Monthly Archives: March 2017

As the golf world turns their attention to Augusta National Golf Club next week, stories of tradition, history and legend dominate the conversation. From remarkable comebacks to generational firsts, The Masters annually delivers a familiar spectacle like few other events in sports. But deep in the annals of this historic venue is a story not often publicized – the story that intertwines Augusta with our very own namesake, Joe “J.B.” Carr.

Bobby Jones, founder of Augusta National and the Masters tournament, won two of his most celebrated championships in England. In 1926, he famously won the Open Championship at Lytham as an amateur. Then, in 1930, he captured the British Open Championship at Royal Liverpool (Hoylake). Both courses held much significance to Joe Carr, who was on the winning Walker Cup team at Lytham and won the British Amateur at Royal Liverpool (Hoylake).

Perhaps it was those competitive similarities that led to one famous letter delivered in 1967.

“Dear Joe – To my great delight I have just found on my desk your letter to Cliff Roberts saying that you will play in the Masters this year. Please be assured that it will give us all, especially me, much pleasure to welcome you. I hope you will have your game in the best possible condition and that we may be able to cause you to have a good time. With best regards …”

-Bob Jones

The personalized letter from one of the largest figures in golf touched Joe greatly. With that invitation, Joe Carr became Ireland’s first representative at the Masters. Upon his arrival, he gratefully accepted the first club membership offered to an Irishman.

Joe’s participation at the Masters, where he competed three times, came with an ironic sense of humor. For his 1967 debut, Carr was paired with his great friend and defending champion Jack Nicklaus. Carr qualified for the four rounds and Nicklaus missed the cut. A year later, Carr was paired with former champ Arnold Palmer. Carr qualified for the four rounds and Palmer missed the cut. An exasperated Cliff Roberts lamented, “We’re thinking of inviting Carr back next year but nobody wants to play with him?” (The answer: Sam Snead. Both players missed the cut that year).

Each time Joe returned to Georgia, he made a point to visit Bobby Jones, who at this point in his life was battling a crippling back disease.

In 1961 Joe Carr received the Bob Jones Award – the highest honor given by the U.S. Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf. Other honorees include Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan and U.S. President George H.W. Bush.

Memorabilia from Joe’s time at Augusta is on display for guests making the pilgrimage to Sutton Golf Club’s J.B. Carr room. This year, The Open returns to Liverpool as Royal Birkdale plays host.

For travel itineraries, rates and additional information, please contact a Carr Golf Travel representative.

The incredible golf bounty of Scotland boasts one of the most famous par-3s in the game: the “Postage Stamp” at Royal Troon. Not surprisingly, this iconic hole topped the Carr Golf Travel Team’s list of best par-3s in the birth country of golf.

Read on to learn about more of their favorites.

1. Royal Troon Hole No. 8 – “The Postage Stamp”

This iconic hole was originally called “Ailsa” due to its perfect view from the tee of Ailsa Craig, a volcanic island in the Firth of Clyde. The name was changed to reflect the smallness of the putting surface after William Park, one of golf’s first Scottish superstars along with his rival Old Tom Morris, described it as “a pitching surface skimmed down to the size of a Postage Stamp” in a magazine article.

According to Mark Byrne, “The Postage Stamp at Troon is one of the most famous holes in golf and can often be a deciding hole in the British Open.”

Benville also lists The Postage Stamp as one of his favorite holes:

“Last year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon was one of the best championships in recent memory; Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson put on a show for the ages. Aside from the fantastic final round from the two main protagonists, the supporting role was played by the infamous Postage Stamp.

A short par-3, it measured less than 125 yards for the pros teeing off at last year’s Open Championship. The tee box is perched up high overlooking a small, narrow green. The nature of links golf means that swirling winds will never make a 125-yard shot to the green a sure thing for the “greens in regulation” stats that golfers so desperately covet. However, what makes the hole even more difficult is the “coffin” bunker to the left of the green. As the name suggests, if a golfer finds himself in there, his score is rendered dead. Just ask Bubba Watson: the left-hander was going round at 5-under through seven holes when he reached the eighth tee box. What happened next was a wedge into the coffin bunker and finally two-putting for a triple bogey six.

