An Extraordinary Scottish Golf Adventure
By Leigh MacKay
Playing classic links on the auld sod of GB&I is an experience to savor, similar to other indigenous classics like London dry gin, single-malt scotch, Irish whiskey, and stout. A connoisseur of these links and libations will certainly get his fill and satisfy his fancy on whatever sod he chooses, be it England, Northern Ireland, the Republic, Scotland, or Wales. The burning questions, therefore, are where to go, what courses to play, and who will organize the logistics.
The 2024 Ayrshire Links Invitational
Tommy Gorman, publisher of Pro Golf Weekly and my editor, met Sean at January’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. Tommy was impressed by both Sean’s vast knowledge of the golf travel industry based on his 28 years of experience and his outgoing, amiable demeanor. Tommy was also smitten by Sean’s mid-August arrangements for Scotland.
Tommy emailed me the proposal entitled “Sqairz Presents The 2024 Ayrshire Links Invitational” to see if Vicky and I wanted to join Janet and him for the Golf Inspired week “to be hosted on Scotland’s picturesque Ayrshire coast at the incomparable Trump Turnberry Resort.”
Vicky and I read the itinerary carefully and were as taken with it as Tommy was. We also appreciated that Golf Inspired would assist us with pre- and/or post-tour extensions if we so desired.
Celebration of the Game of Golf
We especially liked Sean’s ethos: “Golf Inspired is about the celebration of the game of golf; good living shared by like-minded individuals seeking memorable experiences. Our team specializes in creating relaxed and fun-filled environments in some of the world’s most iconic destinations. Ayrshire is one of those iconic destinations.”
When Tommy and I covered the LIV Golf Miami championship at Trump Doral in early April, the four of us discussed what our plans and hopes for the trip should be, including both a pre-tour weekend in St. Andrews with a round of golf at nearby Panmure Golf Club and a post-tour extra day near Edinburgh Airport (EDI) before flying home.
Soon thereafter, Sean arranged a Skype video conference, where the five of us hammered out exactly what we could expect and how we could visit St. Andrews on our own and stay an extra day.
Sean assured us that Golf Inspired would transform the many disconcerting variables of international travel and touring into easy-to-handle certainties. And he was absolutely right!
Etched in Stone and in the Air
By the middle of July, our plans were etched in stone. We had paid $9990 per couple for the Ayrshire Links Invitational and an extra $1200 per couple for our St. Andrews weekend and extra day in Queensferry near EDI.
We would spend five nights at Trump Turnberry, play four rounds of golf, get both RT transfers from EDI and RT golf transfers to Troon and Western Gailes, have welcome and farewell restaurant dinners plus lunches each day at the golf club we were playing, enjoy a full Scottish breakfast each morning in the hotel, and receive a Welcome Gift Bag and a pair of Sqairz Links Golf Shoes of our choice.
On Thursday evening, August 14, we left Boston’s Logan Airport, Tommy and Janet flying Delta and Vicky and I on Aer Lingus, arriving at EDI early Friday morning. We had been in touch with Sean through “Whats App,” and he would use this app to communicate with us throughout the trip. Sean told us he had a Golf City Taxis driver and a van waiting to take us to St. Andrews, but we all had to wait because Aer Lingus had misplaced my golf bag. I filed the claim with Swissport baggage at EDI, and the four of us began our trip at last.
A Weekend at St. Andrews
Golf City Taxis deposited us at the digs Sean had found for us at the University of St. Andrews’ Agnes Blackadder Hall, a modern dormitory with two double beds in a large room with private bathroom and a daily buffet breakfast. The University is located a driver and five iron from the 17th green of the Old Course and an easy walk to downtown St. Andrews and the Market Street shopping area.
We spent Friday afternoon exploring the “Home of Golf” as the Old Course was undergoing finishing installation touches for the next week’s AIG Women’s Open. We had our pictures taken on Swilcan Bridge after a group had teed off the 18th hole, strolled up The Links road past Rusacks Hotel and the 18th green, and then took a left to stand in front of the R&A clubhouse to watch golfers tee off on one and putt out on 18.
As green with envy as the layout in front of us, we repaired to nearby Pilmour Links road and the well-known 19th Hole at Dunvegan’s Hotel for some liquid solace and dinner. With our spirits renewed, we then spent some more of the long day’s sunlight and some more of our British pounds as we perused the Scottish shops on Market Street. None of us had any difficulty falling asleep that night.
The next morning Agnes Blackadder made us a delicious breakfast in the dorm’s cafeteria. Right on time, Golf City Taxis, home office in the golf city of St. Andrews, of course, picked us up and drove us the 35 minutes to Panmure Golf Club in Barry, just 1.5 miles from frequent Open site Carnoustie. A delightful classic Scottish course that opened in 1845, Panmure provided the four of us with a grand time, which I recently wrote up for Pro Golf Weekly.
Read about Turnberry, Royal Troon, and the rest of the Ayrshire Links Invitational here.