Ultimate GCA Event

[Ira Fishman]

In the relatively brief time that I have followed GCA, I have been struck by a couple of things:


1. The extent to which the membership is Global.


2. The extent to which members will travel for events to play with people who they have never met.


I have made it a practice not to comment on courses that I have not played or therefore to not ask hypothetical questions, but I pose the following:


What course would be the most enticing/attractive for a GCA Global event?


Of course there are some caveats: exclusive clubs are excluded and travel time is a major factor.


And this is a hypothetical: I don’t keep a handicap so whatever the suggestion, it is not an event in which I could participate as much as I might like to do so.


Ira

[Brian Hilko]

Sand belt with the option to continue on to Kings Island and Tasmania

[Sean_A]

Well, being selfish, but not completely crazy...The Loop.


Ciao

[Terry Lavin]

Well, being selfish, but not completely crazy...The Loop.


Ciao

I like it.

[Garland Bayley]

If you are taking about a global event, I would think the most appropriate would be to go to Scotland, the home of golf. Dare I suggest Prestwick, the home of OTM.

TOC is too obvious, and perhaps too overbooked.

[mike_beene]

Take over the Marine Hotel and North Berwick.

[Pat Burke]

If you are taking about a global event, I would think the most appropriate would be to go to Scotland, the home of golf. Dare I suggest Prestwick, the home of OTM.

TOC is too obvious, and perhaps too overbooked.

+1
With Persimmons and blades!!

[Tom_Doak]

Well, being selfish, but not completely crazy...The Loop.

Easily arranged, if this is the choice, but i suspect there will be as many answers to this question as there are posters!


My first thought was more along the lines of a place that's truly remote, not a home game for anyone, but worthwhile.  Himalayan Golf Club?  Lofoten?

[jeffwarne]

If you are taking about a global event, I would think the most appropriate would be to go to Scotland, the home of golf. Dare I suggest Prestwick, the home of OTM.

TOC is too obvious, and perhaps too overbooked.

+1
With Persimmons and blades!!

awesome
though North Berwick with same followed by Musselburgh with hickories isn't all bad...

[Jim Franklin]

Tara Iti, Cape Wickham, Lofoten all sound enticing to me.

[Mark Pearce]

I can't help thinking that those listing great, bucket list causes are missing the point.  Foe me, the ultimate GCA get together would be at a real hidden gem with real architectural interest.  I might be describing the very first BUDA, which I wasn't at.  So, for me, Kington.

[Buck Wolter]

I can't help thinking that those listing great, bucket list causes are missing the point.  Foe me, the ultimate GCA get together would be at a real hidden gem with real architectural interest.  I might be describing the very first BUDA, which I wasn't at.  So, for me, Kington.

I was thinking Askernish

[BCrosby]

Kington is a good idea. The Loop would also be fun.


I've only played The Loop, but I am reasonably confident either would stimulate a number of interesting post-round conversations.


Bob

[Craig Disher]

I can't help thinking that those listing great, bucket list causes are missing the point.  Foe me, the ultimate GCA get together would be at a real hidden gem with real architectural interest.  I might be describing the very first BUDA, which I wasn't at.  So, for me, Kington.

An event shared between Painswick and Cleeve Cloud would be ideal and hits the goal dead on.  If I missed this I'd feel my golfing life was a failure.

[John Mayhugh]

I'm with Mark.  For me, GCA isn't about the bucket list courses.  Everyone knows about those.  I've loved the GCA events that draw people to places they might not ordinarily go, but are very much worth seeing. 

Kington/Cleeve/Painswick would be awesome.  Kington is the best course of the three, but a little further away.  All could be played on the same trip.  I haven't played Minchinhampton, but think it could easily be added.

For me personally, Garland's Prestwick suggestion is even better.  I really do want to see that course.

[Sean_A]

I can't help thinking that those listing great, bucket list causes are missing the point.  Foe me, the ultimate GCA get together would be at a real hidden gem with real architectural interest.  I might be describing the very first BUDA, which I wasn't at.  So, for me, Kington.

Mark

Forget a new event!  Perhaps we should make a proper push to have Buda at Kington?  I have my doubts and am therefore reticent, but one never knows how things will turn out.

Ciao

[Pete_Pittock]

If it is outside the range of an traditional outing (KP, Buda, Mashie, Dixie) and one timers (Boomerang, Cabo) I'd say the North Island of New Zealand, Vietnam or China. Don't want to be anywhere close to Korean Peninsula.

[Ally Mcintosh]

If you want people to travel, you need a course of stature and it should be in Scotland with the right kind of history and quirk.


A day at Prestwick with lunch would be the right answer.


All very well going to a Kington / Cleeve Cloud type of place but it's the BUDA regulars stating that... You want to pull in the new to GCA types that have maybe yet to make their first trip to Scotland.

[MCirba]

I'm turning 60 next year if all goes well so I'd be keenly interested.

[JMEvensky]

Gulph Mills with The Lurker as host.

[Ed Brzezowski]

Gulph Mills with The Lurker as host.

+1

[Simon Holt]

A shoulder season week in St Andrews, all staying in the same hotel and drinking in the same bars, everyone balloting each day with no guarantees.


The joy of getting on the Old, pulling for other guys to get on, being terrified of being that guy that has to sleep outside the starters hut on the final day because your name hasn't appeared all week.  One big group outing at Crail on the final Sunday when the Old is closed.


A plethora of affordable/high-end, quirky/old/modern designs.  New, Eden, Jube, KB, Carnoustie, Panmure, Scotscraig, Lundin, Crail, Elie.....and many more.  All within 30-40 minutes drive, many within 15.


The week of the Masters is arguably the best time for this.  Most of the courses are still on lower rates, Old has just come off mats, prime time golf on the tube in all the bars.  Plus the weather in April is often much better than anyone realises.


1h15mins from a well serviced airport.  The stories, the new friends.  You said the ultimate, so don't fight it to be contrary.  Just accept it and book your flights :-)

[Marty Bonnar]

A shoulder season week in St Andrews, all staying in the same hotel and drinking in the same bars, everyone balloting each day with no guarantees.


The joy of getting on the Old, pulling for other guys to get on, being terrified of being that guy that has to sleep outside the starters hut on the final day because your name hasn't appeared all week.  One big group outing at Crail on the final Sunday when the Old is closed.


A plethora of affordable/high-end, quirky/old/modern designs.  New, Eden, Jube, KB, Carnoustie, Panmure, Scotscraig, Lundin, Crail, Elie.....and many more.  All within 30-40 minutes drive, many within 15.


The week of the Masters is arguably the best time for this.  Most of the courses are still on lower rates, Old has just come off mats, prime time golf on the tube in all the bars.  Plus the weather in April is often much better than anyone realises.


1h15mins from a well serviced airport.  The stories, the new friends.  You said the ultimate, so don't fight it to be contrary.  Just accept it and book your flights :-)

Notwithstanding the outrageously egregious omission of Leven, I’m 100% in agreement with my learned friend...


Best,
F.

[Jon Wiggett]

Of course we could save everybody the travel and agree on playing the same course at the same time on your nearest golf simulator with a video (conference) meal afterwards. Slightly odd ball I know but maybe more realistic than expecting lots of people to travel half way round the globe.


Jon

[Thomas Dai]

A shoulder season week in St Andrews, all staying in the same hotel and drinking in the same bars.......

Despite conveniently for me residing not far from some of those GCA favourites mentioned above and being somewhat fond of them, and despite having a longing to play in no particular order others mentioned including The Loop, Askernish and Lofoten Links, I would go along with a shoulder season week at St Andrews.
Atb