Ireland so far...

[Ryan Admussen]

Arrived in Dublin a few days ago, a few early hiccups including clubs not showing up, flat tire, driving on the other side for the first time.

Played Royal County Down this morning, easily the finest course I have ever stepped foot on, everything has already been said so I'll just share a few pictures of the trip so far.



This would have made travel a little smoother.
























Portrush tomorrow!

[mike_malone]

 I found that last photo to be the toughest hole in Ireland!

[Steve_Roths]

Awesome pics!!! Please keep them coming from your travels.

[Matt Bosela]

Awesome photos Ryan - so happy to see you get the chance to play those great courses!

Looking forward to this thread as it develops...

[Jason Topp]

Thanks Ryan - hopefully I narrowed these down in the pictures below:

Arrived in Dublin a few days ago, a few early hiccups including clubs not showing up, flat tire, driving on the other side for the first time.

Played Royal County Down this morning, easily the finest course I have ever stepped foot on, everything has already been said so I'll just share a few pictures of the trip so far.



This would have made travel a little smoother.
























Portrush tomorrow!

[Tony_Muldoon]

I love GCA travelogues.  Thanks for this its a fond reminder.


But it has got me wondering....

what might I see on long island on my way to golf?

how awful can the  the road to Augusta really be?

can anyone whet my appetite further for a trip to St Enodoc?

Hell, what does Tasmania look like and how close is downtown Melbourn to the courses?


Keep em comin

[David_Tepper]

Ryan -

Thanks for the pics of RCD and the Giant's Causeway. They bring back nice memories of both.

I hope you get good weather (and more good pics) for the balance of your trip. Have a great time!

DT 

[Gary Slatter]

thanks for the pics, agree 100% on RCD.  enjoy the trip!  do you take pics during the round, or after it?

[Ash Towe]

Ryan,


Thanks for the pics.  Hope you enjoy the rest of the trip.  It should be my turn next year.

[Bill_McBride]

Ryan, take a quick run out to Dunluce Castle if you have a moment.  It's close to the wonderful Giant's Causeway and has great views of the upper holes on the Dunluce course at Portrush.

[John Mayhugh]

Ryan,

Glad to see you're in Ireland.  It's a magical place, as you have already proven.  I really wish that I had been able to check out the Giant's Causeway when I was up that way, but missed Portrush as well.  Good reason for a return trip.

Looking forward to seeing where else you play.  This real-time update is impressive.

[Guy Nicholson]

Arrived in Dublin a few days ago, a few early hiccups including clubs not showing up, flat tire, driving on the other side for the first time.

Sounds like the beginnings of an "It's not the destination, it's the journey" story. Have fun, Ryan.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Ryan, with this good spell in weather here in the British Isles you couldn't get a better time for it - perfect temperatures and the light is lovely for admiring those great courses you are playing. Great stuff!

Although it has just turned Brian... Forecast is for four seasons in one day... every day... for the rest of the week... which is as it should be for links golf really?...

Look forward to your future photos Ryan... And to meeting you on Friday...

[jeffwarne]

I love GCA travelogues.  Thanks for this its a fond reminder.


But it has got me wondering....

what might I see on long island on my way to golf?

how awful can the  the road to Augusta really be?

can anyone whet my appetite further for a trip to St Enodoc?

Hell, what does Tasmania look like and how close is downtown Melbourn to the courses?


Keep em comin

Tony,
Having lived an equal amount of years in Augusta and Long Island, I can tell you that the difference is, once you get off the road in Augusta, it's actually quite nice

[Bill Brightly]

I love GCA travelogues.  Thanks for this its a fond reminder.


But it has got me wondering....

what might I see on long island on my way to golf?

how awful can the  the road to Augusta really be?

can anyone whet my appetite further for a trip to St Enodoc?

Hell, what does Tasmania look like and how close is downtown Melbourn to the courses?


Keep em comin

Tony,

Don't wonder, just mark yor calendar to attend the Boomerang in March of 2013 and plan to play the courses around Melbourne and  Tazzie.

[Jim Tang]

Ryan -

Great pictures!  It doesn't get much better than RCD.  I  too flew into Dublin and drove up to RCD on the M1.  My clubs didn't show up either.  It took them a day and a half to get them to me, just before I played Portrush.

Next time I take a trip like that I'm looking into golf club travel companies rather than risk my clubs getting lost.

[Ryan Admussen]

Jim - My clubs will be most likely left at home on international trips from now on as well, especially anything connecting through Heathrow.

Ally/Brian - Weathers been great so far, looking forward to a little wind and rain though.

Guy - That's what the fiancee said, doesn't much help when you're laying on the road trying to change a tire though!

John - I knew I'd love it before stepping foot here, it's more than lived up to expectations.

Bill - We did make it to Dunluce Castle, great spot.

Gary - I take the pictures during the round, both rounds I was the first one off so I had the course to myself.

Thanks for all comments!

[Ryan Admussen]

Lucked out with great weather again for Portrush. I'm learning the hard way that RCD and Portrush aren't the best courses to knock five months of winter rust off.

I have to give RCD the slight edge, maybe 6-4. Standing on the 13th green at Portrush looking out to the dunes/ocean was something else.

On to the pictures...

The view from our B&B



Portrush

















After golf we headed to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and took a tour of the Bushmills factory.









Portstewart is the next stop, looks like the rain is coming, should be interesting!

[David_Tepper]

Ryan -

More great pics and more great memories. Thanks!

If you get a chance, the Valley Course at Portrush is well worth playing. I also recommend dining at the Ramore Wine Bar on the harbor in Portrush.

DT

[Shane Wright]

Ryan -

Keep the pictures coming.....so awesome.  Look forward to hearing your continued commentary. 

Portstewart is a gem with a lot of teeth.  You have certainly started the trip off with a BANG.

Shane

[Jim Tang]

Ryan -

Ireland is magical.  Thanks for sharing.

Did your clubs ever show up?  How are you doing on the driving?

[Mark Alexander]

Just filed my copy for a Golf Monthly feature looking at RCD, Portrush and Lough Erne, so Ryan, your post is well timed.
I took my shots in October - www.markalexanderphotography.co.uk/Portrush-Dunluce - and the weather was fantastic. The courses were even better.

[Ryan Admussen]

Jim - Clubs did show up, golf balls seem to be leaving though, driving is a lot better with a few miles under my belt.

David - We tried it tonight, good food, interesting ordering!

[Ryan Admussen]

Played Portstewart today in the rain and wind, as has been said the course is a tale of two nines, the front runs through some pretty impressive dunes while the back leaves a little to be desired. Didn't get any pictures of the back as there was a little too much rain.

Added up the cost of my three rounds so far out of curiosity, came out to $275 canadian/american, quite the deal if you ask me.

















The sun came out in the afternoon so stopped by the Ballyreagh par 3 course, nothing too special but some great views.





Next stop is Dublin, playing Portmarnock on Friday.

[Carl Nichols]

You played RCD, RP and Portstewart for $275?  Are those all unaccompanied?  I think it cost me about that much for just 1 round at RCD two summers ago.  [on the other hand, it cost me about $15 to play RP Valley, as a guest.]