2018 BUDA, Golspie and Brora COLLECTING MONEY NOW

[Mike Hendren]

I am all for a ramble over Coul Links on one of the nights out.  Afterwards, a pint or three at Grannie's Heilan Hame is highly recommended.

Rihc - five of us have rented a house in Brora that has a lovely outdoor entertainment area and an indoor pool!!!    It would be fabulous location for a bbq and social one evening. Let's plan on that.

The image of this crowd frolicking in a pool is troublesome.

Michael, I'm disappointed you didn't take my recommendation of Clynelish Farms B & B.  Did I fail to mention that the host is a bonnie Aussie lass!



Cheers!

Bogey

[Michael Whitaker]

Bogey - your suggestion was duly noted, as were several others... but, we found a great 5 bedroom house in Brora that will make for a fun adventure. We have rented it for a week to fully enjoy the Highlands! Hope you can make it!!!

[Niall C]

As a relative novice in terms of BUDA participation having only played in 3, it strikes me the best thing about them, apart from hopefully some really cool golf, is everyone getting together. That's why I was asking earlier about the accommodation. I think it would be a bit of a shame if we all splintered off and did our own thing in terms of accommodation. That's not a knock on Mike and his group as Mark's air b'n'b at Rye worked well as a late evening "clubhouse" however staying in the same hotel and meeting people at breakfast etc is all part of the fun. That said, any thoughts on accommodation or are we all doing our own thing ?

Niall

 

[Steve Wilson]

James Boon has done research on the "major" hotels in the area and we are going to post that soon.  It's highly unlikely we all be in the same place, but having gathering places can work as well.  Per your other question about expenses, I haven't been able to finalize it with either club (still waiting on Brora's offer for including lunch) but I think that for five rounds of golf, two "breakfasts" and the two lunches and dinner at Golspie we are going to come in around 225 GBP.

[Jon Wiggett]

As a relative novice in terms of BUDA participation having only played in 3, it strikes me the best thing about them, apart from hopefully some really cool golf, is everyone getting together. That's why I was asking earlier about the accommodation. I think it would be a bit of a shame if we all splintered off and did our own thing in terms of accommodation. That's not a knock on Mike and his group as Mark's air b'n'b at Rye worked well as a late evening "clubhouse" however staying in the same hotel and meeting people at breakfast etc is all part of the fun. That said, any thoughts on accommodation or are we all doing our own thing ?

Niall

Niall,


we could always pitch tents around the pool


Jon

[Mark Pearce]

As a relative novice in terms of BUDA participation having only played in 3, it strikes me the best thing about them, apart from hopefully some really cool golf, is everyone getting together. That's why I was asking earlier about the accommodation. I think it would be a bit of a shame if we all splintered off and did our own thing in terms of accommodation. That's not a knock on Mike and his group as Mark's air b'n'b at Rye worked well as a late evening "clubhouse" however staying in the same hotel and meeting people at breakfast etc is all part of the fun. That said, any thoughts on accommodation or are we all doing our own thing ?

Niall

This is true, but I don't think we've ever had a BUDA where everyone was in one place (not even at Silloth).  What's important is that we're all somewhere that we can have a drink and talk nonsense in the evening.  In that respect it is disappointing that, at recent BUDAs, a number of participants have disappeared early each evening.  My understanding is that most accomodation is likely to be found in Golspie and I think James may have, after his reconnaissance, a suggestion for BUDA HQ.

[Rich Goodale]

Well said Mark.


The best BUDAs have been the ones that best herded the cats.


The Marine Hotel in Brora is the best option.  Accommodation in Golspie is minimal, unless one has access to Dunrobin Castle.  The Dornoch Hotel is a possibility.  Funky, but with a lots of history and some great internal architecture.


If selected, Josie and I will be staying at the McRoberts family Norwegian double-wide between Dornoch and Brora.  Stray cats will be only selectively invited.

[Steve Wilson]

Rihc,


Jutta's?

[David_Tepper]

To repeat an earlier post:

"Where do you think everyone is going to stay?"

