Newsflash

Desert Springs has been selected to host the ‘InVentaBrand Celebrity Golf Masters 2010’ between Friday 26th to Sunday 28th March 2010.

The aim of the event is to raise funds for Caravan, the trading name of the National Grocers’ Benevolent Fund, which is the charity for the grocery industry. Caravan helps people all over the UK who have worked, or are working, in all areas of the grocery industry and have now found that they need some extra support to get by. Caravan raises money through a variety of fundraising events, donations and corporate sponsorship. The help that Caravan provides can make a very real difference and it provides not only monetary support, but also appliances and everyday items that many take for granted.

Festivities commence on Friday evening at El Torrente Restaurant with a private drinks reception followed by dinner.

The two-day ‘InVentaBrand Celebrity Golf Masters’ event will be played on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th March. Both tournament rounds comprise a field of 24 teams and will commence with a shot gun start at 13:00 hrs and 10:00 hrs respectively. The competition format is a Team Stableford with the 2 best balls to count.

On Saturday at 11:00 hrs Jeremy Dale will be performing his world renowned trick shot show for the ‘InVentaBrand Celebrity Golf Masters’ guests at the golf academy.

Golf Schedule for the ‘InVentaBrand Celebrity Golf Masters 2010’

We want to give our property owners and members as much notice as possible of the programme of golfing events, enabling them to plan their holidays and tee time requirements accordingly. Please see below:

For further information contact: Golf Reception
Email: golfreservations@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34 637 861 591

We have to inform you that Assistant Director of Golf, Alfonso Castiñeira will be leaving Desert Springs on Sunday, 28th February to join the ranks of the Professional Tour.

Alfonso joined us in March 2007. During that year, Alfonso won the ‘Copa de Andalucía’ and was ranked number 3 in the Spanish Amateur Order of Merit and then proceeded to win the ‘Spanish Tour Qualifying School’ in 2008. In November 2009, Alfonso travelled to Italy to compete in the ‘Alps Golf Tour Qualifying School’ where he successfully gained his tour card, earning a place to play the 2010 Alps Tour.

Alfonso, since he joined us has been responsible for providing the smooth & efficient running of the golf course, caddy master, golf academy & practice facilities, golf reception & retail outlets, members relations and ensuring that the highest standards of product and service are provided to Desert Springs owners, members and visitors alike.

We wish to publicly record our thanks to him for a job well done, his personality and professionalism will be much missed by us all and we wish him well.

José Ignacio Olea, has been appointed Golf Operations Manager and will fill Alfonso’s role in that respect. José Ignacio developed his studies of Professional Golf Management in South Carolina, USA and over the last three years has helped to develop the new Quinta do Vale Golf Resort in the Algarve.

Alfonso and José Ignacio will be working together for the last two weeks of February prior to Alfonso’s departure to ensure a smooth handover of the reigns.

For further information contact: Alfonso Castiñeira
Email: acm@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34 670 613 900

“Today’s news could open the floodgates for property sales in 2010”

Pent-up demand for property in Spain, stifled in the past year by the effects of the global recession but converted into sales since the start of the new year, thanks to a series of ‘buy now’ incentives, gets a further boost this month with the news of new 100 per cent low-cost mortgages available on a wide range of properties for sale at the lender’s valuations.

In the past 10 weeks, the Cheltenham-based Almanzora Group has successfully sold brand new freehold properties at an average rate of more than three per week at Desert Springs, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course in the Almeria region of south-east Spain, and in two nearby locations – on the beach at Playa Marques and in the traditional Spanish fishing village of Villaricos.

“We adjusted prices to take account of currency exchange rates and the current market situation, and the result has been a steadily rising flow of enquires and sales,” reports the group’s sales and marketing manager, Simon Coaker. “Now we expect a further surge in sales following the news that Spain’s Bank of Andalusia* has selected these developments as the flagships for the launch of its new mortgage offer. This could open the floodgates in terms of property sales in 2010.”

* The Bank of Andalusia (Banco de Andalucía SA), which serves Andalusia’s eight provinces and operates more than 300 branches, is more than 80 per cent owned by one of Spain’s top and most conservative of banks, Banco Popular Español.

