PerryGolf is an Authorized Provider of Guaranteed Old Course Tee Times. PerryGolf President Gordon Dalgleish explains your options for getting a tee time on the Old Course, St Andrews. Read more “Old Course at St Andrews – How To Get A Tee Time”
The Open Championship is unique amongst the majors for a variety of reasons and attendance at one “Open” as she is correctly called should be on every golfers bucket list. Some tips for making the dream trip a reality;
1. You can always walk up on the day and buy a ticket to watch play that day. It is truly “open” to the public.
2. If you want to stay nearby, expect the hotel to require a 5 – 7 night minimum stay, as you move further from the venue, demand lessens and shorter stays are more likely.
3. Invariably there is an excellent public transportation system with dedicated trains to the event from major cities…a fine option compared to traffic and parking
4. The Tented Village is part of the Open lore, it encompasses retail, promotional displays and hospitality areas…see it, experience it and enjoy it.
5. Links courses by nature are flat, the R & A who conduct the Open provide many bleacher stands throughout the course. It is a good idea to find a location you like and position yourself there.
6. Given the changeable weather that the British Isles is known for, be sure to have with you layers of clothes and even rain gear…just in case. Nothing worse than sitting in a bleacher as a rain shower approaches with a handkerchief for protection!
7. If you try to combine a golf trip with attendance at the Open, you probably will find it easier to play your golf in another region of the British Isles as most of the notable courses around the Open venue will be under great demand for various events, corporate outings, etc.
8. Due to the fact golf is so woven into the British fabric of life, you will be surprised at how knowledgeable the crowd will be…good shots are acknowledged and bad shots are winced at…for most of the spectators play the game and experienced the same challenges. Rarely will the “you da man” laud be shouted, unless of course by a patron possibly leaving the famed Bollinger tent!
Of course, our 2013 British Open Cruise is the perfect solution to play golf in Ireland, Scotland AND attending the Open from your floating hotel room only 30 minutes or so from the course!
I hope that you make this special trip at least once.
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+
PerryGolf is delighted to introduce a sweepstakes which provides you with the opportunity to win a trip for yourself plus three golfing friends to travel to Scotland to enjoy six of the finest courses that the “Home of Golf” is famous for. Full details of the competition and and entry can be viewed here.
The courses included in this trip are some of Scotland’s finest; Castle Stuart, venue for the Scottish Open, Ailsa Course at Turnberry, multiple host to the Open Championship, Prestwick, venue for the first Open to be played, Centenary Course at Gleneagles, venue for 2014 Ryder Cup, Royal Dornoch, acclaimed links course where Donald Ross started his golf career and the Kintye Course at Turnberry, venue for a European PGA Tour event. While the golf is spectacular, the accommodations provided are at the luxurious and iconic Turnberry Hotel in Ayrshire and Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness.
Click here to enter and see all contest rules.
Good luck. We look forward to welcoming you to Scotland.
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+
For some time Scotland has been slowly developing and positioning itself as a leader in the development of wind as a sustainable energy solution. By some estimate Scotland may eventually account for fully 25% of the harvestable wind in Europe. If you have travelled there in recent years you will have noticed tall windmill turbines at various locations around the countryside
Hitherto the debate has been more focused on the potential benefits versus environmental considerations. I think it is fair to say that the economic benefits may be further down the road than some proponents may claim, but this is a function of any developing technology. Undoubtedly there is a legitimate argument to be made in support of green energy options.
While the debate has continued in Scotland for some years, it has mostly been contested by the green energy backers in one corner with environmentalists squarely in the other camp. One could reasonably argue that due to political expediency elected officials have taken up with the green energy camp, not because they truly believe in the solution and could argue for its need…but rather they cannot argue against it politically.
Enter Donald Trump onto the scene who has grand plans for the Aberdeenshire coastline. Even with just his golf course, before hotels and houses are built, he has made a significant investment in northeast Scotland. His golf course opens this summer but he has put additional development plans on hold until after any decision on a proposed wind farm just offshore from his development.
While Mr. Trump can have a polarizing impact on discussions he has served to raise the profile of the impact to Scottish tourism, and more specifically Scottish golf tourism should wind farms be developed with little regard for the tourist implications.
As the leading golf tour operator from the United States to Scotland, delivering consistently more American golfers to Scotland than any other company for almost three decades, we have serious concerns if wind farms are developed that widely impact the Scottish golf experience. The recent addition of a single turbine very close to Royal Aberdeen Golf Club is something of a wake up call for Scottish tourism. To be clear, one turbine does not change a purchase decision by an overseas visitors to the “Home of Golf”. It is reasonable to conclude that the purchase decision to visit Scotland is the cumulative effect of many smaller considerations; air schedule, hotel options, transportation choices and for golfers, the most important issue…quality of the golf experience.
