ADVENTURES IN GOLF The Ultimate Golfing Experience

Autumn/Winter 2011 Old Course, St. Andrews – Guaranteed Tee Times We have received our 2012 Tee Time Allocation for the Old Course in St. Andrews. Because we confirm our tee times on a first deposit-received basis, we urge you to contact us today. Guaranteed tee times are available from April through October for four or eight golfers, and additional golfers can be accommo - dated upon request. It is worth noting – only a relatively few companies in the world receive an allocation of Old Course tee times.

Please do not confuse a guaranteed tee time with the Ballot. We have clients regularly mention the Ballot in lieu of an actual guaranteed tee time, but they are not interchangeable. The Ballot is a lottery system , in which St Andrews Links Trust draws names from a list on a daily basis, so there are some winners…and some losers. Although we’ve had a very good success rate when balloting our clients over the years there is certainly no way to guarantee success. And, when trying to access the Old Course in the summer months any Ballot application can be competing with dozens of others on the same day. So, be sure to inquire as to our current tee time availability as this is the only way to guarantee you’ll peg it up on the Old Course. Photo courtesy of Iain Lowe The Year in Review

Charl Schwartzel stunned the golfing world with a stellar back-nine performance on Sunday to earn the Green Jacket at The Masters Tournament . Schwartzel was able to manage four birdies on the last four holes to hold off game efforts by Jason Day and Adam Scott . There was even a Tiger sighting during the final round, but we will have to wait until 2012 to find out if Tiger’s game is in tune for a return to glory. After the first three days it was Rory McIlroy’s tournament to win or lose, but the final day’s pressure proved too much for the young star to handle. Although it was painful to witness his epic breakdown, we all applaud his efforts and the true class he exhibited in post-round interviews and beyond.

All the disappointment McIlroy surely felt after his Masters meltdown must have certainly disappeared when he hoisted the US

In This Issue… Machrihanish - Great Golf, Great Value ...... 4 Old Course, St. Andrews Guaranteed Tee Times . 1 Fly Fishing Update by Ken Hamill ...... 6 The Year In Review ...... 1 Virtuoso ...... 7 Northern Ireland - “Home of Champions” ...... 2 About Us ...... 8

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Open trophy at Congressional Country Club . Reminiscent of Tiger’s performance at Pebble in 2000, Rory lapped the field in impressive fashion, leaving no doubt of his true golfing genius, while proving he has the nerve to finish the job at the majors!!

The Open Championship returned to England’s “Gem in the Southeast”, Royal St George’s . As if out of a fairy - tale, crowd favorite and “over the hill” contender Darren Clarke captured the hearts of all with his emotional triumph at RSG en route to earning his long- awaited and well-deserved first major championship. We look forward to Darren’s title defense at Royal Lytham and St. Anne’s in 2012 .

In the Seniors Division, Olin Browne held off a fierce charge from both Mark O’Meara and Mark Calcavecchia to win the U.S Seniors Open at Inverness Club. Walton Heath , as always, proved to be a most gracious host to a major golfing event. At the British Senior Open, Mark Calcavecchia came up short yet again, finishing second behind Russ Cochran . Our favorite links golfer The Links Cup returned to Sea Island Northern Ireland – Tom Watson stormed back into for the third time in its’ illustrious “Home of Champions” contention on Sunday with an early eighteen year history. The weather was eagle, but in the end he had to settle for brisk by Southern standards during the Northern Ireland has always been a share of third place alongside Corey opening two days, but the temperatures regarded as having a rich golfing history, Pavin . We all look forward to Tom rose along with the drama during the being a proud home to several of the getting another shot for glory at final round. Once again, Rod Day’s world’s greatest links courses including Turnberry , as the Ailsa Course will veteran squad from Merion had to Royal County Down and Royal once again play host to the Senior Open settle for second place, this time falling Portrush . That pride is even more in in 2012. short by only one stroke to the fiercely evidence due to the fact that three of competitive foursome from RedStick , the past eight Major Championship In the year’s final major at the famed proudly captained by John McCord. winners call the province home. This Atlanta Athletic Club , New England Kirk Sweet and his formidable team recent upsurge in success was ignited by native Keegan Bradley took advantage from Old Elm earned the “Bobby Graeme McDowell’s epic triumph at of Jason Dufner’s collapse down the Jones” Award , by out-shooting the field the 2010 U.S. Open . Following his last final stretch, managing to force a three- on the final day with help from Jim round collapse at the U.S. Masters, hole playoff with the shaken Dufner. DeYoung’s fine play. RedStick featured Rory McIlroy silenced any doubters by Bradley drew first blood in the playoff yet again in the ladies team competi - winning this year’s U.S. Open in a most with a sensational birdie on the par four tion by holding off a strong charge dominant fashion. Darren Clarke’s 16th, and never allowed his opponent from Piping Rock . Kudos to all and dramatic and emotional victory in the the opportunity to seize the prized especially RedStick for completing the (British) Open Championship at Wanamaker Trophy from his firm clean sweep!!! Royal St George’s then cemented grasp.

