Golf and Cruise Scotland with PerryGolf

One for the American incoming golf market, "Golf and cruising combine in luxurious style on two PerryGolf tours along the western coast of Scotland in July."

Harmony II, a 189-foot mega-yacht, will carry only 12 guests each on two sailings, July 20-27 and July 26-Aug. 3. The meticulously restored steel-built vessel will stop for links golf and sightseeing at some of Scotland's best known courses and most historic sights. The seven-night private-yacht golf tours featuring six rounds of golf are managed by PerryGolf, a leader among golf and luxury lifestyle tour operators for the past 25 years.

The all-inclusive, per golfer price of $8,895 includes twin/double stateroom accommodations, all onboard meals, open bar onboard Harmony II, guaranteed tee times, golf green fees, ground transportation, fuel charges and port taxes. The non-golfer tour price is $8,495.

Golf highlights include Machrihanish, considered one of the hidden gems of the British Isles; Royal Dornoch, northernmost of Scotland's great links courses; The Machrie, a stunning links course set on the Isle of Islay; and the highly anticipated Castle Stuart, which opens on July 13.The Kintyre Trail, including the charming fishing village of Tarbert; the Isle of Islay, famous for its eight working whisky distilleries; and Culloden Battlefield, the scene of the last major battle fought on mainland Britain between the French-supported Jacobites and the Hanoverian British Government in 1745; are among the sights that make the tour as memorable for non-golfers as their golfing counterparts.

The tour begins at Troon on the Ayrshire coast and concludes at Inverness in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. (The itinerary is reversed for the July 26 - Aug. 3 tour.)Harmony II, first launched in 1954, has been fully restored over the last six years. The restoration included a total internal and external refitting with the installation of new engines and the replacement of 85 metric tons of hull plating.

Celebrations Planned for Open Anniversary

The Scotsman reported that for only the second time since Young Tom Morris won three consecutive Opens between 1868 and 1870 Prestwick golf club will present the winner of the Open in St Andrews in 2010 with a replica of the prized red morocco leather belt ornamented with silver.Sandy Lyle was the fortunate recipient of a replica belt in 1985 at Royal St George's to mark the championship's 125th anniversary.
By way of noting next summer's 150th anniversary of the oldest major, Prestwick again intend to mark the occasion by gifting the champion golfer of 2010 with a replica. The Ayrshire club's captain will make the presentation after the Royal and Ancient has handed over the Claret Jug.
Ian Bunch, secretary of Prestwick, confirmed: "We're having a replica belt made, which will be presented to the winner of the 2010 Open by our captain at the prize-giving on Sunday evening. Bunch also revealed how Prestwick intend to celebrate their special place in Open history by hosting a dinner next summer in a marquee outside their clubhouse.
Invitations are being sent to all the other clubs which have staged the championship over the past 150 years as well as the living champions.The Royal and Ancient has lent its full backing to the Prestwick function and letters of invitation from the Ayrshire club include a note of support from Peter Dawson, the chief executive.
Bunch added: "Representatives of the clubs and the past champions have all been asked to a black tie dinner on the Saturday night before the 2010 Open. We've already had quite a few positives and others have said they'll make it if their diaries allow. There seems to be a fair amount of enthusiasm for it. The course will also be available to them on Sunday."
There surely could be few more appropriate occasions for a golf party than the Open's 150th birthday. Interestingly enough Prestwick had a visit from Mark O'Meara last year," recalled Bunch. "We told him about our plans and he said: 'That's great, I'll try to bring my pal Tiger along and he'll be delighted to know you're having a belt made…'"

Updated Availability at Dundonald Links

Dundonald Links are continuing with their last minute offers through the summer.
If you're looking for a game this week you can play at various times for only £50 per golfer.
All tee times subject to availability and all requests should Quote 'Last Minute Offer' and email reservations@dundonaldlinks.com or call + 44 (0)1294 314000.
In addition they have a host of new packages available including:
Early Bird

• 7 days from 7.30am to 9.30am
• 9 holes with coffee & bacon roll
• £30 per personAdd lunch for £5.50 per person