Quality of golf experience means different things to different people. It can be the condition of the course, knowledge of caddies, friendliness of welcome in the clubhouse, speed of the greens…most likely it will be a combination of various factors…or anticipated experience based on various information sources. One of the considerations will be the ambience of the golf course. We often hear that some travelers consider the links course of Ireland to have more spectacular scenery than Scottish courses and that is just one reason why they travel there to play golf.
Returning to the single turbine at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, which is the first of Scotland’s renowned links courses to have a turbine placed right on it doorstep causing both sight and noise pollution; were a second or third course in Scotland to have turbines placed right alongside on land or even nearby offshore, it may not make a difference but do twenty courses with compromised vistas from turbine development impact a golfers decision to visit Scotland? Within the purchase decision process of a prospective golfer, feedback from friends who recently visited usually weighs heavily; it is not unreasonable to think some golfers may conclude another “less cluttered” destination, on balance to be more enjoyable.
We should not underestimate the importance of visiting golfers to the Scottish economy. Government statisticians generally count one foreign visitor as one foreign visitor, despite what they may contribute to the local economy. As evidence of this mindset, the recent study presented by the Scottish government as evidence of the minimal impact on tourism by the placement of turbines speaks in generalities. It would appear that the questions were directed to tourism in general. For a golfer, 4 hours on a golf course with turbines damaging the visual experience is impactful….would a sightseeing tourist be unaffected by a turbine between Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street which is what the placement of the turbine at Royal Aberdeen amounts to for visitors to the course. Golfers spend substantially more than backpackers or most tourist segments and thus have a far greater financial impact on the economy than other visitors. The premium hotels in Scotland target golfers; Gleneagles, Turnberry, Old Course Hotel, Fairmont St. Andrews to name but a few. In addition to premium hotel rooms, caddies, more expensive restaurants, chauffeurs, etc…the list of utilized service providers is extensive…all because of golf, which is the driving force. Scotland has been blessed to be regarded as the “Home of Golf” the world over. It is a significant part of our heritage and we should not lose sight of the fact that there are many other destinations who will gladly take our golfers if they ever feel that Scotland does not deliver what visiting golfers anticipate.
There may well be a strong argument for wind power. It may well be a great energy source when the technology evolves but Mr. Trump has done a great service to the country by raising the profile of tourism within the context of the debate on green energy.
Mr Trump has raised a bona fide concern in his own style which some people may view as singularly selfish. The simple reality is that the larger message which he has also raised is the more important one for the country as a whole, as it will, if not prudently managed will cause a negative impact on the golf tourism segment.
I hope that decisions can be made which respect the many constituent groups involved and respect their wishes, and also provide suitable recognition for the potentially damaging impact one sided decisions will have on the many people and families who rely tourism and specifically golfers for their livelihood.
Gordon Dalgleish
President
PerryGolf
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+
We shall begin offering programs to Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia later this summer and a recent visit was extremely insightful on various levels.
Cape Breton has long hosted Highland Links which for a number of years has been in GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 in the World list (currently #98) . It remains a fine test of golf in a spectacular setting within the Cape Breton National Park along the internationally renowned Cabot Trail. In far more recent times Cape Breton is receiving much attention from the golf media with the pending opening of Cabot Links in Inverness, on the west coast of Cape Breton.
Cabot Links is the brainchild of Ben Cowan-Dewer with the significant involvement of Mike Keiser, the mastermind and owner of Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coast. I recall clearly playing the original Bandon Dunes course two months before it officially opened in 2000. The course was built in the middle a remote part of the coastline and Mike’s belief was that if you built it…and it is great….they will come. He has proved his critics wrong time and time again with 5 courses now open, scheduled airline service to the nearby airport from San Francisco and Salt Lake and tens of thousands golfers annually converging on Bandon Dunes, and all that they bring to the local economy. Time will be the judge as to the success of Cabot Links…but having walked a good portion of the holes, I am confident in predicting it will achieve international recognition sooner rather than later. I suspect that within five years it will be recognized as the mini Bandon Dunes on the East Coast. Proximity from major East Coast gateways coupled with nonstop service to Halifax make it quite accessible.
As a result of the above two courses, Cape Breton has an extremely interesting story to tell. The quality of golf ranges from local courses to world class, as described. The accommodations range from extremely comfortable and welcoming B & B’s to first class hotels and Lodges. Due to the relatively remote geography, as you will find in similar places, the welcome form the locals is particularly heartfelt and sincere.
