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Irish Open 2015 at Royal County Down

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    #62
    stockdam
    Registered Users Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭stockdam


    Montgolfier wrote: »
    Thought I'd walk to the course, is it a bad idea. Was going to play a round in bushfoot too.


    You'll have some walk from Portrush to Newcastle!

    The Irish Open is NOT at Royal Portrush.


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    #63
    The Premier Man
    Registered Users Posts: 357 ✭✭The Premier Man


    stockdam wrote: »
    You'll have some walk from Portrush to Newcastle!

    The Irish Open is NOT at Royal Portrush.

    Just doing a quick calculation on Google maps and it will take about 1 day 3 hours approx to get from portrush to royal county down by foot.you could probably knock a small bit off if you broke into a jog for a bit.


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    #64
    thewobbler
    Registered Users Posts: 854 ✭✭✭thewobbler


    stockdam wrote: »
    Whilst I agree that Lisburn isn't handy to Newcastle, I've no idea what you mean about it not being welcoming.

    Haha in fairness the "not welcoming" thing could be issued at all sorts of towns in NI, regardless of cultural background.

    My point is more to do with some towns are tourism focused and some aren't. Lisburn isn't a tourism gateway, it's an outpost from Belfast with one (premier inn) hotel. So it isn't a place you'll find a tourism vibe.


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    #65
    Montgolfier
    Closed Accounts Posts: 879 ✭✭✭Montgolfier


    stockdam wrote: »
    You'll have some walk from Portrush to Newcastle!

    The Irish Open is NOT at Royal Portrush.

    Feel like a bit of an eejit now (got to love boards) but hey better now than closer to the tournament. Thanks for putting me straight guys.


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    #66
    Seve OB
    Registered Users Posts: 15,870 ✭✭✭✭Seve OB


    Rikand wrote: »
    Seve must have wangled it for us ;)

    Ha Ha, it wasn't me, but I know who it was ;)

    Thinking strongly about heading up for the weekend myself. So just been looking for accomodation and it seems pretty non existant!

    I'd be quite happy spending the day at the course, evening in the clubhouse and sleeping in my car! but I really don't fancy the hike it appears is ahead if you want a proper bed for the night! I'm sure there will be busses to Belfast, but that could be an awful trek... and then back the next morning!

    Seriously, is there any farmer opening his fields to a few campers, or an aul caravan park or something in Newcastle?


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    #67
    FixdePitchmark
    Registered Users Posts: 20,816 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    Montgolfier wrote: »
    Feel like a bit of an eejit now (got to love boards) but hey better now than closer to the tournament. Thanks for putting me straight guys.

    Are you serious - didn't know if you were joking above.

    Then when you mentioned - Bushfoot - didn't know if you were joking.

    But there is a Bushfoot

    http://www.bushfootgolfclub.co.uk/


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    #68
    Finlay Harp
    Registered Users Posts: 144 ✭✭Finlay Harp


    Seve OB wrote: »
    Ha Ha, it wasn't me, but I know who it was ;)

    Thinking strongly about heading up for the weekend myself. So just been looking for accomodation and it seems pretty non existant!

    I'd be quite happy spending the day at the course, evening in the clubhouse and sleeping in my car! but I really don't fancy the hike it appears is ahead if you want a proper bed for the night! I'm sure there will be busses to Belfast, but that could be an awful trek... and then back the next morning!

    Seriously, is there any farmer opening his fields to a few campers, or an aul caravan park or something in Newcastle?


    Plenty of caravan parks around the town. Camping usually available in Castlewellan Forest Park.


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    #69
    Seve OB
    Registered Users Posts: 15,870 ✭✭✭✭Seve OB


    Finlay Harp wrote: »
    Plenty of caravan parks around the town. Camping usually available in Castlewellan Forest Park.

    have you any liinks please?


    is there any of the society heading up? maybe we could try sort some accommodation together?... have you anything sorted Fix.. are you going?


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    #70
    FixdePitchmark
    Registered Users Posts: 20,816 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    Seve OB wrote: »
    have you any liinks please?


    is there any of the society heading up? maybe we could try sort some accommodation together?... have you anything sorted Fix.. are you going?

    Was going to go .

    But have done all that area - played course 3 times

    By the way great place to follow a group and see them play it - not sure it is a great place to watch much golf (by picking spots) .
    Will be interesting how they route spectators.

    I think - I'd only be inspired to go now, if I had a place to stay in Newcastle. A few pints - meet the locals - friendly and even unfriendly.

    But missed the boat.

    I think I will find it hard not to do a day trip - but I think getting in and out of place will be a nightmare - unless there is a back route away from Newcastle all together.


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    #71
    stockdam
    Registered Users Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭stockdam


    FixdePitchmark wrote: »
    Are you serious - didn't know if you were joking above.

