The Open field taking shape; PerryGolf takes you there in 2019 & 2020

The 147th Open at Carnoustie begins in 10 days. Final Qualifying was held last week at Notts (Hollinwell), Princes, St. Anne’s Old Links and Renaissance in the U.K., and continued last weekend on the PGA Tour where the top four finishers inside the top 12 at A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier who were not already exempt punched their ticket to Scotland. Kelly Kraft, Brandt Snedeker, Jason Kokrak and Austin Cook earned their way into the field.

Ballyliffin’s Glashedy Links – and its sister Old Course – are popular featured options when PerryGolf visits Ireland’s northern coast. Glashedy Links proved an admirable host for the European Tour’s qualifier for The Open – the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Ryan Fox, Zander Lombard and Andy Sullivan added their name to the tee sheet at Carnoustie through their strong play at Ballyliffin.

The final two spots in The Open are reserved for the champions of the Scottish Open and John Deere Classic – if those players are not already in The Open field.

PerryGolf is pleased to offer an array of Escorted Tours, Custom Tours and Cruises for golfers interested in tackling the majestic links of The Open rota and sites of Final Qualifying that are sprinkled throughout the British Isles. In addition we’ll guide you through the U.K. and Ireland’s multitude of other venerable layouts, including the familiar world renowned designs and the delightful hidden gems. Every package presents attractive options in course selection and trip duration, catered to fit the specific needs of each guest.

Royal County Down is consistently ranked top-5 in the world.

Anyone wanting to experience the action and excitement of The Open next year as it makes a historic return to Royal Portrush, join host  PerryGolf co-founder Colin Dalgleish on a 12-night, 5-round voyage from Edinburgh to Southampton, including rounds at Royal Birkdale, Ailsa Turnberry and Royal County Down. Attend the final round of The 148th Open and watch the game’s best golfers battle for the Claret Jug. (See all the details below).

https://www.perrygolf.com/golfcruising/the-open-at-royal-portrush-2019-golf-cruise-package.php

PerryGolf also delivers several other appealing options for golfers aiming to play Ireland’s best and enjoy the final round at Royal Portrush – here’s one example of such a Custom Tour: https://www.perrygolf.com/standard-quote.php/115139/The-148th-Open-plus-Dublin-Newcastle–Londonderry.html 

Those wanting to brush up on their history before next week’s championship by learning more about past champions of The Open will want to tune into “Chronicles of a Champion Golfer,” which is produced by the R&A. The first two seasons are available on Netflix, and elsewhere, while the third season is currently airing on Golf Channel. We watched the Nick Pride episode recently and found it compelling. Price, a gentleman of the game, discussed serving in the Rhodesian Air Force during wartime, the impact of losing his father at a young age and near misses at The Open before he prevailed in 1994 at Turnberry.

 

This is the eighth time Carnoustie has played host to The Open and the links considered the most difficult in the rota certainly has carved its place in the championship’s rich, storied history.

Padraig Harrington hoisted the Claret Jug at Carnoustie most recently, defeating Sergio Garcia in a playoff in 2007. The legendary Ben Hogan won The 82nd Open in 1953 in his only appearance in golf’s oldest championship. Hogan was also the last golfer to win the first three legs of the modern Grand Slam. He was unable to play the final tournament the PGA Championship, due to a scheduling conflict and the 36-hole-per-day match play format, as he came back from a horrific auto accident.

Yet, it’s quite possible that one particular championship at Carnoustie – The 128th Open – will live forever in infamy. It was a unforgettable moment in golf history, and one, unfortunately that will always be recalled for the man who squandered the Claret Jug and not the champion who eventually claimed it.

https://www.perrygolf.com/escorted-tour/scotland-home-of-golf-escorted-2019.php

Jean Van de Velde, a unheralded French pro, played flawless golf for 71 holes that week in 1999. He arrived at the tee of the daunting par-4 18th holding a three-shot lead, needing only a double bogey to secure the title. An errant tee shot was the first of a series of mistakes that ultimately created a three-way tie atop the leaderboard and a playoff won by Paul Lawrie of Scotland. (Here’s a good trivia question to ask while having a pint with your golfing pals: Who was the third participant in the playoff?).

