The world's best golfers will gather at Turnberry later this month to do battle at The Open Championship for the Claret Jug.

Tiger Woods will head the field in Scotland hoping to claim his third Open title and close in on Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major wins - and there is a course in France who will again take great pride in seeing the presentation of golf's oldest and most famous trophy.

Situated in the heart of Bordeaux's historic vineyards synonymous with producing claret wine, Golf du Medoc Hotel and Spa is rightly proud of the roots it shares with the game's oldest tournament.

When organisers of the championship at Prestwick needed to find a new trophy after Young Tom Morris claimed his third straight title in 1870 and win the Challenge Belt outright, there seemed only one logical choice.

With claret one of the chosen drinks of the time among the establishment, Prestwick officials joined forces with their counterparts at the Royal & Ancient Club of St Andrews and the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers to commission the silver claret jug for £60 - and the trophy has been presented ever since.

Henry Martinet, manager at Golf du Medoc Hotel and Spa, said: "I have been a huge fan of the Open Championship since I was a small boy, and it seemed logical to start doing 'golf and claret' breaks for our visitors.

"We are situated in the most famous wine region in the world with links to the most famous golf tournament in the world, and those that visit every year deserve the opportunity to sample our wines on a local basis.

"The most famous vineyards, whilst excellent naturally, can be cost prohibitive, but there are many smaller vineyards that produce exceptional wines at a fraction of the cost."

Golf du Médoc offers guests the opportunity to visit some of the wonderful vineyards around Bordeaux with a variety of golf and wine packages, and sample a wide range of clarets from the hundreds of chateaux in the region.

The area produces the highest concentration of fine wines anywhere in the world with a host of famous vineyards including Margaux, Moulis, Pauillac, St Julien, St Emilion, Graves and Sauternes.

And in keeping with its roots with The Open Championship, Golf du Médoc can offer high-quality golf with two 18-hole championship courses including the Chateaux Course - one of the finest links layouts to be found anywhere on mainland Europe.

Measuring 6,946 yards and featuring a mixture of heather and broom, water hazards and well-placed ditches, the course was designed with the pure traditions of Scottish links golf in mind and hosted the 1999 French Open.

The Chateaux also staged this year's French PGA Championship in April, won by Michael Lorenzo-Vera, while Golf du Medoc's Les Vignes Course is a gentler but no less memorable test as it weaves its way through a regional mixture of moors and pines.

Martinet added: "There is something very civilised about enjoying a great wine after a wonderful round of golf.

"We are looking forward to a great summer and you never know - maybe a Frenchman will win it one day and bring the Claret Jug back to its namesake region!"

Golf du Médoc is easily accessible from the UK with airports including London Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Southampton, Bristol, Dublin and Edinburgh all flying to Bordeaux.

For more information regarding golf and claret packages at Golf du Médoc Hotel and Spa, please visit www.hotelgolfdumedoc.com or e-mail

Issued by Andrew Tremlett Associates.
For more details, please contact Andy Tremlett on 07775 842716 or Pete Simm on 07747 012539, or e-mail ajtrem@aol.com or simm_6@msn.com