    Then when you mentioned - Bushfoot - didn't know if you were joking.

    But there is a Bushfoot

    http://www.bushfootgolfclub.co.uk/


    Bushfoot is a short quiet course in Portballantrae (just off the main coast road). It's a nice place to get away from the crowds.

    Another quiet spot is the Brown Trout........only 9 holes but a nice spot for a quick game and a meal/pint.

    But we're getting away from the main point.


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    #72
    stockdam
    Registered Users Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭stockdam


    Montgolfier wrote: »
    Feel like a bit of an eejit now (got to love boards) but hey better now than closer to the tournament. Thanks for putting me straight guys.


    If you can't change your accommodation then plan to be travelling for about an hour and a half with traffic. There's more to do around Portrush and there are about 7 or 8 decent courses to play. If the weather is good then the north coast is a great place to stay.


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    #73
    stockdam
    Registered Users Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭stockdam


    Seve OB wrote: »
    have you any liinks please?


    is there any of the society heading up? maybe we could try sort some accommodation together?... have you anything sorted Fix.. are you going?

    Castlewellan Park....


    http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/castlewellan-forest-park-2


    More

    http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/townlisting.asp?town=Newcastle%20&county=N%20Ireland

    There's a picnic area at Murlough but you may get moved on there.


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    #74
    Montgolfier
    Closed Accounts Posts: 879 ✭✭✭Montgolfier


    stockdam wrote: »
    If you can't change your accommodation then plan to be travelling for about an hour and a half with traffic. There's more to do around Portrush and there are about 7 or 8 decent courses to play. If the weather is good then the north coast is a great place to stay.

    Yeah thinking about it alright, mad to play a few links courses


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    #75
    stockdam
    Registered Users Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭stockdam


    Montgolfier wrote: »
    Yeah thinking about it alright, mad to play a few links courses


    So are you going to stay in Portrush?

    If so then obviously head for Royal Portrush. The Valley course right next to it is also decent and a good test (GMac's old course?). Also look at Portstewart ( 2 courses, not the Old Course but I guess that's OK too as it's cheap but not great). Ballycastle is not bad though maybe too far away as is Gracehill.

    Around Newcastle you have RCD obviously but also try Ardglass and Kilkeel. Further afield you have Warrenpoint, Downpatrick and The Spa (Ballinahinch) all within driving distance of Newcastle.

    Non-golfing.........go toTollymore Forest Park and also walk up the Mournes from the car park at the far side of Newcastle. Murlough beach is also a nice walk.


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    #76
    Montgolfier
    Closed Accounts Posts: 879 ✭✭✭Montgolfier


    stockdam wrote: »
    So are you going to stay in Portrush?

    If so then obviously head for Royal Portrush. The Valley course right next to it is also decent and a good test (GMac's old course?). Also look at Portstewart ( 2 courses, not the Old Course but I guess that's OK too as it's cheap but not great). Ballycastle is not bad though maybe too far away as is Gracehill.

    Around Newcastle you have RCD obviously but also try Ardglass and Kilkeel. Further afield you have Warrenpoint, Downpatrick and The Spa (Ballinahinch) all within driving distance of Newcastle.

    Non-golfing.........go toTollymore Forest Park and also walk up the Mournes from the car park at the far side of Newcastle. Murlough beach is also a nice walk.

    Yeah decided to stay in Portrush and play a couple of courses there on Friday and Saturday (morning).
    That's a good list thanks, any good sites to get a deal on those courses?


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    #77
    slave1
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 18,798 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    Don't know if it's been mentioned before, Luuuuuukkkkkkkeeeeeeeeee Donald confirmed...

    My stuff for sale on Adverts inc. outdoor furniture, roof box and EDDI

    My Active Ads (adverts.ie)



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    #78
    pistol_75
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,682 ✭✭✭pistol_75


    slave1 wrote: »
    Don't know if it's been mentioned before, Luuuuuukkkkkkkeeeeeeeeee Donald confirmed...

    Where did you see that? Seen where his caddy said he was contemplating it but hadn't seen where it was officially confirmed?


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    #79
    Seve OB
    Registered Users Posts: 15,870 ✭✭✭✭Seve OB


    pistol_75 wrote: »
    Where did you see that? Seen where his caddy said he was contemplating it but hadn't seen where it was officially confirmed?

    I see it somewhere also, not sure where, but I do believe it was a confirmation that he was in!


