Sep 24 2018

EIGTravel Invitational 2018

Experience Ireland Golf & Travel is delighted to return to Killarney Golf & Fishing Club for its 2nd Annual Invitational Tournament on Monday 29th October 2018! Nearly 80 golfers, from all over the Irish Tourism Industry and further afield, took part in our Inaugural Tournament on Friday 3rd November 2017, in glorious sunshine beside the beautiful lakes of Killarney and we’re hoping for similar numbers and definitely similar weather!

James (The Caddy Guy) letting rip on the 3rd at the Killeen Course in 2017.

This year’s Tournament will be a Team of 4 Event with 2 scores to count towards what will hopefully be a winning score! Defending Champions are Killeen House Hotel from Killarney and we hope they will be making a defence of their title this year. Full Tournament details as follows:

Experience Ireland Invitational 2018

  • Date – Monday 29th October 2018
  • Venue – Killeen Course, Killarney Golf & Fishing Club
  • Format – Team of 4, 2 scores to count on each hole
  • Event Package – Breakfast Baps with Tea/Coffee on arrival, Round of Golf & Main Course after Play
  • Entry Fee – €200 per Team of 4 / €50 per person

Aoife & Pat from Spanish Point House with Janet from Ted Tours & Kate from The Laurels Killarney in 2017

If you would like to enter a team please EMAIL US. We look forward to hearing back from you soon and hopefully seeing you in October for our Invitational Tournament! We look forward to making our Invitational Tournament an Annual Event on the calendar and a wonderful way to wind down at the end of the golf season in beautiful surroundings in Killarney.

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By tomkennedygolf • Posted in Golf
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Sep 21 2018

Links Challenge 2019

Having enjoyed the best courses in the West of Ireland for the past 5 years now – SM Links 2014, SM Links 2015, SM Links 2016, SM Links 2017 & SM Links 2018 – the 6th Annual Tournament of The Social Media Links Challenge will take place at 2 of the finest links courses in Ireland over 3 days when it tees off in late August. Carne Golf Links & Enniscrone Golf Club once again provide stern but very different golfing tests from Thursday 22nd – Saturday 24th August 2019!

Enniscrone Golf Links

The First Day’s play will be hosted at the exquisite Enniscrone Golf Club, on Thursday 22nd August 2019. It has been the host course for the Final Round over the past 4 years of the event and provides an excellent venue in all aspects. It will again host the Final Round this year but also provides the venue for the Opening Round in 2019. This world renowned course will test each and every player as they strive to get into the leading groups from Day 1.

Carne Golf Links

Day 2 on Friday 23rd August will take in the awesome Carne Golf Links in Belmullet, Co Mayo. Our competitors faced beautiful and windy conditions last August and we are hoping for more of the same come the 2nd Round next year. This is one of the more remote courses in Ireland but as a result of that it has one of the most amazing locations for a golf course anywhere in the World!

The Final Day of the 2019 Social Media Links Challenge will be played at Enniscrone Golf Club on Saturday 24th August. This outstanding links course will provide a fitting finale to 3 days of sublime links golf on the West Coast of Ireland. The winning team this week will certainly deserve their prize!

The entry fee per person is only €175 Golf Only (€350 per Team of 2). Accommodation is available at The Great National Hotel Ballina which is less than 1 hour’s drive from Carne and approximately 15 minutes from Enniscrone GC. The Play & Stay packages are as follows:

  • 2 nights’ B&B and 3 rounds of Golf – €279 per person sharing / €558 per Team
  • 3 nights’ B&B and 3 rounds of Golf & Prize Giving Dinner – €345 per person sharing / €690 per Team
  • 4 nights’ B&B and 3 rounds of Golf & Prize Giving Dinner – €395 per person sharing / €790 per Team

(The 3 & 4 night packages include Prize Giving Dinner at Hotel Ballina on Saturday 24th August)

Social Media Links
By tomkennedygolf • Posted in Golf
0
Sep 21 2018

SM Open North 2019

Following their successful Inaugural Tournament in July 2018, Social Media Open North will return to Donegal in July 2019 with Narin & Portnoo, Donegal Golf Club and Portsalon GC once again providing the venues and a considerable golfing test for 3 days from Tuesday 16th to Thursday 18th July 2019 (Open Championship Week)!

