If you are going to be in Northern Ireland between the 3^rd and 7^th of June this year, the arrival of the Olympic torch will be a sight to behold.

The flame will journey over from Greece to arrive at Land’s End on the 18^th of May 2012.  Here will begin the 70 day trip around the UK.

Travelers to Northern Ireland this year can expect to see the torch-bearers arrive into Belfast on the 3^rd of June; it will then be carried through more than 60 towns and villages until the 7^th of June where it will leave for Cairnryan in Scotland.

Travelling for around 12 hours per day, the torch will ultimately arrive at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford for the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony.

List of destinations in Northern Ireland through which the torch will be relayed:

3^rd June –  Holywood, Bangor, Newtownards, Comber, Dundonald, Stormont, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Glynn, Larne, Drains Bay, Ballygalley, Glenarm, Carnlough, Glenariff, Cushendall, Ballycastle, Dervock, Bushmills and Portrush.

4^th June – the torch will be taken across the River Bann and then on to Coleraine, Articlave, Castlerock, Downhill, Ballarena, Limavady, Ballykelly, Greysteel and Londonderry.

5^th June – New Buildings, Magheramason, Bready, Ballymagorry, Strabane, Sion Mills, Omagh, Dromore, Irvinestown, Enniskillen, Fivemiletown, Clogher, Augher, Aughnacloy, Caledon, Armagh, Portadown, Gilford, Banbridge and Newry.

6^th June – after leaving Newry, the flame will be taken to Lisburn and Belfast.

7^th June – the final leg of the relay will take in Newcastle, Dundrum, Clough, Downpatrick, Crossgar, Saintfield, Ballynahinch, Templepatrick, Antrim, Ballyronan, Magherafelt, Ballymena and Moorfields.

Iconic lighthouse on Ailsa Course

One of the challenges in selling travel has long been the ability to properly and fully communicate the myriad of options available during your vacation. While many golfers know the courses they wish to include, it is often helpful to spend a few moments reviewing the courses on video so that you are completely comfortable with your selection.

To aid in this process, we shall be adding many short videos of the most famous, and some not so famous links courses of Scotland over the coming months. Each one provides a great sense of the respective experience. The first video in our collection is the Ailsa Course at Turnberry…one of the most iconic settings in golf.

The videos are short in length as they are not intended to be course tours, but rather highlight the principal features and notoriety of the courses and permit each golfer to better educate themselves on the options and as a result, provide the very best possible travel experience to meet their wishes.

I hope you enjoy.

I was having coffee this week with an old friend who mentioned he had  stayed this past summer at the refurbished Greenbrier  in West Virginia. I asked him how it was and he lit up. He described the renovation and the superior service level he enjoyed during his stay…but the one story he took the time to recount was at departure. All luggage was loaded into their car and the bellman said, please wait one brief moment and then ran inside. He reappeared quickly with two cold bottles of water for the trip home. The point of my story is that for literally a few pennies and an engaged bellman, a guest who probably just spent a significant sum for 3 or 4 nights left with a great service experience to tell his friends. Another fine example of that special service experience can be read here.  It all seems simple enough, but is it really?

I have blogged before about how your service experience and therefore opinion is the cumulative effect of many small touches; it can be the smile at check-in, the conversation with the bellman on the way to your room, the rapport with the cocktail waitress, the pool attendant who appears with a dry towel when you most need it, the housekeeper who places your child’s teddy bear carefully & strategically on the bed at turn down service….the list is endless but each touch make an incremental difference.

I am forever amazed at how many companies in the service business simply cannot incorporate this concept into their business model. In recent times, it seems like more are engaged in corporate speak, saying the right thing and forever thanking their best customers but when it comes to meaningful action it falls flat. Believe me when I tell you we appreciate your business, but please, please do not ask me to meaningfully show it!

Another camp who do not get the service concept are the ones who build and focus all of their energy and resources on building the best and grandest. The attention to detail is remarkable on the construction…but then it all stops.  It is similar to the airline business with massive capital investment but the final experience, despite the greatest hardware on the plane or the latest premium seats and entertainment systems or lounge complexes is the simple smile of a flight attendant. Engaged personnel who genuinely care for their customers is sadly an endangered species.

I recall years ago the General Manager at a Four Seasons Hotel explaining he would only hire happy people, “…we can always train them for the needed skill. On the other hand, it is far harder to train well skilled, grumpy people to be happy.”

As consumers we can easily set ourselves up to be disappointed. You go to a hotel or restaurant or holiday destination with high expectations, only to be disappointing.  One service provider who has historically managed to over deliver is Southwest Airlines. Call it the “Southwest Syndrome” but they are regarded in the minds of many consumers as a low cost airline. Minimal service. No advance seating, etc, etc. As a result you purchase a ticket with fairly low expectations and more often than not they meet or surpass you goal of an on time flight in modest comfort with luggage delivered to the baggage carousel. Compare that experience to legacy airlines in the U.S. (Delta, United, American, etc) with whom consumers have historically placed a higher service expectation…this expectation is often missed albeit they may possibly deliver a similar travel experience to Southwest. But from the travelers perspective Southwest is a better airline than a legacy carrier because they matched or surpassed expectations…lets ignore the fact we used different standards!

