Category: Colin Dalgleish Posts

Vietnam & Cambodia Introduction

Gordon Dalgleish

[singlepic id=52 w=320 h=240 float=]Hello from South East Asia. This is Colin Dalgleish of PerryGolf visiting Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand for a final preview of our upcoming February 2014 escorted tour to the region. Today I have been in Bangkok which we are offering as a three day precursor to the main tour. A quick visit to meet General Manager John Blanch at the prestigious Thai Country Club, an outstanding facility with a strong pedigree coupled to exceptional service. Next up is dinner and overnight at the Anantara Resort and Spa which sits right on the river and provides an oasis of green in the very heart of Bangkok city. Tomorrow sees me fly to Siem Reap Cambodia for the Lost City of Angkor Watt and some of the great golf which is nearby it.
 

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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First sight of Old Course changes

PerryGolf Staff

With debates taking place on many topics within the world of golf, the planned modifications to the Old Course of St Andrews announced late November last year, and covered in our blog post of that time , caused considerable controversy and divided opinion.

In announcing the changes the St Andrews Links Trust and the R&A said they were being made “to stiffen its defences in some places to ensure it remains as challenging as ever to the professionals. The proposals from (highly respected links architect) Martin Hawtree should place more of a premium on accuracy and ball control while retaining the spirit and character of the Old Course.”  In underscoring the minor nature of the work R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson said “It’s men with shovels and wheelbarrows rather than bulldozers.”

The first phase (winter 2012/13) is now complete.  The changes appear minor, blend in well, and are consistent with the Links Trust’s measured and caring yet progressive custodianship of the St Andrews Links.  The images below reaffirm that the affected areas will be fully ready and in play for the 2013 season.

Hole #2

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Links Trust Description; On the 2nd hole, the two bunkers right and short of the green will be moved closer to the right edge of the green. The ground to the right of the green will also be recontoured to create more undulations and the width of 3rd tee will be reduced to accommodate this. Two bunkers on the right side of the fairway, near the 3rd Championship tee, will be removed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hole #11

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Links Trust Description; the back left portion of the green will be lowered to create more hole location options.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hole #17

 

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Links Trust Description;  the Road Bunker will be widened by half a metre at the right hand side and a small portion of the front of the green will be recontoured to enable it to gather more approach shots landing in that area.

By Colin Dalgleish, Founding Director at PerryGolf

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Remembering advances in travel

Gordon Dalgleish
The following article will bring a smile to your face as you recall many of the innovations that have affected every one of us who travels (and those who do not!). One can only wonder what they shall be discussing in another 40 years!

 

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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College Golf in the British Isles

Gordon Dalgleish


Coat, Ties and Foursomes: College Golf in the UK

TAP imageFor all the trans-Atlantic DNA we share with our British golfing brethren, it’s easy and, I daresay, somewhat natural to assume that college golf here in the U.S. is pretty much the same as it is over there. Not so. There’s a reason top players from the U.K. (and mainland Europe) come here to hone their games at American colleges and universities. Collegiate golf in … Read more


 

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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Machrihanish & the Kintyre Peninsula ~ moving up the “must visit” rankings?

Colin Dalgleish

Another tale of great winter golf in Scotland!  I must be doing something right. In the second week of February on a glorious day with a blue sky and a shimmering ocean, I recently played 36 holes of golf at the recently opened and strongly acclaimed Machrihanish Dunes, and also the much loved Dunaverty.  My fourball included Richard Simmons, Editor of UK publication Golf International, plus my good friends Ronan Rafferty, former Ryder Cup player, and Alan White, Chairman of the Scottish PGA.

Machrihanish Dunes
Machrihanish Dunes

Having last visited Machrihanish Dunes early in its construction, I went for my first game with a sense of anticipation.  Well I can tell you I was certainly not disappointed.  It occupies a marvelous piece of land with spectacular views right on the edge of Machrihanish Bay; its layout twisting and turning through the gentle dunes to provide a thorough test and outstanding experience.  There are a number of blind shots (which is all part of the game), and it is certainly a tough golf course to play on the first circuit, but if played from the appropriate set of tees it is an extremely playable golf course by all standards.  It might not have the “smoothness” of many new courses. So what.  They will continue to refine and fine tune in all areas, and it will only get better.  Pure and simple, it gets my vote, and I encourage all true lovers of the game to make a visit.  You want unspoiled links golf the way it used to be?…then this is the real deal.

Another bonus for me was a game at Dunaverty, located just 20 minutes south of Machrihanish.  It enjoys a wonderful location right on the south eastern tip of the Kintyre Peninsula, with different but equally fabulous views as experienced from Machrihanish Dunes.  At less than 5,000 yards and a par of 66, it is the perfect second round!  It’s par three 7th hole claims the only bunker on the golf course, and accordingly is mischievously called “St Andrews” -:)

The extremely comfortable Ugadale Cottages now available in the village of Machrihanish provide the perfect accommodations for golfing groups with excellent casual dining available in the Old Clubhouse.  You can now follow this exciting addition to the Scottish golf scene on their facebook page.

If you want to experience great links golf, get over there!

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