Narin & Portnoo is a gem of a links course with amazing views surrounding the golf course from all angles. The County Donegal course will be the venue for Day 1 of #SMOpenNorth on Tuesday 16th July 2019. The course is situated in a beautiful seaside resort in southwest Donegal and is considered one of the finest natural and scenic 18-hole links courses in Ireland, with sweeping views of Gweebarra Bay. Extensive course work will be undertaken from October 2018 to April 2019, the design work done by Gil Hanse so expect an even more awesome course when the season begins in mid 2019!! A warm and friendly welcome awaits you from the Narin & Portnoo Team and we are very much looking forward to beginning our Inaugural Tournament at Narin & Portnoo next July!

Narin & Portnoo

Day 2 will be hosted at the delightful Donegal Golf Club, or “Murvagh” as it better know by the locals! We will be here on Wednesday 17th July 2019 for #SMOpenNorth “Moving Day”! The course was built on a promontory of 182 acres that extends out into the Atlantic Ocean. The land was inhabited in past centuries due to the land being of geological significance. The course is a par-73 for both ladies & gents and consists of five Par 5’s, four Par 3’s and nine Par 4’s, stretching over 7400 yards from the tips, with five regulation tees from each hole, plus a beginner tee. The outside loop plays along the dunes and the ocean, providing stunning views of the surrounding area.

Donegal Golf Club

The Final Day of The Inaugural Social Media Open North will take place at the picturesque Portsalon Golf Club on Thursday 18th July 2019! As the contenders for The Open Championship will be trying to starting their opening rounds at Royal Portrush the teams at #SMOpenNorth will also be trying to claim the trophy on this beautiful links course in County Donegal! Portsalon Golf Club was founded by Colonel B.J Barton in 1891. The course was designed by Charles Thompson, the Portrush professional. The links quickly earned a reputation as one of the best around and attracted visitors from near and far. In 2000 a major redesign of the links was undertaken under the guidance of renowned architect, Pat Ruddy. He was tasked with upgrading the links to keep pace with the modern game which results in the course being lengthened considerably while 9 completely new holes were added. It will provide a fitting finalé for Social Media Open North!

The Format will be Pairs so Team of 2, both golfers will hit off each tee then picking the best tee shot and playing Better Ball from there! 2 scores are to count on holes 9 & 18 with 1 score to count on holes 1-8 & 10-17, 3/4 Handicaps will Apply.

Portsalon Golf Club

We have the following Tournament Packages available to you (accommodation on Play & Stay packages will be at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny):
  • Golf Only – €358 per Team of 2 / €179 per person
  • Golf & 2 nights’ B&B – €658 per Team of 2 (€329 per person sharing)
  • Golf & 3 nights’ B&B – €798 per Team of 2 (€399pps)
  • Golf & 4 nights’ B&B – €918 per Team of 2 (€459pps)

If you would like to enter #SMOpenNorth please call +353-64-6622830 or email Tom Kennedy. We hope to see you in Donegal in July 2019!

Social Media Open North
By tomkennedygolf • Posted in Golf
0
Sep 21 2018

Parkland Challenge 2019

Following on from a successful Inaugural Tournament, the Parkland Challenge returns to its 2018 venues in 2019 with Woodbrook Golf Club, Powerscourt East & West courses providing 3 fantastic tests of golf over 3 days – Friday 14th to Sunday 16th June 2019 (US Open week)! We received some great feedback on the Event Format and also the Venues and it is great to get some golf in on 3 of the finest parkland courses in the country.

Day 1 will take us to Woodbrook Golf Club in County Wicklow on Friday 14th June 2019. Although a flat course, the wind plays a most significant role at Woodbrook. When it blows from the North, 9 holes are affected, including 3 out of the last 4 which will make it a great closing stretch of holes for the Opening Round. When it’s from the South, the 10th plus the par three 11th, and the par five – 12th, 14th and 16th, all become very difficult long holes. A crosswind from the East affects almost every hole on the course and calls for shot making of the highest calibre. With its configuration of five par threes and five par fives, Woodbrook’s layout is unusual but, in the opinion of those who have played there, it is a championship course in every meaning of the word. We are very much looking forward to having Woodbrook host the Opening Round of #ParklandChallenge in June next year.

