Introducing St Andrews Indoor Golf Centre

Scotland for Golf, the newest member of SIGTOA, are delighted to announce the opening of their new Indoor Golf Centre in St Andrews. 

The Indoor Centre is an ideal for facility for all levels of player or indeed a complete beginner.

You can select from a choice of the world’s top courses including the Old Course and play as a single player or as a four ball. The graphics are truly amazing and you quickly forget you are playing inside! Just a little more comfortable than the weather outside at the moment!

Away from the course but still inside you can work on your game with feedback from the Trackman and SkyTrak technology. This latest technology previously only available to the world’s best players is now available to all players. This allows you to practice and train with some purpose on your swing. The PGA Professional will explain what the data means and then you are off and learning!

The centre is available to all visitors and Professionals who may use the centre to train their players.

St Andrews Indoor Golf Centre,
Unit 5 Bassaguard Business Park,
St Andrews.
KY16 8AL
Tel +44 (0) 1334 611466

View Location on Google Maps

Find out more about Scotland for Golf on the SIGTOA Website

Email: info@standrewsindoorgolf.com

The Epic Golf Adventure by Morton Golf

The “epic golf adventure” arranged by Morton Golf Holidays – a two month mega trip to Scotland.

Submitted by Chris Oldham from the USA

When I started thinking about a long, solo trip to Scotland, my first instinct was to reach out to Morton Golf Holidays. I had used them to book golf trips to Scotland before, but what I was contemplating was so much more than the standard 10 day “hit as many big name courses as you can trip” that most tour operators steer you towards (not that these aren’t great trips).

I approached Peter about what came to be known as the “epic golf adventure” – a two month trip through the off-the-beaten-path parts of Scotland to explore the courses that most golfers will never see. Peter’s first thought was to schedule open competitions to save money and to ensure that my goal of playing as may rounds with local gofers was met, so we looked at some of the most prominent 1-day competitions and booked several in different locations, along with a few rounds at courses I had really wanted to play along the way such as Cruden Bay and Royal Aberdeen. 

I had indicated that I didn’t want to be traveling long distances every day, so Peter suggested setting up lodging in 6 different cities for 6 to 10 days apiece, not only for the golfing convenience, but to get to know the places I would be staying, get to know the people in those areas and take away any sense of being rushed during the trip. By this time, Donald McLeod had joined in the planning stage and we finalized the details of the trip and all I had to do was contain my excitement until the date of my departure.

Once I arrived in Scotland, I was met at the airport by Donald who was waiting with my rental car and an invitation to lunch in Pitlochry. Donald and I had a great lunch where we talked about my expectations during the trip. I had told them that I wanted the trip to be very flexible (other than the open competitions) and I wanted to get up in the morning and have the freedom to do whatever I wanted that day. Knowing that, Donald and I exchanged cell phone numbers and I went on my way.

Throughout the weeks of my trip, I would call or text Donald or Peter for some information, or they would contact me with an opportunity that they thought I might be interested in, but the planning of the trip had been so well executed that I never had any problems doing any of the things I had hoped to do. At every stop the accommodations were unbelievable and all of the courses both Peter and Donald had recommended were excellent. 

The only hiccup on my end was a tweaked back and a quick text to Donald allowed me to deal with that and go back to my adventure. As I closed out the adventure, I had the opportunity to play a round with Peter and Donald and it’s obvious that golf is not only their business, but also their passion.

This is now my third trip planned by Morton Golf Holidays and each of them have been fantastic! 

From the luxury trip I first took with them, to the budget follow-up trip, and finally to this epic adventure Morton Golf Holidays has provided the absolute best golfing experience. I highly recommend that anyone looking for a golf experience at any level of luxury or price point contact them and let Morton Golf Holidays put together your epic golf adventure!

Chris Oldham visited Scotland from The Stataes Between June and August 2016.

Find out more about Morton Golf Holidays

Website 

Whisky Tours, Tastings and Dinners from Morton Golf in Scotland

Morton Golf Holidays can arrange a number of activities for golfing and even non golf clients based around the world of whisky arranged exclusively for your group by the business owner Peter Craigon.

Golf & Whisky Tours

Morton Golf have put together extra special Golf and Whisky packages for groups of 4 or more.

All Tours would include:

• Hotel accommodation close to Golf Courses and Distilleries with Full Scottish breakfast
• Transportation throughout, transfers to hotels, golf courses, to and from airport, transfers using qualified, experienced drivers/guides.
• Selected Tee Times at the finest Golf Courses, Green Fees included and caddies arranged if required.
• Entrance to Whisky Distilleries, Whisky Tours, Tastings, and Whisky Dinners.

Owner of Morton Golf Holidays, Peter Craigon worked for many years in the whisky industry, and being fortunate enough to have been made a “Keeper of the Quaich”, he is in a unique position to combine the finest golf courses across Scotland with the most prestigious and renowned whisky distilleries to create the perfect bespoke Golf and Whisky Tour for your group in 2017.

Whisky Dinners

Whisky Tours, Tastings and Dinners! Morton Golf can also arrange for a world renowned whisky expert to spend an evening with your group.

He will conduct a presentation to the group pre-dinner lasting about 45 minutes. He covers all aspects of whisky in an informative and entertaining way.

He will then join the group for a private dinner and provide a different malt whisky for each course. Each person will enjoy 3 malt whiskies included as part of your package. As you savour each malt our expert will tell you all about where the malt comes from and what makes it suitable for each course of dinner.

Whisky Tastings

We can arrange for a whisky expert to conduct a nosing and tasting session exclusively for your group. These sessions can be carried out either at or near one of your accommodations during your stay.

Tullibardine Distillery, Blackford – The Bonded Tour

You will enjoy a VP Tour conducted especially for your group. You will be personally show around the Tullibardine Distillery by a top guide. The distillery is only two miles from Gleneagles in the village of Blackford in Perthshire.

Glenmorangie Distillery VIP Tour

We will arrange for your group to have a special tour of the Glenmorangie Distillery when you are playing golf in the North of Scotland. The distillery is in Tain which is only 6 miles from Dornoch.

Glenfiddich Distillery VIP Tour

Peter used to work for Wm Grants who own the Glenfiddich Distillery and would be delighted to arrange a tour with some of the very best guides in the industry. Glenfiddich is the biggest selling malt whisky in the world and the distillery is one of the most interesting in Scotland set amongst the rolling hills in Dufftown.

