by Gordon Dalgleish on October 30, 2011
While we do not offer domestic golf trips, a recent business meeting at the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach was a very positive experience. The two Tom Fazio designed courses are almost 20 years old but the accommodation component only opened in 2008 and is spectacular.
I had previously attended a meeting at the resort and stayed overnight in it’s sister property but was impressed at that time with the physical plant. On this occasion I stayed at Pelican Hill for three nights and played both the North & South Courses.
by Gordon Dalgleish on October 7, 2011
The recent opening of two additional golf courses in the heart of Tuscany create additional opportunities for travelers to combine golf and a visit to one of the most iconic lifestyle destinations in the world.
Villa La Massa in Florence
Less than 15km’s from the medevil city of Siena is Borgo La Bagnaia, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design which is the central feature of this new development. The course undulates through the Tuscan countryside with an attractive, playable feel. It only opened in September, 2011 and is moving quickly through the maturation phase. This five star resort also offers and extensive spa and multiple dining options, including a Pizzeria which is noted as one of the finest in the area, on the night we were there it was very busy with locals….always a good indication!. The nearby city of Siena, famous for it horse race through the city’s main Piazza, the Palio happens twice annually in July and August.
About 50 minutes to the south of Siena and in a more remote location is the Tom Wieskopf designed layout at
Castiglion del Bosco. Part of a 4,500 acre development in the finest Tuscan tradition, CdB offers travelers the option of staying in one of the 9 luxuriously appointed villas dotted around the estate or in one of the 23 suites in the Borgo which sits atop a hill and is the centre of activity with a spa, swimming pool and dining options. The accommodations at CdB are very possibly the finest, with an attention to detail of construction and design I recall seeing anywhere in the world. I should also mention that in terms of food quality and wine, CdB delivers a fabulous experience, it was consistently outstanding. A visit and tour of the onsite vineyard is a must for any visitor. The golf course opened in July 2011 and access is limited to members and guests of the estate.
While it does not have an onsite golf course, the sister property of Villa D’Este on Lake Como, is the more intimate
Villa La Massa on the outskirts of
Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in the world….Villa La Massa is only 10 minutes from Ugolino and a similar distance from the Chianati region famous for it’s wines. Villa La Massa is perched on the edge of the Arno River which runs through Florence and deliver impeccable service in a comfortable setting.
All in all, Tuscany can deliver a golf travel experience which touches so many of the senses, it is a destination worthy of serious consideration for your next trip.
by Gordon Dalgleish on August 4, 2011
Given all of the tough breaks that Christchurch, on the east coast of the South Island has endured in recent times, it is heartening to see a new golf development proceeding according to this recent article. New Zealand is truly a magnificent country with wonderful scenery, great golf, outstanding accommodations, superb wine and most importantly populated by charming, friendly people.
I have no doubt that the recent turmoil in New Zealand has affected their tourism industry. We can only hope that more good news like this in the pipeline. The recent GOLF Magazine Top 100 poll recognized Cape Kidnappers as #33 in the World as ultimately it is the cumulative effect of small pieces of information that generally help shape travelers destination of choice.
by Gordon Dalgleish on August 2, 2011
An interesting article raised the possibility of the Irish Open heading to Royal Portrush as soon as 2013 as a first step towards the Open Championship returning at some future time.
Given the current business, economic and political climate plus cadre of significant golfers from Northern Ireland there is a very strong emotional argument for the Open to return to Royal Portrush. There is little dispute that the venue is a world class links course admired and enjoyed by many. The challenge must surely be the sheer size that the Open has become. In the same way that there is a risk associated with the logistics of returning the U.S. Open to Merion due to the logistics of the event (notwithstanding the length of the course), Royal Portrush will have to satisfy any number of concerns before we are likely to see the Open being held there.
From a golf travel perspective an Open Championship would have an enormous impact on golf and tourist traffic to Northern Ireland, indeed I think it reasonable to say that the possibility of a return to Portrush has a greater ongoing impact to tourism than the Ryder Cup being hosted at the K Club.
I would like to see the Open returning to Portrush but that is an emotional perspective and far from considering all of the implications which doubtless the R & A will carefully ponder. It seems that if this long-shot were to ever occur (much like 3 major winners from Northern Ireland in the space of 13 months!), the Irish Open is a needed first step in the process.
by Gordon Dalgleish on July 18, 2011
Mike Reeder at St. Andrews with caddy and film crew
Tomorrow night (July 19) at 7:00 EST on ESPN’s E:60 “The Best Stories in Sports” broadcast, we encourage you to tune in for the how a Vietnam veteran who lost both of his legs shot a solid 79 last fall at the Old Course, St Andrews! It was PerryGolf’s distinct pleasure to accompany Mr Mike Reeder during his visit to Scotland when company Co-Founder Colin Dalgleish joined him for a game and a tour of the town. Not only will you see an impressive golf swing, but you’ll meet a man who has turned a “bag of hammers” (a phrase Mike borrows from Michael J. Fox) into a powerful inspiration. Mike’s visit was made possible by Challenged Athlete’s Foundation who partnered with ESPN who had seen mike interviewed by CNN. Click here if you’d like to see the CNN interview.
by Gordon Dalgleish on June 20, 2011
Colin Dalgleish, Co Founding Director of PerryGolf with Rory McIlroy at 2007 Walker Cup Matches
What a great event and wonderful to see a new era evolve in competitive golf with a friendly, attractive personality. My brother as Captain of the 2007 Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup Team at Royal County Down Golf Club had the privelege of working with him and has consistently said that Rory was both mature for his years and a extremely pleasant young man…the camera does not always allow the “nice” to show through on television, but in this instance it did. Congratulations Rory!