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Northern Ireland’s place at the top of & 2002 Senior British Opens . It has and only time to-date that the Open has the golfing world, making it the new hosted many of the game’s greatest been played outside mainland United “Home of Champions” – a remarkable players, and continues to challenge Kingdom. Adding to the lure of Royal achievement for a country of less than 2 professional golfers and amateurs alike. Portrush is the fact that Darren Clarke million people and just over 5,000 The recently-refurbished Slieve Donard and Graeme McDowell have played square miles. Hotel & Spa offers visitors the perfect much of their golf over the course as place to call home while testing their local members, and still frequently tune- Golf in the region dates back to the late games on the course. The one hundred up their games on the historic links. 1800s, inspired in part by Old Tom and fifteen year old former railway hotel Perhaps a visit will magically correct Morris’ tour to the Emerald Isle in overlooks the sea to the front and has your swing? At the very least you will be 1889. The championship links at Royal the course at its back. playing in the footsteps of Champions County Down (RCD) is a direct result when you tee it up! Located just five of his visit, while later course improve - Royal Portrush , another of Northern miles southeast of Portrush, the ments were implemented by the great Ireland’s crown jewels, is situated just a Bushmills Inn is the top choice for Harry Colt in the 1920s. Colt also two-hour drive north of RCD. Host of accommodations in the area. Close to offered his services and skills to Royal several Senior British Opens and the the world-famous distillery, the original Portrush , and so his influence can be Amateur Championship Portrush has a coach house and stables at the inn date seen in both layouts. RCD has hosted magnificent history too, with perhaps back to the early 1600s. True Irish several important tournaments the 1951 Open Championship being its charm and hospitality awaits! throughout the years, including the pinnacle. That event, won by the 2007 Walker Cup and the 2000, 2001 flamboyant Max Faulkner , was the first Exceptional golf is not limited to just RCD and Portrush. Other great layouts include Portstewart, Royal Belfast, Castlerock, Ardglass, and Malone . The new Lough Erne Resort (voted as the Golf Resort of The Year in 2010 by the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association) offers golfers the only official five-star luxury hotel & spa option in Northern Ireland. Located just north of Enniskillen the resort boasts a scenic championship lakeside course designed by Nick Faldo and endorsed by Rory McIlroy – attested by the logos on Rory’s golf attire and equipment!

We’ve taken some time to mention the best-known professional golfers from Northern Ireland – Darren, Rory and Graeme. However, there is another