Woodbrook Golf Club

Round 2 of #ParklandChallenge 2019 takes us to Powerscourt’s East course on Saturday 15th June 2019. “The East” was designed by successful Walker Cup Captain Peter McEvoy and it is enjoyed by members, corporate clients, societies, visitors and guests alike. It has hosted the 1998 Irish PGA which three time major winner Padraig Harrington won in a playoff. The East course also hosted the 2001 Irish Seniors Open. The course is maintained phenomenally and has some of the best greens in Ireland.

The Final Round of the #ParklandChallenge 2019 will be hosted at Powerscourt’s West course on Sunday 16th June 2019. “The West” was designed by David McLayy Kidd (of Bandon Dunes fame!) and his experience and detail for creating a challenging, rewarding and highly enjoyable golf course comes to the fore here at Powerscourt. The beautiful scenery and the greens from the West course can be heard talked about in the clubhouse all evening long from golfers who want a second chance at it. At the end of 54 holes The Inaugural Champions will have well and truly earned their triumph!

The Format for our Inaugural Tournament will be Pairs so Team of 2. Both scores are to count on 9 & 18 while 1 score is to count on holes 1-8 & 10-17, 3/4 Handicaps Apply with Stableford scoring.

Powerscourt West

Our Tournament Packages are as follows with accommodation available at the marvellous Martello Hotel in Bray which is just 10 minutes from Woodbrook GC and 15 minutes from Powerscourt GC!

  • Golf Only – €318 per Team of 2 / €159 per person
  • 2 night Play & Stay – €598 per Team of 2 / €299 per person sharing B&B
  • 3 night Play & Stay – €718 per Team of 2 / €359 per person sharing B&B
  • 4 night Play & Stay – €838 per Team of 2 / €419 per person sharing B&B

2017 Champs – Alan & Liam!

We will also be arranging some social “meet-ups” each Evening, stay tuned for details of these! If you would like to enter a Team please call +353-64-6622830 or email Tom Kennedy at Experience Ireland Golf & Travel. We look forward to seeing you in June for #ParklandChallenge 2019!

Social Media Parkland Open
By tomkennedygolf • Posted in Golf
0
Aug 28 2018

Social Media Open 2019

Social Media Open 2019

The Cashen Course’s 16th Hole

The Social Media Open has been going since 2013 at some of the finest golf courses in Ireland – Adare GC, Ballybunion, Castlemartyr, Dooks, Doonbeg, Mount Juliet, Old Head and Tralee. Next year is no different!

The Social Media Open returns next April for its 7th Annual Tournament! The venues of 2016, 2017 & 2018 return once more as well – namely, The Old & Cashen Course at Ballybunion Golf Club, along with Tralee Golf Links & Dooks Golf Links to make up 4 fabulous tests of golf. The dates for the Event will be Tuesday 9th – Friday 12th April 2019.

Day 1 of The 2019 Social Media Open will involve a 2-course start at the Cashen Course & Old Course at Ballybunion Golf Club on Tuesday 9th April with half the field playing on the Cashen and the other half taking on the Old Course for the 1st Round. The Cashen Course, opened in 1982 and designed by renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Senior, requires acute precision especially off the tee as fairways frequently disappear around corners. The careless tee shots can easily run out of fairway and find their golf ball buried in the marram grass, hopefully there won’t be many of them next April! The ‘BallyB’ website puts it well in that “if the Cashen Course at Ballybunion Golf Club was anywhere else it would attract far more attention and plaudits than it does. It’s hard on a girl if her older sister is Sophia Loren!”

