Michael Solender’s seven-page feature on his Carr Golf trip to play Links golf in Ireland. The feature appears in the January 2017 issue of SouthPark Magazine.
“The northwest of Ireland has several of the most dramatic ‘must play’ golf destinations in the world including Enniscrone Golf Club, Carne Golf Links and Rosses Point,” says Sean Benville, Carr Golf travel expert. “It also features one of the great options anywhere for luxurious accommodations in County Mayo’s Mount Falcon Estate. A recent client in a group of six golfers was so wowed by the stay there he is returning next year with his family.”
The elegant Victorian manor house features 32 guestrooms and resides peacefully amid 100 wooded acres along the banks of the River Moy – one of the acclaimed salmon fishing waterways in the world. In fact, Mount Falcon has exclusive fishing rights to one of the most beautiful spots on the river. Golfing great Mark O’Meara is a regular visitor at Mount Falcon and plies his fly fishing skills there.
Originally a baronial lodge completed in 1876, the estate was purchased about a dozen years ago by the visionary proprietor and co-owner, Alan Maloney. After an extensive renovation, Mount Falcon reopened in 2006 to wide acclaim.
For rejuvenating nightly, the rooms and suites are grandly appointed with stately furnishings and beds so comfy it’s tough not to hit the snooze button and sleep just a bit more in the morning. The property also highlights 45 luxury rental lodges fully-equipped with three- or four-bedrooms that are ideal for golf groups.
Having dinner in The Kitchen Restaurant just off the lobby is an absolutely must. The chef-driven restaurant is located, as its name suggests, where the original kitchen in the old manor house used to be with tables nestled around the nooks and crannies of the original layout.
True to its name, guests can additionally enter the world of falconry with the resident “falconer” who will personally introduce the various magnificent birds of prey on display. Experience a “Hawk Walk” in the magical woodlands on the grounds. It’s well worth doing.
“Mount Falcon is one of the most luxurious resorts I have ever experienced. It’s the perfect place to retire for the night after playing one of the many great links courses an easy drive away like Carne or Enniscrone,”
says Rob Duca, editor of New England Golf & Leisure Magazine.
“Everything in this converted manor is elegant and tasteful, from the brick-walled Kitchen Restaurant to the spacious, well-appointed rooms.
And where else can you walk with a falcon on your hand, fish for rainbow trout and go clay pigeon shooting?”
For more information on Carr Golf and Mount Falcon Estate: www.carrgolf.com, 1.855.617.5701 (U.S. toll free) or +353.1.822 6662.
The Donald Ross Invitational Tournament will be held at Scotland’s renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Oct. 8 – 12 2017.
Born in the town of Dornoch in 1872, Ross immigrated to America in 1899 and became known as the “Father of U.S. Golf Course Architecture.” His world-class designs include Pinehurst No. 2, Aronimink Golf Club, East Lake Golf Club, Seminole Golf Club, Oak Hill Country Club, Inverness Club and Oakland Hills Country Club. Over 100 U.S. national championships have been played on his courses.
Ross developed his passion for golf playing Royal Dornoch as a boy. Acclaimed as one of the finest links style layouts in the world, its superb routing and use of raised putting surfaces was a major influence on his roughly 400 design projects.
He was a founding member and first president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and admitted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1977. The tournament is open to members and representatives of golf clubs with a Donald Ross affiliation and connection. Starting at $3,425 per person (at the current exchange rate for 2,750 GBP), the two-person team competition includes three rounds on Royal Dornoch as well as a practice round at nearby Brora Golf Club, home of the James Braid Golfing Society.
This one-of-a-kind golf pilgrimage to Dornoch also features four nights’ luxury accommodation, welcome reception and dinner, daily breakfast and lunch, gala dinner and prize ceremony, premium gift bags and souvenirs, entertainment, airport transfers, local transportation, and concierge service both pre-trip and during the event. Guest speakers include noted golf architecture writer Bradley Klein, author of “Discovering Donald Ross” and winner of the Donald Ross Award.
“This wonderful event at Dornoch celebrates the genius and memory of Donald Ross on the course where he learned to love the game,” says Marty Carr, executive chairman of Carr Golf. “We invite you to journey with us to the north of Scotland and discover why we’re the world’s premier golf tour company.”
“Royal Dornoch is delighted to be working with our friends at Carr Golf on the inaugural Donald Ross Invitational Tournament,” says Neil Hampton, General Manager of Royal Dornoch.
“Famous for his work around the world, and his origins in Dornoch, it seems fitting, and overdue, that a competition bears his name and is played over the links that he grew up on. Much of his talent as player is overlooked as people discuss his work as an architect so we hope that both will come to the fore during the event.”
For more information on this event contact : www.carrgolf.com, 1.855.617.5701 (U.S. toll free) or +353.1.822 6662.
A big THANK YOU as €28,000 raised for St Luke’s and Movember in memory of Gerry Carr
Thanks a million to the 160+ donors who contributed to our fundraising in honour of our dearly missed Gerry Carr. The Carr family and the teams at Carr Golf and eXpd8 set out to raise €20,000 for #Movember and St. Lukes in Gerry’s memory.
We are absolutely delighted that we exceeded this and we cannot thank Gerry’s friends enough for supporting his memory in this way. The fight against cancer is endless and we hope that this contribution can help in some small way. Again, we cannot thank you enough for your thoughtful and amazing support. Gerry would be chuffed.
The teams at Carr Golf and EXPD8, would like to thank you for your generous donation in memory of Gerry Carr in support of Movember and St Luke’s.
