St.Andrews/British Open 2015 help

[apexgrinds]

My brother-in-law and I would really like to take my dad to St.Andrews next year for The Open. We'd like to play a round or two in the area and maybe attend two days of The Open. Can anyone recommend an agent to assist with setting everything up (lodging, tee times, etc.)?

 

Just getting started looking into this, and there seem like a plethora of companies offering packages, but I'd love to get some first-hand accounts from those who have been there.

 

Thanks!

[bk52]

You might try:

[url="http://www.golfvacationsscotland.com/"]http://www.golfvacationsscotland.com/[/url]

We had a large group and a big budget but Eamon really hustles and he might be able to help you. He is based in Ireland but runs golf excursions all over the Ireland and the UK.

[Guardian5]

Perry Golf are the fantastic, every time everything has been perfect, ten plus trips.
Or book into Gleneagles, it is fifty minutes away from St. Andrews, it is one of the Worlds greatest hotels and their concierge will arrange everything for you.

Have fun and great thing to do with your father.

Edit... Agree with others below though, easy to arrange yourself

[puttnforthe8]

[quote name='apexgrinds' timestamp='1404740015' post='9651227']
My brother-in-law and I would really like to take my dad to St.Andrews next year for The Open. We'd like to play a round or two in the area and maybe attend two days of The Open. Can anyone recommend an agent to assist with setting everything up (lodging, tee times, etc.)?

Just getting started looking into this, and there seem like a plethora of companies offering packages, but I'd love to get some first-hand accounts from those who have been there.

Thanks!
[/quote]

Your request is not that difficult to do on your own....I have done it 3 times. Unless you need the convenience.

[ronstelten]

I suggest being on hand for at least one practice round day. Reserve at least two hours for the Road Hole. The best players in the world having "fun" in the Road Hole Bunker is very entertaining.

[apexgrinds]

Thanks for the suggestions. I need to get cracking on this.

[drn92]

We just returned from a family trip to GB. In Scotland we stayed in a converted castle just outside of Dollar. It was just over an hour from St Andrews, 25 minutes from Gleneagles, and about an hour from Loch Lomond. Absolutely stunning property that was quite a bit less that Gleneagles. It was fairly easy to get around in a car and the property had a kitchen with laundry facilities which made breakfast and dinners very easy. Dollar even has a little course that the starter at St Andrews said was a lot of fun (we didn't get a chance to play but would the next time).

If that is not too far out of your way I would be happy to PM you the info.

Enjoy the trip. Scotland and St Andrews were the highlight of the trip for us.

drn92

[67VIP]

[quote name='apexgrinds' timestamp='1404740015' post='9651227']
My brother-in-law and I would really like to take my dad to St.Andrews next year for The Open. We'd like to play a round or two in the area and maybe attend two days of The Open. Can anyone recommend an agent to assist with setting everything up (lodging, tee times, etc.)?

Just getting started looking into this, and there seem like a plethora of companies offering packages, but I'd love to get some first-hand accounts from those who have been there.

Thanks!
[/quote]

Try and play the Kings course at Gleneagles and maybe Craigielaw in east Lothian. Won't break the bank, but give you a great taste of scottish golf (highland & links). If you could get on the New course at St Andrews that might be even better as it runs right beside the Old course, but it might be closed for the open.

[sabram]

Perry Golf is very expensive. Two people that I know and that I have used are Craig Loftus at Golfing The Kingdom, and Joan Montgomerie at Moss Tours. They both have websites and will be very responsive to your inquiries. Craig posts here on GolfWRX under the name Lundin Golfer. They will do a great job for you at a lower cost than Perry.

As someone else has mentioned, it is not too difficult to plan the trip yourself. Buy Allen Ferguson's Book called "Golf in Scotland" and you'll be set to go.

On my last trip to Scotland I stayed at a fantastic B&B called the Spindrift in Anstruther (about 12 miles from St Andrews). You need to plan ASAP if you plan to be if Fife during the week of the Open Championship at St Andrews as places will fill up well in advance. Great places to play within 30 minutes of St Andrews (other than the 7 St Andrews Links Trust Courses) are Crail (Balcomie Links), Elie, Lundin, Leven, Scotscraig and Ladybank. If you are willing to spend a lot on green fees, then play Kingsbarns or Carnoustie.

