NEWS FROM THE PERRYGOLF WORLD

ENGLAND: Formby has completed a refurbishment of the public areas of the clubhouse. They will play host to the 2004 Curtis Cup between the top women amateurs in the United States and Great Britain and Ireland.

IRELAND: The Killarney Park Hotel continues to make improvements and will add seven treatment rooms in the expansion of their leisure facilities. They are promising a range of male golfer oriented treatments. Other improvements are planned for the lobby, restaurant and individual guestrooms.

NORTHERN IRELAND: The Bushmills Inn at the home of the world’s oldest distillery is undertaking some extensive upgrading and expansion over the next few seasons. This winter they will upgrade the Mill House rooms with an executive room safe, new modem connections, Sky TV and 3 Sky Sports channels, upgraded telephone system, bathroom refurbishment, room service from 7:30am - 9:00pm, and selected rooms will receive new settees, curtains and carpets in an ongoing refurbishment of soft goods.

The four Superior rooms will receive additional amenities and interior appointments. The 2004 season will see major renovations for the 2005 golf season with new bedrooms, conference rooms, a new reception hall and spa facilities. The physical improvements will complement the hotel’s Hospitality Best Practice Programme which institutes the philosophy of outstanding guest service.

SCOTLAND: Congratulations to Stephen Carter, General Manager of the St.Andrews Bay Resort & Spa who was the recipient of the 2002 Silver Thistle Award. The Silver Thistle Award is presented to an individual or organization recognized as having made an outstanding contribution to the development of Scottish tourism. Others receiving awards were The St. Andrews Links Trust and Ivy House, an excellent restaurant , located near Turnberry.

Family owned Morton Hotels is celebrating their 10th anniversary of delivering outstanding accommodations and services to visitors across Scotland. The Group, with over 225 beds at its four hotels, has the greatest golfing presence of all similar hotels in Scotland. They include the Royal Golf, situated on the 1st tee at the famous Royal Dornoch Golf Course; The Newton and Golf View Hotels bordering Nairn Golf Course, host of the Walker Cup in 1999, and more recently; The Westerwood, nestling at the foot of the Campsie Hills with an 18-hole golf course run in partnership with The Scottish National Golf Centre

The Marcliffe at Pitfodels in Aberdeen will have completed upgrading of all the bedrooms during the winter months to be ready for the 2003 golf season. The two new two-roomed suites have proved hugely successful and have been well received. A new apartment will be available for the 2003 season, including - two deluxe double bedrooms, private sitting room and private dining room with seating up to 20 persons. This facility is self contained with separate entrance and full security...

The Gleneagles Hotel recently opened the Braid House. This extension to the hotel is really an entire new wing that brings on-line an additional 59 marvelous new bedrooms. Each room is beautifully appointed with a gas fireplace, internet access, and central air among the many amenities. Gleneagles continues to garner accolades for their outstanding product recently being awarded the Best British Hotel in the Daily Telegraph Travel Awards, The Top Scottish Leisure Hotel by readers of UK Condé Nast Traveller, and the Andrew Fairlie restaurant has received a star in the latest Michelin Red Guide...

Need a massage and a haircut but only have time for one in between rounds? The Toni & Guy salon at The Westin Turnberry Resort features two shiatsu chairs that massage the backs of clients whilst they are having their hair done...There’s more than enough golf in the surrounding area to base out of St. Andrews for an entire month, however, most of us can only take a week.

Royal Troon Golf Club is again allowing ladies to play the Old Course in visitor times. The Handicap restrictions for 2003 will be 20 for gentleman and 30 for ladies...

Next door to Royal Troon The Marine Hotel is undergoing major renovations this winter all to be completed by next April. The £3.3 million refurbishment includes an upgrade of all the bedrooms, restaurant, Arran Lounge and Club Lounge and the Reception area...The Monarchs House is a good alternative for a group (up to eight) that want to explore the area in depth as they take Saturday - Saturday bookings. The house features common areas and seven en-suite bedrooms. They feature a full breakfast daily and dinner on three of the seven nights. The house is within easy walking distance of all St. Andrews’ restaurants and pubs.