This evening, Golf Channel debuts “Go Down Swinging,” which projects as an excellent documentary of the events 19 years ago. You can relive the agony of the final hole fiasco featuring commentary from the inestimable Peter Alliss, below. The answer to our trivia question is Justin Leonard.

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2014 Golf Package Special Pricing: Offer Ends October 1!

Is it the courses or the horses?

What’s to like about a golf trip to the British Isles? Good choice if you say it’s the courses. We can recommend 80 – 90 – 100 clubs in Scotland, Ireland England and Wales each well worth a tee time. This abundance promises a quality golf experience with a range of pricing because you can confidently mix the more famous clubs with the less famous in countless combinations.

If it’s your horses, even better. Who’s not going to have the time of their lives over here playing links golf with friends and family?

We can preview the experience for you several ways. One of our experts can prepare a custom schedule. Or, you can price your trip yourself using our online calculator. You can also surf our collection of 2014 Special Value Tours where you’ll find scheduling ideas galore.

2014 bookings deposited by October 1 will take advantage of 2013 pricing.

© Photographs of the Old Course and Royal Liverpool are by Russell Kirk. © Old Head is by Aidan Bradley.


We always welcome the opportunity to assist you personally on
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About the Author: Harrison Gould is the Social Media Marketing Manager of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations.

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Slow Play Less of an Issue in UK

The USGA has put forth a commendable amount of resources and efforts in its campaign to end slow play on the golf course.  Slow play is a big issue that has continued to increase over the years.  It’s time we get in gear and put it to an end.
USGA President Glen Nager outlines the following as the main components of the recently launched program:

  • Analysis of key factors known to influence pace of play
  • Development of a pace-of-play model based on quantifiable data
  • Improvements to the USGA Pace Rating System
  • On-site assistance at golf courses to help managers assess and improve pace of play
  • Creation of player education programs

Read more “Slow Play Less of an Issue in UK”

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Driving in the UK and Ireland

For many of our clients travelling to the UK and Ireland for their golf vacation, the most suitable transport option will be a rental vehicle.  Driving on the other side of the road can be a daunting thought, but to help put your mind at ease, please read on for some pointers.

In the UK and Ireland you drive on the left-hand side of the road and should follow the Speed Limits as described below (in the UK mph and in Ireland kmh):

Built-up area – 30mph/50kmh

Outskirts of a built-up area – 40mph/80kmh

Main road – 60mph/100kmh

Motorway – 70mph/1020kmh

Do always be aware of signs as the speed limits may be lower in some places.

At most junctions there will be a sign for Stop or Give Way.  There may also be markings on the road (white dotted lines and a triangle).  You must obey these signs at all times.

At roundabouts you must give way to traffic coming from the right.  You should drive round in a clockwise direction and signal left as you approach your exit.

Laws to be aware of:

Seat Belts – drivers and all passengers must wear seatbelts both in the front and back of the vehicle.

Mobile Phone – It is against the law to use a handheld mobile phone while you are driving.

Drinking and Driving – it is against the law to drive under the influence of alcohol.

Motorway Driving – When driving on the motorway and dual carriageways, keep left unless you are overtaking.  The hard shoulder should only be used in an emergency.        

For US and Canadian citizens, your normal driving license, issued by your country of residence is required by all drivers who wish to operate the rental vehicle at any point during your stay.  Importantly, if you are unaccustomed to driving on the left-hand side, you should be particularly careful when turning right as this may place your vehicle in the path of other traffic.

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The Jaime Ortiz-Patiño Collection

Jaime Ortiz-Patiño owns one of the most famous collections of golf memorabilia in the world…and he’s set to sell it.  Nobody knows the reason for the sale, but we do know that his collection is ready to be sold at auction in London on the 30th of May this year.  Many of the items which will be for sale will be exhibited in Dubai, Hong Kong, and New York over the coming months to stir up some interest.  The collection is made up of golf balls, clubs, programs and official documents, and also some outstanding art-work.

To read on, click here.

By Gary Sheppard.  Gary has been with PerryGolf for over 5 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

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