Ballybunion’s Old Course, 7th Hole

The 2nd Day of The 2019 Social Media Open will again involve a 2-course start taking in the World famous Old Course and Cashen Course at Ballybunion Golf Club on Wednesday 10th April. The famous English golf writer, Peter Dobereiner said of BallyB’s Old Course: “If sheer pleasure is the yardstick, then Ballybunion’s Old Course gets my vote as the No. 1 in the world”. According to Ivan Morris’ editorial on the Ballybunion GC website, “by the mid-1970s, there was a growing trickle of well-read, international visitors that overnight turned into a flood in 1982 when Tom Watson made his famous off the cuff eulogy after accepting the Claret Jug at Royal Troon: ‘Nobody can call himself a golfer until he has played at Ballybunion; you would think the game originated there!’ Ever since, the North Kerry links has been one of the most lucrative and recognizable brands in world golf. Knowledgeable golfers realize that if they haven’t played golf at Ballybunion their golfing education is gravely incomplete”.

Social Media Open 2019

Tralee’s iconic 17th Hole

The 3rd Round of The 2019 Social Media Open will take place at the tremendous Tralee Golf Links on Thursday 11th April! Course designer, Arnold Palmer, claims credit for the front 9 but has always maintained that “God designed the back 9”, unfortunately for all golf fans Mr Palmer has now passed on but we can luckily still enjoy his amazing work in County Kerry. Tralee Golf Links only opened in 1984 but has been getting rave review ever since, as PGA Tour player Kevin Stadler attests to…. “My favourite courses are Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Tralee Golf Club”. Not bad company eh! Beautiful views of Kerry’s picturesque surrounds and beaches are the perfect backdrop and the sounds of the Atlantic Ocean make up an ideal soundtrack to bring the curtain down on what we promise will be another excellent week of craic, with a bit of golf in between!!

Dooks’ Par-3 4th Hole

The Final Round of The 2019 Social Media Open takes us back to Dooks Golf Links in Glenbeigh. This beautifully located links course was a favourite of many a team last April and it promises to present a great golfing test once more along with the now famous Dooks welcome! Also known for its narrow links fairways and well contoured greens, you will get a real taste of traditional links golf at its very best. The west Kerry scenery and a scattering of gorse, heather and wild flowers will go down a treat as well. Dooks has been welcoming golfers since 1889 and the course has gone from strength to strength each year, we are very much looking forward to returning here on Friday 12th April!

There will be a slightly new format for the Event from previous years – Par 4s & Par 5s:
Both players tee off and pick 1 tee shot, from this spot both players then play their own ball from there. The first player to play will be the player whose tee shot is chosen (Play as Lie depending on the Local Rules on the day), the 2nd player may then place their ball within a scorecard not nearer the hole. Par 3s: Both players play their own ball for the duration of the hole. Team of 2 with Stableford Scoring – both scores on holes 9 & 18 and 1 score to count on the other holes each (3/4 Handicaps apply). The Tournament packages are as follows:

  • Golf Only – €379 per person / €758 per Team of 2
  • Play & Stay 4 nights – €639 per person sharing / €1,278 per Team of 2 (includes Prize Giving Dinner)
  • Play & Stay 5 nights – €699 per person sharing / €1,398 per Team of 2 (includes Prize Giving Dinner)

Other Packages available on Request – Contact Us for details.

Along with the great golf and awesome accommodation there will also be some “social gatherings” organised over the course of the few days, always something to look forward to post-round! We are looking forward to another great few days of golf & craic in the South West of Ireland and hope you can join us next April! If you have any queries regarding The 2019 Social Media Open please email info@experienceirelandgolfandtravel.com or call +353-87-645 3537.

Jul 13 2018

Ready for the Real World – Events across Ireland in July 2018

As part of their campaign to help you get Ready for the Real World, Liberty Insurance have shared a list of some fun Irish events taking place. Here is their guide to some of the best things happening across Ireland this July with a couple of our suggestions throw in too (Social Media Open North & Run Killarney)!