A recent family trip of mine to Atlanta reminded me of the importance of realisitic expecations. For various reasons, including a lot of thought to consider alternatives, I opted for the Atlanta Hilton Hotel. Other than the location, which my young son enjoyed, and some very engaged hotel staff, I was disappointed on various levels by their service delivery at the hotel…mostly due to expectation of the brand.

Lesson learnt is to try to match up your expectations with some level of reality. Generally a 3 star hotel is going to deliver a 3 star service much as you may prefer differently.  The Greenbrier example above took a 5 star hotel and with that extra effort improved on that. Enjoy the times of the extra effort for sadly it is more the exception than the rule.

At PerryGolf we take great pride in the service we deliver and I very much hope that we surpass your expectations…as always, if there is anything I can do to assist, please do no hestiate to contact me directly.

Gordon Dalgleish

I received in today’s mail a summary from Tom Doak’s office of their design and potential design jobs  in 2012.

Selfishly from an international travel perspective the future is bright;

Melbourne, Australia – Reconstruction work on East Course at Royal Melbourne

Rio de Janiero, Brazil – Bidding on 2016 Olympic golf venue…thankfully that will not be a political decision!

Hainan Island, China – New golf course on an island in the midst of a river, with a second course starting in late spring/early summer

Mangawhai, New Zealand – As if Cape Kidnappers was not sufficient, an American funded project approximately 100 miles north of Auckland. This will only add to New Zealand as a great golf destination.

St. Emillion, France – In the heart of Bordeaux, finishing a current project.

Aldea del Fresno, Madrid, Spain – An 18 hole co-design with Mike Clayton at the El Rincon winery – starting in July.

….and finally in the USA

Mullen, Nebraska – completion of second 18 holes at Dismal River

Medinah, Chicago, IL – the day after the Ryder Cup concludes a renovation commences on Medinah #1 to accommodate tournament facilities

Polk County, Florida – this is the resort I am told will be VERY IMPRESSIVE. The Blue Course opens in October, alongside the Coore/Crenshaw Red Course at the Streamsong Resort.

Tom is one of the premier golf course architects and rightfully very proud of his work. There is little new construction in the US, if you want to work, you need to pack your bags and passport!

Air travel remains a key element in our business, whether we issue tickets for travelers or they arrange themselves. Regular travelers are very familiar with many of the changes which have occurred domestically in recent years; more regional jets (read smaller), busier flights, more invasive security, etc. All this has changed at a time that international air travel has also gone through many changes.

When I travel internationally I usually take a little more time than I would on short domestic flights to consider my options and decide on best alternative, given the various elements to consider.

Items that I consider when travelling internationally include;

1. May I use a low level Business or First Class award for travel on my preferred dates with good routing. If the answer is yes, then no more work required! High level awards are a great way to burn miles if your goal is to empty your account! Low level awards are great value.

British Airways Club World Cabin - not all Business Class is so luxurious

2. Is there an airline either I like, or I would like to try that flies the route I intend to use. Not all air travel experiences in premium cabins are created equally…far from it. Flat seats/beds as opposed to angled, old seats with dated entertainment options is a consideration. Historically surly flight crews or dirty planes are also good reasons for overlooking.

3. Lounge access may seem like a small issue, but some airlines deliver a far superior lounge experience than others. Access to an Arrivals Lounge with shower facilities is key if your plan is to keeping moving after reaching your final airport. For example, when connecting in London, ideally you have sufficient time to take a shower so that upon arrival in Scotland, you can begin your day without delay.

4. Access and availability to book preferred seats is even more important if you cannot secure a Business or First Class seat. Exit row seats work well or the various upgraded economy products more airlines are offering. Generally this entails several additional inches of legroom and complimentary drinks. It may also come with added baggage allowance. British Airways have done a fine job of differentiating this product whereas Delta and United have not created a separate cabin, just more legroom and recline. I have discovered that the new Delta Economy Comfort product is pretty decent if you are careful with seat selection…couple that with a decent high level Delta frequent flyer status (for lounge and security lane access) and you have an acceptable solution at reasonable price. I have become reliant on www.SeatGuru.com for seating advise. While not as important, the right seat can make a difference in First or Business Class but is key behind the curtain….never let a computer decide your seat for you!

5.Far from the defining issue of airline selection, but worthy of considering if your goal is the least expensive fare…what type of luggage allowance do you get, if any…and what re luggage charges.

6. I have noticed that airlines serve up flight options in a variety of ways and it is remarkably easy to book the wrong connection, or at least not the best connection. Conversely, be careful not to select connections which have little chance of success, e.g. 75 minutes to clear immigration, customs and change terminals via train in Newark is not a great call. If you miss your connection, and the next flight is full….then your fun begins. Be realistic in deciding on connections and not always push for the tightest, for invariably you will get burned.

7. Important to never dismiss the upgrade possibilities. Some airlines sell upgrades at reasonable costs on the day of departure or at the check-in counter. Fair to say, every airline is different and that should always be considered a bonus if it occurs.

