Trip Daydreaming

[Ira Fishman]

We were supposed to arrive in Dublin today for five days in there followed by 10 days in Scotland with 11 rounds scheduled. In light of what is going on in the world and particularly the US, missing it as Sean A would say is small potatoes (although I regret the lost revenue for the courses, hotels, restaurants, and caddies). But putting the forgone trip in perspective does not keep me from daydreaming about a fantasy future one.


As I plot the itinerary:


What is the one course who have played even if you have played it multiple times or only once that you most want to play again?


Thanks,


Ira

[John Emerson]

Any links course will just about be sufficient for me honestly.  It’s just so much more enjoyable than just about everything I’ve played stateside.  But, if I am to answer your question specifically, it’s Kilspindie, or Prestwick.  I could play those courses every day for the rest of my life and not be bored.  Can’t wait to do it again!

[Ira Fishman]

Any links course will just about be sufficient for me honestly.  It’s just so much more enjoyable than just about everything I’ve played stateside.  But, if I am to answer your question specifically, it’s Kilspindie, or Prestwick.  I could play those courses every day for the rest of my life and not be bored.  Can’t wait to do it again!

John,


As I was thinking about the next trip, I was contemplating repeating (mostly) our trip last year rather than exploring new territory. Kilspindie was a blast although I think I could play NB every day. We missed Gullane 1 and 2 due to a Competition. We headed around the Firth to play Elie, Crail Balcomie, and Kingsbarns but failed to ballot onto TOC. I would be extremely pleased to repeat the trip except for Kingsbarns plus maybe getting lucky on the ballot. If I could choose one place to live outside the US, it probably would be North Berwick. Or maybe Dublin.


Ira

[Brock Lynch]

Ira,


Old Course
North Berwick
Lundin Links


We will visit St. Andrews again soon.


I still have no desire to play Kingsbarns. Started out as too pricey and don't feel that I've missed anything. There are so many courses over there that we haven't played. We could play three good to very good links courses for the same price as a round on Kingsbarns. Is there someone out there that would play Kingsbarns before the three that I've mentioned?

[MKrohn]

Ira, like you, my group of 12 were going to be in Ireland now on about day 4. Several of the boys have lost their jobs and so I suspect any tour even next year is unlikely.


Whilst the offer of a credit for next year from the courses was welcome at the start, we are now getting full refunds from most with the exception of Ballybunion (lifetime credit) and Tralee (2021)


RCD was like pulling teeth whilst some of the smaller (and presumably less well off) venues refunded straight away.


Any bad/good stories with dealing with hotels/courses, would like to vote with my feet and wallet next time i'm there, assuming the Australian Govt lets me out of the country.

[John Emerson]

Ira,


Old Course
North Berwick
Lundin Links


We will visit St. Andrews again soon.


I still have no desire to play Kingsbarns. Started out as too pricey and don't feel that I've missed anything. There are so many courses over there that we haven't played. We could play three good to very good links courses for the same price as a round on Kingsbarns. Is there someone out there that would play Kingsbarns before the three that I've mentioned?

Haven’t been to Lundin, but if I
never play KB again I won’t be upset.  Preface:  following statement isn’t a knock it just isn’t for me.  I paid just over 150$ and even with a discount I still would rather spend my money elsewhere.[size=78%]  It’s a very good golf course but it just isn’t my cup of tea.  To answer your question, I would play all of those before KB even though I haven’t played one of them.[/size]

[Jim Sherma]

Call me a Philistine but I thought Kingsbarnes was an exceptional golf course with a load of really good golf shots on it. Maybe it’s not what you’re looking for and doesn’t have the rough hewn patina of some of our favorites but that’s ok.


Courses I would like to play again for the architecture and the shots the course asks for:


Overseas: County Sligo, Ballybunion Old, Kingsbarnes


US: Baltimore CC, Pine Valley, Ballyhack


Courses I want to play again for the joy of being alive and the terroir:


Overseas: Mulranny, Crail Balcomie, Strandhill


US: Tobacco Road, CC of York (PA), Elkridge (MD)

[Ira Fishman]

Ira, like you, my group of 12 were going to be in Ireland now on about day 4. Several of the boys have lost their jobs and so I suspect any tour even next year is unlikely.