Available on apartments like those pictured here – as well as townhouses, cottages, villas and country houses at Desert Springs in Spain and new homes for sale in two nearby locations – on the beach at Playa Marques and in the traditional Spanish fishing village of Villaricos – are 100 per cent mortgages based on independent valuations which, in some cases, are larger than the prices actually payable by purchasers. For details call +44 (0) 1242 680 116 or visit www.almanzora.com

Available on holiday homes and investment properties ranging from apartments, townhouses and cottages to villas and country houses, the 100 per cent mortgages based on independent valuations undertaken by the bank are available to Spanish national and overseas purchasers alike.

“In some cases, the mortgage available is larger than the amount actually payable by the purchaser,” says Simon. “This is because, following last year’s price reductions, current prices of a number of properties are actually lower than the bank valuations.”

This is the catalyst which will accelerate demand to levels which make price rises inevitable sooner rather than later predicts Simon who has just unveiled a portfolio of selected properties offered at exclusive prices – some with as much as 55 per cent off the list price. He describes them as ‘once in a lifetime opportunities for would-be second-home owners.’

The new 100 per cent mortgages can be paid off over periods of up to 35 years at interest rates as low as 2.7 per cent. On this basis, repayments on the mortgage for a €178,000 two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at Desert Springs would be only €400 per month. Repayments are even lower during the first two years when interest-only payments are required.

For investors who place their properties in the year-round rental pool at Desert Springs, the mortgage repayments will be offset by the income which can be achieved – typically €294 per week for a one-bedroom apartment based on two people sharing in the low season, rising to €462 in the high season. These figures are net rental income, after deduction of the charges made by the tour operators marketing properties for holidays.

“Investors will be reassured by the fact that, throughout 2009, our holiday rentals business at Desert Springs held up well with more than 48 per cent occupancy in that type of apartment,” reports Simon. “This reflects the awareness and popularity of the resort for golf breaks and family holidays, backed by a high level of recommendations to friends by property owners and guests, many of whom return year after year.

The popularity of holidays at Desert Springs – which has increased this year with the addition of the resort to the destinations offered and booked by James Villa Holidays, the UK’s leading villa holiday specialist – has prompted expansion of the number of properties in the resort’s rental pool for 2010, in order to keep pace with demand.

In addition to the 18-hole championship golf course at Desert Springs, other facilities which make it a popular choice for holidays and short breaks include its award-winning El Torrente restaurant and the Croc Restaurant – part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club – as well as the 18-hole championship golf course, day spa, sports club, tennis and paddle courts.

Simon believes that the steady throughput of holiday visitors to Desert Springs last year has been a major factor in the higher-than-expected levels of both enquires and sales of properties since the new year.

He said: “We are now at the very bottom of the cycle. Properties discounted to 55 per cent of previous values are priced more or less at the basic cost of their construction alone, excluding land and finance, so these levels will not fall further. We are seeing the start of the next stage of the process we predicted back in 2008. We said then that ‘the Spanish wheel will finally turn’ with the overall property market in the country and its coastal provinces eventually recovering to values which, in high-calibre developments like those at Desert Springs and Villaricos, were undreamed-of at the height of the previous boom.

“Over the years, the property market in Spain – especially the ‘investment’ market – has proved to be extremely cyclical. It is inevitable that, with the ready availability of 100 per cent mortgages, demand will soon start pushing prices up again, so clearly now is the time to buy.”

For further information contact: The Almanzora Group
Email: tag@almanzora.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1242 680 116

Kent-based James Villa Holidays is the latest to add Desert Springs, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course in the Almeria region of south-east Spain, to its portfolio of leisure resorts for holidays in 2010.

The company, which offers holidays in 44 leisure resorts for clients flying from 26 UK airports and four in Ireland, says it was attracted to Desert Springs by the calibre of the ten villas with private pools and cottages with shared pools in which its clients will stay.

“They will enable us to arrange self-catering holidays for a mix of clients, ranging from couples to families and groups of up to seven people,” says Andy Smith, marketing director of James Villa Holidays.

He added: “We were keen to add Desert Springs to our destinations when we saw its fantastic facilities and amenities, such as the resort’s award-winning El Torrente restaurant and the Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club, as well as the 18-hole championship golf course, day spa, sports club, tennis and paddle courts.”