8. Finally, if you are travelling with a friend or friends and have the option of travelling on the same schedule, ask if any of them have premium status with an airline’s frequent flyer program. If you are ticketed on the same reservation together, you enjoy the same perks, such as seat assignments, lounge access, baggage, etc that your friend is entitled to.

As always, the Air Department at PerryGolf is delighted to offer assistance with your travel needs as we strive to stay abreast of ever changing developments and options for air travel.

I was returning in March from a short trip to Mexico and had 90 minutes in Atlanta to connect to the last flight of the evening back to my home in Wilmington. I disembarked first from the inbound Delta flight. I had intentionally not checked luggage to avoid any possible delays on that front. I strode purposefully towards immigration with no pressing concern about the connection. After 75 minutes I finally made it to the front of the arriving US Citizens line. I ran through customs and changed concourses,  arriving at my departure gate with the aircraft still sitting there, door closed and a thoroughly unimpressed gate agent starting to rebook me on the first flight the following morning.

It was at that exact moment I decided it was time to enroll in Global Traveler. This is a fairly recent program by US Customs and Border Protection which effectively fast tracks an arriving passenger through the immigration portion of the international arrivals process. The following morning I completed the online application and within 3 weeks had received conditional approval. I then scheduled my interview online for one of their multiple processing centers around the country, e.g. major airports. The interview lasted for 15 minutes and was conducted by a professional and efficient US CBP agent. She asked me a few questions, took my picture and fingerprints and then walked me through the process using the same style kiosk that I would use when entering the US once I had final approval.

Within 24 hours I received an email with final approval and my return international journey to Philadelphia the following day would be the initial experience.

This week I used the system for the first time and it worked flawlessly. Slide in your passport like an ATM card, look at the camera, place your fingers on the scanner, answer four questions and a receipt is printed which you provide the customs officer as you exit baggage claim in lieu of the blue form which you no longer complete. Government at it’s finest.

One of the nice aspects of the system, is that it is tied to the person, not your passport, i.e. when you renew your passport you then only need to go online to update your profile in their system with your new passport details. The program is open to US Citizens, Permanent Residents and Dutch Citizens.

Last month American Express started a promotion whereby they would refund a cardmember the $100 enrollment fee if you charged it to your American Express card (only certain cards qualified). Regardless of whether it costs you some money or not, I believe that even for the twice a year international traveler, this is a worthwhile program to participate in. It may not take all of the hassle out of air travel but it will eliminate one potential frustration when you return from an enjoyable vacation or business trip.

Tips for a Successful Irish Golf Trip
Terry MooreTheAPosition

Planning a successful golf trip to Ireland is not rocket science. But like a space launch, it does take some forethought and attention to detail to better guarantee a safe and memorable excursion. So here are some handy tips I share with family and friends whenever they ask me for advice about a golf trip to the Emerald Isle:

Start early and plan ahead: A year …

Read more

A review of “Ancestral Links: A Golf Obsession Spanning Generations” by John Garrity
Terry MooreTheAPosition

For several different reasons, I was enthralled by this fine book now available as an e-book. First, it’s written by John Garrity, an exceptionally talented writer. Second, its backdrop largely centers on Carne Golf Links in a remote region of western Ireland in the town of Belmullet. Although Garrity first visited Belmullet in 1989, he hadn’t any intention of returning to the area until he …

Read more

The following video will make for some interesting viewing for anyone who plans on travelling (or who has travelled in the past) to Scotland for golf.  Caddies can play a big part during your visit and they definitely enhance the experience when playing some of the toughest links courses around.  This docu-film gives you some insight into some of the characters you may meet on your travels.

Click here to view.

By Gary Sheppard.  Gary has been with PerryGolf for over 4 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

The new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum opened in late January as part of the ‘Burns weekend’ and just prior to Burns Night on the 25^th of January; the bard’s birthday.  The new museum is in Alloway, adjacent to the other Burns sites – the Burns Monument, Burns Cottage, Auld Brig O’Doon and Auld Kirk – and they are linked by Poet’s Path, a pedestrian walkway.  Alloway is a short distance from Turnberry and Troon and is definitely a worthwhile break from golf.

Robert Burns

Robert Burns died in 1796 and is regarded by many as Scotland’s finest poet, so it was fitting that the museum should be opened by the present Makar (national poet), Liz Lochhead.

Burns Suppers will be held all over the world this week, wherever Scots or followers of the poet are together.  The first Burns Supper was held by his friends in 1797 on the anniversary of his death and although the date has moved to the anniversary of his birth, it has become a national custom ever since.  The meal consists of soup, followed by haggis, neeps (mashed turnip) and tatties (mashed potato) and the highly-flavoured savoury pudding is ceremoniously piped into the dining hall.  The host, or a chosen speaker, will “address the haggis” through a traditional poem before plunging in a dirk (dagger) at the appropriate line.

Toasts are, of course, made with whisky!

By Yvonne Shaw.  Yvonne has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is a member of our admin team.