Kingsbarns Distillery

After playing on one of the most beautiful links in the world Peter will arrange a VIP tour of the wonderful Kingsbarns Distillery which is only a half wedge from the 14th hole !

Famous Grouse Experience

Formerly the Glenturret Distillery we can arrange for your group to visit this excellent centre where you will learn all there is to know about making whisky.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Based in the centre of Edinburgh we can arrange for your group to either visit for a tasting or indeed to have dinner at this wonderful institution.

For further information on any of these great inclusions or if you are looking for a whisky tour on its own contact Peter at Morton Golf by email or visit the Morton Golf website

Dunvegan in St Andrews goes on the market.

One of Scotland's most famous 19th Holes is available to purchase if you have a spare £3 million or so to offload!

The Dunvegan Hotel which has offered St Andrews visitors the chance to rub shoulders with the great and the good as well as just relax in the company of caddies, an international clientele and absorb a long history. It is one of those pubs that you just have to tick off the list. For me Doheny and Nesbits in Dublin is my first port of call; Sloans in Glasgow when I get off the train and Cafe Royal on Rose Street in the capital plays a similar role.

For golfers to St Andrews the Dunvegan has similar cache and attraction.

The Dunvegan, has welcomed Hollywood superstars Clint Eastwood and Sean Connery not to mention former president George HW Bush and the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong is now on the market and current owners Jack Willoughby and his wife Sheena are moving on.

“We've had the time of our lives running the hotel and have loved meeting and hosting so many golfers, golfing celebrities and our true core customers, the not so famous golfing visitors, alike. You just can’t describe the atmosphere at the height of the season, but the place just seems to have a magnetic pull of people from all four corners of the world.”

A SIGTOA member confirmed the attraction, "There are very few of our clients that will not at least ask about The Dunvegan and many if not staying will pop in for a pint after their round or some food. It is an institution in the town and many a good night has been had in there by all of us!"

Dunvegan Hotel, St Andrews. from Square Foot Media on Vimeo.

Pretty certain however that whoever takes this historic venue over will not be turning it into a boutique cafe...

Why not join a group for your Scottish Golf Vacation

Since 1997 Scotland Golf Tours have been specialising in customised golf tours but an increasing number of our clients were asking for tours that they could join. Added to this the fact that many of Scotland's golfing visitors may prefer to avoid driving on the "wrong" side of the road then the idea of creating a series of Group Yours made sense.

So for 2016 Ronnie Pook and his team have pulled together a group tours service tour for up to 16 golfers. This number means the cost of the driver is spread between more people bringing the tour price down to a level that the golfer will find acceptable whilst still maintaining a quality Scottish golf experience.

The tours are designed to include some premier courses, a few high quality local courses, a visit to a distillery or castle to give the visitor a little taste of real Scotland, and of course the tour drivers are excellent at running these groups, ensuring everyone is looked after.

Guests will be travelling in the company of other like-minded golfers, and as always happens with golf, many new friendships are struck over three foot putts!

If interested in booking a trip for later this year there are still space available on a couple of options in September and October 2016 so why not click on the links to find out more about these great golf tours.

Jewels of the East - September 2016

Coast to Coast - September and October 2016

Book your place, play golf, sit back in the coach, relax and enjoy the experience.

Best of Scotland Holidays Mobile App Launched

Fife based SIGTOA member Best of Scotland Holidays now has an app to download for free from both the Apple Store and Google Play.

The brand new Mobile App is now live and full of features and functionalities such as

• Detailed information on each tour
• The very latest offers and deal
• An extensive photo gallery
•  Loyalty scheme
•  Contact and information

The application increases the digital presence of Best of Scotland Holidays complementing their already well stocked website! 

If you are short of ideas for your Scottish trip then have a wee look around the BoSH site and you will certainly find inspiration in the detailed itineraries showcasing various destinations and products across the country.

The app is online and available FREE now and it can be downloaded by going to the BoSH website at www.best-of-scotland.co.uk or visiting the Apple Store or Google Play.

Prestwick is the Home of The Open. Is it on your list?

According to Peter Craigon of Mortong Golf Holidays Prestwick Golf Club on the Ayrshire coast “Should be on everyone’s MUST play list” and he explains why below

On Monday this week we took part in the wonderful annual Prestwick Fun Day which has a unique six ball "foursome" format!

Our Morton Golf Holidays team consisted of Donald McLeod our Associate Director, Sam Craigon my son who is assistant pro at Balbirnie Park GC in Fife and myself and we were hosted on the day by our Team Captain Allan Cook a member of Prestwick for over 20 years. I have been lucky enough to play regularly at Prestwick since the late 70's and played in the Scottish Amateur there in 1979. I was delighted to see Keith McIntosh who was the champion from that year also taking part in the Fun Day on Monday as he is a long standing member of Prestwick.

Everything about the venerable old place just oozes “class“.

From the history of the golf course and the clubhouse to the wonderful welcome you will receive when you play there it really is one of the best places in the world to play golf. The golf course itself is a classic old style links course which has hosted 24 Open Championships and the variety of its wonderful holes means you will remember every one of them long after you have played there.

I should also mention the Dining Room. Lunch at Prestwick is one of the great experiences in golf anywhere and there is nothing better than a round on the great links followed by a proper lunch and a couple of kummels to really get you going for the day. I believe the members sometimes refer to kummel as “putting juice “ as once you have had a couple the hands seem so much steadier on the putter for your afternoon round.

I would love to arrange for your group to play at Prestwick the next time you come to Scotland and I’d be delighted to add it to your itinerary on your next trip.

The One Time Experience - Morton Golf Holidays at The Renaissance Club

Article by Peter Craigon, Morton Golf Holidays

8th April 2016

I was lucky enough yesterday to spend a day at the Renaissance Club which is a wonderful Tom Doak designed links course just over the fence from Muirfield. 

We were hosted by Stephen Walker who is the Director of Marketing & Hospitality and Russell Smith the Director of Golf. Everything about the place oozes class from the spectacular design by Doak to the sumptuous clubhouse and the 5 star accommodation. 

Our day started around 10am with a Big Renaissance Breakfast which rivals anything on offer at Scotland’s 5 star hotels and the Bloody Mary which accompanied breakfast certainly put a little zip in the step to say the least. After a warm up on their excellent range and putting green we played the course with the expert guidance of our forecaddie Gary who is a 3 handicap member of Duddingston in Edinburgh. 

