The OPEN Rota 15- 28 August 2015
The Open Rota There are currently 9 links courses in Scotland and England that are part of the Open Rota. These are the famous golfing arenas where history has been made. Imagine battling the classic links for a chance to win the Claret Jug! (or our version thereof). You too can tread in the footsteps of the golfing legends! Our unique tournament will encompass all of the Open courses. The Open Courses have limited access at the same time hence this tour has very limited availability.
The Open Rota Courses
• The Old Course St Andrews • Royal Liverpool • Royal St Georges • Royal Birkdale • Royal Lytham & St Annes • Turnberry (Ailsa) • Royal Troon
Itinerary England Day 1 Arrival into London Heathrow/Gatwick Airport Transfer to Princes play afternoon golf on Princes Open Qualifying course
Accommodation The Lodge at Princes, Sandwich for 2 nights Day 2 option to play Royal Cinque Ports, or practice
Day 3 Golf at Royal St Georges and transfer to Southport
Accommodation TBC for 1 night
Day 4
Ayrshire & Arran Day 6 golf at Royal Birkdale transfer to Royal Lytham & St Annes Accommodation in Dormy House for 2 nights
Day 7 golf at Royal Lytham & St Annes
Day 8 Travel to Turnberry Accommodation at Turnberry Hotel for 2 nights
Day 9 Golf at Turnberry Ailsa Course
Day 10 Golf at Royal Troon transfer to North Berwick Accommodation at Marine Hotel, North Berwick for 2 nights
Edinburgh & Tayside Day 11 Golf at Muirfield
Day 12 Golf at Nth Berwick and transfer to St Andrews Accommodation at Hotel Du Vin, St. Andrew’s for 2 nights
The Kingdom of Fife Day 13
Golf at the Old Course St. Andrew’s
Day 14 Golf at Carnoustie Links Accommodation at Carnoustie Links hotel
Day 13 Departure from Edinburgh Airport
Golf Clubs & Course Overview Royal and Ancient St Andrews Old Course St Andrews is unquestionably the birthplace of the modern game. The town's famous Old Course, the oldest continuous golfing field in existence, has been in action since at least 1457 when the game was banned from its common ground by King James II.
Carnoustie Situated along the North Sea, across the Bay from St Andrews, lies the resort town of Carnoustie. Its spacious sandy links-land have been a venue for golf since the 1500's, though its current links were not formalized until 1842. Initially a ten-hole layout designed by Allan Robertson, the final eight holes were later completed by Old Tom Morris but revised substantially by James Braid in 1926.
Turnberry Golf Club Ailsa Course This par-70, 7,211-yard championship course is one of golf's storied places. It’s first three holes pose a fairly tough opening, particularly when the wind blows from the direction of its namesake, the brooding isle of Ailsa Craig, 11 miles out to sea. From the 4th to the 11th, the coastal scenery is magnificent and the course is demanding.
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers Muirfield Links The oldest golf club in existence, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers was formed in 1744 and golfed in both Leith and Musselburgh prior to moving to the messy medium-sized dunes of Muirfield in Gullane in 1891. Overlooking the Firth of Forth, the Muirfield links was first designed by Old Tom Morris but altered substantially in 1928 when the club purchased additional land and employed Harry Colt to rearrange the links into its current form.
Golf Clubs & Course Overview Royal St Georges Golf Club Dr Laidlaw Purves of the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club, designed and established the Club in 1887. The Club was intended to serve the needs of London golfers who were only able to play their golf on often crowded and unkept courses in the area. Named St George's, it was to become the English rival to Scotland's St. Andrew's. Royal status was bestowed on the Club by King Edward VII in May 1902.
The Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake Royal Liverpool invites you to come and play the historic links at Hoylake. The Club enjoys sharing their great course and Clubhouse with golfers from home and abroad, and promises that your trip to Royal Liverpool will be everything you wish for and more. You will receive the warmest of welcomes and fine hospitality, while the Clubhouse provides first rate facilities and a chance to see what is arguably the best collection of golf memorabilia outside St Andrews.
Royal Birkdale Golf Course First established in 1889, the Royal Birkdale Golf Club moved to the magnificent sand-hills of Southport five years later where its George Low designed links managed to exist in relative obscurity for more than thirty years. That was until its site was sold in 1931 to the Southport Corporation who wanted Birkdale to become a championship venue and gave the club a ninety-nine year lease and the encouragement to undertake a grand remodelling of it’s links.
Royal Troon Old Course The Royal Troon Golf Club was formed in 1878 on a five-hole links created by the head green keeper at the neighbouring Prestwick Golf Club. This initial layout was extended to eighteen holes within a few years by club professional George Strath and then altered by his successor, Willie Fernie, and again by James Braid prior to the 1923 Open Championship.
Golf Clubs & Course Overview Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club A much respected championship venue, the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club was formed in 1886 when a Scottish schoolmaster, who had relocated to golf deprived North Lancashire, managed to convince the local gentry of St Annes to establish their own course. As interest in the game started increasing so too did the surrounding township and the club’s first links was repossessed for a housing development. An alternate site was found on the inland side of the town’s railway line in 1898 which became the current course.
Princes Golf Club Founded in 1906, Princes Golf Club was the host venue for the British Open Championship in 1932- a year made famous by Gene Sarazen’s epic win, and his introduction of the revolutionary sand wedge. Since then Princes has hosted open qualifying on numerous occassions
Formby Golf Club The moment you arrive at Formby, you know you’re somewhere special. Founded in 1884, Formby has hosted numerous Open Qualifying championship and Amateur events. Towering Pines line many of the fairways, and heather and gorse come into play in the early holes, followed by true links fairways meander through rolling sand dunes set right on the Sefton coast…
Royal Cinque Ports (additional cost option) The Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club is a Members' Club with an 18 hole Championship Links golf course, regarded by many as one of the finest in the world. The Club also has excellent practice facilities, including a driving range, putting green, chipping green and pitching greens. The Club has been the scene of many Championships, including two Open Championships in 1909 and 1920.