You need to book soon as tee sheets will fill up early when the Open Championship is at St Andrews

[HoffTTM]

[quote name='drn92' timestamp='1404788611' post='9657081']
We just returned from a family trip to GB. In Scotland we stayed in a converted castle just outside of Dollar. It was just over an hour from St Andrews, 25 minutes from Gleneagles, and about an hour from Loch Lomond. Absolutely stunning property that was quite a bit less that Gleneagles. It was fairly easy to get around in a car and the property had a kitchen with laundry facilities which made breakfast and dinners very easy. Dollar even has a little course that the starter at St Andrews said was a lot of fun (we didn't get a chance to play but would the next time).

If that is not too far out of your way I would be happy to PM you the info.

Enjoy the trip. Scotland and St Andrews were the highlight of the trip for us.

drn92
[/quote]

I think I know the place you mean and it is great. We play club matches against Dollar and it is absolutely brutal if you have either a) not seen it before b) it's anywhere remotely close to "keen". I agree with sabram that unless you are wanting to spend big money the places to attempt to play around St. Andrews would be Crail and Elie imo. The other courses he mentions are all very good as well and you won't go wrong with any of them.

[babyfade]

Hello I have a question about The Open 2015.

Does anybody has experience in getting a Tee Time on a course in the region of St Andres during the Open week? I'm thinking of playing Lundin on Wednesday. Do you think that will work or may there be a lot of othes that have the same idea?

Thank you.

[HoffTTM]

[quote name='babyfade' timestamp='1413733984' post='10314353']
Hello I have a question about The Open 2015.

Does anybody has experience in getting a Tee Time on a course in the region of St Andres during the Open week? I'm thinking of playing Lundin on Wednesday. Do you think that will work or may there be a lot of othes that have the same idea?

Thank you.
[/quote]

Don't see it being too big of an issue, might be worth calling way in advance to get an idea. Worst case scenario is you end up playing elsewhere interesting, very few courses in that area I would steer people away from.

[babyfade]

Thank you for your answer.

I emailed a few clubs and didn't get any answers yet. Maybe a call will be more succesful.

[Backspin9]

I've been to Scotland twice and planned everything myself. Never had any problems, but getting a room in St. Andrews during the Open might be tough (and expensive). I stayed at the Best Western Scores Hotel both times and it overlooks the 1st tee of the Old Course. It's a decent place with a nice pub and restaurant but might be booked up by now.

The St. Andrews complex has 7 or 8 courses. Getting on one or two of them (other than the Old Course) shouldn't be a problem. I've played the Old Course and Jubilee twice and the Jubilee is one tough cookie. I thought it was harder than Carnoustie, which is about an hour or so away. One course that is a must-play is Kingsbarns, about 8 miles from St. Andrews. It's like the Pebble Beach of Scotland and a fantastic course. I traveled and played all over the country and Kingsbarns was my favorite. The Old Course and Carnoustie have their historical value but as courses go it's hard to beat Kingsbarns.

When I was last there in 2012 you could get a 2 course special to play Kingsbarns and the Duke's course. I'm not sure if they still have that, but it was a good deal. The Duke's is a hilly parkland course and pretty nice. It was a good contrast to the links I'd been playing and close to St. Andrews.

[Liquid]

Me and 11 buddies are attending the Friday round, then heading out on a 9 day golf tour. I would get on this sooner than later as I had trouble finding a hotel in Edinburgh with the right accomodations. Most rooms had one queen bed and not the 2 twins that we require. Our tour company told me that St Andrews has a minimum stay during and after the Open, so that might not be an option. There are a lot of great courses within an hour drive, so a bit of research will go a long way.

[HoffTTM]

i've been sent this and figured i might as well post it in here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QExOvKtTFQ

[67VIP]

St Andrews University has dorm rooms available for rent while school is out for the summer. Should be walking distance from the Old Course. Play Royal Aberdeen Golf Club's Balgownie Links...it blows the doors off anything in St Andrews.