Clients who take a James Villa holiday at Desert Springs before the end of March this year will qualify for a free pass for the resort’s Sierra Sports Club. This will enable them to use the paddle and tennis courts and the gymnasium without charge. They will also qualify for discounted rounds of golf with free use of a golf buggy.

Clients who book a holiday at Desert Springs before the end of this month (February, 2010) can enjoy a James Villa Holidays Sunshine Spectacular comprising free car hire, free travel insurance and a free welcome pack.

For more information on James Villa Holidays visit www.jamesvillas.co.uk

For further information contact: The Almanzora Group
Email: tag@almanzora.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1242 680 299

Karen, our resident therapist at The Day Spa, is pleased to extend this very special 60 minute Facial and Massage treatment offer. Due to popular demand the treatment, which includes a 30 minute prescribed power boosting facial and a 30 minute relaxing back, neck and shoulder massage, is now available until March 31st 2010.

Elemis power boosting facials produce maximum results in only 30 minutes. Choose from:

• Pro-Collagen Lifting Facial – Powerful mineral ingredients and unique facial massage techniques help to lift and firm the skin.
• Winter Survival – Deep-cleansing treatment with formulations and techniques designed to gently remove impurities and nourish the skin.
• Skin Radiance – Reveal radiant skin with this moisture-boosting treatment. A unique mask rich with amino acids and vitamins helps to regenerate skin cells, providing instant energy to the skin.
• Only for Men – Designed for men’s skin, this power-charged treatment helps to cleanse, firm and hydrate the skin.

Combined with the 30 minute body boosting massage this treatment makes an ideal gift. Perfect for people in need of de-stress, for people who exercise regularly and for sufferers of backache.

Take time out to relax and indulge in the benefits of this special promotional treatment offer for just €55. Gift vouchers are also available. Treatments are performed by our highly trained professional therapist in the relaxed setting of our tranquil treatment room at the Day Spa.

The Day Spa is located in the Herencia Show Home at No 4 Desert Drive next to the Golf Club House.

For further information please contact Karen on (00 34) 610 944 494 or enquire at the Golf Reception.

For further information contact: Karen Kelliher
Email: kk@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34 610 944 494

“The golf course at Desert Springs in Spain is tricky but very good for your golf!” That is the verdict of 16-year-old Daisy-May Kenny, one of 14 pupils from Millfield, the independent school in Street, Somerset, who have returned from their first visit to the resort to develop their individual golfing skills.

The school, which last year named the Desert Springs Resort and Golf Club in the Almeria region of south-east Spain as the official Spanish home for its golf academy, sent three staff with ten boys and four girls aged between 13 and 18 for four days of warm weather winter training in the resort while experiencing a golf course which offers a challenge to players at all levels.

During their stay at Desert Springs, the Millfield pupils played on its 18-hole Indiana golf course designed by former Great Britain and Ireland Golf Captain Peter McEvoy. They also benefited from one-to-one tuition in the resort’s golf academy which, according to sixth-former Nic Elliott (17), has “a great driving range and a very nice putting green – but the chipping and bunker facility was the best.”

The visit ended with a competition to win the Millfield Desert Springs Championship. Nic Elliott took the title followed closely by Ben Taylor (17) and Lewis Casserley (15).

The junior boys’ winner was Lewis Casserley and the girls’ winner was Sophie Keech (13) who returned a level par score for the nine holes played.

Millfield’s director of golf, Karen Nicholls, said: “All the pupils enjoyed the experience of Desert Springs – not just playing the challenging Indiana golf course, but having the chance to work on all areas of their games on the excellent practice facilities. All are looking forward to the next trip to the Millfield Spanish home of golf!”

Desert Springs Golf Academy director Christine Langford, a former Ladies European Tour player and leading golf coach, added: “We were delighted to welcome the Millfield Golf Academy to Desert Springs. I am very excited about the prospect of further developing our relationship with the players, families and staff at Millfield, and to hosting many other such training camps from the school.”