Accommodation Overview
Vincent Hotel, Southport The Vincent Hotel, Southport is a unique lifestyle hotel for the North West of England. Situated on Lord Street, Southport’s Parisienne Boulevard, the Vincent takes comfort and personal service to new heights – all within a fresh, stylish and contemporary interior.
Turnberry Hotel, Turnberry Turnberry is a Luxury Collection Resort, located on the stunning Ayrshire coast in Scotland, offers elevated views over the Irish Sea, Ailsa Craig and mountains of Arran and Kintyre. First opened in 1906 as the world's first golf resort, the Turnberry hotel quickly established itself as the premier destination for social and sporting events.
Accommodation Overview Marine Hotel, North Berwick The Macdonald Marine Hotel & Spa in North Berwick is renowned for its beautiful coastal setting and glorious 19th century Victorian architecture. Situated on the East Coast of Scotland, our North Berwick Hotel has 83 unique bedrooms to choose from - a world of four star luxury.
Hotel Du Vin, St Andrews St Andrews is a must-visit destination: whether it be as a Scottish setting for Royal romance, or for it’s vast beach, Cathedral, Aquarium, Stanza Poetry Festival or boutiques shopping... Oh, and did we mention golf? Hotel Du Vin is within a sand wedge of the 18th hole of the Old Course. Stylishly remodelled on a golfing theme, Hotel Du Vin offers luxurious accommodation which has been occupied by some of the great names in the game's history.
Flights The Travelling Golfer is a licensed travel agent and can organise flights at an additional cost. Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail with any questions.
Notes *PLEASE BE AWARE THERE ARE HANDICAP RESTRICTIONS AT SOME COURSES AND PLAYERS SHOULD ALWAYS TRAVEL WITH PROOF OF HANDICAP AND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO PRODUCE THESE IF YOU ARE PLAYING, ST. ANDREWS, MUIRFIELD, ROYAL TROON, ROYAL DORNOCH AND CARNOUSTIE. These courses are recommended and could be added to this itinerary; •
Royal Cinque Ports
•
Formby
•
Kingsbarns
Notes Green Fees at Royal Troon include a second round on the Portland Course and also lunch in the Clubhouse Muirfield also allows you to have lunch in the clubhouse (£ 24.00 for the 2014 season) and also you can play a second round played as ‘foursomes’ in the afternoon (£ 55.00 green fee for the 2014season) Green Fees for the Old Course St Andrews may also include a second round on either the New, Jubilee or Castle Courses
Package includes: • 14 Nights accommodation with full English/Scottish breakfast included – 2 Nights at the The Lodge @ Princes, Sandwich – 1 night TBC in Southport
Package excludes: • • • • •
Airfares Caddy Fees Gratuities Any items of a personal nature Lunch/Dinners unless otherwise stated in the itinerary and any extras applied to your room
– 2 Nights at the Dormy House, Formby, Southport – 2 nighhts at Dormy House, Royal Lytham & St Annes
Payment Instructions
– 2 Nights at the Turnberry Hotel, Turnberry
A $2500 deposit is required to secure a booking. Payment can be made by:
– 2 Nights at the Marine Hotel, North Berwick
1.
– 2 Nights at the Hotel Du Vin, St. Andrew’s
Cash or Personal cheque or money order In the event of cheque please make payment out to Merit Golf Vacations
– 1 night at Carnoustie Links hotel • 12 Rounds championship golf •
coach transfers not included- the group will meet to discuss options to self drive
2.
Credit Card: (2.5% credit card fees apply) VISA or MasterCard. Phone Ian at 416-988-8831
Travel Insurance It is highly recommended you obtain Travel Insurance at the time you make payment for your travel. Travel insurance should protect you against any medical expenses arising from sickness or injury during your travels and against any loss of or damage to your belongings. It should also provide cover against trip cancellations and flight delays, and offer 24 hour emergency assistance. You can apply for Travel Insurance through Merit Golf Vacations The benefits each policy offers is slightly different. You must read the Policy documents carefully to ensure they are providing the benefits that best suit your circumstances. In summary, travel insurance generally provides*: Protection against overseas medical expenses Protection against cancellation costs Protection against emergency expenses
Terms and Conditions Cancellation Policy More than 70 days before departure date: We will retain 50% of the deposit. Between 30 and 69 days before departure date: We will retain the full deposit. No refund of the balance paid will be available to you until after we receive a refund from our supplier. In some instances you may not be able to claim a refund Within 30 days of departure date: No refund is payable. Notifications of cancellations must be forwarded to Merit Golf Vacations in writing or email as soon as possible to: There is no refund for cancellation for unused services on or after the tour commencement date. Note: Airlines have there own cancellation terms and conditions. Tour Rates Tour prices are set as a guide only and may vary due to currency fluctuations and component cost increases. All rates advertised are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change until receipt of payment in full. The Travelling Golfer reserves the right to adjust our tour cost as necessary. Any surcharges will be passed on in respect to currency fluctuations unless full payment has been received and no changes are made to your booking The tour price is for the package as detailed in the itinerary only. If changes are requested to the itinerary, then an administration fee of $100 plus any additional costs incurred will be charged, on top of the tour price. Airlines International airfares are not included in the tour itinerary, however we can assist with all of your international travel arrangements. All airfare bookings are subject to individual airline terms and conditions. Airlines have their own luggage restrictions. If you do not adhere to these limitations excess baggage fees may apply and are at your own expense.
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