Monthly Archives: February 2017

Joe Carr with Sutton Golf Club’s lady Captain, Toonie Murray, greeting Jack Nicklaus during the club’s Centenary Year, 1990. The Golden Bear made a flying visit to Dublin for Joe’s Captains Day.

Today would have been the 95^th birthday of our founder, Joe “J.B.” Carr. Joe was one of Ireland’s greatest golf heroes with over 40 championship victories including four Irish Open Amateur titles and three British Amateur wins. Even with all those trophies, he was perhaps even more famous for his sportsmanship.

In 1961, he became the first non-American to receive the USGA’s Bob Jones Award which recognizes an individual who demonstrates the spirit, personal character and respect for the game exhibited by Jones.

Fiercely proud of his Irish heritage, Joe became the first golfer from his country to play in the Masters in 1967. That same year he was awarded the Hagen Trophy for his contribution to Anglo-American goodwill. In 1991, he became the first Irishman chosen to captain The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

“My dad was always a gracious competitor, whether in victory or defeat,” said Roddy Carr, one of Joe’s six children. “People would lose to him in a match, but come away better from the experience because of how Joe treated them. He really meant it when he told them he had a great time and enjoyed their company.”

Joe was also known for his ability to stay calm under pressure. Roddy recalls one story while caddying for his father that epitomized Joe’s cool composure.

“My father was never caught up in chasing other players,” said Roddy. “He was confident in his play, and methodically approached each hole the same if he was up three or down three strokes. Joe would say ‘If I don’t lose, I’ll win.’ As long as he didn’t sabotage his own play with risky maneuvers, he was assured that his play would lead to victory.”

That theory was tested to the max as Joe and Roddy were in the closing stretch of a crucial match well behind. Roddy, who to that point was worried his father was not taking the right approach, then watched in awe as Joe made a series of decisive shots on the back nine – including a miraculous bunker escape and multiple upwind drives – to get back in contention. All the while Joe was unfazed and focused.

On the closing hole, both players found themselves on the green with difficult putts to determine the winner. As they strategized, a chorus of loud church bells across the county interrupted play to announce that it was noon.  Clearly rattled by the distraction, Joe’s opponent missed his putt by six inches. Joe, caught his son’s eye, winked, and sank his putt to secure a victory.

“My dad taught me not to panic,” said Roddy. “He always said just play your game and the best player will come out on top. That’s a life lesson as much as it is a golf lesson.”

It’s difficult to find a top Irish course that doesn’t have some tie to the three-time British Amateur champion. His adoptive parents (his mother’s sister and brother-in-law) were appointed steward and stewardess of Portmarnock Golf Club just before his birth. That’s where he first learned to play the game that would be such a huge part of his future.

Joe was just 19 when he won his first major tournament, the East of Ireland Amateur. Over the course of his prolific career, he won 12 East of Ireland titles, 12 West of Ireland titles, six Irish Amateur Close Championships and three South of Ireland titles. Other highlights included 11 Walker Cup appearances and three Masters appearances.

Joe was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement Category in 2007. Jack Nicklaus spoke on his behalf and said, “He always thought about what was best for the game and for his fellow competitors before he ever thought about himself. He was a cheery, fun loving guy who always was willing to exchange barbs with you. He wore a smile and offered a kind word and more often than not he offered an opponent more than just the riches of kindness.”

Happy Birthday, J.B.

Read Marty Carr’s WOW Air golf interview on why Ireland and Scotland is known as the ‘The Promised Land’ for all discerning links golfers.

WOW Air offers cheap flights to Ireland and Scotland from USA and Canada several times a week, all year round.

WOW Air Magazine

But what exactly is a links course?

True links courses are few and far between in North America. In fact, less than 1% of all the golf layouts in the world would be defined as “true links,” with just a handful in the U.S. Many of the most famous American golf destinations – including Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits and the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island – are links-style courses.

Per “True Links,” a 2010 book by Malcolm Campbell and George Peper, there are only 246 authentic links courses in the world and only four in the U.S. (three of which are at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon). There has been much debate as to whether or not these courses qualify as true links and, if so, why other U.S. courses don’t make the cut. For undeniable links courses, one must travel to Great Britain or Ireland, where the vast majority of true links course are located.

The word “link” is derived from the Old English word “hlinc,” which means “a ridge.” At its simplest definition, a links course is situated along a coast and often includes sand dunes and few, if any, trees or inland water hazards. Instead, major obstacles come in the form of deep, pothole bunkers and large shrubs. Additionally, the fairways are often lined with thick and tall seaside grass, which can make locating even the most slightly mishit balls extremely difficult. The lack of trees and coastal location also make wind an important factor.

