Changes to the Old Course, St. Andrews

Gordon Dalgleish

There has been much discussion in the golf press in recent days regarding the announced changes to the Old Course, St. Andrews in anticipation of the 2015 Open Championship. I have been asked by several journalists for comment on the changes from a travel & tourism perspective as St. Andrews accounts for a significant portion of our annual traffic. My viewpoint is very simple…from a golfers perspective, one who is visiting the “Home of Golf” to enjoy the history, tradition and play the Old Course…the changes will have relatively little impact and will no way diminish from a wonderful & memorable travel experience. St. Andrews has evolved into a outstanding destination with a vibrant nightlife, excellent restaurants, hotels to suit every budget & expectation and a multitude of good golf courses with the Old Course at the center of everything.

[singlepic id=29 w=320 h=240 float=]While I can empathize and understand the viewpoint of architectural purists like Brad Klein & Tom Doak, both of whom I have the highest respect for their work and knowledge of the game, I must however on balance defer to the Links Trust and R & A who are both very deliberative bodies who do their very best to consider the many and differing demands and expectations on the Old Course as they keep it relevant in today’s game at the highest level. From memory (maybe a poor one), one of the reason’s play was suspended during high winds at the 2010 Open Championship on the Old Course was the severity of the slope on #11 green and balls blowing off the green

The golf industry for the last many years has suffered greatly, from a variety of self created challenges mixed with issues beyond it’s control such as a changing society moving faster & faster with less to spend on recreational activities.  As I noted to one journalist, given the larger challenges at hand, I am not sure this one would make it onto  David Letterman’s Top Ten List.
 

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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Conde Nast Top Travel Specialist

Gordon Dalgleish

 

It is always an honor to be named to the Conde Nast Top Travel Specialist’s List. It is all the more rewarding to note that I am currently the only specialist who focuses on golf travel.

View pdf of the article here.

Over the years since 1984 I have always tried to enhance my knowledge of golf travel opportunities and find creative ways to deliver truly memorable golf experiences at each of our worldwide destinations.

We have a tremendous team within PerryGolf who strive every day to surpass client expectations. Thank you to everyone in PerryGolf for their tireless efforts and to Conde Nast for recognizing these qualities.

Gordon Dalgleish

President, PerryGolf

November 26, 2012
 

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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The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs: Named Best Resort in New Zealand

PerryGolf Staff

In the recent 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards survey, Condé Nast Traveler’s rated Kauri Cliffs as the number one lodge resort in all of New Zealand.  Not only is it the number one in New Zealand, it ranks in the top 100 worldwide.

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs ranks #3(up from #6 last year) on the 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards list of Top 100 Hotels Overall with a whopping score of 99.2! A record 46,746 readers participated this year in the annual survey. It is the only New Zealand lodge to make the list.

Owned and developed by New Yorker Julian Robertson and family and managed by Julian “Jay” Robertson III, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs is the sister property to The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay on the North Island and Matakauri Lodge, Queenstown on the South Island. All are members of the exclusive and prestigious Relais & Châteaux collection.

This 5 star luxurious lodge is set on 6000 acres near Matauri Bay, Northland.  The main lodge allows guests to have a 180 degree view of the glistening pacific ocean.  Amenities include two Astroturf tennis courts, an infinity swimming pool with spa and a fully equipped fitness center. Kauri Cliffs has three secluded swimming beaches, which are also available for picnics and barbeques.

Kauri Cliffs was designed and built by David Harman of Golf Course Consultants, Orlando, Florida. The par 72 championship golf course measures 7,119 yards/ 6,510 meters and offers five sets of tees to challenge every skill level. Fifteen holes view the Pacific Ocean, six of which are played alongside cliffs which plunge to the sea. The beautiful inland holes wind through marsh, forest and farmland.

The golf complex includes a world-class practice range, putting and chipping greens, a well stocked golf shop, and ladies’ and mens’ locker rooms. Premium ladies’ and mens’ rental clubs are available. In 2008 and 2009 Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs hosted the Kiwi Challenge, our PGA TOUR Challenge event featuring four of the top PGA TOUR players under the age of 30.

“Kauri Cliffs has had the most outstanding year, winning some of the very best awards the travel industry can bestow. This and our many other awards really belongs to our passionate, caring and dedicated team of professionals at our trio of lodges who ensure each and every guest is treated with the utmost care, and impeccable service.” says Managing Director Jay Robertson

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New Fine Dining Experience at Celtic Manor

Mhairi

Celtic Manor have rebranded their fine dining restaurant; offering a fresh experience but with the same award-winning Head Chef, Tim McDougall.

Formerly The Crown at Celtic Manor, the restaurant is now named Terry M and the hotel insists that the same exceptional standards will be delivered, worthy of the coveted 3 AA Rosettes awarded previously.

An a la carte menu will be available for lunch and dinner as well as an express one-hour lunch menu for busy diners.  In the evening, a six course tasting menu is available for groups of diners and offers a fantastic opportunity to sample many of the delights available.

 

 

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Two Fat Ladies at the Buttery

Mhairi

As one of Glasgow’s longest standing restaurants, it is wonderful to learn that Two Fat Ladies at the Buttery, located on busy Argyle Street, still offers a fantastic dining experience.

Over 23 years the restaurant has built up a solid reputation as “the place to go” for seafood lovers.  Des Mullan, Operations Director of Two Fat Ladies, describes why the restaurant remains a success,

“I think we are pretty accessible and there is nothing we do or sell that could be described as ‘overly foodie’, we don’t put words on the menu that nobody knows what they mean.  We try to keep things as simple and clean as we can”.

So there you have it, the key to a fantastically successful restaurant is to give your customers what they want – excellent food without the fuss.

They work with only one supplier to ensure that their fare is 100% fresh and feel that this approach appeals to diners looking for local produce.  It clearly works as in 2010 the restaurant was named “Best Posh Nosh” in the Glasgow Restaurant awards.

With a cozy atmosphere and the option of a private dining room with a glass wall so that you can see into the kitchen, diners can get a real overview of how confident Two Fat Ladies are in what they serve up.  To give you an idea of what is on the menu, how about flash fried west coast scallops with Stornoway black pudding and smokie cream, cress salad for starters?; followed by fillets of sea bream and Indian spiced mussel and savoy cabbage cream?  If seafood is not your thing, don’t worry, you can choose from various meat dishes ranging from the trusty fillet mignon to warm smoked duck salad in a pomegranate vinaigrette.

Be sure to book a table next time you are dining out in Glasgow– you won’t be disappointed.

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