swo83

Actually just called and got the last RCD tee time on Friday April 24th (day after Royal Portrush) - couldn’t pass it up. May also swap North Berwick for Prestwick. Initially didn’t intend to replay courses but NB is my favorite in Scotland. RCD and Carne are my favorites in Ireland. I could do: Sunday April 19: North Berwick (PM) Monday April 20: Royal Troon (AM) fly to Dublin Tuesday April 21: St Patrick’s Links Cruit Island Wednesday April 22: Portstewart Thursday April 23: Royal Portrush Friday April 24: Royal County Down Saturday April 25: The Island

May flip carne and enniscrone if enniscrone allows me to play early enough to fit in carne. Not the most interested in western gailes at least for this trip, maybe a future trip. Driving distance also doesn’t matter to me, it’s more about playing the courses I want to play in the limited time I have. I guess we all have our priorities, and that’s mine for this anyways. In a previous trip I play St Enodoc in the afternoon then drove across England to play RSG the next day. Not for everyone, but don’t regret it one bit, it was awesome and the only way that I could’ve played both. This trip actually seems tons more manageable than some of my past ones. Really looking for preferred places to stay, towns that make sense, good places to eat than course or routing recs. Thanks

It’s been a while since I’ve last posted, been away from the game for a bit, but have that itch to head back to Scotland and Ireland. Historically I’ve planned some pretty massive adventure-like trips. Most recently went to England/Wales/Norway for a golf trip. This time it’ll be a lot more toned down and a quicker trip. I have two courses that I’ve been chasing the past two times to complete the Open rota. I would’ve cancelled the lofoten links portion last time if I could’ve secured a Royal Portrush tee time but came up short twice. For this trip, it’s anchored around two non-negotiable tee times. I’m not really looking for course suggestions, I’m sort of filling the gaps of some courses I wish that I captured when I originally went to Ireland and Scotland. I am looking for any recommendations on accommodations, bars, experiences from those thatve played these courses too and any suggestions. I also can set foot in Ireland and not play Carne so that’ll be the only course that I’ve played. Here’s what I have Sunday April 19: Arrive in Edinburgh (AM) Play Prestwick (PM) Monday April 20: Play Royal Troon (PM) Tuesday April 21: hopper to Dublin (AM) Play The Island (PM) Wednesday April 22: Play Portstewart (PM) Thursday April 23: Play Royal Portrush (noon) Friday April 24: Play St Patrick’s Links Saturday April 25: Play Carne WAD (AM) Play Enniscrone (PM) Sunday April 26: depart April wasn’t the most ideal but the trip is centered around the Royal Portrush time that I’ve struck out on multiple times in the last and their only 2026 availability was a few tee times in April… I’ve also struck out on Royal Troon and need that to complete the rota courses so the Scotland first leg is non-negotiable too. Aside from Carne I haven’t played any of these courses. It’s tough to bypass RCD and North Berwick but Ive played them two years ago under near-perfect weather and really trying not to make this itinerary any longer either. I’d also love to add Macrihanish or castle Stuart or Royal Aberdeen (others I haven’t played) but they’re just too much of a stretch and don’t make sense for this. I’m also not willing to extend any further for western Gailes or any of the other west coast courses (played Turnberry 2 years ago, so not playing that either). Also thought about Baltray European Club and Ardglass instead of the Island… but keep coming back to the Island with its proximity to Dublin (already played Portmarnock two years ago). Looking forward to this trip… just can’t really extend beyond this time frame…. Which I’m struggling with.