DARIEN, CONNECTICUT (February 24, 2007) – Absolutely Golf & Travel, in conjunction with the North American Golf Tour Operators Alliance (NAGTOA) announces the first annual North & West Coast Links Golf Challenge September 8-15, 2007. Each day of the four-day tournament will feature a different jewel in Ireland’s crown of links courses.
"We are excited about the debut of the North and West Coast Links Golf Challenge", says Debbie Bussey, founder and Chairman of the 26-member NAGTOA and President of Absolutely Golf & Travel, "because it offers everything our clients have been asking for: links play that is demanding, scenery that is stunningly beautiful and varied, and off-the-beaten-path courses that showcase Ireland at its very best."
Round #1 – When the late Eddie Hackett designed Carne in his 80s, he sought after superlatives by incorporating immense sand hills, overwhelming scenery, and vertical drops that catch your breath. Carne is a must-play for links-golf fans.
Rounds #2 and #3 are played at two of Hackett’s earlier courses, Donegal Golf Club and Enniscrone Golf Club. Both are par 73 courses, but the similarity ends there. The surprise at Donegal is, because the course starts out low, you won’t realize until the 5th hole that you are playing on the Murvagh Peninsula with water on three sides. The clubhouse offers a magnificent view of the course and surrounding Donegal Bay where you can look back and congratulate yourself with a pint after mastering Donegal’s long holes. Don’t let Enniscrone’s yardage fool you. When Donald Steel added six dunes holes to the course in 2001, Enniscrone became one of Ireland’s premier links courses. Golf here starts with a tricky first hole, culminates in a double dogleg par five on the 14th, and heads home along the rough, windy beach of Killala Bay.
Round #4 – the Tournament finishes at the oldest of the four courses, County Sligo Golf Club on Rosses Point. W.B.Yeats fans will note a view from the third tee of Benbulben Mountains, home of the Glencar or "Yeats Waterfall" made famous by his poem The Stolen Child. Although at first glance it seems straight-forward, Rosses Point is more difficult than it looks. Once you’ve conquered the Gallery, or seventeen, you’ll know why many pros rate it the best two-shot hole in Ireland.
Tournament entry and format are based on 2-person teams with Stableford, better ball scoring. Maximum handicaps utilized for scoring will be 24 for men and 28 for ladies. Overall winners will be the teams with the highest accumulated points over all four tournament rounds. Daily Tournament Team Prizes will be awarded as follows: 1st, 2nd & 3rd Net and 1st & 2nd Gross; Overall Tournament Waterford Crystal Team Prizes will be awarded to1st, 2nd & 3rd Net.
For a detailed itinerary or more information about the North & West Coast Links Golf Challenge visit www.agtgolftours.com or call 877-545-4653 toll-free.
Contact:
Linda Beeman
713-398-9711
travel@absolutely-golf.com