This was a wee bonus for me as I used to be a member of that top quality parkland course is the 1980s and it was nice when Gary was able to tell me many of the guys I played in the team with all these year ago are still around today! 

Doak has done a splendid job in designing a top class links course which is fair and challenging with some wonderful views across the Firth of Forth towards Fife and beyond. After golf we relaxed over a few pre-dinner beers and for some reason my putt into a bunker on the 1st hole seemed to be a topic which caused my fellow golfers some glee! 

The course was recently selected to host Final Qulaifying for the Open Championship from 2018 and it will undoubtedly provide one of the finest challenges for those seeking the elusive spots.

We ended the day with a fabulous private dinner the quality of which would not have been out of place at some of Scotland’s top restaurants. All in all this was a wonderful day and even although the Renaissance Club is a private members club they are happy for golfers to play there as part of the One Time Experience. I will certainly be looking to add this amazing one off experience to their itineraries in the future!

The image top and right shows Peter Craigon on the left, Stephen Walker on the right and two golfing buddies, Ronnie and Brian  and a wonderful view from the 10th tee. The video below a bird's eye view of a couple of the holes.

Visit the Renaissance Club Website

The Nairn Experience with Bonnie Wee Golf

If you’re planning a golf trip to Scotland and need inspiration on course selection, allow Bonnie Wee Golf to point you in the direction of Nairn Golf Club in the Scottish highlands.

Located just a 20 minute drive to the east of Inverness International Airport, Nairn is very accessible from a number of European destinations.

Founded in 1887 this is a classic links track of true championship caliber that is quite simply a must-play course and two of Scotland’s most prolific golf course designers have had a hand in the design process at Nairn: Old Tom Morris and James Braid.

It comes as no surprise that Nairn has hosted a number of high profile golf tournaments including The Walker Cup in 1999 and The Curtis Cup in 2012. Nairn Golf Club also plays a central role in the Highland Golf Links Pro-Am each year along with Castle Stuart Golf Links and Royal Dornoch Golf Club.

The visitor experience at Nairn is exceptional. Visitors are welcomed warmly 7-days a week and are considered to be members for the day.

Golfers will enjoy a round of golf on high quality links land that is masterfully maintained with greens that roll as fine and true as any other putting surfaces in Scotland. In addition to the first class golf course, visitors will also be able to enjoy stunning vistas of the Moray Firth from every hole.

For golfers requiring lodgings in Nairn, Bonnie Wee Golf highly recommends Sandown House, an award winning luxury 5-star guesthouse located 5 minutes from the first tee.

You wont get a better breakfast anywhere in the highlands!

To book your Highland golf tour and experience the superb links at The Nairn Golf Club first hand please contact info@bonnieweegolf.co.uk

Scotland, Golf and The 19th Hole are a perfect package!

The guys at Scotland Golf Tours are promoting a couple of great new packages featuring a little bit of the hop and the grain with a very interesting autumn Beer festival package and a summer long opportunity to play great golf with some whisky distilleries included in between.

Golf and Beer  5 – 10 October 2016 

The first is a five night package that includes four rounds of great golf, a day at the Dunhill Links Tournament – a European Tour event - watching your favourite golfers, film stars and musicians in the unique Pro/ Am style event, including full hospitality in The Old Course Hotel.

The package also includes tickets to the famous Dunfermline Beer Festival with over 100 ales available although it goes without saying that your tee time will be in jeopardy if you try them all !!

Prices from £1740 based on 8 players with own coach and driver.  Check web site below for more details.

Visit the site for more information

Golf and Whisky – summer 2016

This tour is available throughout the main season – subject to availability – and includes 6 rounds of golf on some of Scotland’s finest links courses - Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Castle Stuart Golf Links, Nairn Golf Club, Trump International Links (Aberdeen), Royal Aberdeen Golf Club & Carnoustie Golf Links.

This magnificent golf tour will also visit and enjoy tastings at four of Scotland’s finest distilleries including Dalwhinnie, Glenmorangie, Dalmore and Glen Garioch.

This is a dream trip for keen golfers and lovers of fine whisky travelling by luxury small coach with driver for groups of four or more. If for example your group was made up of eight players the price would be £2745 per person.

Prices for other group sizes available on request.

Check web site for more details. or whet your pallette on the video below explaining the process of producing whisky.

My Ferry is Cancelled. What Do We Do? Call your Tour Operator of course!

"Our ferry has been cancelled! What do we do?"

It may not be an every day occurrence but as Scotland provides possibly the very best island golf experiences in the world it can and does occur - and again it emphasises the benefits of having a tour operator on hand to step in and remove the panic!

SIGTOA members, Thistle Golf, try very hard to provide a comprehensive service to their clients from overseas sometimes taxing the resources and solution finding to the limit but making it all the better when it works out properly for the client.

Such an occasion occurred last season when a group of four senior golfers from Canada, touring in Scotland and the Western Isles, sailed to the Isle of Arran and onward to the Mull of Kintyre before taking another ferry over to the wonderful Isle of Islay where they planned to spend just one night and to tour the island before leaving on the following day.

Unfortunately (Islay being an island in the Atlantic on the way to New York) a storm blew up in the interim and the ferry sailing on the next morning was cancelled and the Thistle Golf team received a panic call from the clients to ask what happened now?

There was no alternative but for them to stay where they were at the excellent Bridgend Hotel on Islay and to catch the next ferry leaving the island. They had to pay for an extra night but could relax in the knowledge that in the meantime Thistle Golf  were pulling out all the stops to re-arrange the remainder of their tour itinerary on the basis (and hope!) that the ferry would sail next day.

A single weather related event can create havoc for a visitor but with the support of their golf tour operator the group had no need to worry about changes to hotel arrival dates, ferry transfers or refunds as the Thistle Golf team were dealing with that for them!

The outcome was a happy one! The storm passed, the ferry left the island the following day and the clients continued and enjoyed the remainder of their tour before returning to Canada having enjoyed a great, if little more adventurous trip to Scotland than originally planned!

Another good reason for considering the services of a golf tour operator when planning your trip? You bet. Some love the challenge of independent travel whilst others simply don't! A good tour operator gives you the piece of mind to relax and enjoy the trip rather than worrying about the logistics.