For further information contact: The Almanzora Group
Email: tag@almanzora.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1242 680 299

The sixth annual election for members to choose a Vice-captain and two members each for the Club’s Handicap and Competition Committees, for the period 1st April 2010 through 31st March 2011, is announced.

Since April, 2005, Club Officers have been elected annually from and by Members to work with the management of the Club. It has enabled willing Members to participate to a greater extent in both golfing and Membership aspects of the club and to engage directly as elected representatives with its operators and owners. An important objective has been to provide an approachable, open and official channel of communications between Members and management and to provide a representative grouping of Members and management, where focussed and informed discussion of issues, proposals, possibilities and solutions could take place in a positive manner. This has worked well and has led to better understanding and improvements and enjoyment for all at Desert Springs.

Ultimately the representative structure of the membership depends on Members’ willingness to allow their names to go forward, to devote time to represent the views of others, as well as their own, and to work constructively with management where measured debate can flourish. Members have demonstrated this willingness previously with positive progress and we sincerely hope that the same will be true of these elections.

A ‘Desert Springs Golf Club Officials Election Nomination Form’ has been attached. They are also available at the Clubhouse reception and an e-mail form has been posted on our web site in the Owners section here.

All completed nomination forms must be returned by hand, e-mail, fax or post to the Clubhouse reception to arrive no later than 18.00 hrs on February 28th. We shall be letting you know during this period the names of those nominated from time to time, as we believe that this will assist in the process and remove uncertainty as to whether anyone has been nominated for any particular role already.

Immediately after that date, each member will be sent a ‘Voting Form’ identifying those persons going forward for election to each position. This form will also be available at the Clubhouse reception and on the web site in the Owners section.

All completed voting forms must then be returned to Desert Springs by 18.00 hrs on March 31st, again by hand, e-mail, fax or post for the attention of the Clubhouse reception. Following the verification of the validity of the voting forms submitted and their counting, the number of votes received for each candidate will be published identifying the names of the successful candidates, elected by the membership.

For further information contact: Golf Clubhouse Reception
Email: golfreservations@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34 637 861 591

A new David Lloyd Resort opening this month at Desert Springs (pictured here) in south-east Spain offers holiday homes for sale on a shared-ownership basis at prices as low as £24,000

Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course, located in the Almanzora region of Almeria in south-east Spain, has been selected by David Lloyd Resorts for their offer of holiday homes for sale on a shared-ownership basis at prices as low as £24,000 including potential investment benefit.

David Lloyd pictured at Desert Springs.

Former British tennis ace David Lloyd earmarked Desert Springs as an ideal location for the expansion of his business during a visit in July last year. In a radio interview with Jon Gaunt of the Sun online radio station Sun Talk, he said that he had been encouraged to visit Desert Springs by his friend Sir Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham who owns a holiday home there. David praised what he described as “a great resort” with good year-round weather and easy access from the UK.

Now, through The David Lloyd Resort at Desert Springs, properties can be purchased on a shared-ownership basis for the first time on the luxury complex. They range from two-bedroom apartments to three-bedroom townhouses set in mature gardens, with some of the properties overlooking the resort’s par 72, 18-hole Indiana golf course.

Simon Coaker, sales and marketing manager at Desert Springs, commented that David Lloyd’s ownership scheme is attractive because it is based on a shared asset purchase between a set number of individuals. “David Lloyd Resorts uses this principle to provide individuals with the opportunity to share in, and enjoy, exclusive property ownership that may previously have been unobtainable as a sole investor”.

Explaining how the scheme operates, Nick Lawrence, sales and marketing director of David Lloyd Resorts, said: “Each property is divided into 13 shares, and sold at three different price levels which are based on seasonality. Shared owners hold a share in a chosen property based on the amount of equity invested, but all share equal occupancy rights. Each share entitles the owner to four weeks usage each year. These are two weeks reserved from a choice of price bands and two ‘freedom’ weeks enabling owners to explore the flexibility of the David Lloyd Resorts exchange programme by staying in our properties in Phuket, Canada, the West Indies, Turkey and Cyprus.”

He added: “Our business plan for Desert Springs is for each property to be sold after 10 years with the proceeds and hopefully profits being returned to the owners proportionately to their equity investment.”

