Olympic Torch to Make its Way Through Northern Ireland

If you are going to be in Northern Ireland between the 3rd and 7th of June this year, the arrival of the Olympic torch will be a sight to behold.

The flame will journey over from Greece to arrive at Land’s End on the 18th of May 2012.  Here will begin the 70 day trip around the UK.

Travelers to Northern Ireland this year can expect to see the torch-bearers arrive into Belfast on the 3rd of June; it will then be carried through more than 60 towns and villages until the 7th of June where it will leave for Cairnryan in Scotland.

Travelling for around 12 hours per day, the torch will ultimately arrive at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford for the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony.

List of destinations in Northern Ireland through which the torch will be relayed:

3rd June –  Holywood, Bangor, Newtownards, Comber, Dundonald, Stormont, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Glynn, Larne, Drains Bay, Ballygalley, Glenarm, Carnlough, Glenariff, Cushendall, Ballycastle, Dervock, Bushmills and Portrush.

4th June – the torch will be taken across the River Bann and then on to Coleraine, Articlave, Castlerock, Downhill, Ballarena, Limavady, Ballykelly, Greysteel and Londonderry.

5th June – New Buildings, Magheramason, Bready, Ballymagorry, Strabane, Sion Mills, Omagh, Dromore, Irvinestown, Enniskillen, Fivemiletown, Clogher, Augher, Aughnacloy, Caledon, Armagh, Portadown, Gilford, Banbridge and Newry.

6th June – after leaving Newry, the flame will be taken to Lisburn and Belfast.

7th June – the final leg of the relay will take in Newcastle, Dundrum, Clough, Downpatrick, Crossgar, Saintfield, Ballynahinch, Templepatrick, Antrim, Ballyronan, Magherafelt, Ballymena and Moorfields.

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Video #5 / King’s Course,Gleneagles, Scotland

The great James Braid won five Open Championships before he designed the King’s Course at Gleneagles which opened in 1919.  Of the more than 200 courses he would go on to design, the King’s is considered to be Braid’s parkland masterpiece. You’ll find links-style pot bunkers, heather and gorse combined with inland characteristics like trees and forests, a generally slower surface;  plus numerous elevation changes several of them considerable.

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2013 Scotland golf dates to consider

One of the features of the unique software platform that PerryGolf employs to create, manage and deliver customized trips is to constantly monitor dates when golf courses will be closed. On many occassions these are dates that are unique events and cannot be reasonably anticipated based on history.

Our system simply does not permit us to generate a proposal for a client when one of the scheduled golf courses is in conflict with a “close out” date. This is one of the many benefits you receive from PerryGolf as compared to less entrenched travel providers.

To this end, be aware that the 2013 Ladies British Open shall be played on the Old Course, St. Andrews, July 29 – August 5 with resultant course closure. Additionally as it is a non Ryder Cup year, we reasonably anticipate that the Dunhill Cup shall move to the last week of September in 2013 resulting in a three week closure of the Old Course…when combined with R & A Autumn Meeting. Plan accordingly!

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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Kingarrock Golf Course near St Andrews…worth a visit

A recent trip to Scotland took me for an overnight visit to St Andrews. The weather was cold but clear blue skies were the order of the day. St Andrews is a stunning, attractive destination for golfers and non golfers alike…even in cold weather!

As I departed St Andrews I stopped at Kingarrock and met David Anderson. David is a fascinating and engaging personality who has a passion for Kingarrock. As many have realized a picture is worth a thousand words and on that basis, I suggest you enjoy the video below or visit http://www.kingarrock.com/ for more details.

Kingarrock would be a wonderful place for golfers to visit and enjoy the facilities. Allow two hours from arrival until departure to fully appreciate the experience. This may not be for everyone but if you enjoy some of the history of the game in a casual atmosphere, I would encourage you to find the time during your stay in St Andrews.

The course is open in the summer months and have 9 holes specifically designed for hickory play. It is hassle free, all players are provided with five original hickory clubs, an original canvas and leather bag, together with balls and tees that represent the early 20th century golfing experience. Your “new” clubs for the day are a Spoon (3 wood), Driving Iron, Mashie (7 iron), Niblick (wedge) and Putter. The guarantee of an hour gap on the 1st tee between groups lets you experience the feeling of personal privacy. A nip of whisky or port will help get you into the spirit of the “roaring twenties” prior to teeing off while “Da Anderson” ginger beer and shortbread are the traditional refreshments after golf.
 

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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Video #4 / Castle Stuart Golf Links, Scotland

Treasure hunting links golfers will be pleased to find new loot in the Highlands at Castle Stuart.  It was Golf Magazine’s “Best New International Course of the Year” in 2009.  It was ranked World 56 and selected to host the Barclays Scottish Open in 2011.  Better still, if you’re the type that likes to hit the ground playing, the first tee is but 2.9 miles from the airport!

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