6th – 8th July, City Spectacular – Dublin & Cork

Featuring some of the best in international street performance including a woman who can fire a bow and arrow using her feet, a piano juggler, and lots, lots more! It’s sure to keep the whole family oohing and aahing at every corner. http://cityspectacular.com/

7th & 8th July, Super Milk Wild Air Run – Dublin, Cork, Belfast & Galway

Super Milk Wild Air Run is an award winning family fun run that features 10 of Europe’s biggest inflatable obstacles as part of a 5K course. 2018 brings a new feature for all participants: a foam water gun! https://wildairrun.com/ie/

7th to 29th July, Earagail Arts Festival – Donegal

23 days of music, theatre, visual arts, film, literature, circus & carnival in one of the most spectacular places in Ireland. Hop in the car and make a holiday out of it! http://www.eaf.ie/

13th to 15th July, Longitude Marlay Park – Dublin

One of our favourite music festivals is back. This time featuring an incredible lineup including Solange, Khalid, Travis Scott and so many more. If you live in Dublin, you can party the day away and sleep in your own bed that night. Lovely! http://www.longitude.ie/

14th to 21st July, Cork Cycling Festival – Cork

Fun on the bike! With 30 events throughout Cork City and throughout the day, there’s something for every kind of cyclist at this great festival. https://www.facebook.com/corkcyclingfestival/

16th to 29th July, Galway International Arts Festival – Galway

Galway is always worth a visit but Galway when the Arts festival is on, it is something to behold! Tonnes of events for the whole family; pick something interesting and just book it. https://www.giaf.ie/

19th to 21st July, Social Media Open North – Donegal

The Inaugural Tournament takes in golf at Narin & Portnoo, Donegal Golf Club and Portsalon with Teams of 2 competing to win the Event. http://experienceirelandgolfandtravel.com/social-media-open-north/

19th to 22nd July, The Festival of Curiosity – Dublin

The first of its kind, this festival features a packed programme of arts and science activities, innovative technologies and cultural performances to wow all the family and ensure loads of fun. http://festivalofcuriosity.ie/

July 23rd, Fairy Tale Festival – Kilkenny

Fairy tales are made real at this magical festival in Kilkenny in July. It includes a fairy trail, treasure hunt, storytelling from Glinda the Good Witch, sing-a-long with Cinderella, bouncy castles, an outdoor games area with an enclosed arts and crafts section& so much more. https://bit.ly/2MTDWVn

July 28th, Run Killarney

Run Killarney gives competitors the chance to run one of the world’s most breath taking and scenic routes through Muckross House and Killarney National Park. https://runkillarney.com/welcome/

And remember Liberty Insurance know that in the real world, your life needs flexibility. That’s why they help their customers to adjust their Car Insurance policy so they can drive a van, add an additional driver and more. So no matter what event you’re getting ready for, Liberty Insurance will be there.

Mar 1 2018

Kinsale’s Cathal Butler wins Mid-West Alliance Event at gorgeous Galway Bay

The 2018 Mid-West Alliance continued on Sunday 25th February in beautiful sunshine at conditions at Galway Bay Golf Resort. After a frosty start to the morning play got underway in the late morning with a field of 58 teeing it up. The course was in fantastic condition and much thanks must go to all the team there and especially Business Development Manager – Dave Wensley, their GM – Barry Phelan, Course Superintendent – Damien Coleman and Assistant Superintendent – Gary Byrne.

It was the young promising Irish international golfer from Kinsale Golf Club, Cathal Butler, that blitzed the field by 6 shots, finishing with 3 birdies for a 3 under par 39 points that was the best score of the day and also took the Category 1 Top Prize too. Cian Daly from Castletroy GC posted 33 points to claim 2nd in Cat 1 while in Category 2 (4-9 Handicap) Shannon’s Lewy Halpin triumphed with 31 points from Jason Ryan of Dromoland who was 1 shot back on 30pts. 1st Place is the new Over 45s Category (sponsored by Kemmy Stonecraft) was taken by Castletroy’s Stephen Moloney on 32 points with Ed Hayes of Ballybunion the best of those on 31 points on the back 6!

Thanks to all for making the trip to Galway Bay and we look forward to seeing a lot of the #mwagolf competitors for our upcoming Events:

Ballykisteen – Sunday 11th March; Dooks – Saturday 17th March; Dromoland – Sunday 25th March; Dromoland – Sunday 1st April and our last Event at The Heritage on Monday 2nd April. Our Top 18 Shootout (Top 6 from each Category) will then take place at Doonbeg on Sunday 8th April!

