ggolf – Page 2 – G Golf Ireland

Why is Links so Special?

What a tremendous 150th Open championship we witnessed at St. Andrews this July. A stunning final round of 64 from Australian Cameron Smith saw him leapfrog the 54 hole leaders and take home the Claret Jug.

St. Andrews showed off links golf at its best. Hard, bouncy surfaces on the fairways and greens, whispy lies in the rough, devilish pin positions and deep pothole bunkers provided a challenging test. The wind didn’t really blow, so, the ultimate defence for a links course wasn’t really a factor in the 150th Open.

So, why is links golf so special? Here are some of the reasons:

Rarity – Of the approximately 250 true links courses in the world, more than 200 of them are in Ireland and the UK. It’s believed there are around 40,000 golf courses in the world so less than 1% are true links!

Lay of the land – links courses follow natural contours through sand dunes and dramatic coastal landscapes. It’s not target golf, you have to get creative in the shots you play and stay patient when you get an occasional unlucky bounce!

Wind – probably the biggest variable with links golf. It is not unusual to have to play anything from a pitching wedge to a 5 wood (or more) when faced with the same shot in different wind directions.

History – It all started at the home of golf at St. Andrews and early pioneers established dozens of now famous names along the coastline of Ireland and the UK. From Ballybunion to Royal Portrush to Royal Dornoch and many more.

So, how do you play links golf shots? Check out a series of videos below from G Golf co-Founders Mark & Frank Gannon showing you exactly how.

But, better still, get yourself over here and experience the real deal for yourself!

DON’T DELAY – 2023 time sheets are open. Please contact us to book your golf trip of a lifetime.

Yours in Golf,

News

All Eyes on Ireland this July!

In early July, there are two golf tournaments in Ireland that will see most of the world’s Top 50 golfers play in the Emerald Isle.

First up is the Irish Open at the beautiful Mount Juliet Estate where defending champion Lucas Herbert will tee it up alongside a host of Ryder Cup stars including: Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington, Tyrrell Hatton, Thomas Pieters and Thorbjørn Olesen.

The world famous Jack Nicklaus signature design golf course is the jewel in the crown of the 5* Mount Juliet Estate. The Manor House at Mount Juliet dates back to the 18th century but has the very finest contemporary comforts, state-of-the-art facilities and excellent dining experiences.

Hot on the heel of the Irish Open is the much anticipated JP McManus Pro-Am at the stunning Adare Manor. The entry list reads like a who’s who of golf. The world’s top 5 ranked players – Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas – headline the list of major champions and global golf superstars in the field. A certain Mr. T. Woods is also still listed to play at time of writing!

Since a complete refurbishment in 2017, the luxurious 5* Adare Manor resort has won award after award for the outstanding offering at the 19th century castle estate. Boasting exceptional food and beverage, Spa and a world class Padel facility, it’s easy to understand why Adare Manor is chosen as the host for the centenary Ryder Cup in 2027.

Check out the video below to get a taste of what is on offer at Mount Juliet and Adare Manor. It’s no wonder the world’s top golfers are stopping for golf in Ireland on route to the 150th Open at St. Andrews!

REMINDER – 2023 time sheets are open. Please contact us without delay to book your golf experience of a lifetime.

Yours in Golf,

News

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

Happy Saint Patrick’s day!
Saint Patrick’s day is upon us, the day where the whole world goes green and everyone is a little bit Irish! It makes us proud to see so many iconic buildings light up in green all around the world in celebration of Ireland’s national holiday on March 17.

And, of course, this year is the first year in 3 where Saint Patrick’s day events can happen in person, so, we should really embrace the opportunity to celebrate our Irishness with music, dance, culture and the subject dearest to our hearts – GOLF!

There are so many world famous venues and hidden gems to discover in Ireland – more than 400 golf courses, 1/3 of the true links courses in the world and 11 golf courses in the current Golf Digest World Top 100! And, there’s our legendary 19th hole hospitality and stunning landscape with 40 shades of green.

So this Saint Patrick’s day, press the green button, and start planning your unforgettable golf trip to Ireland!

Check out our new brochure for inspiration and ideas – click here.

Happy Saint Patrick’s day!

Interviews

In Conversation

G Golf CEO Joe Shannon chats to David Connellan and Andreas Lagercrantz…

Now that Ireland is fully reopen, it’s just fantastic to see Tourism Ireland promoting golf as one of their main marketing themes. Ireland is considered to be one of the world’s premier golf destinations with 11 of our world famous courses in the current Golf Digest World Top 100 list.

We also have over 400 golf courses in all corners of the Emerald Isle and we have approximately 1/3 of the true links courses in the world! As we exit the pandemic, Tourism Ireland are starting to highlight Ireland’s hidden gems in their marketing activity.

We got a sneak preview of this strategy when G Golf Ireland CEO, Joe Shannon, caught up with Tourism Ireland‘s Golf Executive, David Connellan. Also on the call was Andreas Lagercrantz who is Swedish PGA pro golfer Alex Noren‘s manager and brother. Andreas is involved in a number of golf travel businesses and with the support of Tourism Ireland has organised a group of high profile Swedish media and influencers to visit Ireland at the end of March.

Their itinerary includes Co. Louth (Baltray), Royal Belfast and Warrenpoint for golf, as well as visits to the new Game of Thrones experience in the Belfast area and other cultural experiences. Check out at the video below to find out more about Tourism Ireland’s strategy for golf and the incredible depth of quality golf available all across our beautiful island. .

To start planning your unforgettable golf trip to Ireland, contact us today!