Mix Business & Pleasure

• Monday to Friday (PM tee-times)18 holes from £50 per person
• Add breakfast & lunch from £10.50 per person

Weekend Worker

• All day Saturday and Sunday 18 holes from £75 per person
• Add breakfast & lunch from £10.50 per person

Gordon Sherry Comeback

Good to see that Gordon Sherry, the wonder kid of Ayrshire, indeed Scottish, golf in the early 1990s, is hitting the comeback trail at the age of 35.
The big man has made the cut after a second round, one-over-par 73 in the Northern Open at Spey Valley, Aviemore.
Although he was 11 shots off the pace set by Craig Lee on four-under-par 140, and said: "I need to keep working hard but at the moment I'm just glad to be back."
Sherry was four under after five holes of his second round but fell back with two bogeys and then a triple bogey at the ninth where he incurred a two-shot penalty for playing a wrong ball.

Gleaneagles Partner with Kingsbarns

Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire has teamed up with Kingsbarns Golf Links to offer guests a chance to play the best golf courses in Scotland.

Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, world-renowned for its own golf facilities, has teamed up with Kingsbarns Golf Links in St Andrews to offer guests the very best Scottish golfing mix. Now golfers can get the most out of their trip, enjoying the challenges of a classic moorland design with stunning scenery at Gleneagles, and test their skills on a rugged links course with a sea view from every hole at Kingsbarns.

Gleneagles is home to three of the finest inland golf courses in Scotland, set amidst the glorious Perthshire countryside - the PGA Centenary, host to the 2014 Ryder Cup Matches, the challenging King's, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, and the picturesque Queen's course.

Kingsbarns is a traditional Scottish links course stretching along two miles of spectacular coastline. They are proud co-hosts to the Dunhill Links Championship and have been selected as a Final Local Qualifying course for the 2010 Open Championship.
Between May and September enjoy a great value golf breaks in Scotland from only £395 per person per night, including:

• Overnight stay at The Gleneagles Hotel including full Scottish breakfast
• One round of golf on either the PGA Centenary, King's or Queen's course at Gleneagles
• One round of golf at Kingsbarns
• Two and three night packages are also available.
• All prices are based on two people sharing a Classic room.

For more information or to book call Resort Sales on 0800 704 705 quoting "LINKS" or visit gleneagles.com.

Nickalus Returns to Turnberry

According to The Ayr Advertiser, luckyyoung golfers enjoyed the experience of a lifetime when they had a coaching clinic with Jack Nicklaus.

The golfing legend was at the Colin Montgomerie Academy at Turnberry. The Royal Bank of Scotland event saw 30 youngsters from the Maybole and Prestwick areas being given some tips from The Golden Bear. All the young golfers have been involved in the Clubgolf initiative in South Ayrshire.

During the coaching sessions, Nicklaus learned of a new golf exhibition tracing the development and history of golf in South Ayrshire, opening at Rozelle House on June 1.

Called Whole in One, the exhibition boasts a range of rare and valuable artefacts, including a replica of the famous Open Championship Claret jug and the original Open Championship belt dating from the last century.

Running until August 31, the exhibition is free and is open to the public.

Tennant Cup at Glasgow Gailes

The Tennant Cup will take place on Saturday 20 June and Sunday 21 June 2009. This is the oldest Open Amateur Stroke Competition in the world.

The Competition will be played over 72 holes of stroke play, with the first 36 holes being played over Glasgow Golf Club’s links course at Glasgow Gailes on the Saturday, and the leading 40 players and those who have tied for fortieth place playing the final 36 holes over Glasgow Golf Club’s parkland course at Killermont in Glasgow on the Sunday.

The Tennant Cup Competition is open to Amateur Golfers who have handicaps of not more than 1. The winner will have his name inscribed upon the Cup, and will receive a suitably engraved silver medal plus a First Prize voucher of £500.

Entry Forms can be downloaded from the website www.glasgowgolfclub.com under Open Competitions.