Meet our Golf Leisure Team
Glen Wilkes
Golf Travel Team
With over 25 years’ experience within the travel industry, specialising in group travel, it was inevitable that I would gravitate towards combining two of my passions, travel and of course, golf!
Having visited many countries and played golf on some incredible courses, it is great to work in a team at Elegant Golf Resorts where our combined worldwide knowledge, experience and enthusiasm help us provide amazing, tailored luxury golf packages for clients. It really is golf provided for golfers by golfers.
I have been fortunate to play a number of the open courses in England, Scotland and Ireland and whilst all memorable, The Old Course at St Andrews and Royal St Georges stand out.
My favourite European destination is Thracian Cliffs in Bulgaria which has some of the most stunning golf holes anywhere. It is played along the cliffs that overlook the Black Sea and Thracian is the course that Gary Player described as the most beautiful course he has ever been to…and he’s seen a few!
My favourite destination to combine golf with ultimate relaxation is Mauritius. There are incredible choices on this island from the Heritage Awali and Le Telfair resorts in the south, up to Trou-aux-Biches in the north and across to the amazing Anahita Resort in the east of the island. I would recommend Mauritius without hesitation.
I love talking golf and always happy to offer advice and if I don’t know the answer, in this team, I know a man who does!
Benjamin Charlesworth
Golf Travel Team
I’ve been in the Sports Travel industry for 10 Years with Football & Golf. Combining Sports and Travel is all I’ve been passionate about career-wise. I’ve travelled a lot of the world and spent a lot of time in South & Central America and The Caribbean. I have a wealth of experience in booking golf holidays to Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Portugal’s Quinta do Lago, Algarve is my favourite golfing destination and you will find me there a few times a year for the weather, golf, food & beaches. Recently I spent some time in Lisbon on a golfing tour of Praia D’el Rey. I’ve played golf in Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, Scotland and Wales.
My top bucket list courses I want to play are Pebble Beach, California & Kingsbarns, Scotland. And my best golfing highlight was holing a 50-yard off-the-green putt on the 18th at the Faldo Course, Amendoeira to win!
Jakub Radny
Golf Travel Team
This year marks my 10th year in the golf industry. I have worked with suppliers from all over the world in that time and I count myself as very lucky to have visited some incredible places including 90% of the UK & Ireland’s top 100 courses.
Undoubtedly a highlight is taking part in a Legends Tour pro-am. It was the ultimate inside the ropes experience and should be on the to-do list for any fan of professional golf!
My favourite courses I have played are Pebble Beach Golf Links and Royal County Down. Pebble Beach blows your mind! It is a gentle opening for the first couple of holes but when you are half-way down the 4th hole, the Pacific comes into view and stays on your right-hand side for the next 7 holes. The short 7th is obviously amazing but I love the 8th even better with a knee-knocking second shot over the sea. Of course, the 18th is also an awe-inspiring finish. Royal County Down is one of the greatest tests of golf requiring creativity and focused precision on every shot. No two holes are the same and the routing meanders through towering Himalayan like dunes offering glimpses of the Irish Sea and a backdrop of spectacular Mourne Mountains. Pair this with immaculate conditions and a rich history it is a golfing haven I return to year on year.
I like to think I have a pretty good range of experience of golfing around the world and am always on hand to offer advice or recommendations.
Deighton Du Plooy
Golf Travel Team
I’ve always wanted to combine my two biggest passions, travel and golf. Having played golf in the UK, Europe and particularly South Africa this is where most of my knowledge and personal experiences lie. I think South Africa has absolutely everything, and being on safari is undoubtedly my favorite place on the planet!
A highlight of mine would be the hole-in-one I achieved on a 205-yard par 3 in South Africa. Doing it alongside the gentleman (my father) who introduced me to the game made it all that much more special. I hope to go to The Masters and play on The Old Course at some point in the future…
I look forward to sending clients on exceptional golf holidays playing the best golf courses around the world.
My personal favourites in terms of destinations are South Africa and the US. They do say that South Africa is a world in one country and that pretty much sums it up. It is a holiday with golf rather than a golf holiday because there is so much to see and do. Cape Town is my favourite city in the world with beaches, wine, Table Mountain and stunning golf courses. However, there is also the spectacular Garden Route, Safaris, Kwazulu Natal and so much more.
The USA is an absolute must-visit country for golfers. There are so many different States to go and play golf with so much variety. My own preferences are South Carolina and California, both with stunning coastlines and world-class golf with the best service that you will get anywhere.
I have a wide range of golfing knowledge and I’m always on hand to offer advice or recommendations.
