The Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh – Photo by Dave Donelson
Here in the western hemisphere, Morocco is not a country that most people would have on their short list as a potential overseas vacation destination. You don’t have to have a degree political science to understand why many American tourists tend to avoid Islamic nations like Morocco. It’s unfortunate because there’s no reason for anyone to feel apprehensive about visiting.
The North African nation is a magical place with incredible history, friendly people, great weather, modern infrastructure, wonderful food and plenty of top notch golf for a price that will leave you wondering why you didn’t hear about it before.
Interesting Fact: Morocco was the first country in the world to recognize US sovereignty, in 1777.
Shopping for fresh olives in Djemaa-El-Fnaa (The Central Square) in Marrakesh
Morocco has long been a favorite destination for European vacationers. Flights from major airports like London, Paris and Frankfurt take less than four hours, and the euro trades at better than 10 to 1 with the Moroccan diram. Tourists from Canada and the United States are not as familiar with Morocco, but are starting to discover what it has to offer, especially when it comes to golf. While 60% of Morocco’s tourists visit for its culture and heritage, it is quickly establishing a reputation as a top golf destination also.
Several stops on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai and the Ladies European Tour (LET) schedule take place in Morocco every year. The reformist King Mohammed VI has been very supportive of golf, and in 2010 the government launched a program called “Vision 2020” focused on the development of tourism, with the goal of doubling international visits to over 20 million annually by the year 2020.
Courtyard & pool at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in El Jadida
Morocco’s unique culture is a blend of Arab, Berber, African and European influences. Arabic and French are widely spoken, and many people speak at least basic English in the major cities. The capital is Rabat, and Casablanca is the largest city with a population of around 3.3 million people. The cultural center of Morocco may well be Marrakesh, which lies near the northern foothills of the Atlas Mountains. The city dates back to the year 1062, but Berber farmers have inhabited the area since Neolithic times which began around 10,000 BC. The old town area of Marrakesh was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and continues to thrive as a popular tourism hub.
Royal guard at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat – Photo by John Retzer
My visit was sponsored by the Moroccan National Tourist Office and our itinerary took us all around the country on a whirlwind five day tour of ancient cultural centers and modern five-star golf resorts. In fact, we played four of the country’s top five golf courses according to one list. We also stayed in large modern resorts and small boutique hotels and ate at upscale urban bistros and rustic roadside cafes to get a truly authentic experience.
In the coming days, I’ll be posting several follow-up articles chronicling our journey around the country in more detail. Stay tuned!
When it comes to playing golf in adverse conditions, it pays to be prepared. Most of the professional tours in the United States, Australia and South Africa follow the sun and the weather is usually good, but in Europe the conditions can be less than ideal. The players on the European Professional tours know this all too well. That’s why when choosing outerwear, they don’t compromise. Swedish outerwear company Galvin Green feels the same way. In fact, their company motto is “We never compromise!”
Many players these days are under contract to wear a certain brand of clothing, but those contracts don’t always include rain gear. It’s no surprise then that many players choose to wear Galvin Green outerwear in bad weather, even if they have to pay for the garments themselves. To me, the best endorsement of a product is when a professional chooses to use a product without being compensated for it. Most professional golfers take their equipment very seriously, so when given the choice to wear any rain gear or outerwear, they tend to choose the best performing garments, and those garments are made by Galvin Green.
History
Galvin Green has been around in Europe since 1990 and dominates the rain gear segment in the UK and Ireland, but they just entered the US market in 2013. They developed their products and positioned themselves as a market leader long before entering the largest golf market in the world, and they are targeting about 500 select golf outlets in the US to start.
Galvin Green specializes in golf only, and introduced the layering concept to the game over ten years ago. Continuing with this popular concept, they offer a complete line of garments that are designed to work together, starting with the base layer that the player wears against the skin, to the outer shell that repels wind and rain. Because they make clothing only for golf, they have incorporated design features that enhance performance for golfers without having to sacrifice function for casual or off-course wear.
One of the reasons that Galvin Green’s outerwear performs so well is their choice of high performance fabrics and textiles. Through a strategic partnership with W.L. Gore & Associates to use the iconic GORE-TEX and WINDSTOPPER products, they can design functional, light weight jackets and pullovers that are guaranteed to work flawlessly. What Galvin Green has done is merge the technical capabilities of mountaineering gear with style and function that golfers want.
I recently had an opportunity to tour the W.L. Gore & Associates manufacturing plant in Newark, Delaware accompanied by several members of the Galvin Green product, design and sales teams. It is there that I really began to appreciate the technology that goes into the fabrics used in their outerwear.