The Links Apartments that overlook the 18th hole at Brora are certainly an option. They are managed by the Royal Marine Hotel and you can book for as little as a two night stay.

http://www.royalmarinebrora.com/en/links-apartments/

The Golf Links Hotel in Golspie is another option. It is located just beyond the 3rd tee and is within walking distance of the clubhouse.

https://www.golflinkshotel.co.uk/   

[Rich Goodale]

Rihc,


Jutta's?

Jutta the Hut aka JakaB?  Nah, can't be.

[Steve Wilson]

As David has noted above, the Golf Links Hotel nearly adjoins the course, and less than a mile away is the Golspie Inn which has fourteen rooms at reasonable rates.  With Whitaker and four others already hunkered down in Brora and me at the Stone's Throw, I think there is virtually enough accommodation for the entire cadre within the friendly confines of Golspie.  There's a very nice B & B in Golspie, The Granite Villa, that is located halfway between the Golspie Inn and the Golf Links.  There are at least three rooms available as singles or twins.


Bearing in mind that being ten miles from Golspie along the A9 is nothing compared to distances half that in southern England and Cornwall.  Not to mention Holland.

[David McIntosh]

Rihc - five of us have rented a house in Brora that has a lovely outdoor entertainment area and an indoor pool!!!    It would be fabulous location for a bbq and social one evening. Let's plan on that.

Mike,

Good find - sounds like an ideal spot for post-golf at Brora.

What dates have you booked the house for? Probably more one for Steve, but have the final dates been confirmed yet or are we still awaiting responses from the clubs?

[Ulrich Mayring]

There was the notion that end of May could be extremely busy due to events at the clubs, whereas in June we might be more comfortable with lodging etc.

Ulrich

[Niall C]

Just a reminder that, with the Dornoch member-guest scheduled for May 26-27-28 and the Brora Golf Week running May 27-June 1, demand for accommodations in the general area will be high in late May.

In addition to the apartments at the Royal Marine in Brora and the Golf Links Hotel in Golspie (that I linked earlier), here is a listing of some rentals available in the Golspie area:

http://www.scottish-cottages.co.uk/highlands-and-islands/northern-highlands/golspie

David


I think we are still more or less decided on Friday 25th to Sunday 27th judging by one of Steve's earlier posts which may or may not prove a challenge for getting accommodation judging by David's post above. Hopefully that won't be the case.


Niall

[Michael Graham]

I've booked three nights in the Royal Marine Hotel. Fri-Mon. I might extend it once we've got a better idea about pre and post BUDA rounds. There didn't seem to be any issue with availability for that weekend.

[David McIntosh]

Thanks Niall.

I wasn't certain whether we were going for the Fri-Sun or Sat-Mon for the main event based on some of the potential accommodation issues raised. Will plan for things starting on the Friday 25th in that case.

[David_Tepper]

To avoid any further confusion/questions, here is the proposed program per Steve W.'s (modified) post on page 1.

"What we appear to know so far.

Interesting development.  Jon Wiggett has offered his course at Brahan as early bird site for the Friday the 25th.  No limit on the amount of players welcome to visit his course.   Jon will come up with some formats, etc.

Saturday May 26-36 holes at Brora. Lunch at the club with dinner in Brora at a site to be determined. My assumption is we will play alternate in the AM and 4bbb in the afternoon.

Sunday May 27 36 holes at Golspie. Lunch, perhaps carvery at club, the official dinner to follow

Monday May 28 18 holes, the singles matches at Golspie with meals up to the individuals." 

Participants should book their accommodations accordingly.

[Steve Wilson]

What David reposted is 99% certain. Only the clubs not following through would alter the schedule.


 First of all there will be the opportunity to play at Jon Wiggett's course at Brahan Friday on the eve of the BUDA.
Jon says the more the merrier.


I recognize that accommodation may be be compromised by the Bank Holiday weekend but I also know that any choice will present a problem for someone.  I thought by deciding early we could get around these problems as people will have considerable lead time to arrange accommodation


I will post the cost of golf as soon as I hear back from Golspie per the lunch and supper.

[Michael Whitaker]

Rihc - five of us have rented a house in Brora that has a lovely outdoor entertainment area and an indoor pool!!!    It would be fabulous location for a bbq and social one evening. Let's plan on that.

What dates have you booked the house for? Probably more one for Steve, but have the final dates been confirmed yet or are we still awaiting responses from the clubs?

