COUPLES DREAM TRIP TO SCOTLAND, September 2023

Covid forced the rescheduling of this trip from 2020 to 2021, again to 2022 and finally, it was successfully scheduled to September 2023.

For the twosome that traveled to Scotland early, we were delighted to book tee times for them at both North Berwick (ranked #35 in the World’s Top 100 Courses) and Muirfield (ranked #11 in the World’s Top 100 Courses) on the two days before our tour started, which added greatly to their enjoyment of the trip. As the Couples Dream Trip included 5 courses ranked in the World’s Top 100 Courses, namely Carnoustie (#39), Kingsbarns (#81), Prestwick (#69), Royal Troon (#59) and Turnberry Ailsa (#18), this intrepid duo ended up playing 7 Top 100 Courses in the World in this one trip. Boy, were they chuffed.

As well as top class golf and sunny autumn weather, the group enjoyed sumptuous meals each evening. We indulged in the Chef’s Table Experience at the Turnberry Resort on our final night. This 7-course adventure is curated by the Executive Chef, who was masterful at creating artful and elaborate haute cuisine using seasonal ingredients and plenty of fresh seafood. We had a wide choice of wines to accompany our dinner and we also were given a tour of the vast kitchen so we could see how all the food is prepared, including the pastry chefs who were making crème brûlée!”

FORE THE LADIES TRIP TO ST. ANDREWS, July 2023

In July, 2023, Scottsdale Collection had the pleasure of curating a very special trip to St. Andrews, the Home of Golf, for 17 lady golfers from the Fore the Ladies golf community that was set up by Abby Liebenthal in 2019 as a means of getting more ladies interested in playing golf. They host events nearly every week in different cities around the United States and the community is growing exponentially. This was their first international trip and for most of them, it was an opportunity to experience pure “links” golf for the first time.

The trip kicked off with a Welcome Cocktail Reception in the Sky Bar at the iconic Rusacks Hotel, which overlooks the 18th Fairway of the Old Course, and where the group stayed for all 7 nights.The following day, in resplendent sunny weather, the group played the Balcomie Links at Crail, which was a nice gentle introduction to pure “links” golf with stunning views of the Firth of Forth and the North Sea. Next up came Carnoustie, probably the toughest course on the Open Championship rota.

We were thrilled that all the FTL participants got to play the Old Course which is the main goal of every golf pilgrim coming to the Home of Golf. Further rounds on Kingsbarns, The Kings Course at Gleneagles and The New Course at St. Andrews rounded off a great week of golf.

A Farewell Dinner was held in the private room at Hams Hame, the pub/restaurant across the road from the 18th green of the Old Course, at which Beverly Bell, the author of a book entitled “The Murder of Marion Miley”, gave us the background to the brutal murder of Marion and her family in the private residential rooms of Lexington Country Club in the early 1940’s. Marion Miley was one of the finest female golfers in the United States and had represented the USA in the Curtis Cup matches against Great Britain & Ireland at Gleneagles in 1936 and hence the reason the group played at Gleneagles during the trip.

GOLF & MUSIC TOUR TO NW and W IRELAND, June 2022

Our Golf & Music Tours had become so popular that we had put together another tour for the mid July 2022, after Covid travel restrictions were lifted. The Golf & Music Tour to NW & W Ireland finally took place with a full complement of 24 golfers from around the world, including Japan and Mexico.

We were blessed with great weather and the group got to play some great “links” courses, starting with Narin & Portnoo and then down the coast to Donegal GC at Murvagh, County Sligo GC at Rosses Point, Enniscrone and Carne before heading down to the west coast of Clare, where the group played the iconic links at Lahinch, now ranked #36 in the World’s Top 100 Courses. Accommodations included the 5-star Lough Erne Resort on the first night, the beautiful 5-star Lough Eske Castle Hotel for the next two nights and then down to the Mount Falcon Estate for three nights before finishing up for the final two nights at the boutique Cliffs of Moher Hotel in Liscannor near Lahinch.

Our three eclectic musicians, Fergie & Mick Begley and Paul Carroll, entertained us nightly and finished up with a full-scale concert in the clubhouse at Lahinch that was enjoyed by the many members and visitors still in the clubhouse that evening. Our golfer from Mexico, Jose Vargas, was an enthusiastic singer who was happy to participate with many Latino songs and was a huge hit with the group. It was decided to host another Golf & Music Tour to Northern Ireland and Dublin in late June 2024 and this tour is already fully sold out!!