Caution! Science Ahead
Let’s start with the science behind GORE-TEX and WINDSTOPPER, the materials that turn ordinary garments into bulletproof wind and rain gear. WINDSTOPPER is a laminate, which means it is a kind of textile sandwich made up of several layers to form a fabric. The WINDSTOPPER membrane itself is made of ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluorethylene), a super light polymer that has 1.4 billion micropores per square inch of fabric. These micropores are 900 times larger than water vapor molecules, which allows water vapor to escape. Of course when talking about water vapor in relation to clothing, we mean body heat and sweat. The WINDSTOPPER membrane allows the fabric to breathe, keeping the wearer comfortable, while completely blocking the wind from getting in.
Inside the “Rain Room” at W.L. Gore & Associates testing GORE-TEX jackets. We stayed bone dry!
While WINDSTOPPER may do a fantastic job at blocking the wind and keeping you comfortable, but it isn’t waterproof. That’s where GORE-TEX comes in. The original waterproof and breathable fabric was invented back in 1969 by Wilbert L. Gore and his son, Robert W. Gore. In fact, it was discovered almost accidentally. PTFE tends to break when stretched slowly, and while experimenting with heated rods of PTFE, Bob Gore became frustrated and quickly yanked on the material. Unexpectedly, the PTFE stretched to about 800% of its original size, forming the microporous structure that soon became known as GORE-TEX. The ePTFE material is identical to that used in WINDSTOPPER, with one notable difference. The GORE-TEX membrane has much smaller pores, with over nine billion pores per square inch instead of 1.4 billion. The smaller pores of GORE-TEX completely prevent moisture from penetrating the outside making it fully waterproof and windproof, but slightly less breathable than WINDSTOPPER.
Variety
Now that the science lesson is over, what does all this mean for the consumer? The technology in the fabrics Galvin Green uses allows them to offer a variety of different garments and styles. They can outfit the golfer from head to toe with their multi layer system, which consists of four layers to adapt to any weather conditions. The base layer that is worn against the skin for compression and increased blood flow, the warm layer that provides insulation and warmth, the cool layer that gives the golfer breathability and UV protection, and the shell layer where the GORE-TEX and WINDSTOPPER fabrics provide weatherproofing.
The multi-layer construction of GORE-TEX laminate used in Galvin Green outerwear
Concentrating on the shell layer, Galvin Green offers two different GORE-TEX options. Their standard GORE-TEX jackets and pants are fully lined and provide warmth as well as being totally waterproof, and the other is called GORE-TEX Paclite. This jacket is kind of like a race car. They stripped out as much weight as they could to make it lean and mean but still outperform the competition. Paclite is an ultralight 100% waterproof shell that weighs less than 300 grams. It is perhaps the best option for most golfers to keep in their golf bag for adverse weather conditions.
Many of the styles offered with GORE-TEX and Paclite are also offered in WINDSTOPPER versions. My personal favorite is the Bond WINDSTOPPER body warmer. It is a full zip vest that allows freedom of movement in the arms and a snug fit to help the golfer swing freely while still providing warmth and protection from the wind.
Most of the garments Galvin Green makes have several unique and innovative features that help them stand apart. For example, their jackets are cut longer in the back to provide more coverage due to the natural bent-over posture of golfers at address. They also place tabs on each side of the chest and neck to adjust the fit for those wanting a snug feel. The jackets seldom have pockets, because golfers simply don’t need them. This also makes for a better fit, lighter weight and less “bunching up” during use.
GORE-TEX membrane as seen under an electron microscope.
It used to be that you could get rain jackets and pants in any color, as long as that color was black. Galvin Green broke the mold with typical European flair by offering rain gear and outerwear in many colorways. As an example, the Aron GORE-TEX Paclite jacket has seven different colors to choose from, with the August pants also offered in four colors to allow for some degree of matching. Not only that, but the entire collection of shirts, pants and accessories offer matching color schemes for a truly complete collection.
Price & Guarantee
Galvin Green makes arguably the best performing golf outerwear on the market. The partnership with and manufacturing process required for W.L. Gore’s certification means that Galvin Green garments that use GORE-TEX and WINDSTOPPER are guaranteed for the life of the garment or they’ll repair, replace or refund your purchase price. In exchange for this performance guarantee, the consumer pays a premium price. For example – the full zip, Aron GORE-TEX Paclite jacket mentioned above will cost around $450, and the half-zip WINDSTOPPER pullovers will go for about $250.
Style & Fit
Galvin Green still makes their garments to fit primarily the European market, which is to say that they have a very slim fit. This can pose a problem for those of us who are larger in stature or eat too much pizza, like me. Thankfully they make larger sizes to accommodate us. I normally wear an XL golf shirt and sometimes have to move up to XXL, but I had to move up to a XXXL in Galvin Green’s Ventil8 shirts and outerwear. I don’t really care what the label says as long as the garment fits, but a more true-to-size fit would be easier on the self esteem for many Americans. I am told that there may be separate sizing for the American market coming. For now, you’ll just have to size up for the best fit.
