get some outdoor practice after a long winter of indoor training. The facilities have been outstanding and the service we have received has been first class. We already look forward to our next visit!”

Speaking of the grass wickets Glen remarked: “The wickets were a touch ‘spicy’ on day one but flattened out beautifully for the rest of the stay. The wickets lasted the full 4-days of heavy use, our ‘net’ wickets outside Old Trafford CG only last 3-days!

We are more than happy with the performance of the wickets, they are on a level with the ‘nets’ received at County Grounds back in England!”

The training camp worked on a specific and carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity. Lancashire CCC players said of their pre-season training experience at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy:

“Brilliant facilities.” Simon Kerrigan

“Top draw 4-days, definitely coming again!” Tom Bailey

“Brilliant trip, top class staff and an enjoyable week had by all.” Kyle Jarvis

“Brilliant facilities and great food!” Daniel Lamb

“Great facilities and impressed with the quality of the wickets.” Karl Brown

 “Excellent facilities for cricket and golf and the villa we were accommodated in was excellent.” Josh Bohannon

Sam Bryne, Lancashire CCC Team Physio commented:  “Desert Springs Resort is an outstanding venue for pre-season training, both the wickets and gym are brilliant, what a place for getting fit!”

Warren Hegg Lancashire CCC Business Development Manager added: “Desert Springs Resort is a first class facility with excellent customer service!”

To view the video of the Desert Springs Cricket Academy Click Here

The players and coaches were accommodated in some of the privately owned apartments and villas normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in El Torrente Restaurant.

Between Tuesday 21^st – Saturday 25^th February, three (3) officials from the Irish Ladies Golf Union accompanied six (6) girls aged between 15 – 23 years for 4 days of warm weather winter training at the Desert Springs Resort.

ILGU International Squad members Paula Grant and Annabel Wilson, remarked respectively of their experience at Desert Springs:

“We couldn’t ask for better facilities or hospitality, a first-class stay!”

“Desert Springs is such a brilliant place all round, we couldn’t ask for more!”

The training camp utilised the Gym at the Sierras Sports Club and the excellent practice facilities at the Desert Springs Golf Academy where the ILGU Coaches were able provide one-to-one tuition and take advantage of the use of the Desert Springs short game academy.

Donal Scott, ILGU Head Coach commented:

“Desert Springs has a wonderful atmosphere and excellent staff with superb facilities for our high performance squad.”

Clodagh Hopkins, ILGU Director commented:

“Desert Springs has simply excellent facilities all round, just perfect for our requirements. The food is fabulous and all of the staff are so friendly and helpful. We very much look forward to returning!”

The students and officials were accommodated in some of the privately owned townhouses and villas normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining each evening in El Torrente Restaurant.

Matt Ellis, Golf Academy Manager & PGA Instructor, Neil Jones, Level Two Tutor, Paul Johnson, Level One Tutor & and Joanne Cawthorne, P.A to the Performance Director at Hartpury College Golf Academy, accompanied thirty-one (31) students aged between 16 – 18 years for 5-days of warm weather winter training at the Desert Springs Resort between 29^th January & 03^rd February.

Student George Bryant-Stroud of the England Regional Squad remarked:

“The practice facilities here are just awesome!

This was the perfect preparation for the season ahead, see you next year!”

 “What a brilliant week at Desert Springs, I got so much out of the training camp to take forward into my season, thank you to all of the staff!”

“A sensational training camp and a stunning golf course, thank you for looking after us so well.”

“I just love coming back to Desert Springs, everything is just so good here to allow a player to hone their game. The golf course was in just stunning condition!”

Those are the verdicts of Alexandra Giles of the England Regional Squad, Alex Talbot of the England Regional Squad and Reece Swain, all full time students from the Hartpury College Golf Academy.

The training camp utilized the excellent practice facilities at the Desert Springs Golf Academy where the PGA Instructors were able provide one-to-one tuition and take advantage of the use of the Desert Springs short game academy prior to the students embarking on their rounds on The Indiana course.

The students and officials were accommodated in some of the privately owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining each evening in the ‘The Crocodile Club’ Restaurant.

Matt Ellis: Golf Academy Manager & PGA Instructor at the Hartpury College Golf Academy remarked:

“This was my first visit to Desert Springs, what a resort!

We were made to feel welcome by everybody and the facilities are first class.

Thank you for a sensational training camp, the students have got so much from their week and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2018!”

Paul Johnson, Level One Tutor at the Hartpury College Golf Academy commented:

“I am very familiar with Desert Springs Resort and have to say that the experience and the standards just get better and better, thank you so much and see you next year!”

Between Tuesday 3rd – Saturday 7^th January, three (3) officials from the Irish Ladies Golf Union accompanied seven (7) girls aged between 15 – 23 years for 4 days of warm weather winter training at the Desert Springs Resort.

“Great facilities, great golf course and great service!”

That is the verdict of 16-year-old Valerie Casey, one of the ILGU International Squad members.

The training camp utilized the Gym at the Sierras Sports Club and the excellent practice facilities at the Desert Springs Golf Academy where the ILGU Coaches were able provide one-to-one tuition and take advantage of the use of the Desert Springs short game academy.

Johnny Foster, ILGU Head Coach commented:

“This was my first visit to Desert Springs and I am very, very impressed. Wonderful staff and service with top class facilities and a lovely environment, ideal for a high performance training camp or a family holiday, I will be back!”

Paula Grant, 23-year-old ILGU International Squad member, remarked of her experience at Desert Springs:

“Desert Springs Resort provided a first class golfing experience with both great facilities and hospitality.”

Clodagh Hopkins, ILGU Director commented:

“We all really enjoyed the complete golfing experience at Desert Springs. Both the golf course and facilities are fantastic and all of the girls got great value from their experience here. We could not have been looked after any better and we are looking forward to our return visit at the end of February.”

The students and officials were accommodated in some of the privately owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining each evening in El Torrente Restaurant.