American country clubs will be able to arrange exclusive matches between their members and the members of Scotland’s Gleneagles on the 2014 Ryder Cup course through a partnership introduced at the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando between Gleneagles and Haversham & Baker Golfing Expeditions.
The matches will pit from 8 up to a maximum of 20 members of a single US club against an equal number of Gleneagles members on a mutually convenient date sometime before the Ryder Cup is played at the resort in late September 2014.
The matches are expected to be especially attractive at a time when increasing competition for members has resulted in most American private clubs looking for ways to offer more benefits as part of their membership package.
Overseas golf trips arranged by the club and hosted by the club’s golf professional have proven to be a popular addition to the organized activities offered by many clubs. At Haversham & Baker, these club hosted trips have grown from 2 in 2006 to 34 in 2012, more than any other golf travel company.
During 2012 alone, H&B served the members of 178 different American clubs bringing its total number of clubs served since its 1991 inception to more than 1000.
One of the most popular features the club hosted trips is a match against a local club like prestigious Panmure in Scotland where more than 50 of its members are also members of the R&A. Ted Antonopoulos, PGA of Mayacama Golf Club wrote of the experience: (Through H&B), we were able to arrange two glorious days (albeit one rain-soaked) at Panmure Golf Club – one for our Ladies in 2009 and one for our Men in 2011 – enjoying the hospitality of … Panmure Members at their Club. These visits were certainly two highlights in my golfing life.
The Gleneagles matches will include a three night stay at the resort, golf on both the Ryder Cup course and the famed Kings course and a prize giving dinner after the match. They will be part of weeklong stay and play in Scotland custom-designed by Haversham & Baker to fit the unique requirements of each participating club. Prices are expected to begin around $4500 per golfer depending upon what other courses and accommodations are included.
Andrew Jowett, Gleneagles Head Golf Professional, and Sam Baker, H&B Founder & CEO, will be on the Haversham & Baker stand (#1973) on the main aisle in the Travel Pavilion on Thursday from 3:00 to 5:00 PM to answer questions and offer more details about the matches.
Contact:
Sam Baker, Haversham & Baker Golfing Expeditions
sam@haversham.com
800-883-3633 x 106 or cell 513-520-8733