And if you do ever get an extra day on Islay you won't regret it as the video below shows!

Castle Stuart has become a "must play" recommendation for many operators.

Castle Stuart Golf Links the host to the Scottish Open again in 2016 and Peter Craigon tells you why he reckons that this layout is one more of those MUST play courses when you visit Scotland. 

Last week I had the absolute pleasure of spending a couple of days at Castle Stuart on an early season mini-tour with 3 of my great golfing buddies – Donald McLeod is our Associate Director, Robin Duncan is the current Captain of Blairgowrie GC and Alan Wilson is a past Captain and Secretary of the 81 year old Perth Academy FPs GC. In fact all four of us are members of that wonderful old golf club having gone to school at Perth Academy (many years ago!)

I had played Castle Stuart on a number of occasions since it opened in 2009 and we have had some great feedback from clients we have sent there regularly in that time. However, I had not previously stayed in their accommodation. We stayed in their onsite Farmhouse which is a high class conversion only a drive and a wedge from the clubhouse. I can thoroughly recommend it as a base for anyone looking to play golf in the Highlands. The accommodation had 4 bedrooms and can easily accommodate 4 to 8 golfers and had a great lounge with Sky Sports to we enjoyed a few glasses of something nice whilst watching the PGA Tour event late into the night. We had a full Scottish breakfast in the clubhouse the next morning which was as good as any you would find in any of the hotels or guest houses up and down the country!

I must also say there can no other top class links golf course in Scotland with such fabulous scenery from more or less every hole (and I should know as I have played over 250 of Scotland’s wonderful golf courses over the years). The views to the west and north of Inverness and across to the Black Isle are simply spectacular. The course was designed jointly by Gil Hanse (he has just completed the course for this year’s Olympics in Rio) and Mark Parsinen and what a great job they have done. Every hole is fair yet challenging and it will be great to see some of the top players in the world warm up for The Open when the Scottish Open takes place at Castle Stuart in July. Simply put Castle Stuart is great links golf and is one of the reasons so many of the world’s best players think it is a great warm up for the Open at Royal Troon.

Also worth noting that it is not just me and our clients who think Castle Stuart is a great place to play golf – none other than Arnold Palmer visited last year and he and his design team are set to build what will be Arnie’s first golf course in Britain – the course is due to start being built next year – what an unbelievable prospect – taking what is one of Scotland’s very best links golf courses and adding another one right beside it with Arnold Palmer’s masterful design – I for one can’t wait.

Castle Stuart is one of the best golf experiences Scotland has to offer so why not ask me or Donald McLeod to add it to your itinerary the next time you come to Scotland along with Royal Dornoch and Nairn. In fact, to make the most of the experience we can add a high class whisky tasting in the Castle Stuart clubhouse run by one of the experts from the Tomatin Distillery.

Find out More on Morton Golf Website

Fife based Scotland Tours introduce a new Scheduled Tours Service

Scotland Tours has launched a scheduled tour programme to allow smaller groups to join together, enjoy the fun and cost savings a larger group brings.

Since 1997 Scotland Tours have been delivering high quality golf tours to their international guests, but frequently came across people who asked to join a larger group, or expressed a preference not to drive on “our” side of the road, but didn't want to incur the expense of hiring their own driver. The solution is to join a larger group tour and have your own driver looking after transport logistics. These new tours which will start in September 2016 are designed for a maximum of 16 players, so the group is still manageable and it doesn't take too long to get on and off the courses.
 
Designing the tour and the selecting courses has been interesting. They have still included many top name courses and guests will be staying in hotels that feature regularly in their other tours, so they are not compromising on quality.

Thousands of people every year tour Scotland and other areas of the UK and Ireland in larger coaches and Scotland Tours see no reason why 16 like minded golfers should not enjoy the same relaxing tour and still play 6 great courses.

The courses in the 2016 series include many top names including Castle Stuart, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns,  Royal Dornoch, and a few local “hidden gems” they know you will also enjoy.

Whether you are travelling alone, or with 3 or 4 other friends, book your tour now and get your space reserved. You can check out the new web pages below

Scotland Golf Schedule Tours

Morton Golf Holidays : Golf and Whisky Packages

For many years before buying Morton Golf Holidays owner Peter Craigon worked in the drinks' industry in Scotland and looked after some of the world’s most famous whisky brands. 

Proud to have been made a Keeper of the Quaich, Peter still enjoys offering his golfing clients wonderful whisky experiences when they are not playing some of the world’s most famous golf courses.

Peter is in a unique position in the golf travel business as no-one else in the trade can combine such a high level of knowledge and expertise in both golf and whisky.  For years Peter enlisted the services of whisky expert Iain Stothard and they jointly hosted some wonderful “ whisky dinners “ for Morton Golf Holidays’ clients.

As Peter says “After our clients had played a round on the Old Course we arranged a private dinner in a section of Rocca Restaurant in Rusacks Hotel overlooking the 18th fairway.  Iain would then give a talk all about whisky then with the sun setting and casting long shadows over the most famous view in golf Iain would match a malt whisky to each course of dinner – over the years we must have used over 50 of the top malts including Highland Park 18yo (Iain’s personal favourite), Macallan, Balvenie and Glenfiddich 15yo.

Peter is particularly excited with the opening of the Kingsbarns Distillery which is only a good 3 wood away from the 12th hole of the world famous golf links.  Douglas Clement one of the Founders of the distillery and Visitor Centre Manager has done a brilliant job in setting up such a superb distillery so close to St Andrews.

Already Peter has included a visit to the Kingsbarns Distillery into many of his itineraries.  And for very special groups he is delighted to arrange not only a tour of the distillery after a round on the nearby Kingsbarns Golf Links but he will also arrange for Doug to conduct a VIP tasting.

“ We are very lucky in Scotland to be not only the Home of Golf but also we produce the world’s most aspirational drink in scotch whisky.  I am delighted to have gained so much knowledge over the years not only about golf but also whisky and I know from our clients’ feedback over the years they like nothing better than for me to combine iconic golf links such as the Old Course and Carnoustie in their itineraries with VIP tours of whisky distilleries such as Kingsbarns, Tullibardine (near Gleneagles) and Glenmorangie not far from Royal Dornoch.

Ask Peter to send you a bespoke itinerary combining the very best golf courses and whisky experiences Scotland has to offer.