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    #80
    antthekiddie86
    Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭antthekiddie86


    I booked the host hotel the slieve donard over a year ago for the Thursday to Sunday and now can't make it, gutted obviously, anybody interested I don't want to just cancel it and leave some corporate ppl get it


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    #81
    Seve OB
    Registered Users Posts: 15,870 ✭✭✭✭Seve OB


    antthekiddie86 wrote: »
    I booked the host hotel the slieve donard over a year ago for the Thursday to Sunday and now can't make it, gutted obviously, anybody interested I don't want to just cancel it and leave some corporate ppl get it

    PM sent


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    #82
    shabalala
    Closed Accounts Posts: 211 ✭✭shabalala


    Irish Open 2016, K club Ryder cup course.


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    #83
    The_Architect
    Registered Users Posts: 402 ✭✭The_Architect


    So whilst the North realise that The Irish Open is the premium chance to showcase our unique and best courses (i.e. links), we down south of the border continue to persevere with run of the mill parkland tracks that could be swapped out with any other European Tour venue.


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    #84
    Golfgraffix
    Registered Users Posts: 1,815 ✭✭✭Golfgraffix


    The_Architect wrote: »
    with run of the mill parkland tracks that could be swapped out with any other European Tour venue.

    I think you are being over generous

    Hopefully the tour will run with this Links Swing idea soon.

    J


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    #85
    ForeRight
    Registered Users Posts: 3,695 ✭✭✭ForeRight


    shabalala wrote: »
    Irish Open 2016, K club Ryder cup course.



    Rumours today Tiger will play this


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    #86
    shabalala
    Closed Accounts Posts: 211 ✭✭shabalala


    Golfgraffix wrote: »
    I think you are being over generous

    Hopefully the tour will run with this Links Swing idea soon.

    J


    Fair to say the links courses don't want it, it takes a links course a lot longer to recover from the crowd damage.

    D


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    #87
    Seve OB
    Registered Users Posts: 15,870 ✭✭✭✭Seve OB


    The_Architect wrote: »
    So whilst the North realise that The Irish Open is the premium chance to showcase our unique and best courses (i.e. links), we down south of the border continue to persevere with run of the mill parkland tracks that could be swapped out with any other European Tour venue.

    that's a pretty subjective opinion. I think the Palmer course is one of the best I've ever played and certainly not run of the mill
    maybe the North are not as forward thinking as you might believe or do you think that Lough Erne is a links? Irish Open is there in 2017
    who says links are the best courses? it is a matter of opinion. there surely is a reason why the tour does not play more on links. yes, the courses might not want the events, but if the European tour wanted to play Links, they could make it happen. I do think the Links swing would be a brilliant idea, but unfortunately I don't think it will ever happen The clubs don't want to give up their course as a poster above says it takes ages to recover from the thousands who visit.


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    #88
    Golfgraffix
    Registered Users Posts: 1,815 ✭✭✭Golfgraffix


    Seve OB wrote: »
    that's a pretty subjective opinion. I think the Palmer course is one of the best I've ever played and certainly not run of the mill

    I think my reply was a little of a throw away comment. I will try to clarify my point some more.

    I would agree that the KClub is a fine course or at least it was when in its prime, what I was trying to get at is that if the Irish Open is meant to showcase the usp's of irish golf (I pressune that is why tourism ireland are involved) then a links course would be a better choice.

    Our target for golf tourists are wealthy Americans, Scandinavians and Germans (UK too but for this arguement they are not so important) courses like and better than the KClub are quite common in these markets, in the US they are the norm, I doubt the KClub would even make the top 1000 list in the US.

    Where as our top links courses are as rare as hens teeth, nearly all of them have the wow factor and that is what will tip the scales for a tourist choosing between Scotland and Ireland as their destination.

    Remember we are in a dog fight with Scotland for visitors and they have the edge with "the home of golf" and The Open there almost every other year.

    J


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    #89
    benny79
    Registered Users Posts: 3,111 ✭✭✭benny79


    Total agree with the above post we have some of the best links in the World & they really need to be show cased!!! but I think the big problem is the infrastructure! but even Baltry is a better choice than the K club IMO even though I haven't played either, sadly though money talks & who you know etc

    How is the European course not been considered? Did it not hold it in the past!


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    #90
    Kevinmarkham
    Registered Users Posts: 1,978 ✭✭✭Kevinmarkham


    And since we're on the subject of Scotland... there are plans in place to build another nine courses, including several links (one at Castle Stuart - designed by Arnold Palmer, and the second Trump course).

    The Irish Open should always be held at a links but as has been pointed out, money talks.

    And to the poster who commented that Northern Ireland is getting it right by promoting the unique and best courses - I'd point out that other than Royals Portrush and County Down, when was the last time the North hosted the event? Not to mention that it will be held in Lough Erne in 2017


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    #91
    HighLine
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,378 ✭✭✭HighLine


    Patrick Reed has confirmed he is also playing in this years' Irish Open.... list just keeps on growing!


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