Daily Mail right about golf in France

Yet another mention in the national papers for yours truly - this time alongside my esteemed colleagues at Knight Frank & Cluttons.

The Daily Mail ran this article about buying properties on golf courses in France. I'm quoted as saying:

Does that mean owning a property abroad, close to a golf course, is out of reach for anyone but the very rich?

'That's not true, if you are prepared to think independently and get away from the purpose-built developments,' says Graham Downie, of FrenchEntree Property Services.

'It's a mystery why golfers feel the need to flock together and pay for the privilege of living next to people from the same country. I would recommend buying a place near to The Royal Medoc club in Bordeaux. This is a golfers' paradise - civilised and quiet.

'For £250,000 you could pick up a fine home with a swimming pool - and enjoy the real France.'

I absolutely believe it too.  Having played golf on the finest courses in Spain & Portugal I'd say that those in France are quieter and equally as good.  Property is far better value too where you could pick up a house with private pool for less than a small apartment with shared facilities on the costa del sol.

www.cognacproperty.com

Cognac Golf Club - practice makes perfect

We're very lucky here to have an 18 hole championship golf course on the doorstep.

Doubly lucky that the practice facilities are open to non members and always in pristine condition.  As well as the standard putting greens, bunker facilities and grass driving range they have a four hole course to hone your game on.

I was there yesterday for a while, fine tuning my game for the 3 Peaks Challenge trophy which starts tomorrow. I was shamed into this when my partner, Chris, told me that he'd been taking this years practice routine very seriously and was hitting the ball like a dream, which bodes well.

There's no finer sight in sport than seeing him roll up his sleeves and hit his driver out of the sockets 300 yards down the middle.

The bad news is that I was out yesterday in short sleeves with the sun on my back and yet the conditions in Biarritz & Bordeaux are forecast to be wet & chilly from tomorrow....I'm not sure that my swing will be quite as free flowing under shirt, jumper and bulky waterproofs!

Still, as the great man said "the more I practice the luckier I get".

Wish me luck....

www.cognacproperty.com