With the economy slowing down and predicted to get even tougher, France is becoming a more and more popular destination for UK golfers to head to on a long break.

And private golf club members now have the chance to play at some of the best venues across the Channel at top discounted rates thanks to a new arrangement with National County Card.
National County Card (NCC), which was launched last month and features more than 1,000 courses across Europe and North America, has reached an agreement with the Blue Green Group that entitles card holders to play some of the finest courses in France.

Under the terms of the new deal, NCC holders will be able to play at venues in the French company’s portfolio for ten per cent less than the standard green fee rate.

“It’s our aim to offer private golf club members as many courses to choose from in a wide variety of countries as reward for their continual investment in the game and the deal in France will help us do just that,” said Rob Sutton, joint-managing director of Get Noticed Ltd who has launched NCC.

“With the new arrangement with Blue Green, card holders now have the chance to play some of the best golf courses not just around Paris but across the whole of France and we’re delighted to have them on board.”

Established more than ten years ago, the Blue Green Group aims to offer easy access to golf so that as many people as possible are encouraged to take up the game.

And the company boasts an impressive list of courses including the renowned Paris International Golf Club - Jack Nicklaus’ only course in France - and Val André - rated as one of the country’s finest venues - to Seignosse in the Basque region and Pessac, nestling in vineyards among 250 acres of pine woods.

Sutton added: “Designed specifically to reward private member golfers, golf clubs and help bring new members into the game, NCC cards cost just £24.95 and are available only to members of golf clubs as a reward for their continuous commitment to the game of golf.
Holders can achieve major benefits when they play golf in the UK or abroad whether they are travelling on business, weekend breaks or holiday, while the innovative new scheme is free for clubs to enrol in and, as cards are sold via the NCC website, there is no administration for clubs.

Over the last five months, more than 1,000 clubs have taken the chance to get involved in the concept from all over the United Kingdom, mainland Spain, Mallorca, Tenerife, Portugal, Turkey, America and Canada.

Courses including The Oxfordshire - which staged the Benson and Hedges International from 1996-99 - Goodwood, The Mere, Ashburnham, Castle Knock and Nefyn & District - regularly voted among the top 100 courses in the British Isles - have already signed up to NCC in the UK

And the exciting list of venues at home is matched abroad with clubs including San Roque, La Manga and PGA de Catalunya in Spain, all the courses in Portugal's Oceanico Group and in Mallorca and Tenerife, 18 venues in Turkey's Belek region and two of the most famous courses in America - the Blue Monster at Doral, Florida and the Stadium Course at Sawgrass - home of the Tournament Players‘ Championship.

Sutton added: “Many clubs are experiencing difficult times at the moment.

“The NCC card scheme not only entices quality member golfers to play other enrolled courses in the areas of other enrolled clubs, it is the only card scheme which pays clubs £5 when one of their members buys a card.

“This means clubs can earn money when their members buy a card while they are in other areas or countries which can then be put back into the game.”

For more information on how to obtain your card, or to enrol your club in NCC, visit www.nationalcountycard.co.uk

For details on the Blue Green Group, log on to www.bluegreen.com