Clubs are above par

Three Midlands clubs figure in a worldwide survey of golfers' favourite holiday courses.

Portuguese courses grabbed the top five slots in the 20 most popular courses, in a survey of 20,000 golfers on a golfing web site.

The top UK entry was the Brabazon Course at the De Vere Belfry near Birmingham.

The scene of Europe's Ryder Cup triumph in 2002 was voted sixth.

The Marriott Forest of Arden in Warwickshire was placed 13th, and the Hawkstone Park Hotel, at Weston-under-Redcastle, near Shrewsbury, came 18th.

Tom Corcoran, ifyougolf's brand manager, said: "Portugal is a clear favourite with British golfers because of its plethora of high-quality courses and hotels, the short flying time and of course the country's enticing climate."

Penha Longa, at Sintra, Lisbon, was named top course in the poll.

The only other English entry in the top 20 was The Stoke Park Club, at Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, which was placed 11th.