Links courses are traced back to the beginning of golf. In the game’s earliest days in the 1500s, coastal stretches of land that farmers deemed useless due to the sandy soil proved ideal locales to play the new sport. The Old Course at St Andrews, known as “the home of golf” is a true links course as are many other iconic layouts throughout Great Britain and Ireland.

“Links golf is tough, but also features some of the most scenic and beautiful holes you will see anywhere in the world,” says Carr Golf travel expert Mark Byrne. “One of the most common tips you’ll hear in golf is to keep your head down. With links golf, I would suggest lifting your head and taking it all in in between shots.”

Hosted in partnership with The Pinnacle Experience, our 2nd Annual World Links Invitational Pro-Am this fall will be played on several of the world’s greatest links courses. Competitors will have the opportunity to play Waterville, Tralee, Dooks, Doonbeg and Lahinch. In addition to unforgettable golf, this event also includes five-star accommodations, luxury transportation, and professional hospitality plus a robust social program featuring evening receptions, dinner functions, nightly entertainment and much more.

As with all Carr Golf tournaments throughout the year, careful consideration is taken when choosing the host courses. Many of them are favorites amongst the Carr Golf Travel family.

“Dooks Golf Club is my favorite ‘hidden gem’ in Ireland,” says travel expert Sean Benville. “It’s a great course to be introduced to links golf, a course that is set in the scenic views amongst the Slieve Mish and Dingle mountains. The greens are quick and hard to hit, however, brave play will be rewarded with the course playing quite short. We are noticing a trend that returning clients insist on having this course as a must play. The Club was founded over 100 years ago and many comment about its charm and quirkiness, which adds a unique feel to one of Ireland’s oldest golf clubs.”

For more information on tournaments, or to plan a custom luxury golf vacation to the southwest of Ireland, contact us at 1.855.617.5701 (U.S. toll free) or +353.1.822.6662.

County Kerry boasts some of Ireland’s most striking landscapes as rugged seaside cliffs, vast displays of pastoral emerald-green farmland and misty mountains create breathtaking vistas. One of County Kerry’s brightest jewels is Waterville Golf Links, a visual masterpiece set on a 220-acre peninsula alongside the Atlantic.

Consistently ranked one of the best courses in Ireland, Waterville is also a favourite amongst the Carr family as they holidayed there through out the 60’s and 70’s, and it evokes great memories of the Kerry Gold Championship win back in the 1970’s.

Events executive Alison Duffin also lists Waterville as a “must-play” in Ireland noting: “The views are amazing all over the golf course.”

“A lot of golf courses’ signature holes are based around par-3s nowadays, and for me, the 17th at Waterville is the feature hole,” says Sean Benville, travel expert. “The tee shot is demanding, as is the norm for a tricky par-3, however it’s the view off the tee at ‘Mulcahy’s Peak’ that really captures the essence of Waterville Golf Links.”

While the 17th hole may be the most scenic, No. 12 holds the most historical significance. The area that course designer Eddie Hackett originally wanted to use for the par-3’s putting surface was “sacred ground,” according to Irish labourers building the course. During the days when British rule enforced a law banning the Irish from practicing Catholicism, locals used the low area protected by the dunes to perform Catholic ceremonies. Respecting the area’s history, Hackett decided to put the green atop a dune opposite the tee. For this reason, the 12th is known as the “Mass Hole.”

Another piece of significant, yet tragic, history lies in Waterville’s link to Payne Stewart. For years, the two-time U.S. Open champion played Waterville in preparation for the British Open. The Captaincy of Waterville was the last golf honour Stewart received before his untimely death in 1999. Today, a life-sized bronze statue pays tribute to Stewart and his unique relationship with Waterville.

In the mid-2000s, famed golf architect Tom Fazio was commissioned to renovate Hackett’s classic course. Completed in 2006, key features of Fazio’s renovation also included a new practice facility and a state-of-the-art health facility.

Few courses delight the senses and challenge the mind as Waterville does. And, the traditional Irish landscape combined with the true links design ensures that no two rounds will be alike.

“Waterville is a great setup for perfect links golf,” says Benville. “The final three holes are a perfect example of why links golf is so revered. No. 16 is a dogleg left par 4 and No. 18 is a straight par 5 set along the coast – depending on which way the wind blows, these two holes could not play more differently. If the wind is with you, a flick of wedge is all that’s needed for the approach on No. 16. If it’s against you, you’ll need a 6-iron. The par-5 is reachable in two with the wind, against you it’s a difficult three shots to the green.”

Waterville provides a stern challenge for golfers of all abilities. As such, it’s the perfect venue for multi-generational tournaments. Our World Invitational Father & Son and World Invitational Father & Daughter golf tournaments have been hosted on this famed track for many years and will once again be contested this upcoming summer.