Lough Erne Resort

3 ADVENTURES IN GOLF golfer from this region who you may formation the course was enlarged from the natural contours of the dunes that want to keep tabs on. Gareth Maybin , 10 holes to 12 by Charles Hunter , the run parallel to Machrihanish Bay and born in 1980, was recently ranked in head greenkeeper (or Keeper of the the Atlantic Ocean . Arguably, the last 3 the World’s Top 100 list and has a few Green) at Prestwick. In 1879, Old Tom holes lack distinctive character, but the wins under his belt. We might be going Morris extended the course to 18 holes quality of the preceding holes is ample out on a limb, but Gareth could be one when new land was secured and moved compensation. to watch out for in the 2012 season. the first hole to its current position, where it’s recognized as providing one These days there’s another very good Contact Adventures In Golf today to of the most memorable opening tee reason to visit the area. The new start planning your golfing Machrihanish Dunes course tour to Northern Ireland so opened in 2009 on 259 acres of you too can tee it up in the pristine links land adjacent to “Home of Champions” . the original course, and is the first championship links built in Scotland on a Site of Machrihanish – Special Scientific interest Great Golf, Great (SSSi) in over 100 years. The term ‘built’ is actually a little Value misleading, as just 7 acres of the property were touched by the Machrihanish Golf Club has hand of man in its construction long been feted by golf due to the environmental aficionados as a classic links restrictions. Instead, course course. Situated near the foot architect David McLay Kidd of the Kintyre Peninsula on (of Bandon Dunes fame) identi - Scotland’s west coast, it’s been fied 23 natural holes then chose said many times that had the the best 18. Tees and greens course not been in such an were built, sandy areas became isolated location it would have bunkers, and the course was laid hosted many championships. out accordingly – more or less as Undoubtedly true, but Old Tom Morris would have nowadays a 45-minute flight been forced to do next door. from Glasgow Airport can drop golfers literally on the Habitat has been preserved as doorstep. For those visitors much as possible and the with a little more time to play landscape largely left with, the drive up Loch unchanged. This has meant a Lomond , across the “Rest and number of blind or semi-blind be Thankful” pass then shots come into play, and hugging Loch Fyne is simply anyone who has played courses one of the most scenic routes such as Prestwick , Lahinch and in the country. Short ferry Machrie (Islay) will surely see journeys from the Troon/Prestwick area shots in the world . similarities. In keeping with nature, to Kintyre via the isle of Arran can cut Like any good publicist, Tom Morris Machrihanish Dunes also welcomed a travel time too. was not slow to promote the virtues of flock of Hebridean sheep to the team! the new course. “Providence assuredly Native to the west of Scotland these In March 1876, a meeting was held at saw this part of the country as a special small black, hardy ‘greenkeepers’ thrive the Argyll Arms in nearby earthly Paradise designed by the on the rough grasses found amongst the Campbeltown to establish The Kintyre Almighty for playing golf,” he said, and dunes and have a strong preference for Golf Club . Golf had been played at he may well have had a point. The browsing through scrub that would be Machrihanish over 10 holes as far back course (especially holes 3 to 10) follows considered poor quality for other breeds . as 1871, but after the club’s official

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feature 22 rooms, a malt whisky bar, fine dining restaurant and spa. Dunaverty Golf Club makes up the triumvirate of local courses worth playing. Located on the southern tip of the peninsula it provides fine sea views out to Sanda Island , Ailsa Craig and even Northern Ireland . This is another natural layout with a deceptive par of 66, springy turf, undulating fairways and square greens (yes... square). And, not to mention, a herd of inquisitive cattle that wander and graze over part of the course!

Will golfers make the journey to Machrihanish on their first visit to Scotland? In most cases the answer is no, which is quite understandable, as first-timers usually like to work their

The Village at Machrihanish Dunes , Ugadale Cottages all offer two well- just across the road from the original appointed bedrooms (each with its own course, provides the upscale accommo - private bathroom) plus kitchen, dining dation element of the resort. The area and a living room to unwind in after a day on the links. Adjacent to the cottages is the Old Clubhouse , which was once the actual way through the British Open courses Machrihanish initially. However, in our humble GC clubhouse opinion repeat visitors should and is now a cosy seriously consider it as an option . pub/restaurant Golfers that require manicured condi - that attracts both tions at all times and get upset at the locals and unfairness of links golf need not apply – visitors. Next but those who appreciate the origins of door, the sea- the game will undoubtedly find fun, facing Ugadale challenging courses combined with great Hotel is in the places to stay at cost-effective pricing, last stages of and a very warm welcome. As a little extensive restora - incentive, book a 3-night stay at the tion and for the Ugadale Hotel for next year through start of the 2012 Adventures In Golf before the end of season will 2011 and you’ll only pay for 2 nights!

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the opportunity to be one of the first people to ever fish these virgin rivers, which for now we will call the “No Names” . On our initial venture we went by helicopter and landed on a tiny stony riverbank. For the next 5 hours I fished with Henare and we encountered no one. The average fish weighed 8 pounds and were the most brilliantly colored specimens I have ever seen.

