Heat-free!
What to do when the sun is beating down from the sky, the air is shimmering with heat and playing golf at 30° in the shade becomes torture?
There's only one thing to do: head up to Austria's www.golf-alpin.at"_blank"">GolfAlpin courses in Tyrol or Salzburg. There in www.lungau.at"_blank"">SalzburgerLungau there were a few surprises in addition to golf at over 1000 meters above sea level: lots of pure nature, insider tips for romantics, barefoot golf, wellness galore and a date with Samson, the giant of Lungau.
Welcome to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
It is just 100 kilometers from the city of Salzburg to the Lungau region to the south, nestled between the Radstädter Tauern in the north and the Nockberge mountains in the south. 15 villages make up the sunniest vacation region in SalzburgerLand, which is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Everyone who has ever been here raves about the unspoilt natural world in the Riedingtal-Zederhaus Nature Park or the Weißpriachtal, which are among the most beautiful landscapes in SalzburgerLand. And nowhere else in the Alps are there so many alpine pastures: around 1,800 are used for agriculture and around 550 alpine huts attract hikers with "alpine" delicacies. In general, the Lungau is a wonderful hiking paradise with 60 crystal-clear mountain lakes, a colorful abundance of native plants and herbs and the Lungaucard offers an additional 40 attractions. Whether it's alpine summer, farmers' autumn or "Via Culinaria" - the region has its own specialties, such as the "Lungauer Eachtling", a particularly tasty potato or the "Lungauer Vodka" - which can be tasted in the many Slow Food establishments. And - hand on heart, that's exactly what we golfers love. Plus an insider tip for good food, such as the experience dinner in the Rauchkuchl of the www.romantikhotel-wastlwirt.at"_blank"">RomantikhotelWastlwirt and golf on a championship course.
Romantic barefoot golf with early morning tea
Rudi Baierl, senior manager of the "Wastlwirt" is also a golf enthusiast and therefore co-founder of the 27-hole golf course, the GC Lungau/Katschberg, which is located between the towns of St. Michael im Lungau and St. Margarethen. Designed by renowned architect Keith Preston, its 18 holes (par 72) are set at a sunny altitude through the floodplain landscape of the Mur, which you have to play over at holes 10 and 12. However, the most beautiful hole, the ninth, is also at risk of losing the ball due to water, which can also be found on the back nine. Not so bad if you have straight shots and are not afraid of the water hazard. And - perfect for hot days, as there is always a cool breeze blowing down from Katschberg and the rushing of the Mur reinforces the cooling effect.
The "Wastlwirt" has come up with something special: Barefoot golfing on the 9-hole par 56 course (with eight par 3s and one par 4), which can also be played without a handicap or membership and takes some of the pressure off the championship course during tournaments. Just like the "big one", the short course is just as beautifully embedded in the landscape along the Mur and perfect for a barefoot run. It's a great feeling to go for a run in the dewy grass early in the morning! There's no better way to "taste" nature - completely and with all your senses. Breakfast in the "Wastlalm", which is located in a very cozy spot near the 10th tee, makes sure of that. Afterwards, you can warm your wet feet by the crackling fire while the smell of coffee wafts through the rustic dining room. This is accompanied by the restaurant's own Wastl bread made from the almost historic Tauern rye and hearty finger food - all from the local farmers. You'll want to stay longer, because everything here is designed for a cozy stay - with country house rooms, a kitchen and a small garden. A little hideaway especially for romantics, just like the 4-star "Wastlwirt" hotel in the middle of St. Michael. Right next door is the next surprise, because the www.eggerwirt.at"_blank"">"Eggerwirt"/a> can actually boast a wellness and beauty area of over 13,000 square meters. In addition to various saunas, pools and a natural pond in a fantastic garden, there is also a separate ladies' spa and a relaxation area with waterbeds in the rooftop lounge. As quiet as the inside area is, it is just as lively outside the front door, because every year in June choirs from all over the world meet here for Austria's largest choir festival. And as is the custom here, there is also the traditional Samson parade with the giant and the Lungauers in their best traditional costumes.
Alles gut im Alm.Gut
This could be the motto of the Lüftenegger family, who run the www.almgut.at"_blank"">4-starHotel Alm.Gut directly in the St. Margarethen ski area with a very personal service. Ideal in winter because it is located right next to the lift, perfect in summer for hikers, mountain bikers and of course golfers because it is only a stone's throw away. A real feel-good hotel, as the epithet "Wellness & Relax" promises. The cozy ambience with lots of wood, felt and rustic fabrics in the rooms and the stylish bar, where you can get the best home-made Swiss stone pine schnapps from the landlord, are particularly appealing. But also the modern wellness and bathing facilities, the sauna hut with natural pond and wellness garden as well as the restaurants with delicious cuisine. "With heart and soul for the guest" seems to be the credo of host Hans Lüftenegger - whether for a round on the golf course, for hikes and excursions in the area or for aches and pains of all kinds. The fourth member of the Lungau golf hoteliers is Thomas Pankratz from www.hotel-pankratz.com"_blank"">"Hotelzum Weissen Stein" with interesting golf offers and the best "Ripperlessen" for refreshment after a strenuous round.
Further tips for the vacation region: Mauterndorf Castle, the pilgrimage church of St. Leonhard in Tamsweg, the "Silent Night Museum" in Mariapfarr, water shooting at Prebersee or culinary delights in the Mesnerhaus restaurant in Mauterndorf (3 Gault Milau toques and 1 Michelin star) and in the "Stub'n" in Mariapfarr (1 Gault Milau toque).