Find out more

Kingsbarns Distillery Site

Peter Craigon from Caddie to Golf Tour Operator

Peter Craigon the owner of the long established golf tour operator Morton Golf Holidays attended the SIGTOA meeting at Gleneagles earlier this week and reflected that every time he visits the hotel and golf resort, whether to see clients, have meetings with the management team or occasionally to play, he is reminded of when he was a caddie there in the 1970s.

"That was a great time in my life and really enhanced my golfing experience" said Peter. "I was brought up in Auchterarder so could cycle the 2 miles to Gleneagles to caddie. There were a bunch of my pals who were all good golfers and we loved working at Gleneagles as caddies.  In those days most of the golfers were from the USA and they all seemed to want to take a caddie !  As well as giving yardages and reading greens when the golfers found out we were all good players we often ended up coaching them to help them get round in the lowest score possible.  The highlight of my caddying career at Gleneagles was when I caddied for the Ryder Cup player Eamon Darcy in the Double Diamond Internationals.  I was with him all week and as well as beating Bruce Devlin amongst others we played with Howard Clark and none other than Lee Trevino – I have never been so nervous on a golf course but I can remember that time as if it was yesterday !"

Now that Peter owns a successful golf tour operator business he likes nothing better than to book caddie rounds for his clients.

"Each year we book around 1200 to 1300 caddie rounds whether at St Andrews, Gleneagles, Kingsbarns or any of the other courses on our tours. We receive so much positive feedback from our golfers it is one of the most satisfying aspects of what we do.  Of course it is not obligatory for a golfer to take a caddie when playing in Scotland but as our clients tell us regularly a caddie can save them maybe 10 shots in one round – and of course a good caddie will tell a few irreverent stories along the way !!"

When you book your next trip to Scotland with Morton Golf Holidays be sure to ask Peter to request caddies for some or all of your rounds.

Contact Peter today by email or visit Morton Golf's website

Dundonald Links Clubhouse Taking Shape

After many false dawns, Dundonald Links in Ayrshire is to have its permanent clubhouse built starting in April of this year.

The course which is owned by Loch Lomond has been a tremendous boon for golfers visiting Ayrshire by being so accessible seven days a week and offering such a high quality layout. And whilst the temporary facilities were better than many permanent clubhouses there was still a sense that it was after all a series of posh portacabins.

The new facility has been designed, perhaps, with half an eye to enticing The Scottish Open to the area and there is no doubt that the design shown below in the architect's drawings is a bold statement. It is sure to delight some and perhaps not others!

Dundonald Links sits within a few miles of Royal Troon and Prestwick and less than forty minutes fro Turnberry. It shares very similar land to Western Gailes to its immedaite west, Gailes Links to the north (Glasgow) and Barassie LInks to the south.

It truly is a wodnerful plot of golfing real estate and offers some trememndous holes and perhaps the best collection of par threes anywhere in Scotland. If you'r visiting Troon for The Open in July ask your tour operator about Dundonald.

In the meantime - what do you think of the artist impressions?

Architects Cove Burgess Portfolio Page

Edinburgh Golf Breaks with Wilkinson Travel Services

Edinburgh is not perhaps the first thought you have when it comes to golfing destinations but in reality it can be a wonderfully deiffernt location from which to base yourself for a golfing trip with friends or family.

Almost equidistant to both Fife and East Lothian's courses it has the addition of world famous histroy and heritage and uear round arts, culture and entertainment.

Gary Wilkinson from Fife based golf operator Wilkinson Travel Services showcases a sample itinerary below.

City centre based golf has become more prevalent in recent years for specific types of groups. Short breaks with  a few nights offers the opportunity to combine theatre and culture visits for example with championship golf. Glasgow gives easy access to Ayrshire whilst Edinburgh offers easy access to fife, East Lothiana and even Gleneagles.

Contact Wilkinson Travel Services for more information or download the PDF.

Wilkinson Travel promoting new 2016 programmes

Wilkinson Travel Services offer golfing holiday packages to Scotland's traditional and well know golf courses and also give the visitor the chance to explore the lesser know courses within Scotland which are well worth a visit.

Like all members of SIGTOA they tailor golf tours to best suit size of group, budget and playing ability. Just tell them what's on your wish list and they'll do the rest.

Open Championship 2016

Take time to browse through a selection of itineraries that will allow you to watch the Open Championship at Royal Troon and play on some of Scotland’s iconic Championship courses.As with everything they do it is tailor made to suit your exact requirements please get in touch with them if there are other options you would like quoted.

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Carnoustie Country

Enjoy great golf and accommodation on Scotland's East Coast

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Find out more about Wilkinson Travel Services on the SIGTOA website.

Two New Tours from Morton Golf Holidays

SIGTOA member Morton Golf Holidays are promoting two new golf and whisky tours for 2016 on their website. This is definitely one is for the golfers out there who also enjoy a dram combining the Home of Golf with  Uisge beatha, the Water of Life!

Director Peter Craigon explained further,

“Having worked for a long time in the whisky industry, and being fortunate enough to be made a ‘Keeper of the Quaich’, I am in a unique position to combine the finest golf courses across Scotland with the most prestigious and renowned whisky distilleries to create the perfect bespoke Golf and Whisky Tour for our clients in 2016.” 

 

The two exciting additions feature both wonderful golf and classic malts. 

New Morton Golf Holidays Whisky and Golf Tour

• Day 1 – Arrive – stay in Gleneagles for 3 nights 
• Day 2 – Gleneagles Kings + Tullibardine Distillery VIP tour
• Day 3 – Deanston Distillery VIP Tour and visit the Trossachs
• Day 4 – Gleneagles PGA + Famous Grouse VIP Tour - Stay in St Andrews for 4 nights
• Day 5 – Kingsbarns + VIP Distillery Tour
• Day 6 – Edinburgh City Tour + Scotch Whisky Experience Tour
• Day 7 – Old Course + whisky tasting
• Day 8 – Depart

Slightly different is the new Golf and History Tour too, back to Peter again,

"This one is for the golfers out there who want to find out why Scotland attracts people from all over the world to savour our national heritage. The trip typically combines great golf with a flavour of some of Scotland's most historic venues. The old Tom Morris talk is great fun too and highly informative"

New Morton Golf Holidays Golf and History Tour

• Day 1 – Arrive – stay in Gleneagles for 3 nights 
• Day 2 – Gleneagles Kings + Scone Palace accompanied tour
• Day 3 – Accompanied tours of Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument 
• Day 4 – Gleneagles Queens Course and local history talk - Stay in St Andrews for 4 nights
• Day 5 – Crail Balcomie and Golf History talk
• Day 6 – Accompanied Edinburgh City Tour 
• Day 7 – Old Course + Old Tom Morris Talk
• Day 8 – Depart

As ever all bookings subject to availability. 

