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By Katharine Dyson
The potential is tremendous. More than 26 million men and women play the game and like big game hunters marking off sightings of the "Big Five," they continually seek bragging rights in new places to play around the world. This year the place to be is Ireland at the 36th Ryder Cup Matches, September 22-24 at the Kildare Golf and Country Club – the "K Club." One of the top golfing events in the world, tickets for this match-up between the Americans and the Europeans are available through golf tour operators like SGH Golf, where a six-day package includes five nights’ accommodations, entry to the matches, welcome cocktail party, and hotel transfers starting at $3,170.
Golf Tour Operators
Specialist golf tour operators can arrange everything: transportation, golf, meals and sightseeing. For example SGH Golf has a package taking in the practice rounds of the Masters at Augusta, Georgia; Premier Golf in Duluth, GA, offers golf programs in Spain, Scotland, Portugal, England and in Ireland where a seven-night Ryder Cup package is priced from $7,259 with accommodations, breakfasts, admission to the matches, transportation to the course, and three rounds of golf.
The Golf Travel Company's "Classic Costa Del Sol" takes golfers to play five courses in Spain including the famed Valderrama. The price of $1,985 includes six nights accommodations, green fees, use of minivan, transfers. ITC Golf Tours has several golf programs to Spain from $1,326 for six nights, breakfasts, green fees at five courses, and a rental car.
Jerry Quinlan's Celtic Golf has been in the golf travel business for more than 17 years. Among Quinlan's programs is a Father & Son Tournament at the K-Club which includes five rounds of golf at five different clubs for $2,499 per golfer.
Taba Dale of the Scottsdale Collection’s Turnberry Ladies International Invitational, June 23-July 1 includes a fun tournament and four nights at the marvelous seaswept Turnberry Resort on Scotland's Ayrshire coast and the nine-day itinerary also includes play at Carnoustie, Crail's Balcomie Links, Kingsbarns and others as well as touring of Scotland's castles and historic sites, spa experiences and sightseeing.
Golf Destinations
North Carolina, Scottsdale, Wales and Scotland are holes-in-one when for not only excellent courses but good accommodations and dining options..
For example Wales, where the Ryder Cup will be held in 2010, has close to 200 courses, many the true links-style wind-swept dunes courses with huge history and traditions like Aberdovey, Tenby and Royal St. Georges (often compared to Pebble Beach) and Pennard, where wild horses gallop freely across the fairways.
Stay in resort hotels like Vale Hotel, Golf & Spa resort or in small guest houses available through tour operators like Welsh Rarebits.
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