Anyone want to play in Ireland's North West?

Kevinmarkham

Dear all,

Anyone interested in an Irish golfing holiday next year?

I typically try to get one golf holiday in a year (my camper van exploits aside). A few of us pick a spot in Ireland and play for 3 to 5 days. I’m starting to plan for 2010, and I’m looking at the North West:

Rosses Point
Strandhill
Enniscrone, and
Carne

All links courses (and all among my favourites), and I’m hoping the April weather will be kind to us and not blow us off our feet.

This is an open invitation if anyone wants to join us. It doesn’t bother me if there are 6 of us or 60. In fact, the more the merrier. Michael at Irish Golf Vacations has offered to help arrange all the tee times, green fees and accommodation, so you’ll be well looked after. A mini-bus could also be arranged for a large group coming together.

I can’t give you any costs at the moment because I don’t know numbers, but the dates will probably be Friday April 16th to Tues 20th/Wed 21st. That will encompass 4 nights (possibly 3, possibly 5) and four rounds of golf minimum – if you go all that way to Carne you need to play it twice.

So, at this point, if you’re interested, stick a reply up here and let me know.

Kevin

Whyner

Yes, definitely.

I'm off to Strandhill and Rosses Point on August 4th to get my first links experience in years.....

Famous45

Interesting and I am interested.

jimjo

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Dear all,

Anyone interested in an Irish golfing holiday next year?

I typically try to get one golf holiday in a year (my camper van exploits aside). A few of us pick a spot in Ireland and play for 3 to 5 days. I’m starting to plan for 2010, and I’m looking at the North West:

Rosses Point
Strandhill
Enniscrone, and
Carne

All links courses (and all among my favourites), and I’m hoping the April weather will be kind to us and not blow us off our feet.

This is an open invitation if anyone wants to join us. It doesn’t bother me if there are 6 of us or 60. In fact, the more the merrier. Michael at Irish Golf Vacations has offered to help arrange all the tee times, green fees and accommodation, so you’ll be well looked after. A mini-bus could also be arranged for a large group coming together.

I can’t give you any costs at the moment because I don’t know numbers, but the dates will probably be Friday April 16th to Tues 20th/Wed 21st. That will encompass 4 nights (possibly 3, possibly 5) and four rounds of golf minimum – if you go all that way to Carne you need to play it twice.

So, at this point, if you’re interested, stick a reply up here and let me know.

Kevin

Great idea Kevin, would be very interested although I wouldn’t be able to confirm as I mightn’t even be still in the country!

I was on the lookout for four/three day competitions and saw two; the North West of Ireland Golf links challenge and another one the Budweiser Golf Challenge both in the North West/North, really keen to play in something like this.

From what I heard you got to play Carne at least twice, meant to be spectacular, a lot of blind shot if I recall correctly

As I said great idea and hope you get good numbers….

conno16

i'm in
will we be competing against each other?

Kevinmarkham

Whyner wrote: »

Yes, definitely.

I'm off to Strandhill and Rosses Point on August 4th to get my first links experience in years.....

Hope you get the weather for it! When you get to Strandhill, ask if they're having any joy creating new holes behind the 4th.

conno16 wrote: »

i'm in
will we be competing against each other?

That'll depend on numbers Conno and what people want to do. If we can rustle up a sponsor who's prepared to give prizes, who knows...

Obni

Sounds great. Pencil me in for now.

Tipp-Boy

Kevin - count me in. Am happy to help out and would love to take part.

DU.LLAHAN

count me in. I should be able to hit the ball straight by then:D

Sligored

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Hope you get the weather for it! When you get to Strandhill, ask if they're having any joy creating new holes behind the 4th.




afraid not kev- there is a very rare species of snail called shell mittens out there and it is a special area of conservation. we have had multiple meetings with all sort of environmental and nature people and i am afraid it is a non-runner for the forseeable future. maybe it is for the best after building a new clubhouse in 2006 and the times we are in that we did not get the go ahead. We own the land at the back if there is ever a relaxation in the eu environmental guidelines.
We have a very nice course for the average golfer but are severely restrited due to lack of area for expansion and multiple efforts at encroachment on our boundaries.
I will give you any help you need as i am on council in strandhill and can point you in the right direction on decent hotels and restaurants if you wish. i can get a group out in strandhill for 20 euro a head anytime.

Blunder

jimjo wrote: »

Great idea Kevin, would be very interested although I wouldn’t be able to confirm as I mightn’t even be still in the country!

I was on the lookout for four/three day competitions and saw two; the North West of Ireland Golf links challenge and another one the Budweiser Golf Challenge both in the North West/North, really keen to play in something like this.

From what I heard you got to play Carne at least twice, meant to be spectacular, a lot of blind shot if I recall correctly

As I said great idea and hope you get good numbers….

The carlsberg west coast challenge takes place in early september. I think the entry date is closed however i'm not sure. Its Bundoran, Murvagh, Enniscrone and Strandhill over 4 consecutive days. The entry fee is very reasonable and the format is stableford. There is a handicap limit of 22 and it is played in 3 balls. Contact Bundoran Golf Club 071 98 41302 if you are interested.

Paud.....

If you are coming to Carne and you play on a parkland course normally.....you will need either a Buggy or Caddy....both are around 30 euro.....they have loads of facilitys ther such as driving range...putting green.....pro shop.....and a great bar and resturant:D:D:D

malahide_col

Great idea, Kevin, pencil me in too. Should be able to get the Friday and the following Monday off work so I'd be available for 3 nights.