[TheInfidel]

Having looked at some of the packages available to our US friends I would second the suggestion that you look to book things yourself. I won't bore you with the details of everything as you'll have your own thoughts and views on what you want to do but some helpful info below:
[list]
[*]United Airlines fly direct into Edinburgh from NYC and Chicago now, avoids a painful and wasteful London connection, do your connecting in the US.
[*]There are deals to be had on hotels through third parties, though you will need to part with big money to stay in St Andrews. Dundee, Perth and Cupar are towns and cities with a manageable commute.
[*]There isn't a shortage of excellent courses in Scotland, but you're unlikely to see as good a set of links courses in the US, so I would focus on those. Royal Aberdeen, Murcar, Dunbar, Longniddry, North Berwick, Elie and Gullane #1/#2 would be my picks.
[*]Muirfield permits guests on certain days of the week with prior arrangement, and Gleneagles has some excellent offers if you want to pick championship venues.
[/list]
Good luck and enjoy, bring a waterproof coat!

[HoffTTM]

Or just get out of the area completely after the Open, I did a trip last summer split accross two bases in Aberdeen and Inverness

Played

In/Near Aberdeen:
Cruden Bay
Fraserburgh
Deeside (friends home club)
Hazelhead 1 (council course in Aberdeen, decent design but a bit scruffy, can't complain for GBP5 twilight student, almost got round before dark)

Near Inverness:
Royal Dornoch
Boat of Garten
Tain
Brora


other high quality options in those regions include

Castle Stuart
Fortrose & Rosemarkie
Nairn
Nairn Dunbar
Strathpeffer Spa

Royal Aberdeen
Trump
Murcar

[67VIP]

[quote name='TheInfidel' timestamp='1414671940' post='10372927']
Having looked at some of the packages available to our US friends I would second the suggestion that you look to book things yourself. I won't bore you with the details of everything as you'll have your own thoughts and views on what you want to do but some helpful info below:
[list]
[*]United Airlines fly direct into Edinburgh from NYC and Chicago now, avoids a painful and wasteful London connection, do your connecting in the US.
[*]There are deals to be had on hotels through third parties, though you will need to part with big money to stay in St Andrews. Dundee, Perth and Cupar are towns and cities with a manageable commute.
[*]There isn't a shortage of excellent courses in Scotland, but you're unlikely to see as good a set of links courses in the US, so I would focus on those. Royal Aberdeen, Murcar, Dunbar, Longniddry, North Berwick, Elie and Gullane #1/#2 would be my picks.
[*]Muirfield permits guests on certain days of the week with prior arrangement, and Gleneagles has some excellent offers if you want to pick championship venues.
[/list]
Good luck and enjoy, bring a waterproof coat!
[/quote]

The only thought I'd add to the above is that Muirfield accepts visitors on Tue/Thu and you must have a fourball, and Gleneagles Centenary course is ok...very similar to Celtic Manor 2010 course. You'd be much more impressed with the Kings Course, IMHO. They have rates for a fourball that will save some money. I am very disappointed we couldn't get a round in on Panmure, so that would be a must play for me. Weather got us twice when we were supposed to play it. Royal Aberdeen has very limited visitor times M-F, but well worth the effort...probably the most impressive course we played on out trip.

[HoffTTM]

Avoid playing the PGA at Gleneagles, its just so bland compared to the others at the resort. I'd much rather play at any of the local member courses like Auchterarder, Muckhart or Crieff than the hyped Ryder Cup course and save 100+ quid in the process.

[crazy8golfer]

Hello, you may have already made your plans, but check online with fergusongolf.com. Do the trip with his help or get his book and save $1000's

[mdannolfo]

If you stay around St. Andrews, Crail is better then Lundin and Leven, but they are both good fun too, just a notch below. Everyone loves Kingsbarn, but that is next trip for me. The Links trust other courses are good too. New Course probably closed for open I would think, and stay away from the Castle course. Maybe they've fixed the greens by now. If you go North to Aberdeen area, play Carnoustie on the way (didn't get a chance to play but hear it is great) and then Royal Aberdeen is excellent and Cruden Bay was wonderful too. Royal Aberdeen has great dunes, great holes and wonderful history. Cruden Bay is wild. Played Cruden after an overnight flight in 40 to 60 mph winds. It was tough, lots of fun and beautiful.

If you go South and sightsee in the capital, play North Berwick, Gullane and Murfield if you can get on. That is the next trip. Have a friend moving back to Scotland and planning a visit before they even arrive.