Thanks for your support,
From the Carr and Branagan Families
Thank you to the following (just some of those who donated)
Adam Byrne
Aileen Martin
Alastair Johnston
Albert Sharpe
Alex Saul
Andrew Hampel
Andy Kirby
Angela Bradley
Anthony Collins
Art Gillin
Ashy O Sullivan
Avis, Stuart, and Mister T
Bill Pierce
Bob Fitzpatrick
Bob Henninger
Brian & Jackie Heery
Brian and Hilary
Brian O’ Farrell
Cathal O’Sullivan
John Cassidy
Catherine Murphy
Charley & Lindsay Moore
Chris Corcoran
Chris Gibney
Chris McFerran
Cian Crosse
Colin Ryan
Collie Dunne
Colm Mc Cole
Conor Horan
Conor McGrath
Corry Estates
Dave Keogh
David Burke
Deirdre O’Connell
Denis O’Brien
Don Beatty
Don Chapman
Donal Quinn
FitzGerald Solicitors
Gary Bernard
Gary Severson
Gearoid Doyle
Gearóidín Charlton
Gerard Mullaney
Hugh Rundle
Jack and Barbara NIcklaus
Jane Magnier
Jerry York
Jim O Sullivan
Joe Carr
John Fitzpatrick
John Woods
John& Eileen Callely
Jon O Callaghan
Josef F
Julia Carr
Julian Douglas
Kate McMahon
Kevin Given
Kevin Marley
Kingsley and Claire Aikins
Kirstie Viljoen
Lou & Sam Hight
Lousty
Luke Burdess
Luke Dixon
M3 Medical
Mark Byrne
Mark Kavanagh
Mark Slevin
Maureen Black
Michael Bonallack
Michael Bowe
Michael Sullivan
Michael Walsh
Michellle Carr
Mike Brassil
Mike Healy
Miriam Barker
Moira Cassidy
Myki & Maria Heather
Myles Brown
Nicola Sludds
O’Doggs
Ormsby & Rhodes
Page Chapman III
Pat Ruddy
Paul and Matt Deninger
Paulo Malzoni
Pearse Dunne
Peter and Mary
Peter O’Hara
Peter and Pamela Williams
Ray Daly
Rick Shube
Rob & Róisín
Rob Allen
Ron and Sally Kirby
Ron Kirby
Ru Macdonald
Rupert Hampel
Sam & Ita Slattery
Sarah Caulfield
Scott Murray
Sean Benville
Sean McTernan
Shane & Noelle Fleming
Sophie Carr
Steve Hodsdon
Steve Mara
Steve Maritz
Susan McCann
Susanne Wang
The Layden Family
The Murray Family
Tim Finchem
Timothy Baxter
Victoria Graham
William Carroll
The first thing you’ll likely notice when planning a trip to Ireland or Scotland is that working with our travel experts is an enjoyable experience. One of our core values is that customers are friends, so when you talk to our travel team about your luxury golf vacation, you’ll feel as if you’re discussing your plans with an acquaintance. We’ll combine your vision with our local expertise to create your dream vacation. And we’ll only offer what we know we can deliver so as not to give you false expectations. Because we take every detail – from the kinds of courses you want to play to the overall experience you hope to have – into consideration, you’ll find your itinerary is truly tailor-made to ensure the trip of a lifetime.
As many golf travellers know, it can be difficult to secure a tee time on some of the better-known courses around the world. Our relationships with the top courses in Scotland and Ireland grant us access to the best tee times and caddies. Whether you want to play famous courses like St Andrews or Royal County Down or hidden gems such as Crail or Enniscrone, your trip will include some of the top golf courses in Europe.
The types, terrains and surroundings of courses, even within the same county, can be quite varied, but our team can help you find the ones that best suit your needs. With decades of golf experience throughout Ireland and Scotland, we’re happy to recommend courses based on everything from degree of difficulty to most scenic views.
Playing true links courses with breathtaking vistas will give you the quintessential Irish – or Scottish – golf experience and make your trip unforgettable. After experiencing the combination of exceptional courses and brilliant scenery, you’ll see why Ireland and Scotland are two of the best golf destinations in the world.
While here, you’ll likely want to engage in some sightseeing. With Carr Golf, getting from one destination to the next is half the fun. We pride ourselves on providing not only the most modern transportation, but some of the most knowledgeable and friendly drivers you’ll find. An important part of the Carr Golf family, our drivers are passionate about local history and culture and enthusiastically share their knowledge and recommendations with visitors. Our guests tend to form a unique bond with their drivers and have called them everything from “an absolute pleasure” to an “Irish gem.”
In addition to world-class golf, wonderful dining is an important part of the Carr Golf experience. No matter where you’re staying, we know where to find the most delicious food and drink and can recommend the best restaurants and pubs to get the full local experience. Of course we’re also happy to point out any popular tourist destinations you may want to tour such as the Guinness Storehouse or the Old Bushmills distillery.
After a day of breathtaking views, challenging golf and delicious food, a comfortable place to rest one’s head is essential. When making lodging recommendations, we take much more than just location and availability into consideration. We’re happy to arrange your stay at perpetual favourit
es such as Dromoland Castle and Slieve Donard or to find equally luxurious accommodations that suit your particular preferences. We pride ourselves on knowing the ins and outs of every property we recommend. Whether you want to stay in a historic castle, a resort with a luxurious spa or a hotel where you can walk to your morning tee time, your luxury accommodations will exceed your expectations.
When you take a trip with us, you can expect a truly first-class experience where every detail is just right.
The only decisions you’ll have to make are whether to lay up on a daunting par-5 and what to order at the 19th hole.