For more information on these two Tours please con us direct at info@mortongolf.com or find out more about Morton Golf Holidays on the SIGTOA website.

European Golf Team Championships 2018

A unifying and vibrant brand has been launched by the participating sports to promote the new European Championships which will be staged for the first time in Glasgow and Berlin between the 1st and 12th August 2018 but the interesting part of this is the inclusion of golf for the first time.

A new golf team championship will be part of the multi-sport event, joining the existing European Championships of athletics, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon.

The European Golf Team Championships will take place at the Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course. The Golf event will be staged over 5 days and include men’s team, women’s team and mixed team competition. Two male and female athletes per nation will participate, with the top 16 European nations included.

Keith Waters, The European Tour’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “It is very exciting for Golf Europe to be invited to join some of Europe’s leading sports in the inaugural European Sports Championships, with three new European Golf Team Championships for female, male and mixed teams.

“This is part of our vision of encouraging all European nations to participate in golf, and it is fitting that Gleneagles will host the first staging of this event, having been the venue for last year’s Ryder Cup, when Europe memorably united through team golf.”

The new European Championships logo was unveiled at an event in Glasgow, attended by Great Britain swimmer Ross Murdoch, who spoke of his “golden moment” when he won Commonwealth Games gold in the pool in 2014 in Glasgow and said he could not wait for the prospect of another chance to be a champion as part of a multi-sport event in front of a home crowd.

The dynamic Mark of a Champion is the star-like logo representing the vision at the heart of the multi-sport championships brand – to create a must-attend, must-watch experience that elevates the status of European Champions.

Jamie Hepburn, Scottish Government Minister for Sport, said: “I’m delighted that the Scottish Government has been able to support the 2018 European Championships. This is a totally new concept in European sport, so it’s tremendous that we can be at the forefront of that, welcoming all these world class athletes to Glasgow, and other venues across Scotland. We have a growing reputation when it comes to hosting major events like this, and I’m sure the people of Scotland will embrace these championships as only they can.”

It will be interesting

Mickelson, McDowell and Stenson confirmed for Castle Stuart

The Scottish Open is returning again this year to Castle Stuart Links between Inverness and Nairn this year and the big names are lining up again to hone their links golfing skills before heading south west to Troon in Ayrshire for The Open.

SIGTOA members will as usual be out in force with their clients in The Highlands for the event which when back to back with The Open being in Scotland offers a wonderful chance for visitors to watch two massive events and play some superb golf alongside.

Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson will this year renew rivalries in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart Golf Links, where the popular American took the title in 2013 before lifting the Claret Jug the following week.

Five-time Major Champion Mickelson, World Number Five Stenson and former winner Graeme McDowell are among the star names so far confirmed for the 34th edition of Scotland’s national Open, which returns to the stunning Inverness venue from July 7-10, 2016.

Stenson led by two shots going into the final round at Castle Stuart three years ago, only to be pipped to the prize by Mickelson, who produced a trademark flop shot in the play-off with Branden Grace to secure his first victory in a regular European Tour event.

Mickelson cited that win as a key component in his subsequent triumph at Muirfield, and the 45 year old is hopeful of achieving another Scottish double when he warms up for The Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club with his seventh straight appearance – and 14th overall – in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

Mickelson said: “I’m always excited about returning to Scotland, and particularly to Castle Stuart. I believe winning there in 2013 was key to my success the next week at The Open Championship.

“Beyond that, the nation is the home of golf and I really appreciate the fans’ golfing knowledge and their respect for the game. It’s always one of the highlights of my year when I compete in Scotland.”

If you want to find out more about golf trips that include either or both the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart or the Open at Royal Troon contact one of the Scottish Incoming Golf Tour Operators directly through the SIGTOA website.

Barra seek Clubhouse support

An endearing plea for help came our way from one of shall we say Scotland's more remote little golf courses!

Located on the tiny Hebridean Island of Barra, you will find the most Westerly Golf course in the UK!  The voluntary run Club provides a 9 hole course on one of the most unique, rugged landscapes with stunning views across the Atlantic.   Ok.....you may have to share some of it with cows and sheep, but they rarely distract you from the game!

But beauty comes with drawbacks.

The unpredictable weather in this highly exposed area provides no shelter for players.  Weekly, these active volunteers are maintaining the area. From fixing old machinery to enable them to do their grass cutting, maintaining the greens, fencing, cleaning and clearing of ditches.  A few months ago, the 2nd green collapsed due to erosion, but they quickly prepared another area to ensure play went on.....!

Formed in 1992, this Club runs with little financial support.  Other than membership fees and an honesty box, a price could not be put on the time and efforts that these volunteers provide.  But, they do it out of satisfaction - seeing their efforts being enjoyed by the large number of tourists and locals alike.

But, they now need help to fund a small club house in this unique but wild area.  This will provide warmth and shelter, kitchen, wc facilities and storage.   It is a necessity to ensure the future of the Club.  It is the main issue raised through feedback from users and tourists.  The only facility on the course are dilapidated containers - used for storage....and shelter!  An eye sore in such a beautiful location.  Help us remove them!

Can you help?  The group are not shy of hard work - this is evidential through their dedication and efforts on the greens.

For anyone that helps, they would warmly invite them to our course!   And possibly for a cup of tea too...

If you feel like helping out you can go to their Crowdfunder page here

Old Course to host the British Seniors 2018

As part of an ongoing series of announcements on major golf events for Scotland - including the Curtis Cup - the latest news sees the British Seniors head for THe Old Course at St. Andrews in 2018. It's probably been a surprise to many that the Seniors' open has actually never been played at the Home of Golf before but this is probably due to the calendar of events that are already in place.

It's some time away (July 26-29, 2018) and proabably a little early to start making travel plans but of course their will be a SIGTOA member who can help you even now!

The announcement, which was made jointly by The R&A and the European Tour at The Home of Golf, completes the full set of Major Championships to be held over the Old Course.

