Dornoch Town, Scotland

April 28, 2010June 29, 2017 PerryGolf Staff

No trip to the Highlands is complete without visiting Dornoch; a small historic town with spectacular architecture and steeped in history. Most famous recently for Madonna’s wedding and her son’s Christening in late 2000. It’s easy to see why this was her chosen venue; with Dornoch Cathedral a stunning center piece to the town.

I have visited Dornoch several times and never tire of browsing around the small antique shops not to mention the great walks that the town hosts in the Sutherland Hills. Part of the town’s magical history involves witchcraft as Dornoch is home to the last execution in Scotland for witchcraft.

The town is ideal for both golfers and non golfers, with Brora Golf Club and Royal Dornoch located close by…it’s the ideal place to spend time during your golf trip.

By Denise McKee. Denise has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is member of our admin team.

The Scottish Golf Show

April 26, 2010April 2, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

I had an afternoon free in Glasgow this weekend and so I went along the Scottish Golf Show. I was very impressed and spent an enjoyable afternoon there. All of the major manufacturers were present, and many were offering to custom-fit golf clubs. Each company also had a number of test bays available to try out new clubs.

Alastair & son James with the Claret Jug

Some of the top courses in Scotland, such as Kingsbarns, Castle Stuart and Spey Valley had their own posts. There were various challenges which one could take part in, from chipping and putting, to a simulation of the 16^th green at Augusta where players were invited to replicate Tiger’s amazing chip in back in 2005 in the hope of winning a set Nike irons. There were also facilities for junior golfers and my son was able to have a lesson from a pro and try out the new clubs…which I then inevitably had to purchase for him! A real treat was also having our picture taken with the famous Claret Jug trophy.

All in all a very enjoyable afternoon. Click here for further details.

By Alastair Niven. Alastair has been with PerryGolf for over 9 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

2018 Ryder Cup

April 24, 2010April 1, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

Six European nations have announced their intention to bid to host the 2018 Ryder Cup; the deadline for which is April 30^th, 2010.

With Spain, Portugal, Germany, Sweden, France and Holland keen to stage the event, it’s going to be a Ryder Cup played at a mainland European venue for only the second time – with Valderrama in 1997 being the only other exception.

Seve Ballesteros, who captained the winning European team at Valderrama in ‘97, was yesterday given a standing ovation as he was unveiled as the patron of Madrid’s bid for 2018. It’ll be interesting to see if any of the other nations can top this…and even more interesting to see which country comes top of the pile when the host venue is eventually announced in early 2011.

Click here to read more.

By Keith Baird. Keith has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

A Weekend at Celtic Manor, Wales – venue for Ryder Cup

April 23, 2010March 30, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

One of the advantages of having a partner who was born just outside of Cardiff (and is a very keen golfer) is that we get away to my favourite hotel, Celtic Manor, whenever possible; Wales playing at home in the Millennium Stadium, a family birthday or anniversary is all the excuse we need.

Although the main hotel looks somewhat formidable on approach – from the huge wooden dragon sleeping in the foyer, to the menus in the restaurants – it is a delightfully Welsh experience.

My partner always enjoys a lesson with the Pro which then continues onto one of the courses while I hit the Spa! The staff all over the hotel are extremely helpful and welcoming without being obtrusive and no less so at the Spa where you can chat about your treatment, choose your products and generally get into the mood for relaxation in the sunny conservatory.

There are five restaurants in the resort…and believe me, we have tried them all! My favourite is Rafters in the 2010 Clubhouse for superb food in an informal atmosphere. But for a real treat, and if we are being joined by family, the Taste of Wales experience in The Crown Restaurant makes for a memorable evening. Designed for a table of four or more to share, this is a taster menu with suggested wines and it is a lot of fun. The intention is that you will spend the entire evening with them; from pre-dinner drinks to a nightcap… and you are in no hurry to leave!

By Yvonne Shaw. Yvonne has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is a member of our admin team.

Charles Lees ‘The Golfers’ Painting to be Recreated

April 20, 2010March 30, 2010 PerryGolf Staff

One of the golf world’s most famous pieces of art is set to be recreated this summer with the help from students at Strathclyde University in Glasgow. The “Golfers” hangs in many clubhouses around the world and doubtless many more offices and homes. The students plan on researching the descendants from each golfer/spectator in the original picture and recreating a new version which will be unveiled at The Open Championship at St Andrews this summer. The original painting will be on show in the British Golf Museum throughout the Open and the new version will be on show in the tented village.

The only person in the image with whom I am familiar with Mr. James Cheape who is sitting on the far right hand side. The story, as I understand it, is that he bought the links at St. Andrews in the 1800’s so that they remained a golf course as otherwise they would have been converted to a rabbit farm. At a later date he sold the land back to St. Andrews and in return received a daily allocation of tee times on the Old Course. This arrangement continued until the 1990’s.

Click here for more details on the project.

By Gary Sheppard. Gary has been with PerryGolf for over 3 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

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