Between Saturday 9th – Saturday 16th February 2013, 12 players representing the Under 18 & Under 21 Irish Ladies International squads accompanied by three officials visited the resort for a week long intensive training programme to develop their individual golfing skills in warm weather while experiencing a golf course which offers a challenge to players at all levels.

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 in the award-winning El Torrente Restaurant.

David Kearney, ILGU Coach (Centre) with the members of the U18 & U21
Irish Ladies International Squad at Desert Springs 

David Kearney, ILGU Coach commented:

“I was very excited about using Desert Springs as the base for our Winter Training Camp, since I had heard many great things about the Resort and its popularity amongst Squads and other Teams.

During our stay we have never been intruded upon; actually there has been a lot of respect for our group and we have been enabled to practice with great freedom.

In accordance with a pre-designed and agreed itinerary, everything was perfectly organised and the staff met our needs without error.

The layout of the Resort is brilliant as all facilities are on hand and within easy access. I´m already looking at the next Academic Year to pre-book our next training visit to Desert Springs!”

Squad member Danielle McVeigh who is now to turn Professional remarked:

“Desert Springs is an excellent Resort to come and practice your golf, the conditions of the practice facilities and the golf course are fantastic.

In fact, it is the best Resort I´ve come to play, surely a very enjoyable experience.

The service on the Resort is simply top level and the apartments are exactly what we needed for rest and relaxation and the beautiful weather makes you want to stay. I can´t believe I´m going back to the cold of Ireland!”

Middlesex County Cricket Club Training Camp at Desert Springs  

Middlesex County Cricket Club 'Catch Practice!' 

Further to a 4-day warm weather fitness and cricket training camp held at Desert Springs between Tuesday 26th February – Friday 1st March, 2013 Middlesex County Cricket Club, Head Coach Richard Scott commented:

"We chose Desert Springs to give a large proportion of our squad (16) the chance to physically train in a different environment and also to work outside for the first time this year on fielding skills.

The players were accommodated within the luxury Colonial Apartments at the resort, sharing twin rooms, which were clean and up to date with each apartment housing a total of four.

We had exclusive use of the gym and the full size international football pitch on a daily basis and utilised the 'trim trail' cross country tracks laid out around the golf course and mountain bikes, which were made available, for the whole squad, to provide variation.

Tee times were booked on the excellent Indiana golf course for the afternoon as part of our package.

Desert Springs provided menus, which were agreed in advance and the standard of the food was excellent.

Nourishment packs, which included water, snack bars, fruit etc. were also provided.

The service within Desert Springs is first class and everyone in all departments ensured our stay went to plan and was enjoyable."

Richard Scott

Middlesex County Cricket Club

Head Coach

Between Tuesday 26th March- Friday 1st April 2013, Desert Springs was host to the Nike Golf EMEA Management Meeting organised by Simon Parkhill, Sales Director of Nike Golf EMEA. 

In attendance with Simon Parkhill were Nike Golf Regional Managers covering every major market from the UK / Ireland / Nordics / Germany / Austria / Switzerland & Southern Europe / M.East & Emerging Markets.

The attendees were accommodated in some of the privately owned Country Villas normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the location of the Sales Meetings held was within the Private Meeting room at the Private Reserve at Desert Springs.

Venue for the nike Golf EMEA Management Meeting – 'The Private Meeting Room' at the
'Private Reserve' at Desert Springs

Hi Sandra,

Thanks for the note. 

Our stay was excellent, the level of service provided by the staff is truly exceptional, from the welcome all the way through to departure.

Our accommodation was of a very high standard, the meeting space was ideal and provided us with the level of technology required to make us 100% functional whilst providing a very unique ambience which we found very productive. 

Finally, the quality of food throughout our stay was also fantastic,  my group were from different parts of Europe with varying ?tastes? so kudos to your team for being able to keep them all happy.

Many thanks again

Simon

Simon Parkhill

Sales Director Nike Golf EMEA

Lancashire's players are now back in England having completed a successful fortnight of warm weather fitness and cricket training between 27th January & 10th February at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course in the Almanzora region of Almeria in south-east Spain.

Two groups of six players completed three sessions a day for five days as they stepped up their physical preparations for the upcoming 2013 season.

Below are some comments received by both players and staff:

"Great place to challenge yourself and enjoy the benefits of your hard work with time to relax with some very friendly people."

Luis Reece, LCCC Player

"Very enjoyable place, with brilliant facilities and staff."

Oli Newby, LCCC Player

"A friendly environment and great facilities to train hard, while also being able to enjoy some active rest on a challenging golf course."

Stephen Moore, LCCC Player

"Great week, the people at Desert Springs looked after us very well. Great facilities and perfect for pre-season training."

Tom Smith, LCCC Player

"The facilities and weather allowed us to train hard and get a huge benefit from the week that being back in England would not have allowed. The Staff were brilliant, attending to our every need through the week from equipment to nutrition. Highly recommended."

Phil Scott, LCCC Strength & Conditioning Coach

"The grass facility on which we did our fielding practice was excellent. The staff were courteous, helpful and attended to all our needs throughout. A thoroughly enjoyable and beneficial week for all our players and staff."

Gary Yates, LCCC Assistant Coach

From Left to Right: David Roberts (Lancashire County Cricket Clubs official medical services partner), Phil Scott, Gareth Cross, Paul Horton, Alex Davies, Oliver Newby, Karl Brown, Tom Smith & Peter Moores (Head Coach Lancashire County Cricket Club).

From Left to Right: Gary Yates (Assistant Coach Lancashire County Cricket Club), Tom Baily, Luis Reece, Stephen Moore, Aaron Lilley, Steven Croft, Glenn Chapel (Captain Lancashire County Cricket Club), Sam Byrne (Physiotherapist Lancashire County Cricket Club)

Peter Moores was wicketkeeper for Worcester & Sussex; Captain of Sussex 1997; England “A” coach 2001 – 2002; Coach of Sussex including County Championship in 2003; English National Cricket Academy Coach 2005 – 2007; full England National coach 2007 – 2009; and has been the Lancashire County Cricket Club Coach from 2009 to date.

Further to a two-week warm weather fitness and cricket training camp at Desert Springs by squad members of the Lancashire County Cricket Club he had this to say;

"After spending a week at Desert Springs with several of the Lancashire CCC professional squad I can thoroughly recommend it as a venue. 

The excellent outdoor grass facilities provided us with the perfect conditions for fielding and agility work. 

This alongside the gymnasium, sandpits and trim trail gave ample scope for varied and constructive training. 

This all takes place in the idyllic setting of a golf course which provides a perfect environment for hard work, in depth discussions and pure enjoyment. 

By the end of the week not only had we gained knowledge and experience, but as a team we had become fitter and stronger, not just physically but mentally. 

The staff were outstanding in all aspects and the food was exceptional and completely tailored to our requirements. 

All in all a fantastic week for all involved."

Hope all well 
Thanks 

Pete