GOLF & MUSIC TOUR TO SCOTLAND, June 2019

During the first segment of this tour, participants stayed in the charming town of St Andrews for 7 nights, luxuriating in being in the Home of Golf, like a full-time resident. All our hotel accommodations were in walking distance to the Old Course. As well as playing the Old Course (left), the New and Jubilee Courses in St. Andrews, we also ventured outside the town to play Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and Muirfield.

Golfers and non-golfers alike took the opportunity to visit the Golf Museum, Cathedral ruins and the graves of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom. Our private Welcome and Farewell Dinners were a huge highlight, and our musicians lit up the town into the wee hours of the morning on many occasions.

THE HIGHLANDS

In our second segment, we headed up to the Highlands, stopping off for three nights in the ever popular Marcliffe Hotel in Aberdeen. While there, we played Royal Aberdeen and Trump Aberdeen, before heading north to Inverness and playing quirky Cruden Bay on the way. The group finished off by playing Royal Dornoch, perennially ranked in the Top 10 of all the World’s Top 100 ranking lists, Castle Stuart and Nairn. Was there some whisky tasting on this trip? You bet there was!

MELISSA CARROLL CHARITY GOLF TRIP to Northern Ireland and Dublin

In 2017 we arranged a very special Melissa Carroll Charity Golf Trip to Northern Ireland and Dublin in mid June 2017. Our itinerary included playing Portstewart and Royal Portrush, as well as courses around Dublin. We raised over $25,000 for the Melissa Carroll Legacy Fund, part of the cancer related charity named A Fresh Chapter.

The late Melissa Carroll is the daughter of Paul Carroll, one of the three musicians who accompany the Golf & Music Tours we promote.

The Founder and CEO of A Fresh Chapter, is Terri Wingham. A cancer survivor herself, her mission is to give the gift of an exhilarating experience to those who have little time left on earth, but it changes their story to one that is very positive during their last days among us. Terri flew in from Canada just to be with us and speak at the dinner on the final night of the tour.

THE GOLF & MUSIC TOUR TO IRELAND, 
June 2015

The reaction to our inaugural Golf & Music Tour was so positive, we decided to offer it again in 2015. We repeated the Southwest itinerary and once again, the tour was a sell-out, so we knew that we had a winning formula.

An added bonus to this tour was a private tour of the Heineken Brewery in Cork on the way from Old Head to Killarney. This was arranged by Fergie Begley, who works for Heineken in New York, and an impromptu concert in the private Heineken bar by the three lads was a huge hit with all the staff, including the Irish CEO!

Another highlight of the 2015 Tour was a “sing-off” at the ever popular Gaby’s Restaurant in Killarney, where a large group at a nearby table were happy to join in the singing and compete for the most songs. Even the restaurant staff joined in at the end of the evening. It was a blast!!

The tour concluded with a special concert in the Lahinch Clubhouse on the final night that was attended by around 50 members as well.

THE SAMUEL RYDER TOUR TO ENGLAND 2013

We were excited to announce a very special tour in 2013 to explore how the Ryder Cup Matches came about, starting with Samuel Ryder’s arrival in St Albans in 1895, where he set up his very successful penny seed packet business. At nearly 50 years old, some health issues led Sam Ryder to take up golf, initially with little enthusiasm. However, with a golf club in his hands for the first time, he immediately embraced the game and from that unlikely scenario, the Ryder Cup story was born!

We met with the Trustees of the Samuel Ryder Foundation in St Albans and they took us to Ryder’s offices, where his original desk and chair were still on view. We were given great insight to the visionary and philanthropic man who wanted to promote the camaraderie that is so special to the game of golf.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO LOUGH ERNE

The 2011 All Roads Lead to Lough Erne was a golf trip we created ahead of the 12th Solheim Cup matches (September 23-25, 2011) at Killeen Castle, northwest of Dublin. Our participants could stay on in Ireland to enjoy the 3-day contest for professional female golfers representing the United States and Europe.

Players in the field for Team Europe included: Laura Davies, Suzann Pettersen, Catriona Matthew, and Azahara Muñoz. American players included: Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Paula Creamer, and Michelle Wie. The match produced a dramatic comeback victory for Europe, the highlight of which was Suzann Pettersen scoring birdies on each of the final three holes against Michelle Wie to come from one down to win the match on the final green. The result meant that for the first time ever, Europe held the three major golf match trophies, the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and Walker Cup at the one time.

The Lough Erne Resort is a luxurious 5-Star hotel nestled on a 600 acre peninsula with spectacular views of the Fermanagh Lakes and the outstanding parkland Nick Faldo Course. It was a perfect setting for every aspect of our tour, providing a magnificent and challenging course, sumptuous food, great sightseeing — all leading to fantastic camaraderie.