North & West Coast Links Golf Challenge 2008
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North & West Coast Links Golf Challenge 2008September 7-13, 2008 The North American Golf Tour Operators Alliance... Tournament entry and format is based on two-person teams, Stableford Scoring – better ball. The best score for each hole will count as the team score. Maximum handicap utilized for scoring will be 24 for men, 28 for ladies. Overall winners will be the teams with the highest accumulated points over the four tournament rounds. Daily Tournament Team Prizes to be awarded: 1st Net; Overall Tournament Team Prizes awarded: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Net as well as 1st and 2nd Gross. SCHEDULED ITINERARYSaturday, September 6Depart the States on an overnight flight bound for Dublin or Belfast, Ireland. (airfare not included). Sunday, September 7Arrive Ireland where you'll be met by a tournament representative. Board a luxury coach and travel north to Buncrana for check-in at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel and Leisure Center. This three-star hotel and leisure center is an exciting addition to the local hotel scene in County Donegal. The property features 63 comfortable bedrooms with modern amenities and scenic views. The panoramic Peninsula Restaurant offers extensive bar food and live entertainment. Other facilities include a 20m deck level pool, steam room, sauna, and gym. Optional golf at Ballyliffin's Old Course is available today for those interested in a sixth round of golf. A welcome reception followed by dinner is on the agenda this evening. Overnight at Inishowen Gateway Hotel and Leisure Center, Buncrana. Monday, September 8Enjoy a full Irish breakfast at the hotel this morning before heading out for a practice round at Portsalon. Overnight at Inishowen Gateway Hotel and Leisure Center, Buncrana. Tuesday, September 9Breakfast will be served again this morning at the hotel. The first tournament round will be held at either Glashedy Links at Ballyliffin or Sandy Hills at Rosapenna. Overnight at Inishowen Gateway Hotel and Leisure Center, Buncrana. Wednesday, September 10Check out of the hotel after breakfast. You'll be moving after golf to the Portrush area, but first you'll play the second tournament round at either Glashedy Links at Ballyliffin or Sandy Hills at Rosapenna. After golf, board the coaches and travel to Portrush for check-in at the RAMADA PORTRUSH. This 69-room property is conveniently located near Dunluce Castle and features great in-room amenities including international direct dial telephone, Wi-Fi Internet access, television, hairdryer, trouser press and hospitality tray with many sea view rooms available. Overnight at the Ramada Portrush. Thursday, September 11After breakfast, head out for your third round at either Royal Portrush or Portstewart. Overnight at the Ramada Portrush. Friday, September 12Your final round will be scheduled after breakfast at either Royal Portrush or Portstewart. Enjoy a final evening prize presentation followed by dinner this evening. Saturday, September 13Depart Portrush on a coach bound for Belfast or Dublin and your return flight home (or inquire about customizing an extension tour). Itinerary NotesTHE COURSES:PORTSALON: Before it was remodeled in 2002, the links at Portsalon Golf Club (founded in 1890) was considered a throwback to the 19th Century and a bit quirky. Today, it's considered one of Ireland's best kept secrets and a "must play." Architect Pat Ruddy has done a masterful job with this historic links, improving its playability while retaining its charm and character. The course runs alongside the beautiful beach of Ballymastocker Bay and features sensational views of nearby Lough Swilly and the Knockalla Mountains. Typical of a links layout, most of the holes at Portsalon weave their way through tall, grass-covered sand dunes. The bunkers are numerous and the rough is often deep. This area, by the way, is one of the windiest in Europe so pick your tees wisely. From the championship markers, Portsalon measures just under 7,100 yards. BALLYLIFFIN – GLASHEDY LINKS: Located alongside the Old Course but on higher ground, the Glashedy Course offers gorgeous views of the Atlantic and the Inishowen Peninsula. Designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock, Ballyliffin's "new" course opened in 1995. Like its older brother, Glashedy winds its way through towering, grass-covered dunes. Unlike the Old Course, though, the fairways here are fairly flat. Unfortunately, this does not mean it's easy. In fact, not only is the Glashedy Course much longer than the Old Course it's considered to be a lot tougher. And that means if the wind is strong — which is often the case — you should avoid the 7,226-yard championship tees. Glashedy is a good test, but it's also fun and fair. ROSAPENNA – SANDY LINKS: Instead of running alongside the beautiful dunes near the beach like Rosapenna's Old Course, the resort's new course — Sandy Links — heads straight through them. Opened in 2003 and designed by Pat Ruddy, Sandy Links was clearly built with a big-time championship in mind. Yet while it is traditional in appearance, it's much more American in style. The fairways look narrow from the tee but are actually quite wide. The well-bunkered greens are large as well, but most are elevated — which will negate the bump-and-run shot so often used on links courses. What else is traditional is the deepness of the rough and bunkers and the strong winds that blow off the water. And all three can make this lovely layout play even longer than its 7,155-yard championship-tee yardage. Fortunately, there are several tees to choose from. PORTSTEWART – STRAND COURSE: The sturdiest of the three layouts at Portstewart is the Strand Course. Designed by Des Giffen and opened in 1992, the Strand was ranked the 3rd best course in Northern Ireland by Golf Digest in 2005. The Strand's 425-yard, dogleg-right first hole is considered by many to be one of the best opening holes in the country. This classic links layout, however, gets tougher as it goes along. It measures 6,895 yards from the back tees and offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, Donegal Hills, Stand Beach and the River Bann. Prior to taking on the tougher Strand Course, a warm up on Portstewart's Riverside Course (5,725 yards) or Old Course (4,730 yards) might be a good idea. ROYAL PORTRUSH – DUNLUCE COURSE: Since it was first played in 1860, the only time the British Open has been held at a club outside of England or Scotland was in 1951. The club was Royal Portrush, and the venue was the Dunluce Course here. Named for the ruins of Dunluce Castle (which are frequently visible during play), this championship course was ranked No.1 in Northern Ireland by Golf Digest in 2005 and No.3 on its "100 Best Courses Outside the U.S." list. Little about this layout has changed since it was redesigned by H.S. Colt in 1933. Unlike Royal County Down, which features numerous narrow fairways, Royal Portrush has a more open feel to it. Few of the holes here are straight, however, and that puts a premium on accurate driving. Good score or not, this one is special. Package Prices:$2,995 per golfer, double occupancy or $3,390 per golfer, single occupancy. Package Includes:
Necessary for Booking:When confirming a reservation the following information is needed:
Reservation Procedures:1. Simply call, write, or fax us with your inquiry. Method of Payment:U.S. currency in the form of agency checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. Cancellations:Cancellations after deposit/payment should be made in writing. A $500 per person fee will be charged plus expenses incurred, such as non-refundable golf and hotel deposits. Additional cancellation penalties:
Exchange Rates:Tour prices are based on exchange rates effective at time quotation and are subject to change. It may be necessary to add a surcharge to the price of your vacation if fluctuations in the exchange rate deem it necessary. Once full payment has been received surcharges may not be levied. Refunds:Refunds will not be given for unused portions of any tour. |
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