David - We have booked the house for a week Sat 26 May - Sat 2 June. The plan will be to play multiple rounds at various courses in the Highlands. The only thing we need to sort out at this point is accommodation for Friday evening the 25th.

[James Boon]

Evening all,
 
Apologies, posted something regarding accommodation a while ago and have just checked in to see responses only to find it hadnt posted for some reason? Sorry!
 
As mentioned previously I made inquiries regarding accommodation while I was in the area a week ago.
 
There are 2 decent options. In an ideal world I'd have the time to organise one of these and control the bookings for all to guarantee a Buda HQ but afraid I'd struggle for time at the moment so everyone is just going to have to sort themselves out:
Golf Links Hotel, Golspie
https://www.golflinkshotel.co.uk/
4 nr. Twin Rooms £82 per night
1 nr Triple Room (3 nr. single beds) £110
1 nr. Double Room, £82
1 nr. Premier Twin, £92
2 nr. Premier Double, £92
Assuming the doubles only have 1 person in them, that's 16 golfers that can be accommodated if people are happy to arrange to share the twins.
Comments:
·[/color]They are currently empty the dates of Buda.
·[/font][/color]Rooms looked good, decor not necessarily to my taste but perfect for a golf trip
·[/font][/color]Wifi available
·[/font][/color]Bar and residents lounge (if this looks the favoured option I'll check that they would be happy with none residents in the bar?)
·[/font][/color]Looks like a good base for a good number of us
·[/font][/color]Breakfast available for all, but couldn't have our full party for evening meals.
·[/font][/color]Its just a short walk from the clubhouse so good for the formal meal on the Sunday evening.
Link Apartments, Brora[/b]
http://www.linksapartmentsbrora.co.uk/en/links-apartments_50746/[/url]
http://www.royalmarinebrora.com/[/url]
The apartments are all ran by the Royal Marine Hotel. The hotel is just across from the golf club and the apartments just down the road, overlooking the 18th.They each have 2 en suite bedrooms so could sleep 2 in the king size beds with a room each, or sleep 4 with the beds split thus making 2 twin rooms. During May the rate per apartment will be:2 days ££354 (£177 per day)3 days £495 (£165 per day)4 days £600 (£150 per day)5 to 7 days £708Comments:
·[/font][/color]If staying at the apartments you have use of the hotel leisure facilities.
·[/font][/color]There are also villas approx the same size and price as the apartments
·[/font][/color]People could stay at the hotel instead so still be nearby the group.
·[/font][/color]They have approx 20 of these apartments and villas available but there are only 8 currently left as they have a large group booking already.
·[/font][/color]This seems a very good option especially for the Friday and Saturday night but its then a 10/15 minute drive to Golspie on the Sunday and Monday.
·[/font][/color]There are also rooms at the hotel itself.Either of these places would work well as Buda HQ but there is only 10 mins drive between the 2. Cheers,James

[Mark Pearce]

Steve,


Can you add Steve Rowe to the waiting list, please?


Mark

[Steve Wilson]

Mark,
Done.

[John Mayhugh]

Are all dates confirmed?  If so, would like to be sure what they are.  Need to book travel.

This thread has 26-28 May and elsewhere 25-27 May is listed. 

thanks

[Steve Wilson]

John,


The official dates are Saturday May 26 through Monday May 28.  We were originally looking at 25-27, but as we were coinciding with the Bank Holiday Weekend we went for Saturday through Monday as that would allow some of the Brits to attend without having to spend a vacation day.   There is also the opportunity to play Jon Wiggett's course near Dingwall on the Friday as a pre-Buda event.  And if you really want to go whole hog there's a four day, including two practice rounds at Golspie and Tain, pro-am which concludes with a Tuesday evening dinner on the grounds of Dunrobin Castle in Golspie.


Glad to see you're thinking of attending. 


Regards,
Steve

[David_Tepper]

Here is information on the pro-am at Tain & Golspie (to be held May 21-22) that Steve mentions:

http://www.northern-times.co.uk/Sport/Golf/PGA-pro-am-competitions-for-Golspie-Brora-and-Tain-golf-clubs-12102017.htm