Thanks again to Titleist for their continued support of the Mid-West Alliance and also to our 2018 sponsors – The Caddy Guy Ireland, Kemmy Stonecraft & Experience Ireland Golf & Travel. Any queries on the Mid-West Alliance 2018 please contact David Foley (+353-86-6021968) or Tom Kennedy (+353-87-6453537 / tom@experienceirelandgolfandtravel.com).

Mar 1 2018

Mid-West Alliance 2018 Season Tees off at Doonbeg

The 2018 Mid-West Alliance season started on Sunday 18th February, after the 1st Event at Dromoland unfortunately fell foul of the weather the week before, in testing windy conditions at Trump International Golf Links Ireland (Doonbeg). Heading up the field was 2017 MWA Champ and Irish Amateur Open 2017 Champion, Peter O’Keeffe from Douglas. Joining him were many Irish internationals – young and old – plus many of the region’s best and brightest golfers. We even had a few lads down from the North and from all over Ireland which was great to see.

75 golfers in total took to the course on the day with Castletroy’s Dave Carroll coming in with 32 points – Gross Stableford scoring format – being the best score of the day in blustery west Clare! He pipped Andrew MacCormack in Category 1 (3 handicap & lower) on the Countback with a slightly better back 9. In Category 2 (4-9 Handicap) Jason Twomey took the spoils with 29 points from Adare’s Laurence Kelly in 2nd on 28 points. Our new Over 45s Category (sponsored by Kemmy Stonecraft) begun with Gerard Maher taking 1st place on 30 points while Mid-West Alliance veteran, Fergus Harrold, was 2nd after posting 27 points.

Many thanks to all for making the trip to Doonbeg and we look forward to seeing a lot of you for our 2nd Event at Galway Bay on Sunday 25th February. Thanks again to Titleist for their continued support of the Mid-West Alliance and also to our 2018 sponsors – The Caddy Guy Ireland, Kemmy Stonecraft & Experience Ireland Golf & Travel. Any queries on the Mid-West Alliance 2018 please contact David Foley (+353-86-6021968) or Tom Kennedy (+353-87-6453537 / tom@experienceirelandgolfandtravel.com).

Dec 20 2017

Turkey Golf Trip 2017

A motley crew of 6 lads from Ireland made the trip to Turkey in November of this year, looking forward to 5 nights and 4 rounds of golf at some of Antalya’s finest resorts. All departing on the same flight from Dublin via Istanbul to Antalya the group all had a chance to get to know each other over a few beverages pre, during and post flight!

We were picked up in the luxury Bilyana Golf Coach and from there it was a short drive to the Regnum Carya Resort which is quite simply stunning! To better that we were then informed we were on the all-inclusive package (which is the norm in Turkey), potentially a dangerous thing to tell a group of Irish lads!! A few drinks were had to finish the “travel day” while we looked forward to taking on the challenge of National Golf Club the following morning, designed by Ireland’s David Feherty & David Jones.

A beautiful day welcomed us on Thursday 30th November so shorts and golf shirts were the order of the day. A fantastic course at National Golf Club, meandering amongst tall trees and while the course was not overly long it was a smashing test of golf. Finishing the last couple of holes in the gathering gloom was a beautiful way to complete our first day of golf in Turkey, dinner followed at Regnum’s Asian Restaurant after a few pints of Guinness in their Irish Bar – yes, they have an Irish Bar!!

Next up the following morning for the Regnum Carya course which hosted the recent Turkish Open earlier in November. The courses is magnificent and one of the finest I have ever played, EVER! That is saying a lot as I do play a lot of golf and I’m lucky to have played some of the greatest courses in the World. Carya is very much a tournament course but still very playable, off the tee it is quite open (but not easy at all) and it has the Augusta-esque pine needles amongst the tall trees that again frame the course. There are some superb holes, especially the par-5s. The highlight of the day was our Longest Drive contest on the back Tee on 16 which sits atop of one of Regnum’s suite, very cool indeed! Winner of the Long Drive on the day was Gabriel “Bubba” Cosgrave while Pat Williams took Nearest the Pin. And I forgot the best part, just before we teed off Steve Nicholson & Emre from Bilyana Golf gave us the good news that we were booked in for some floodlit golf on Saturday evening!! This trip was just getting better and better.