Due to the logistics of travel and locations of the golf courses, there truly is a multitude of options for golfers in terms of how you design a trip Cape Breton. To follow in no particular order are my observations and thoughts on how best to plan a trip;
Getting there
Halifax Airport is approximately 30 minutes north of the city. Halifax is the principal business and government city in this region and as a result enjoys significant nonstop air service from all of the principal hub airports on the east coast. The airport terminal is modern, spacious and efficient. When returning to the USA you clear Immigration & Customs at check-in in Canada thus arrival into the USA is treated as a domestic flight with no formalities. Rental cars are located within the airport so just a short covered walk to rental car lot beside terminal…same for return of vehicles.
Travel Comments
Cape Breton is connected to the mainland by the Canso Causeway which is approximately a 90 minute drive north from Halifax Airport. It is an easy drive on good roads, mostly four lane, very well marked. Depending on flight arrival and departure times there is good rationale for an overnight visit to Halifax to see and enjoy this historic Seaport.
Golf
Cabot Links – Officially opening in late June, 2012 with clubhouse and 48 rooms open at the same time. Located in the small town of Inverness it is going to be a really special links golf experience. Good background reading from Golf Digest.
Highland Links – The original Stanley Thompson design alongside the Cabot Trail in the northern part of Cape Breton. It is a classic course from Canada’s finest golf course architect of his time. One of the by products of Cabot Links has been to encourage the government ownership of Highland Links to re-invest in the facility and return it to it’s former glory and conditioning, which is occurring.
Bell Bay – Located on the western side of the magnificent Bras d’Or Lake, overlooking Alexander Graham Bell’s retirement home and where the first plane flight (in the British Empire) occurred, the course is challenging, playable, forgiving and always in excellent condition. The town of Baddeck where it is located is a bit of a summer playground with a nice selection of restaurants and shops. If you are a traveler that prefers to unpack once and drive out to the various golf courses, Baddeck is a terrific option as everything is 60 – 90 minutes drive.
The Lakes – Similar in may respects to Bell Bay for quality of golf experience, except this course is on the eastern shore of Bras d’Or, it uniquely is coupled with a skiing area. in the winter months the skiiers use the same clubhouse that golfers use in the summer months….that is efficient!
Le Portage – If you are a traveler who enjoys the many aspects of new cultures and experiences, Le Portage in the town of Cheticamp is just one of these finds. While the golf course may be more basic than some of the others on Cape Breton, it generally always exceeds expectations and the overall experience is very unique. Cheticamp is immersed in the Arcadian culture with a distinct accent and strong French cultural connection.
Dundee Resort – Located overlooking the southern end of Bras d’Or, the resort and golf course are especially attractive for families given the accommodation options and amenities of the resort. The course is routed up the hillside improving views of the lake.
Accommodations
As noted, there is a good range of accommodation options to suit varying expectations and budgets. I would not describe any of the accommodations as lavish deluxe but that is in keeping with the destination. Keltic Lodge is in the midst of a refurbishment and enjoys a spectacular setting beside Highland Links. The vista in both directions from the Lodge is truly memorable. Cabot Links will have 48 rooms this summer and all shall be very well appointed with ocean and golf course views. The Inverary Resort in Baddeck provides good accommodations and excellent dining in a convenient, attractive location overlooking Bras d’Or.
For travelers who enjoy the more intimate experience of bed & breakfast type accommodations Cape Breton provides some outstanding options. Adjacent to the Lakes is the delightful Birches, in Cheticamp you will find Maison Fiset House and near Highland Links the Castle Rock Country Inn.
Other options
While not on Cape Breton Island, you may want to consider a visit to Fox Harb’r which opened in 2001 and is located on the north coast of Nova Scotia, looking across the Northumberland Strait at Prince Edward Island (PEI). It is a self contained luxury lifestyle experience with golf course, spa and a host of other amenities. Importantly, it is located a short 90 minute drive from Halifax Airport so would serve well for arrival or departure scheduling. Uniquely this resort has it’s own 5,000 foot runway onsite lest you want to fly privately.
Summary
Cape Breton offers a wide array of choices and options…plus with the addition of Cabot Links it makes a previously good golf destination now a truly memorable one. Importantly, although the golf, accommodations and welcome are all first class, you will find the cost to enjoy this part of the Canadian Maritime s to be unexpectedly reasonable. We shall have a host of ideas in the near future when we launch this program.
UPDATE April 2, 2012 – Great article on economic impact of Cabot Links from Toronto’s leading newspaper.
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+