The 144th Open in 2015 was the 29th occasion on which the Championship has been played at St Andrews. The Ricoh British Women’s Open has been played there on two occasions and the Old Course will now become the 13th venue to accommodate the Senior Open Championship, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary with a return to another famous Scottish venue at Carnoustie.
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, and European Tour CEO, Keith Pelley, welcomed the decision to bring the Senior Open to an iconic location with which many of the world’s greatest senior golfers have a strong affinity.

The announcement also received unanimous support from several golfing greats, including five-time Champion Golfer of the Year and three-time Senior Open winner, Tom Watson, of the United States, who was a prime instigator behind the event heading to St Andrews for the first time.

Although he never claimed the Claret Jug at The Home of Golf – famously finishing tied second behind Seve Ballesteros alongside another European legend in Bernhard Langer in 1984 – Watson spoke of his desire to compete one last time over the famous links.

The 66-year-old made what he believed would be his final flourish on the Old Course during The Open last year, when he bade an emotional farewell to the Championship, which defined him as a golfer, on the Swilcan Bridge.

Watson is now set to return for one last hurrah, however, alongside a number of champions who can boast victories at St Andrews, including Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and John Daly, who turns 50 this year and is set to make his Senior debut at Carnoustie this July.

He said: “I am thrilled at the news that the Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex will be staged over the Old Course for the first time in 2018. Only last July, I played what I believed would be my final competitive round of golf at The Open, and the reception I received as darkness fell on that Friday evening will stay with me always.

“However, The R&A, the European Tour and the St Andrews Links Trust have shown the spirit of cooperation that exists in the game. By agreeing to bring this wonderful Championship to the Home of Golf in July 2018, they have allowed not just me, but many other great champions, an opportunity to return to a venue that means so much to everyone who plays the game.”

Sir Nick Faldo, who captured the second of his three Open victories at St Andrews in 1990, also bade farewell to The Open on the same Friday as Watson in 2015 but he is already thinking about dusting down the clubs to compete in the Senior Open Presented by Rolex in 2 ½ years’ time.

The six-time Major Champion and Britain’s most successful golfer, said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see the Senior Open Championship going to St Andrews in 2018.  This certainly gives me another golfing goal and I only hope my game is good enough to give it a go on the Old Course!"

Montgomerie was part of the three-man Scotland team who claimed the Dunhill Cup in 1995. Exactly a decade later the three-time Senior Major Champion finished a credible runner-up behind Tiger Woods in The Open over the Old Course, before going one better in that year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

He commented: “This is great news and will surely deliver the best field ever assembled for the Senior Open Championship. All credit to the powers that be to get the Senior Open at St Andrews for the first time. Even now, more than two years out, I am excited about the prospect. It’s a real coup for The R&A, the European Senior Tour, St Andrews Links Trust, Rolex and everyone associated with the event to get us playing senior golf at St Andrews.

“It will be great to see Tom Watson back, at the age of 68, where we thought he would play in a major for the last time in 2015. However, there will be a lot of other players, like Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer for instance, who will be excited by the prospect. It will be a real celebration of over-50s golf.”

For more information on watching golf in Scotland contact any of the members of SIGTOA through the website.

Well-plaid for Scotland’s PGA of America centennial links

To commemorate the historic centennial year of the PGA of America in 2016, Scotland has gifted the organisation a one-of-a-kind tartan weave to celebrate the country’s proud links with the organisation.

The PGA of America Centennial Tartan has been exclusively created to mark 100 years since the inception of the organisation and honours the role Scottish-born professional golfers played in its formation.

Five of the seven founding members of the first PGA of America committee were Scottish professionals, including Robert W. White, the first PGA of America President, and James Hepburn, the first chairman of the committee.

The tartan was the brainchild of Matt Clark, owner of Scottish custom golf bag business Bridge Golf Scotland and was commissioned by VisitScotland and Scottish Development International, the international arm of Scotland’s economic development agencies. It was created by renowned textile manufacturers, Lochcarron of Scotland with the colours carefully chosen to represent those of the PGA of America as well as Scotland’s Saltire flag and the iconic Stars and Stripes banner of the United States.

The tartan was officially gifted to Allen Wronowski, Honorary President of the PGA of America, by VisitScotland’s Director of Events, Paul Bush, and Graeme White, SDI’s Head of Tourism, at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. Part of the gift included specially-designed golf club headcovers designed and made in Scotland by stand partner Bridge Golf Scotland, and ties and scarves created by Lochcarron of Scotland. The tartan cloth will now be made available to all PGA of America members as well as offering commercial opportunities for Scottish businesses and manufacturers.

As well as being the PGA of America’s centennial year, 2016 is also the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design in Scotland, resulting in a year-long celebration of Scotland’s achievements across these areas. Tartan has become an internationally-acclaimed fashion and style icon, and the development of the PGA of America Tartan further enhances this reputation.

Bush said: “We are honoured to be able to present the PGA of America with this specially designed tartan to commemorate its centennial year and to celebrate the proud association Scotland, the Home of Golf, has with this incredible organisation.

“As a nation, we are incredibly proud of the role we have played in the globalisation of golf, both as a game and a profession, and I am delighted that the relationships forged with the PGA of America back in 1916 continue to this day.

“Traditionally, every clan in Scotland had its own unique tartan and the new PGA of America Centennial Tartan ensures that the organisation will forever be part of Scotland’s golfing family.”

Graeme White, head of tourism at Scottish Enterprise said: "Scottish tartan is known the world over for its iconic fashion, quality and heritage. But it is also an important commercial product of Scotland. This new tartan, while welcoming the PGA of America into our global family, also offers Scottish businesses and manufacturers exciting national and international trade opportunities, which we look forward to supporting."

The inception of the PGA of America came at a time when golf was expanding rapidly in the US, not just as a past-time, but as a business; and the organisation was set up to nurture and capitalise on that growth. Now, 100 years on, the PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organisation, comprising more than 28,000 men and women dedicated to promoting the game of golf.

Accepting the tartan on behalf of the PGA of America, Honorary President Wronowski said: “It is with a great deal of honor that the PGA of America accepts the beautiful Scottish tartan, symbolic of the bond that the PGA of America shares with the Home of Golf,” said Wronowski. “Scottish blood was a part of our Association’s founding a century ago and our shared passion and pride for growing the game has never been stronger.”