In today’s game, when equipment and new age technology has forced golf clubs to rethink and add yardage onto most par-3s, it is refreshing to see the Postage Stamp standing the test of time and proving that not all par-3s need to exceed the 200-yard mark.”

2. Cruden Bay Hole No. 15

Measuring 195 yards from the championship tees, this bedeviling par-3 is played from a tee box set amongst the dunes. A large hill between the tee and green completely obstructs the view of the pin and the wind provides an added challenge as the hole plays along the sea.

“The tee box is flanked on its right by Cruden Bay Beach and the North Sea making it reminiscent of many a great links setting,” says Mike Brassil. “The target from the tee box is a juggernaut of a slanted sand dune. You have to dissect the dune and completely trust the fact that you are hitting into the abyss with nothing to guide you but an erect pole planted halfway up the dune. This pole is your only indication that a green does in fact lie somewhere beyond the great gigantic dune. The sense of relief when you find your ball nestled safely on the green is inestimable. On exiting the green, there is a rope attached to a bell. A quick tug of the rope rings the bell and alerts the group behind that you have safely exited the green, which only adds to the hole’s charm.”

3. The Old Course at St Andrews Hole No. 11

This hole makes the list due to its historical significance, but not in the way you might think. Sure it’s part of the oldest and most iconic golf course in the world, but the charm (and difficulty!) of the No. 11 comes from the 20th century and the immortal Bobby Jones.

“The 11th on the Old Course at St Andrews is unofficially named after Bobby Jones,” says Peter Keighery. “The first time he played it in 1921 in the Open Championship, he went into a bunker, took four swipes and, when he couldn’t get out of the bunker, walked off the course. He came back six years later and won The Open!”

The win made Jones the first amateur to win back-to-back Open Championships as he won the previous year at Royal Lytham & St Annes. He went on to win one more Open Championship in 1930 at Royal Liverpool.

4. The North Berwick Golf Club Hole No. 15 – “The Redan Hole”

Rounding out the list is perhaps the greatest par-3 of them all: the original Redan hole at North Berwick. While yardage is important – at 190 yards, this mid-range par-3 requires a longer club – it represents only the initial challenge of this captivating hole. With a green sloping strongly from right to left, accuracy is essential. Miss the putting surface and you’ll have to contend with one of the many bunkers protecting the green.

“This is one of the most copied par-3s in golf,” says Byrne of the 15th hole. “Design-wise, it is one of the most interesting.”

Ireland’s Jack Kennedy celebrates winning on day one

March 17 is, of course, well known as St. Patrick’s Day, and this year it is also Cheltenham Gold Cup Day.

Cheltenham – a scenic, bustling borough on the edge of the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, England – annually becomes a mecca for National Hunt racing fans across the globe. Popular in the U.K., France and Ireland, National Hunt is a form of racing in which the horses are required to jump fences and ditches. From March 14 – 17, the world’s finest horses, jockeys, owners and trainers battle for racing honors at The Cheltenham Festival, the pinnacle of jumping season. The atmosphere is electric as fans cheer on their favorites and hope they’ve backed a winner.

JP McManus celebrates his 64th birthday with a Cheltenham winner

Because this year’s event coincides with St. Patrick’s Day, Cheltenham will be awash with green in the form of suits, shirts and shamrocks.

“I have been lucky enough to be at Cheltenham on 10 Gold Cup days and can honestly say it is the most invigorating occasion ever,” says Peter Keighery, Carr Golf Travel Expert. “Last year’s Gold Cup drew crowds of 73,000 and at least 75% of those were Irish. The great craic, the characters, the music, the celebrities, the Guinness Village, the bookies…you just get carried away on a wave of all that is good in racing.”

