Potential golf outing to Ireland

I have a buddy in Houston who puts golf trips together to play Ireland. Marty Fleckman in a PGA Professional instructor who played on the tour in the late 60s and early 70s. His greatest claim to fame on the tour is that he is only one of four tour professionals to win the very first tournament that they participated in.

I'm posting a trip he presently has on his website. He is willing to put together "personalized" trips provided there are at least 10 participants. He includes "on course" instruction while playing as well. He was 2007 Teacher of the Year for Southern Texas Section of the PGA. And he's a GREAT guy to boot!

If anyone might be interested, please let me know. Email address is - buzzbuv@yahoo.com or phone is - 895-9227.

Marty's website is - http://www.martyfleckmangolf.com/

Thanks,
Buzz Buvinghausen





IRELAND 2008
Saturday June 7 – Friday June 13, 2008


Saturday

Upon our arrival in Shannon we will be met by our Premier Golf Representative, who will assist with the collection of our luggage and transfer to our coach with driver

Later this morning we will play Dooks Golf Club (2 hours 30 minutes) : Dooks , a testing eighteen-hole course situated in one of the most picturesque corners of the Ring of Kerry, offers a breathtaking view of Dingle Bay and the McGillycuddy Reeks in the background, making it an idyllic golfing and holiday location. Considerable care has been given to the greens over the years and, as a result, the popularity of Dooks as a true test of golf has grown.

Killarney Park Hotel, Killarney (45 minute) : Superbly located in the heart of Killarney Town , this family owned luxury hotel offers the quietness, intimacy and privacy associated with times past. In addition to a country house style lobby, library, drawing room and billiard room, the hotel also offers a magnificent 20 meter swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, outdoor hot tub, fitness suite and treatment room. Dining options include a candlelit dinner in the Park Restaurant or an appetizing snack in the Garden Bar.

Possible sightseeing options
Killarney - Located in the heart of Ireland 's lake district, this town is very popular among tourists. Places of interest include Muckross House and Gardens, a dignified 19 th -century manor built in Elizabethan style in 1843 and now a museum for Kerry folklife; St. Mary's Cathedral, designed by Pugin, a great 19 th -century architect; and Torc Waterfall with magnificent views of the lake area..



Sunday

After breakfast play a round of golf at Tralee Golf Club (50 minutes) : The first course in Europe designed by Arnold Palmer, the 18-hole layout spans 160 acres on the western side of Borrowe's Islande, from Poulgorm on the north to the Randy at Barrow Harbour on the south. The opening hole leads to a green overlooking the Long Strand featured in Ryan's Daughter . Below lies the watery grave of the wreck Onward of Swansea (1877). The course has many scenic and picturesque holes with fine views of the Dingle Peninsula , Mount Brandon , Kerryhead, Ballyheigue, Banna and Carrahane.

Possible sightseeing options
Gap of Dunloe - Famous for its rugged scenery and unspoiled landscape, this rugged mountain pass on the east side of Killarney is a unique and breathtaking way to view the Irish countryside. The passage is bordered by a string of dark mountain lakes, with something interesting at almost every turn.

Overnight Killarney Park Hotel



Monday

After breakfast play a round of golf at Waterville Golf Club (1 hour 30 minutes) : One of the top five golf courses in Ireland and one of the top 50 in the world, Waterville boasts many memorable holes, which have earned great praise from Gary Player, Ray Floyd and other professionals. The present course owes its start to John A. Mulcahy, an Irish-American golf addict, who developed it with the aid of Eddie Hackett during the 1970s. Probably the best-known hole is the 17th, “Mulcahy's Peak”, a 196-yard par 3 with an elevated tee and an emerald green set in a jungle of rough.

Possible sightseeing options
Ring of Kerry - Experience the classic beauty of Ireland by driving along the broad Iveragh Peninsula through the villages and towns of Killorglin, Cahirveen, Waterville and Irish-speaking Sneem.

Overnight Killarney Park Hotel



Tuesday

Today after breakfast check out of the hotel and play a round of golf at Ballybunion Golf Links (1 hour 30 minutes) : The world famous Old Course at Ballybunion is consistently rated among the top ten courses in the world. A magnificent course along the Irish coastline, each hole is a masterpiece of its own with towering sand hills that come into play on almost every shot. One of Ireland 's greatest golfing challenges, Ballybunion regularly receives golfing accolades from all over the world.

Possible sightseeing options
Bunratty Castle and Limerick – Non golfers may have time to sightsee the historical town of Linerick or also wander around the grounds of the famous Bunratty Castle

Following golf drive to Dromoland Castle : Dromoland Castle contains a rich history dating back to the 16 th century; this hotel is a perfect place to feel like royalty, whether lounging in Lord Inchiquin's study or having coffee in the famous drawing room, which the 17 th baron used for musical recitals. Guests can also explore the 375 acres of estate parklands offering a wealth of facilities, including a meticulous 18-hole golf course.



Wednesday

Today after breakfast you will play Doonbeg Golf Club : For more than 100 years, people have talked about a piece of land near the town of Doonbeg , Ireland , where nature created its own golf course. The land is made up of rolling hills, high on the cliffs along the Irish coast but flat enough that all that was needed to create a world-class golf course was to lay out the holes and mow the fairways. When Greg Norman agreed to be the golf architect for this extraordinary site he described it as “ the perfect golf links terrain.”

Possible sightseeing options
Cliffs of Moher - Extending five (5) miles, these thoroughly majestic cliffs are among western Ireland 's most striking features.

Overnight Dromoland Castle



Thursday

After breakfast, you will play a round of golf at Lahinch Golf Club (45 minutes) : Officers of the Black Watch and some local enthusiasts founded Lahinch Golf Club on Good Friday in 1893. “Old” Tom Morris designed the original course, but in 1928 Dr. Alastair MacKenzie extensively revised the layout. (MacKenzie also designed Pebble Beach , Cypress Point and Augusta National.) The Castle Course was added in 1975. At Lahinch everybody is a golf enthusiast and this sentiment quickly transmits itself to the visitor. Therefore, the club is known as the St. Andrews of Irish golf. Perhaps the most unique feature at Lahinch , goats graze on the dunes and seek shelter by the clubhouse when rain approaches.

Possible sightseeing options
The Burren - This area has some of the finest archaeological megalithic tombs in Ireland , if not in Western Europe . There are relics of human habitation dating back almost 6000 years and the most famous is the vortal tomb, or portal dolman, at Poulnabrone

Overnight Dromoland Castle



Friday

After breakfast, depart for Shannon (30 minutes).

When you couple playing the most famous golf courses in all of Ireland with on course instruction from veteran touring professional Marty Fleckman, you will experience the most unique and memorable trip of a lifetime!