GCA Ryder Cup Matches

[THuckaby2]

The May dates are wholly selfish as well, as they would work pretty well for me, as well as someone else I know who has yet to post on this thread but might soon....  

Trying to plan a Scotland trip around good weather is somewhat fool-hardy also, I think.  It can and does pour rain year-round.  Sure, summer might be better, and September might also, but not to the extent of trying to plan around...

TH

[Darren_Kilfara]

Rich, North Berwick would be more expensive than Machrihanish (certainly once you get there), and it would be infinitely more difficult for me to arrange (I'm not a member there or have any other influence as far as arranging the requisite number of tee-times goes). And it's not as though you can't work Machrihanish into an itinerary for a longer trip or anything. For what we're intending to do, I think Machrihanish works rather better on several levels, even if for me it means making a four-plus hour trip...

Cheers,
Darren

[Bill_McBride]

Here's a question for Darren:  is there train service from Glasgow or Edinburgh to Mach?  Thanks.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

OMG, first a post on getting strange and now all the wonderful choices on where to stay and play. I vote to let Rich with Darren's input make the call for they know the lay of the land best. All the above will make wonderful places to call home for a few days next May.

[THuckaby2]

Screw that, JB.  Those fellows may know the lay of the land, but they do not have purely MY interests at heart.

 

So therefore, I say listen to Darren and disregard Rich - for now anyway.

TH

[Mike Benham]

As a side-note, I believe that TOC is "closed" for the Spring R&A meeting from May 3rd - 6th ...

And these dates do coincide nicely with my plans and 4-hour diversion from the east coast is well worth it ...  

[THuckaby2]

Mike: you're welcome.  

TH

[ForkaB]

Tom and JB

As said above, I'll play anywhere, as long as somebody else does the organising.  Just adding my preferences and observations so others can make the decision.

Bill

There's hardly a road to Machrahanish from civilisation, much less a train.  That's part of its charm.  You can fly there, however.

[THuckaby2]

Yes, flights do go from Glasgow to Campbeltown and back twice a day.  It's not the easiest thing to work into flights coming from the US, but it surely can be done.  One just has to allow extra time at the front and the back of one's trip.  Pretty reasonable prices, also...

As for concrete organizing, well... we need JJSE to come back, this remains his baby.  I do stand ready to help in any and all ways from the US travel side, however... and if we do Machrihanish, I believe Darren would be invaluable in helping with the setup...

Remember also that this "official" gathering will just be 3 days, golf-wise.  One can easily stretch the trip before and after no sweat.  It's a short little flight back to Glasgow, and you go from there.

TH

[Darren_Kilfara]

Flights don't go between Campbeltown and Glasgow on the weekend, by the way. Buses still do, though - either way, both the flight (25 minutes, below cloud cover, over and around Arran and Bute and some of the other islands in that neighborhood) and the bus ride (just under five hours, along Loch Lomond and through the stunning countryside of Argyll) are hauntingly beautiful. At a return fare of about £15, he bus ride is also much cheaper if you're really strapped for cash.

Cheers,
Darren

[THuckaby2]

Mucho correcto re no loganair flights on the weekend, Darren.  That's why this would work so well as an itinerary:

Tue May 4 - practice rounds for early arrivals, evening welcome cocktail party for all.  One can make the 4pm Loganair flight from Glasgow to Campbeltown very easily from any US city, leaving the evening before, and arrive in Campbeltown in plenty of time for evening activities.

Wed May 5 - fourball in am, foursome in pm

Thu May 6 - foursome in am, fourball in pm

Fri May 7 - singles in am, lunch and awards thereafter.  Those in a hurry make 5:30 pm flight back to Glasgow and connect to other flights from there.  Golf at any other Scotland destination becomes very doable for Sat May 8 for those so inclined.

TH

 

[ed_getka]

I am planning on going across the pond next year and would like to be on the ROW team for this event since my Dad was Polish (no jokes please ).

Rich,
 Je suis ici. I had a great summer with my boys and somehow never noticed this thread before it was referred to in the KPIII thread.

[ed_getka]

Shivas,
 I didn't golf ANY rounds in July. In fact, only 4 since SH. I was having too much fun with my kids on summer vacation.