For more information about The David Lloyd Resort at Desert Springs please click here.

For further information contact: The David Lloyd Resort
Telephone: +44 (0) 1372 824 518

The family-friendly Crocodile Club at Spain’s Desert Springs – just one of scores of resort facilities featured on the 80 videos currently available to view at here.

Scores of hitherto unseen videos produced by the Cheltenham-based Almanzora Group are the first to go online at the YouTube website intended to provide year-round news and previews of properties, holidays, golf and other facilities on offer at Desert Springs, Europe’s only award-winning luxury desert resort and golf course in the Almeria region of south-east Spain.

The resort’s property owners and golf club members, as well as travel agents selling holidays at Desert Springs and the general public, can keep up-to-date with the resort’s latest news and events by signing-up to receive alerts when new videos are produced.

Among the 80 videos currently available to view at here is an introduction with comments from enthusiasts for the resort. They include former England test cricketer Sir Ian Botham, himself a property owner at the resort, world champion athlete Steve Cram and Olympic gold medalist Darren Campbell.

A host of videos feature the family-friendly Crocodile Club at Desert Springs, the resort’s spa, sports and fitness facilities, bars and restaurants, and the properties available to buy or occupy for holidays and short breaks.

Others show the pre-season warm-weather training facilities for professional sports clubs and school teams wishing to hone their football, rugby, cricket and golf skills and include a hole-by-hole guide to the 18-hole Indiana course. Also available to view is Jon Gaunt of the online radio station Sun Talk interviewing former British tennis ace David Lloyd who praises what he describes as ‘a great resort,’ earmarking it for the creation of the new David Lloyd Resort at Desert Springs announced recently.

For further information contact: The Almanzora Group Ltd
Email: tag@almanzora.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1242 680 299

Players from Norway’s Byrne Football Club pictured last year at Desert Springs in the Almeria area of Spain where they were the first Norwegian club to benefit from the facilities of the resort’s Football Winter Training Camp.

Shunning the Nordic snow as they head south next month to enjoy the desert micro-climate of south-east Spain will be 25 of Norway’s top footballers.

A squad of 22 players and three coaches from Honefoss Football Club – which currently competes in the Tippeligaen, the top tier of Norwegian football, are following in the footsteps of the country’s pioneering second division Byrne Football Club which last year was the first to benefit from the facilities of the Football Winter Training Camp established at Desert Springs.
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During a four-night stay at the Desert Springs the Honefoss players will benefit from training and coaching on the first international-size quality grass pitch in Almeria. Since it was inaugurated by Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst in 2004, floodlights, shower and changing facilities and a referee changing room have been added.

More recently, in response to requests from visiting teams, a new hard standing area provides outside space for facilities such as a free weights gym, stretching mats and a medical area. And for the first time this year players will be able to make use of a newly-sewn dwarf rye grass area planned specifically for goal-keeper training and five-a-side games.

Simon Coaker, sales and marketing manager at Desert Springs, said that the wide range of facilities available in the resort influenced the decision by Honefoss Football Club to select Desert Springs for its training camp.

“Clearly the word is getting around in Norway’s football clubs following last year’s visit by Byrne,” said Simon. “That club’s coach, Rolf Teigen, was so enthusiastic about the caliber of the resort, its football pitch, other sports facilities, restaurants and accommodation that he pledged to spread the word to other Norwegian clubs. Rolf told me: ‘I have lots of sporting connections in Norway and when I return for the new season I will be speaking to them about Desert Springs and its first class facilities.’ Clearly he is as good as his word.”

During Football Winter Training Camps, players can make full use of the 18-hole Indiana golf course and enjoy opportunities to swim, play tennis and use the gymnasium, trim trail, jogging tracks, paddle tennis and beach volley ball courts. They also have access to the resort’s Private Reserve which incorporates a spa, private sauna and jacuzzi suite, personal fitness workout room, games room with bar, and a home cinema.

Accommodation for the players and coaches is in some of the privately-owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs.

When Honefoss visits next month, the resort’s executive chef will be on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the resort’s two restaurants – the award-winning El Torrente and the Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club.

For further information contact: The Almanzora Group Ltd
Email: tag@almanzora.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1242 680 299