Galvin Green Adler GORE-TEX Paclite jacket
Final Thoughts
It may sound ludicrous to some to shell out over $1000 for a rain jacket and pants, but if you live in a part of the world where bad weather is frequent, top notch outerwear it is a good investment. As I mentioned before, European Tour players have been seen running into the pro shop to purchase Galvin Green GORE-TEX jackets during tournaments where the weather turned bad. Considering the build quality, advanced materials and waterproof guarantee that these GORE-TEX garments have, with proper care your investment will last you many years, even decades. If you are looking for the best performing, best constructed outerwear on the planet for golf, look no further than Galvin Green.
Below is a press release issued by the Golf Channel. Looks like another good Big Break is on the way! Fans of the show should check out our interviews with past Big Break champions David Byrne and Carling Coffing! Who’s going to be the winner in Ireland?
ORLANDO, Fla. – This fall, 12 professionals will journey to the Emerald Isle with hopes of putting their careers on the fast track when Golf Channel’s “Big Break” series returns for its 16th season.
“Big Break Ireland,” premiering Sept. 20 at 9 p.m. ET, will feature an international cast of six men and six women competing against each other in an attempt to make their dreams of playing alongside the world’s top golfers a reality. Filmed at the K Club in Kildare, Ireland, the ultimate winner will be awarded two exemptions from the four exemptions up for grabs – which represent events on the LPGA, European Tour and Ladies European Tour – among other prizes.
One of the tournament exemptions will be the European Tour’s Irish Open in 2012. This year’s Irish Open, will include Waterville, Ireland, native and “Big Break Ireland” contestant Mark Murphy, who is competing this week on a sponsor’s exemption.
The competitors on Big Break Ireland are:
Mallory Blackwelder (24, Versailles, Ky.) – The daughter of 13-year LPGA veteran Myra Blackwelder and professional caddie Worth Blackwelder. After traveling worldwide with the Ladies European Tour in 2010, Mallory is competing full-time on the Futures Tour in 2011.
Annie Brophy (24, Spokane, Wash.) – A rookie on the LPGA Futures Tour and Notre Dame alum, Brophy is looking to capture the Luck of the Irish.
Joe Campbell (23, Cheltenham, England / Charlotte, N.C.) – The youngest competitor on the series, Campbell also is the longest hitter off the tee. He works at Carolina Golf Club, saving up money for the mini-tourevents in 2011.
Kelly Jacques (25, Thornton, Colo.) – Jacques made her return to competitive golf in 2011 after taking time away from the game following graduation at the University of Oklahoma. Currently competing on a limited schedule on the Futures Tour, Jacques has a new, fresh outlook on the game.
Bennett Maki (26, Orlando, Fla.) – Unlike a lot of his playing competitors, Maki is starting his professional career. A model and actor, Maki has appeared on numerous commercials that have aired on Golf Channel, which has served as a supplemental source of income to achieving his dream of competing on the PGA Tour.
Matt Melrose (27, Mulanje Malawi / Scottsdale, Ariz.) – A veteran of several mini tours and the Gateway Tour, Melrose is competing without ever having watched a previous series.
Mark Murphy (34, Waterville, Ireland / New Orleans, La.) – An Ireland native, Murphy grew up 4 hours south of the K Club in Waterville. Currently residing in New Orleans, La., Murphy’s dream of playing on the PGA Tour is still alive, although the results as a professional golfer have not come tofruition like he hoped.
Nina Rodriguez (27, San Jose, Calif.) – Currently competing on the LPGA Futures Tour, Rodriguez is a late bloomer to the game, deciding to focus solely on golf at age 19.
Nicole Smith (24, Riverside, Calif.) – Currently living out of her car, Smith is competing full-time on the Futures Tour. The alumfrom the University of Tennessee is looking to follow in the footsteps of “Big Break Sandals” competitor Ryann O’Toole, her close friend and travel companion.
Julien Trudeau (30, Montreal, Quebec / Phoenix) – The lone Canadian, Trudeau is looking to continue the recent success Canadians have had on Big Break. A veteran of several mini tours in the U.S. and Canada, Trudeau was ready to walk away from the game when a friend suggested he audition and give professional golf one more try.
Andy Walker (36, Phoenix) – A veteran of several professional golf tours, Walker has yet to have that breakthrough year. In addition to competing on the professional circuits, he also is a professional golf instructor, assistant golf coach at South Mountain Community College.
Whitney Wright (26, Greenville, S.C.) – Girlfriend of “Big Break Indian Wells” competitor Robbie Biershenk, Wright is competing on the Futures Tour and supplements her income by competing in charitable competitions on the golf course.
Tom Abbott and Stephanie Sparks return as co-hosts for the series.
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