Five Fun Facts Courtesy of Peter Keighery

• The Gold Cup was first run on March 12, 1924.
• The most famous horse to win the Gold Cup was Golden Miller – a five-time winner from 1932 – 36.
• In the mid-1960s, the race was dominated by the great Irish horse Arkle, who won three times from 1964 – 66.
• In 1983 a remarkable feat was accomplished as English trainer Michael Dickenson trained the first five horses to finish led by Bregawn.
• The greatest jockey in Gold Cup history is the now-retired Tony McCoy who won in 1997 and again in 2012.

Consider a visit to Cheltenham next year, combining the excitement of world class National Hunt horse racing, and the best of English  Golf courses at Sunningdale, Swinley Forrest and Royal Porthcawl.

Racing at The Curragh

Ireland also boasts world-class horse racing, particularly in the Eastern province of Leinster. Established in 1870, the Irish Grand National Meeting at Fairyhouse Racecourse takes place on Easter Monday each year.

With a grand prize of €152,000, it is one of the world’s most valuable National Hunt races. Featuring 12 Grade 1 contests – the highest standard of National Hunt racing – The Punchestown Festival will be held on April 25 – 29. The thrilling event also features the La Touche Cup, a unique, must-see cross country race.

The Irish Derby – the highlight of the Irish flat racing championship – will be held at The Curragh Racecourse this summer. Over 150 years old, it is one of Europe’s richest races with the purse presently set at €1.25 million.

Embrace outstanding Irish horse racing while enjoying a few days out playing on exceptional golf courses. Visitors to the East Coast have a wide swath of courses to choose from including Portmarnock Golf Club, The European Club, K Club, The Island Golf Club and The Royal Dublin Golf Club.

Whether you want to attend a race, arrange a VIP private trainer visit or tour a stud farm, we will work with you to create the ideal itinerary.

It’s a perfect pairing of the “Sport of Kings” and the ancient game of Scottish shepherds first played in the Kingdom of Fife over 500 years ago.

This week will mark the first Arnold Palmer Invitational since Arnold’s passing in September. One of the greatest golfers in history, he was also known for his philanthropy, business acumen and love of flying. A lifelong ambassador for the sport of golf, Arnold truly grew the game through his passion, sportsmanship and competitive spirit.

Our late founder, Joe “J.B” Carr played countless rounds with Arnold over the years – they knew each other for 60 years – and would meet up whenever Arnold was in Ireland. Although extremely competitive, both men were known for their sportsmanship.

Roddy, Arnold and Marty at Old Head

J.B.’s son Roddy remembers one story in particular that exemplifies how down to earth Arnold was. “Arnie and my father both attended the 100th anniversary of the Open Championship in St Andrews back in 1960. They went to get ice cream and were relaxing, just looking out over the Old Course when a tour group of Americans pulled up. They could hear the tourists saying things like ‘That guy eating ice cream looks like Arnold Palmer,’ before finally one of them got the courage to ask if it was, in fact, him. Arnold said yes and proceeded to take pictures with the group. Publicly, Arnold was this superstar, but to my dad he was always just Arnold from Pennsylvania.”

Arnold at the Old Head

Arnold almost earned his first Open Championship title that year, but Australian Kel Nagle eked out a one-stroke victory. Arnold went on to win the next two Open Championships back-to-back in 1961 and 1962. His first Open Championship win at Royal Birkdale was one of the most meaningful of his career. After the victory, Arnold said, “I wanted this championship more than anything in my life, but anything you want real bad is awfully hard to get.”

One of the most memorable shots of the tournament came on the 16th hole. Arnold’s drive had landed at the bottom of a sandy bank and was buried in blackberry bushes. Instead of hitting into the fairway, Arnold used a six-iron to smash his ball onto the green. He went on to win the tournament by a single stroke. A plaque marks the site of this famed shot to this day.