For more information on tournaments, or to plan a custom luxury golf vacation to the southwest of Ireland, contact us at 1.855.617.5701 (U.S. toll free) or +353.1.822.6662.

Carr Golf and The Pinnacle Experience Announce the Second Annual World Links Invitational Pro-Am will be held in the southwest of Ireland Sept. 27 – Oct. 3 in partnership with The Pinnacle Experience.

Carr Golf and The Pinnacle Experience have 50 years’ experience hosting exceptional affairs, both on and off the golf course.

This invitational features tournament rounds on five of Ireland’s most acclaimed links courses:

• Waterville Golf Links (Sept. 27),
• Dooks Golf Club (Sept. 28),
• Tralee Golf Club (Sept. 29),
• Doonbeg Golf Club (Oct. 1)
• Lahinch Golf Club (Oct. 2).

An optional round on Killarney Golf & Fishing Club is available for play on Sept. 30.

Also included in the first-class experience are five-star accommodations for three nights each at Killarney’s The Europe Hotel and The Lodge at Doonbeg. Other highlights are luxury transportation, daily breakfast and lunch, evening receptions, dinner functions, nightly entertainment, an awards ceremony and professional hospitality throughout courtesy of Carr Golf and The Pinnacle Experience.  The starting price is $4,715 (€4,500) per person based on double occupancy and $5,280 (€4,950) for single occupancy.  Application Form

“Our inaugural World Links Invitational Pro-Am last fall was a smashing success and this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better,” says Marty Carr, executive chairman of Carr Golf.  “We’re honoured to once again team up with The Pinnacle Experience to showcase the incredible golf courses of southwest Ireland as well as the region’s world-famous hospitality.”

Last year, CBS golf commentator Gary McCord, PGA TOUR stalwart Kevin Stadler and Gregg Tryhus, owner of Whisper Rock Golf Club in Scottsdale and Arizona’s Grayhawk Development, were participants in the event.

The victorious team was comprised of PGA professional Evan Belcher and his amateur team: Spencer Rowley (San Luiz Obispo Golf & Country Club), Damon Vickers (Talatin Country Club), Jeff Anderson (Arizona Country Club), John Ciciora (Whisper Rock Golf Club), Chris Nash, Joe Dollarhide (Boomerang Golf Links) and Allyn Walker (Kings Country Club).

Popular Events Played on World-Class Links Courses Including Dornoch,

Waterville and Lahinch

With its years of experience and flawless reputation, Carr Golf’s much anticipated annual events include golf, deluxe nightly accommodations, receptions, breakfasts, tournament photos, shuttle transportation and prize ceremonies, as well as sterling hospitality and guest care throughout courtesy of its exceptional staff.

This year’s calendar includes four prestigious tournaments that will be played on some of the world’s finest links courses :

The 10th -annual World Invitational Father & Daughter Tournament held July 24 – 26 on County Kerry’s acclaimed Waterville Golf Links, widely known as one of the world’s best seaside courses. This past July, Carr Golf hosted 32 teams hailing from the U.S., Canada and Ireland. Steve and Kaitlyn Lee, playing out of New York’s Westchester County Club, were the winning team. The wildly successful event has already seen a 30% increase in team applications for 2017.

The 28th-annual World Invitational Father & Son Tournament is scheduled for Aug. 9 – 13 on Waterville as well. In 2016, 82 teams from 11 different countries competed (the U.S., Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, Italy, Spain, South Africa, The Bahamas, Barbados and Denmark). This coveted event, with its rich history of competition and camaraderie, has become one of the most popular amateur golf events in Ireland.

In partnership with The Pinnacle Experience, the second-annual World Links Invitational Pro-Am will be held in the southwest of Ireland on Sept. 27 – Oct. 3. This event features tournament rounds on five of Ireland’s most lauded links courses: Waterville (Sept. 27), Dooks Golf Club (Sept. 28), Tralee Golf Club (Sept. 29), Doonbeg Golf Club (Oct. 1) and Lahinch Golf Club (Oct. 2). An optional round on Killarney Golf & Fishing Club is available for play on Sept. 30.

The inaugural Donald Ross Invitational Tournament will be played on Scotland’s renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Oct. 8 – 12. 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.

“Our annual tournaments showcase the many joys of competition, friendship and fun while playing on the world’s best links courses,” says Marty Carr, executive chairman of Carr Golf. “Guests only have to experience our expertise and attention to detail once before becoming customers for life.”

Beyond tournament opportunities, Carr Golf has been experiencing unprecedented demand for Irish and Scottish golf vacation itineraries featuring world famous courses such as the Old Course at St. Andrews, Muirfield Golf Club, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Portmarnock Golf Club, Old Head Golf Links and Portstewart Golf Club, Royal Troon and Trump Turnberry.