On our next trip we flew over mountains and glaciers to the Pacific side of the Park and lunched on a mountaintop overlooking the ocean. Then we dropped down to a river, which fed into the ocean, and caught 4- 6 pound browns on dry flies – again seeing nobody else for the entire day. While this fishing trip could be described as an “out of body” experi - ence, New Zealand fly-fishing is difficult but rewarding. The rivers run from glacier lakes and are crystal clear with the fish very visible. But this also means the fish have quite a view Fly Fishing Update – South Island . While it can be reached themselves, and will spook easily unless New Zealand & Montana by hiking and by boat, the remote you are very quiet and accurate with fishing waters (for a day trip) are only your casting. by Ken Hamill accessible by helicopter. My fishing guide, Henare , was discussing the Park For those of you looking for a domestic Ken Hamill, along with David Patterson, with his friend Jonathan who flies the trip, there is outstanding fly-fishing near founded Adventures In Golf in the late area almost every day - weather permit - Bozeman, Montana . Around 1805, 1970s. As a member of Royal Dornoch ting. His main occupations are to fly by Lewis and Clark explored the area and and Prestwick, Ken still retains his interest helicopter to cull the deer, which have its famous rivers the Madison , the in golf and links with Britain (where he overrun parts of the Park, fly hunters Gallatin , the Yellowstone , the Lewis worked for many years). Like many during the deer season, and to check on and Big Hole . Fly-fishing here is golfers, his other great passion is fishing, the rare bird population – the flightless phenomenal because the rivers hold an which has also taken him to some extraor - Takahe (once thought extinct) and the abundance of feed for trout both above dinarily beautiful places. world's only flightless parrot – the and below the water which makes for a Kakapo . In fact, Jonathan is said by very large fish population per mile . In discussing fly-fishing experiences locals to know more about these birds We are also talking about over a 100 with my well-traveled fishing friends than the conservationists. miles of quality water. It is highly who frequent Patagonia in Chile and recommended to take a guide and float the remote rivers and lakes of Alaska, During a conversation late in 2010 the rivers rather than wade, because in a they universally agreed that my recent Jonathan mentioned to Henare that he 7 hour day you will cover 75 times adventure in New Zealand was the had flown hundreds of hunters into the more fishing holes than a wading most-extraordinary and unique trip Park and landed them on or near rivers fisherman. There are also some that they had ever heard of. that, to his knowledge, had never challenging spring creeks, which offer been fly-fished . This was the seed of a great dry fly fishing and here wading is Fiordland National Park lies in the new venture for Henare and offered me effective. We can recommend the best southernmost part of New Zealand’s

6 ADVENTURES IN GOLF guides , and Bozeman being a college “Rocky Mountain High” by John Since we are on the subject of fishing, it town has good quality hotels and restau - Denver comes to mind as one casts to is worth re-mentioning our relationship rants as well as many other outdoor the rising trout and looks overhead – “ I with Guy and Sarah at Mission Creek activities. know he’d be a poorer man if he never Lodge in Alaska , which is located on saw an eagle fly”. From that standpoint Lake Aleknagik in the heart of the If New Zealand and Montana fly- I am quite wealthy. world famous Bristol Bay region of fishing have a common thread it is the Southwest Alaska. This area offers scenery , wildlife and the spectacular “Tight Lines” to all of you that fish. unsurpassed trophy fishing for all five birds of prey that soar over the rivers species of Pacific salmon, rainbow seeking unwary trout. A line from trout, Arctic char, Arctic grayling and Ken Dolly Varden in a spectacular wilder - ness setting. The modern facility is ideal for small corporate meetings, business entertaining, or the highlight of any Alaskan fishing vacation. Well-traveled anglers will recognize the extras that make a stay at Mission Creek Lodge a trip of a lifetime. All-inclusive packages include deluxe accommodations, sumptuous dining, unsurpassed trophy fishing, daily fly-outs, professional guides, flexible fishing program, fishing gear, on-site sauna & hot tub, & spa treatments.

Contact Adventures In Golf today to start planning your fishing excursion to New Zealand, Montana , or Alaska .

In our previous newsletter, we announced our recent partnership with Virtuoso as their preferred golf supplier . For those of you who are not familiar with Virtuoso, they are the world’s leading luxury travel network made up of more than 7,000 travel advisors associated with over 300 agencies in 22 countries within North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand. Since Virtuoso only accepts 20% of all applicants into their network, you can imagine how proud we are of this new relationship.

Two of our team attended Virtuoso’s annual Travel Mart this past August in Las Vegas . Travel Mart is the world’s largest travel trade expo , in which travel advisors/agents, hotels, tour operators, etc. all meet for a week of “speed-dating”. Our staff members met over 80 advisors per day for four days , plus many more at the nightly networking events. We look forward to our continued relationship with Virtuoso and its network of exceptional travel advisors and suppliers, which will only further benefit our clients through discounted offers and additional service.

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