Yours in golf,

G Golf Ireland

Legends Tour

Irish Legends at Rosapenna

17 – 21 August 2022
Hosted by the McGinley Foundation

There was big news in Ireland last week with the removal of the requirement for vaccinated travelers to have a negative covid test on arrival at our airports, making it much easier to make travel plans.

Speaking of plans, we are really looking forward to the Irish Legends tournament at Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort in August, hosted again by the McGinley Foundation. Last year’s event was behind closed doors with no spectators, but this year, all going well, Irish golf fans will bring the experience to a whole new level. There are a very limited number of amateur playing opportunities still available. Get up close and personal with your golfing hero’s by playing alongside Ryder Cup Legends in tournament conditions. Check out the video below for a taste of what to expect and contact us today to book your place.

We’re also looking forward in July to the DP World Irish Open at Mount Juliet Estate and of course a very special 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews. All in all, 2022 feels like it is bursting to get going once omicron fades into the rear view mirror.

Wishing you and yours a healthy, prosperous 2022.

News

Happy Christmas!

We visited the new K World experience at the K Club last week. The 2006 Ryder Cup venue has added an indoor state of the art golf simulator experience to the 5 star K Club resort.

We played the front 9 of 2021 Ryder Cup venue, Whistling Straits, indoors at K World, and then went outside to play 9 holes in “real life” on the Palmer North course at the K Club. Not a bad Christmas party if you’re a golfer! BIG thank you to Conor Russell, Director of Golf at the K Club and Gary Murphy, Head Golf Professional, for the welcome. Check out the video below to see the impressive set up at K World.

We wish you and yours a peaceful, joyous festive season and a prosperous 2022. All going well, we look forward to seeing you on our world famous greens and fairways next year.

Yours in golf,

G Golf Ireland

News

Welcoming Golfers Back

Our own legends Frank and Mark Gannon joined lifelong friends, Ryder Cup winner, Des Smyth, and fellow Irish international, Barry Reddan, for a really enjoyable 4ball at our home course, County Louth Golf Club.
Mark talks about his personal experience of having covid but remains optimistic about the year ahead and 2022. It was only right that Des take that putt at the end of the video!
We hope you and yours are well. When the time is right, be sure to contact us to start planning your next golf vacation.
Yours in Golf…

Legends Tour

Irish Legends Tour at Seapoint

22nd – 25th June 2023, Seapoint, Co. Louth

Sometimes it is difficult to put into words just how incredibly special something is.

They say a picture paints a thousand words but in this case a video illustrates the scene. Have a look at the highlights reel below from the inaugural Irish Legends event at Rosapenna Golf Resort, Co. Donegal and see for yourself.

G Golf Ireland – Highlights of the Legends Tour at Rosapenna, hosted by Paul McGinley

You do not want to miss this year’s event which is being held at the iconic Seapoint Golf Links. The opportunity to play alongside Ryder Cup Legends and celebrities from the worlds of entertainment and sport speaks for itself. And then there is amazing food, singsongs with superstars and of course, the craic!

Welshman, Phillip Price was victorious in tough links conditions back in 2022, posting Level Par (213) to claim the title by 1-shot from a host of players such as Jarmo Sandelin, Paul Eales, Peter Baker, Emauele Canonica & Steen Tinning.

Seapoint Golf Links, Co Louth, Ireland

Seapoint may be a relatively young links course, though the golfer experience gives testament to the quality of challenge presented by its designers. Since its doors opened in 1995, the course has hosted a European Tour matchplay event, two Irish PGAs and the country’s leading Amateur event, the Irish Amateur Close Championship.

Playing Experiences

You can share the fairways with golfing legends and stars of sport and media at the 2023 Irish Legends. Play in Celebrity Series before tournament play gets underway on Thursday 22nd June 2023 – find out more HERE

Fancy your chances under tournament conditions? Take part in the Alliance Series and feel what the professionals feel for an experience like no other – find out more HERE

We expect that the amateur playing opportunities in next year’s event will sell out soon so please contact us to register your place. Tournament dates are 22nd – 25th June 2023.

Legends Tour

Irish Legends Tournament hosted by Paul McGinley: 19 – 22 August 2021

With just over a month to go, the countdown is on to the Irish Legends tournament hosted by Paul McGinley from 19 – 22 August 2021 at Rosapenna Golf Resort.

This is a unique, inside the ropes experience as amateurs play alongside the pros in the European Legends tour event. It is being billed as the greatest experience in amateur golf and there is also a celebrity pro-am the day before the tournament itself starts.

There are a limited number of playing places and sponsorship opportunities still available. Please contact us for info.

Check out the video below to hear Paul McGinley himself speak about the tournament and also his memories of playing golf with G Golf Ireland co-founders, Mark and Frank Gannon.

Yours in Golf

Interviews

Paul McGinley on Donegal

We are very grateful to 2014 Ryder Cup winning Captain, Paul McGinley, for taking time out of his busy schedule to chat with G Golf Ireland CEO, Joe Shannon.

In advance of the Irish Legends event which he is hosting in August at Rosapenna Golf Resort on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Paul lists the other must play golf courses in Co. Donegal – Ballyliffin, Port Salon, Narin & Portnoo, Cruit Island, Co. Donegal (Murvagh), Dunfanaghy and Bundoran are among his favourites. Paul’s roots are in Co. Donegal so check out the video below to get his local knowledge of these stunning courses.

G Golf Ireland has partnered with the Legends Tour to bring you exclusive packages for the Irish Legends event. Click here for details or contact us to find out more about the greatest experience in amateur golf.

Yours in Golf

G Golf Ireland