Whilst the offer of a credit for next year from the courses was welcome at the start, we are now getting full refunds from most with the exception of Ballybunion (lifetime credit) and Tralee (2021)


RCD was like pulling teeth whilst some of the smaller (and presumably less well off) venues refunded straight away.


Any bad/good stories with dealing with hotels/courses, would like to vote with my feet and wallet next time i'm there, assuming the Australian Govt lets me out of the country.

The only problem I have encountered is with Aer Lingus which has been non-responsive for three weeks since our flight was canceled. A couple courses insisted on keeping their no refund of deposit policy but credited the deposits for the future. I cannot really blame them given the economic conditions.


Ira

[Craig Disher]

Ira,It's off your itinerary but not that far away - St. Enodoc GC. I should be playing there about now and I'm almost distraught. The webcams are the best I'll  be able to do this year.
BTW, I had booked on Norwegian Air which canceled my flight. I turned down an offer of a 20% bonus if I would accept a credit instead of a refund. I took the refund and it came within a few days.

[David_Tepper]

 I had booked on Norwegian Air which canceled my flight. I turned down an offer of a 20% bonus if I would accept a credit instead of a refund. I took the refund and it came within a few days.

Craig D. -

Norwegian cancelled our San Francisco/London Gatwick round-trip flights scheduled for late August/mid-September a couple of week ago. I was very pleased with how quickly they processed our full refund. I just hope they are able to stay in business for travel in the future.


DT

[jeffwarne]

So if an American flew into Belfast, quarantined 2 weeks per UK, could they theoretically simply cross the unmanned border into the Republic, without breaking any laws?
asking for a friend

[Tom_Doak]

So if an American flew into Belfast, quarantined 2 weeks per UK, could they theoretically simply cross the unmanned border into the Republic, without breaking any laws?
asking for a friend

With Brexit, who knows?


But also, why bother?  I think Ireland will also allow visiting Americans if they quarantine for two weeks upon arrival.

[Bob Montle]

Machrihanish

[Ally Mcintosh]

So if an American flew into Belfast, quarantined 2 weeks per UK, could they theoretically simply cross the unmanned border into the Republic, without breaking any laws?
asking for a friend

With Brexit, who knows?


But also, why bother?  I think Ireland will also allow visiting Americans if they quarantine for two weeks upon arrival.

Yes, anyone can come in to Ireland with a two week quarantine. And there is lobbying - against public health advice - to remove that two week quarantine. Unlikely to be removed for US travellers though.

[Garland Bayley]

Most want to play again.

Nairn (18 holes of sideways rain when I played)

Dornoch (18 holes of heavy fog when I played)

Strandhill (when and if Ally can finish his plans)

Perranporth

[Ira Fishman]

Most want to play again.

Nairn (18 holes of sideways rain when I played)

Dornoch (18 holes of heavy fog when I played)

Strandhill (when and if Ally can finish his plans)

Perranporth

Nairn is a bit of a puzzler to me. We played it in stiff breeze and turf was fantastic. So it to this layman seemed as true as links on our trip, which included Brora and and Dornoch. And I quite enjoyed the inland holes. Yet I did not come away with the "boy that was a great course" feeling. Not really sure why because holes varied with no real clunkers.


Ira

[Jeff Johnston]

Ira, if it is any consolation (and I don't imagine it will be), it is tipping down in Dublin currently and the forecast ain't great either!

To respond to your initial question - for me a toss-up between two one-plays in Lahinch and TOC, probably just leaning towards the latter. Also interested to see Dornoch again (another one play, years ago) but to me it didn't hold as much interest overall as the other two.

[Garland Bayley]

Most want to play again.

Nairn (18 holes of sideways rain when I played)

Dornoch (18 holes of heavy fog when I played)

Strandhill (when and if Ally can finish his plans)

Perranporth

Nairn is a bit of a puzzler to me. We played it in stiff breeze and turf was fantastic. So it to this layman seemed as true as links on our trip, which included Brora and and Dornoch. And I quite enjoyed the inland holes. Yet I did not come away with the "boy that was a great course" feeling. Not really sure why because holes varied with no real clunkers.


Ira

My primary reason for listing Nairn is that I would like to see the course and not the rain through rain speckled glasses.
Even with the limited visibility it was clearly better than Nairn Dunbar.