Mission Impossible
It was early April 2022 when we received an email from a previous client introducing us to Ryan. Ryan and his brother Brennan wanted to put together a golf tour to Scotland to mark their father’s 70th birthday. There would be 8 golfers altogether – childhood friends that knew the family well, all keen golfers and living and working in the Atlanta area – sounded great!
We were delighted to help and proceeded to explore with them the options. That’s when we learned their objectives – they’d obviously explored the topic thoroughly and had already arrived at a plan. They wanted to play 9 championship courses in just 6 days.
Not only that but these courses were dotted across Scotland and to play them they’d need to be in a different hotel every night. Now this was counter to every piece of advice we’d normally give!
Experience tells us that golfers enjoy unpacking only once – or maybe twice- in a week. We find that if the group are settled, relaxed and ready to golf, they can see the area and enjoy their trip.
We also believe that playing 36 holes in a day should be the exception rather than the rule.
Links golf does not lend itself to golf buggies, in fact most courses will request a medical certificate to provide one, so when you’re playing here, you’re walking the course which can be tiring if you’re more used to riding than walking.
But the lads had done their homework and if this was to be the trip of a lifetime then they wanted to play till they dropped – and who could argue with that?
Their Itinerary
Starting in Inverness they played Castle Stuart, Royal Dornoch, Nairn, Trump International, Royal Aberdeen, Carnoustie, Kingsbarnsm, Gullane and North Berwick, finishing in Edinburgh for their final night. They stayed in a different hotel every night and clocked up 600 miles of travel.
They had the services of a luxury coach and driver, Stewart, who christened the tour ‘Mission Impossible’ but we had a detailed itinerary and in the whole week they never ever slept in, or missed their deadlines. And they never once were late for a tee time.
We arranged dinner reservations ahead of time knowing they’d have no time to do it for themselves. We sorted out Caddies. We didn’t travel with them but checked in every day and touched base with them in Inverness and St Andrews. And we were there at the airport when they checked in for their return flight.
Yes they were exhausted and yes they had been lucky because the weather was fair for the full week (imagine 36 holes day after day in the wind and rain) but they were jubilant.
Shan (Ryan and Brennans dad) had indeed had the trip of a lifetime. He’d got to spend a whole week with his boys and their friends, walking alongside them and playing golf on the best courses Scotland had to offer. He was emotional, and appreciative and seeing him so made it all worthwhile.
The logistics were definitely tricky but with good forward planning and ensuring that every detail had been considered we delivered what we’d been asked and their feedback was lovely.
You all were fantastic! Our entire group was blown away with you and Brian wanting to ensure everything went well and how you wanted to stay connected with us throughout. As we saw some of the other touring groups at courses, we definitely felt like we had the best. You all were wonderful! I will definitely be recommending you and hopefully USING YOU again in the future!’
Ryan Brennan & Shan
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Discover more about the The Links Connection Swings and to begin planning your golfing trip of a lifetime to Scotland, Ireland (or maybe both).
