Author: Gordon Dalgleish

Quarryfield House – a gem for golf groups in the Highlands

Gordon Dalgleish

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PerryGolf has long prided itself on discovering and creating unique golf travel experiences which we believe enhance the underlying golf trip to make it truly special. Over the years we have introduced VIP Golf Coaches, the PerryGolf Lodges at Turnberry and many other innovative programs that thousands of clients have come to expect as part and parcel of the PerryGolf service ethos.

In the same vein, we are delighted to introduce Quarryfield House in the Highlands of Scotland. Quarryfield is ideally located for a group of golfers who desire an exclusive use facility that is centrally located for all of the world class golf courses in the region. The house has 8 bedrooms, of which 7 have en suite bathroom and all are a good size and modern.

Located just off the A9 to the north of Inverness, it’s rural setting combined with ample amenities make it a terrific venue to spend your time when not on the golf course or sightseeing. To add to the fun and uniqueness is a local pub, the Allangrange Arms in Munlochy, reopened recently as gastro pub.

The house provides three main public spaces ; a large lounge with fireplace and dining table, south facing conservatory and snooker/tv room with TV and sky channels. For the more energetic there is also a table tennis table and an all weather tennis court to the rear of the building.

Breakfast is provided daily by the staff and dinner can be scheduled in advance. For a group of golfers seeking to get away from the crowds, play some, tell some tall tales, eat & drink well…then we think this is an ideal venue to consider.
 

About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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Ailsa Craig for sale – reduced

Gordon Dalgleish

The view from Turnberry Hotel out across the Firth of Clyde with the Ailsa Craig just off shore and the iconic lighthouse on the shoreline is one which golfers can immediately recognize.  It seems that the Ailsa Craig has been for sale for some time and now maybe even more affordable for that golfer who wants to own a true piece of the golf landscape.

The Ailsa Craig has enjoyed an interesting history. It is far more than just a piece of granite clearly visible from one of the Open Championship courses. The expression which so many golfers love to recount from their caddies at Turnberry; “if you cannot see the Ailsa Craig it is raining, if you can see the Ailsa Craig it is about to rain”.  Golfers realize this is tongue in cheek but does speak to the variety of weather one expects to experience in Scotland, on any given day.
 

About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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Roadblock to new course in Northern Ireland?

Gordon Dalgleish

UPDATE Feb 28, 2013 : Good news being reported on the status of the proposed development by the BBC.  It would appear the development is going to proceed which is terrific for tourism in Northern Ireland.

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I had recently commented on some new golf courses to watch in the coming months and years that would be great additions to the golf travel landscape. One of these courses was in Northern Ireland.

The recent article in the Guardian newspaper in Britain caught my eye as it appears the National Trust are flexing their legal rights in an effort to thwart the construction.  As with any development, people can take opposing viewpoints for valid reasons. The part of the article which caught my eye was towards the end;

“Critics say that Northern Ireland has learned nothing from the painful lessons of its over-reaching southern neighbour. The “Celtic tiger’s” building boom saw a glut of luxury developments, but the ensuing bust has left many lying empty.

However, their opponents say the problem is not over-development, but lack of development. The economy in Northern Ireland is flatlining and jobs are scarce. Last month Patton Group, one of Northern Ireland’s oldest construction firms, called in the administrators. Samson and Goliath, the massive cranes operated by Belfast’s famous shipbuilder, Harland & Wolff, are in danger of becoming little more than tourist attractions as the global economic turmoil continues. And despite Cameron’s hopes for a tourism bonanza, the number of people visiting the country fell by almost 12% this year, an alarming drop given the substantial PR campaign that was employed to draw people in during the Olympics.”

If this is indeed the core issue at hand, that Ireland over built in the tourism and golf sector during the good times, and is now suffering those consequence as demand falls, it fails to recognize the difference between quantity and quality. Our recent experience (since 2008) is that demand for golf in Northern Ireland has been far stronger than the rest of the island. Affluent golfers who travel from the United States to play the best links courses want just that. With all due respect, some of the courses built over the last decade in Ireland have not measured up to the quality links golf experience that visitors anticipate.

Only time will tell if this development achieves the lofty international acclaim and recognition that new golf developments such as Bandon Dunes, Cabot Links or Barnbougle have themselves accomplished, but to oppose a development based on the obvious shortcomings of prior developments is a fairly low benchmark to use as you try to stifle job creation and enhance an already strong golf destination.

About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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New courses to watch in 2013 & beyond

Gordon Dalgleish

Among my Christmas mail recently was information from two of golf’s leading architects; Tom Doak & David McLay Kidd both of whom outlined some of the projects around the world that they and their teams are presently working on. Two of the projects caught my attention as both are in PerryGolf destinations and will once again add another dynamic to the golf experience in their respective region.

Tom Doak is working on a new course named; Tara-iti Golf Club in Mangawhai, New Zealand. From the image it appears to be built on sandy terrain adjacent to the coastline on the east coast of the North Island as you travel between Auckland and Kauri Cliffs on the Bay of Islands. Given the quality of golf course Doak builds, this should be a great addition to the golf scene in New Zealand as it breaks the 3 hour car journey from Auckland to the Bay of Islands.

David McLay Kidd is awaiting final planning approval for a new links course at Bushmills Dunes on the Northern Ireland coastline not far from Royal Portrush.  If and when this course is constructed, it will add yet another terrific links courses in the midst of an extremely vibrant golf area, more than enough courses to keep you busy during a week’s stay.

About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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Business Class to Europe on sale

Gordon Dalgleish

Historically airlines have waited until the New Year and sometimes as late as spring before offering their lowest Business Class fares to Europe. In this annual game of “chicken”  travelers waiting for the possibility of securing the lowest fares are offset against the risk of no availability on their preferred dates of travel by the time the sale fares are introduced. The twist this year, which may well be more than just a flash sale technique is for American Airlines to offer substantially discounted fares with a 10 day minimum stay at the destination.

While ten days may be too long for a vacation for many travelers, the savings offered are considerable….as of this morning, a Business Class ticket on American Airlines from JFK to DUB for travel in July is pricing at just under $2,000 including all taxes. From LAX  the fare only increases to $2,200.

The requirements are fairly straightforward;

  • Flights on American Airlines equipment only – i.e. no code shares
  • 10 minimum stay
  • Tickets purchased at least 60 days in advance
  • Open jaw permitted – i.e you can fly into one airport and return home from another

Ordinarily sales have ticketed deadlines clearly stated, in this instance there is no deadline which strong suggests this may be a new Business Class pricing formula being tested. Only time will tell if other carriers embrace the idea.
 

About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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