A good night in our new home at Gloria Resort followed, that evening we met David Clare (Director of Golf & PGA Professional at Gloria) who accompanied us with Steve and the rest of the gang for a superb steak dinner! David know a certain John Daly well and there were some cracking stories to be told, and listened to! Some which will not be repeated……!!

The following morning (some of us a bit worse for wear!) we made our way to Gloria’s Old Course for our 3rd Round of golf. Another beautiful day was upon us and again a superb golf course presented in amazing condition. Water plays a big part here on most holes along with many tree lined fairway, you need to keep your ball in play at Gloria! An outstanding opening par-5 with water all the way down the left sets the tone for a wonderful and enjoyable round of golf, despite the quality of play from some of us. If coming to Turkey I would wholeheartedly recommend including golf at Gloria on your itinerary. Back to the hotel quickly after the round on the Bilyana Bus as we got some lunch in before heading back to Carya for some floodlit golf.

Putting the golf clubs on our carts at 6pm in the evening in the darkness was quirky to say the least and as we headed to the 10th Tee to head out we were all like giddy school children! As stunning as Carya was in the daylight it really comes alive as a floodlit golf course, there was some good golf played too. Gabriel & myself taking the 9 holes skins match, my big-hitting partner managing 3 birdies to help things along! This course is amazing and if you can manage it make sure to get some floodlit golf in whilst in Turkey, it worked very well for us being there in November as we would tee it up in the early evening but still finish in time for a not-so-late dinner.

The 4th and Final round of our trip came at the PGA National Sultan course, Antalya Golf Club. A quite phenomenal setup with 2 courses here – Sultan & The Pasha. Another stunning morning presented itself as we were all trying to catch Singles leader Pat Williams! Water meanders its way around the course and it is very much in play rather than just being there for aesthetic purposes. The greens are superb and quite undulating in parts, as with all the courses we played they were presented impeccably and were all a joy to play. There are some great holes at Sultan and it was potentially my favourite course on the trip, and that is saying a lot given the undoubted quality of the others we played. The closing stretch is really cool, especially the par-5 16th and par-4 18th with a tricky par-3 on 17 that looks a bit easier from the tee that it turns out to be! A fantastic finish to our trip to Turkey, and we all had the “golfers tan” to prove it!

One more delectable dinner back at the Gloria Resort with David, Steve and rest of the lads capped off a wonderful 5 days. Heading back to the cold in Ireland didn’t really appeal to any of us but hopefully we will back in Turkey again soon. Many thanks to Steve & Emre from Bilyana and David Clare from Gloria for putting together an amazing trip, both on and off the course! If you fancy making Turkey your next golf trip destination call me on +353-87-6453537 or drop me a line – tom@experienceirelandgolfandtravel.com.

Dec 19 2017

Experience Ireland Golfers Giveaway

Experience Ireland Golf & Travel is delighted to announce their Golfers Giveaway – consisting of 6 rounds of Golf & 7 nights accommodation with Airport & Golf Transfers included as well for 4 people!!

Golf is included at The Royal Dublin Golf Club, Portmarnock Links, The Heritage, Dooks Golf Links, Killarney Golf & Fishing Club and Ballybunion Cashen Course. Accommodation will include 1 night in Dublin, 1 night at The Heritage Resort and 5 nights in Killarney!!

To be in with a chance of winning this very special prize just subscribe to the Experience Ireland Newsletter via the #eigtravel Homepage or email your details to info@experienceirelandgolfandtravel.com!

You can also enter during The PGA Show as Experience Ireland Golf & Travel will be attending and exhibiting as part of the Tourism Ireland stand. Of course a Like and a Share via our Facebook Page or a RT on Twitter wouldn’t hurt your chances of winning either!!

The lucky winner will be announced on Friday 26th January 2018 at The PGA Show!! Best of luck with your entries.