The tartan was gifted to the PGA of America at the Scotland, the Home of Golf stand (Booth #3473) at the annual PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. The show represents the biggest gathering of golf industry professionals on the planet. Scotland’s presence at the show is supported by VisitScotland and Scottish Development International and includes businesses from across the golf tourism and manufacturing industries in Scotland.

Fife Golf Invitational 2016

The first Fife Golf Invitational aimed at raising funds for the regional golf group will take place over the Craighead Course at Crail Golf Club on Friday 18th of March.

SIGTOA will be entering a combined team and some of the members are likely to be in with their own entries. As ever when you put SIGTOA members on a golf course together the side bets will be significant. It was once rumoured that there was as much as a pound lost on each of the front nine, back nine and the game!

The event is open to all Fife businesses involved in the tourism industry and provides a fantastic opportunity to network and have a great day out with colleagues and guests. There will be a number of prizes available on the day and a fabulous golf auction at the close of play!

You can download the full entry information on the PDF here

SIGTOA Presence at PGA merchandise Show in Orlando

Scotland once again cemented its reputation as The Home of Golf, with a strong delegation in attendance at the world’s biggest golf industry gathering – the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando which included members of the Scottish Incoming Golf Tour Operators' Association.

The SIGTOA members were part of a group of 15 Scottish businesses at the show, which attracted more than 1,000 golf businesses from across the globe and in excess of 40,000 delegates comprising influential PGA Professionals, media and key industry decision makers.

Scotland’s presence was once again under the world-renowned Scotland, the Home of Golf banner with a strong regional spread of businesses from across the golf tourism, manufacturing and retail sectors.

Among the one million square feet of floor space and 10 miles of aisles, Scotland stood out from the crowd thanks to key activity throughout the week. Key highlights of Scotland’s presence include the appearance of The Claret Jug and the Championship Belt to commemorate The Open returning in 2016 to Royal Troon and Ayrshire, the region known as The Birthplace of The Open thanks to Prestwick GC’s hosting of the first 12 championships. The appearance of the Claret Jug on the Scotland stand follows the announcement that The Open was worth £140m to the Scottish economy, the biggest ever return for a golf event in the UK & Ireland.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to be among the first to “play” the newly redesigned Ailsa Course at the Trump Turnberry Resort, thanks to a state-of-the-art simulator featuring the 9th, 10th and 11th holes.

A newly created PGA of America Centennial Tartan will also be on display after it was gifted to the PGA of America to mark 100 years since the inception of the organisation and honour the role Scottish-born professional golfers played in its formation.

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “We are delighted to once again have such a strong Scottish presence at the world’s biggest golf industry gathering. Scotland is known throughout the world as the Home of Golf and that message resonates with golfers wherever we travel.

“The 15 different stand partners reflect the diversity of golf in Scotland and the hugely important role the industry plays in the country where it all began. Coming together as one team at the PGA Show is a strong message that Scotland is committed to continuing to play on the world stage when it comes to golf tourism and retail. We know that people are always interested in hearing more about golf in Scotland and with our excellent array of stand partners and exciting activity such as the Trump Turnberry simulator and appearance of the Claret Jug, we can be confident of another successful show in Orlando.”

Scotland’s stand partners include:

Adventures in Golf: A Scottish golf tour operator since 1977, with offices in the UK and the US and a wide-range of experience creating customised itineraries for thousands of clients.

Bonnie Wee Golf: A Scottish tour operator specialising in exclusive golfing itineraries to every region of Scotland.

Bridge Golf Scotland: Specialising in custom-made golf bags, manufactured in Scotland with a customer base spanning five continents and 23 countries.

DP&L Golf: A Scottish golf tour service that can trace its roots back to 1826 and which specialises in the East and West Coast areas of Scotland.

Eden Mill Distillery: Scotland’s first single-site distillery, based on the outskirts of St Andrews. Launching a new line of Gin, including a Golf Gin, they are sure to be a popular stand partner.

Executive Golf & Leisure: A Scottish golf tour operator, established in 1987, specialising in luxury golf experiences across Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales and Europe.

Highland Golf Links: Formed in 2011, HGL is a partnership of three of Scotland’s most renowned links courses and three luxury hotels. Partners comprise Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Nairn golf courses and Kingsmills Hotel, Culloden House Hotel and the Royal Golf Hotel.

The Leith Silver Company: Based in Scotland, the Leith Silver Company provides prestigious silverware for the golf market. Products are hand-crafted in Scotland and Scottish oak and the staves of whisky barrels feature heavily in the design and presentation of the silverware.

Links Golf St Andrews: For more than 30 years the company has been organising golf tours which include play on the finest courses in Scotland, England and Ireland, as well as packages to The Open and The Ryder Cup.

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts: With more than 40 hotels and 10 resorts, Macdonald Hotels and Resorts is the largest independent hotel group in the UK. Included in the portfolio are the world-famous Macdonald Rusacks at St Andrews and Macdonald Marine in North Berwick.
Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club: Opened in 2009, Machrihanish Dunes has been heralded as one of Scotland’s best links courses. The Village at Machrihanish Dunes also comprises The Ugadale Hotel and Cottages and The Royal Hotel in nearby Campbeltown.

Mairead Hume Harris Tweed Golf Collection: A luxury range of golf accessories handmade in Scotland from authentic Harris Tweed from the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Currently working with Kingsbarns Golf Links, Castle Stuart, Trump Turnberry and St Andrews Links Golf Shops, the collection can also be seen on the bags of several ladies on the European Tour.

Meldrum House Country Hotel & Golf Course: Nestled in the heart of Aberdeenshire’s tranquil countryside, the charming 13th century baronial mansion house, 240 acre estate and golf course offers more than luxury. New for June 2016, 28 more contemporary bedrooms and a purpose-built banqueting suite.

Perry Golf: One of the leading providers of golf tours and cruises to the world’s most memorable destinations as well as packages to The Open and The Ryder Cup.

Recounter: Featured on the Golf Channel and described by Golf Monthly as the ultimate golf trip souvenir, Recounter are the go-to golf photographers for buddy-trips and PGA Professional escorted trips, which are captured for life in luxury hand-made in Scotland table-books.

Trump Turnberry: A luxury resort famous for its two championship courses and world-renowned hotel. An extensive 18-month refurbishment programme is now underway and the resort will re-launch on June 1st, 2016, when the redesigned Open Championship golf course, the Ailsa, will be available for play for the first time.