Sounds a great mix of courses and should be good craic.

Congrats again on the book, a great read and always spot on.

Keep me posted, Colin.

sweetswing

ill have a slice of that thank you very much:D

NickJagger

So is this going ahead?
What do I need to do to sign up?
Are you organising accommodation as well Kevin?

Kevinmarkham

NickJagger wrote: »

So is this going ahead?
What do I need to do to sign up?
Are you organising accommodation as well Kevin?

Nick, yes, it's all still going ahead - just at planning stage at moment. I'm waiting for some idea of costs that will include green fees and accommodation. As soon as I know I'll post on here
K

Kevinmarkham

I should have an idea of costs in the next day or two, so will post them up as soon as I have them

Kevinmarkham

Michael at Irish Golf Vacations has given me prices for this little golf-fest in Ireland's North West.

We decided to break it into two: a weekend golf break and a longer four day break. This will allow people who can only get away for a weekend to enjoy two great links courses.

1. The weekend (nights of Fri 16 and Sat 17 April)
The cost is per person sharing
€220 for 2 nights DB&B and a round of golf on both Sat and Sun (Rosses Point and Strandhill)

2. The full monty (4 nights, Fri 16 to Mon 19)
The cost is per person sharing
€415 for 4 nights (3 DB&B and 1B&B) and 1 round of golf at each of the courses - the final round being on Tuesday 21, at Carne.

In other words, approximately €100 per day for DB&B and a round of golf. I don't think you can argue with that

If you want to play an extra round at Carne - much recommended - you can stay an extra night and play the following day for €100-ish, or play it twice in one day - not recommended.

At this stage I need to know who's in, because courses/hotels need to be booked and a deposit needs to be taken - probably 20%. Can you either reply on here or PM me and let me know names/numbers.

Thanks
Kevin

Whyner

Why don't we meet up in person to give you the deposit? Play a round together, have a drink and make sure we're not heading off with people who we might not get on with. Can I say that?? I'm sure we're all alike but perhaps meeting up beforehand would ease a few thoughts.......Just an idea............

DU.LLAHAN

Whyner wrote: »

Why don't we meet up in person to give you the deposit? Play a round together, have a drink and make sure we're not heading off with people who we might not get on with. Can I say that?? I'm sure we're all alike but perhaps meeting up beforehand would ease a few thoughts.......Just an idea............

So what happens if you dont like someone?

Jasonw

Hi Kevin,

I'd like to take part in the North-West trip.

Enjoyed the book by the way.

Whyner

DU.LLAHAN wrote: »

So what happens if you dont like someone?

Do whatever you want to do, I was suggesting we meet up before we all head off to make sure people have an idea of who they're going away with. What do you suggest?

Tipp-Boy

I'm sure we could organise an outing for a saturday/sunday in the coming months.
Assuming preferred location of just outside Dublin or perhaps the midlands would be the best, to cut down on requirement for travelling and to be far on everyone.

DU.LLAHAN

Whyner wrote: »

Do whatever you want to do, I was suggesting we meet up before we all head off to make sure people have an idea of who they're going away with. What do you suggest?

I think the idea of meeting up is a good one but if you dont like someone keep it to yourself

Kevinmarkham

If people want to try and organise a get-together, I'm all for it, but Du.llahan's right - it's not going to be easy to tell who you like and who you don't, and does it mean you won't go if you don't like the look of someone?

I have maybe 8 friends who are interested and they'll be coming from the UK and US so they won't be at any get together - but trust me, they're all wnakers.

If we all love golf then it shouldn't be too bad, and if someone does turn into a jerk, these are links courses and very lonely places where you can easily hide a body.

nige1982

I was in sligo for my stag and played Co Sligo and Rosses Point 2 great links Co Sligo is a tough track mention your staying in one of the hotels in sligo and you gey 33%off enjoy the trip great spot

Jasonw

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

these are links courses and very lonely places where you can easily hide a body.

And there'll be so many hackers out there the holes will already be dug.

Burgerman55

So this is not just open to members of this forum?
I take it from your earlier post Kevin that anyone can sign up?
Sounds like an excellent idea
You'll most likely want to keep it to a max of 40/50 players though?

Kevinmarkham

Burgerman55 wrote: »

So this is not just open to members of this forum?
I take it from your earlier post Kevin that anyone can sign up?
Sounds like an excellent idea
You'll most likely want to keep it to a max of 40/50 players though?

Open to everyone. I appreciate that it's a fair chunk of money but I'm hoping for 20 or so people. If it keeps going up, so much the better. I don't think the courses/hotels are going to complain.
K

jackal

Hi Kevin,
myself and a non-forum mate are keen to go on this, though we will only make the shorter version. What with it being miles away next April, I didn't realise you were looking for definite answers yet. Whats the story with paying up?

Kevinmarkham

jackal wrote: »

Hi Kevin,
myself and a non-forum mate are keen to go on this, though we will only make the shorter version. What with it being miles away next April, I didn't realise you were looking for definite answers yet. Whats the story with paying up?

Michael at Irish Golf Vacations, who's organising the whole thing, was looking for deposits to secure the hotels. I know it seems early, but I guess good rates necessitate early payment.

If anyone else is interested, please post on here and then I can get some confirmed answers from him as to when the money should be paid by.

Thanks

jackal

Grand, it sounds a great trip, but i suppose it will be great or tough depending on the weather. In April. In Ireland. Hmmm, I will be bringing my wet gear.:D