Royal Birkdale plaque

The 2017 Arnold Palmer Invitational takes place March 13 – 19 at Bay Hill Championship Course in Florida.

For an unforgettable journey to some of Arnold’s old stomping grounds, get in touch now.

What makes a par-3 memorable? A unique design element? A fascinating backstory? A place in professional golf lore? Or is it just a je ne sais quoi? Ireland has a vast selection of par-3s that meet all the aforementioned requirements and more. Read on to learn about some of the best par-3s on the Emerald Isle, according to the Carr Golf Travel Team.

1. Lahinch Hole No. 5 – “The Dell”

Lahinch Hole 5

A blind par-3, the Dell’s long, shallow green is hidden between two 30-foot high sand dunes. Designed by Old Tom Morris in the 1890s, this iconic hole has remained untouched through two-course renovations.

This is one of Sean Benville’s favorite holes in Ireland: “There is a small stone set on top of the dune which acts as a pointer to the green. If you manage to find the green in regulation, the hard work is only half done as it is two-tiered and three-putts are common. This hole is considered the signature hole at Lahinch and it certainly is a talking point for first-timers playing the course. The course has gone through some big-name renovations since Old Tom Morris originally designed it, however neither Alister MacKenzie nor Martin Hawtree saw fit to tinker with the notorious Dell.”

2. Waterville Hole No. 12 – “The Mass Hole”

Waterville Mass Hole

Part of the appeal of Irish links is the storied history that goes with many of the iconic courses. Waterville boasts many an intriguing tale, with the story of the “Mass Hole” being a favorite amongst history buffs.

Peter Keighery lists the 12th as one of his favorite holes due to its historical significance.“Catholics used to have mass in the hollows below the green back in the days when mass was outlawed,” explains Byrne.

According to Irish lore, the space that course designer Eddie Hackett originally wanted to use for the putting surface was “sacred ground” according to Irish laborers building the course. Therefore, Hackett decided to put the green atop a dune opposite the tee instead, where it remains today.

3. Portmarnock Hole No. 15

Portmarnock is a favorite amongst professional golfers including Rory McIlroy. The course’s signature hole, the coastal 15th, is lauded for its ocean views and difficult play. The 204-yard par-3 is protected by a trio of bunkers surrounding the green. Two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw christened the par-3 the “shortest par-5 in golf,” after carding two double bogeys on the hole on his way to winning the 1976 Irish Open.

4. Royal Portrush Hole No. 14 – “Calamity Corner”

Royal Portrush Hole 14

“Calamity at Royal Portrush is one of the toughest holes in golf,” says Byrne. The 210-yard 14th looks as difficult as it plays as the green is on the edge of a 100-foot precipice. Reaching the green requires a long carry over a deep ravine. Golfers who miss right are almost guaranteed a double bogey as the ball will journey down a steep slope with few obstacles to slow its momentum.

5. Old Head Hole No. 7

“The walk alone to the seventh tee box at Old Head is worth the green fee,” says Mike Brassil. “Winding through the old village you past the ruins of the 1665 Sir Robert Reading Lighthouse, a primitive structure with an open coal fire protruding through the roof. Along the walk you also pass a George Halpin-inspired, 42-foot lighthouse. To your right the sea batters the land bridge between Old Head and the mainland. Sea arches, caves and sea stacks are a plenty not to mention a host of marine life traversing the bay, dolphins, seals and basking shark are all regular visitors.

The tee box is among the highest points of elevation on Old Head, not quite panoramic but nonetheless a view that is best described as heaven on earth.

The hole itself is truly all or nothing. There is no awardable lay-up option; if you hit short you are either going to find the greenside bunker or get caught up on the bank or rough. Prevailing wind is hurting and pushing the ball right where the Atlantic sea awaits. The only option is to be brave and hunt the pin.”

Honorable Mentions:-

Tralee Hole No. 16

Royal County Down Hole No. 10

Portstewart Hole No. 6

Waterville Hole No. 17