Old Head Golf Club, Kinsale

Most golf enthusiasts have one common day-dream, to play golf once in their lifetime on legendary courses in Ireland and Scotland.  Perhaps nowhere else on earth is the love of  golf more prevalent than in the British Isles where the game of golf was invented.  Long-time provider of affordable travel to Ireland and Scotland, Sceptre Tours has formed a new division that specializes golf-inclusive vacation packages.  SceptreGolf.com is designing new golf packages that include rounds on some of the best courses in Scotland and Ireland.  These packages are surprisingly affordable for top level resorts and golf courses.  Time to text your buddies and start planning a golf getaway!!

Here’s a glimpse of some of their most attractive packages in Ireland (based on April 2012 costs):

Western Ireland:  Legendary Courses & Adare Manor Villas, Fm $1299 pp
This package which is good for April 2012 and includes round-trip airfare to Ireland, 6 nights in a 3 bedroom villa at 5-star Adare Manor Resort in Limerick (based on quad occupancy).  Standard shift minivan and 4 rounds of golf including Ballybunion Old Course and Cashen Course in Kerry, Adare Manor Course in Limerick and Lahinch Golf Club in Clare.

Southern Ireland – Legendary Courses & Lodge at Blarney Resort, Fm $1599 pp
This package in the heart of southern Ireland includes round-trip airfare to Ireland, 6 nights lodging in a two-bedroom lodge at the Blarney Resort, standard shift minivan, and 4 rounds of golf at Old Head in Kinsale, Fota Island Golf Club in Cork, the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club (Kileen Course) and Blarney Golf Course in Blarney.

Eastern Ireland – Legendary Courses & The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, Fm $1899 pp
This deluxe package includes round-trip airfare to Ireland, 6 nights at The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt (with interconnecting deluxe room), standard shift minivan, 4 rounds of golf at The K Club in Kildare (Parmer Course), The European in Wicklow, the Potmarnock Golf Club in Dublin and Druids Glen in Wicklow.

Visit SceptreGolf.com for complete details and terms and conditions.

Photo: Flickr/Monster

The PGA of America has put together 3, 4 & 5 night packages that are every golfers’ dream getaway.  Golfing getaways include luxury accommodations at The Fairmont Southampton, daily breakfast, admission for 3 days to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf tournament, transfers daily to/from the hotel to the Port Royal Course, and a chance to play championship golf at three of Bermuda’s most acclaimed courses, the Fairmont Southampton, Riddel’s Bay and Belmont.  The tournament runs from October 18-19, and tour packages are priced from $615  to $1,170 per person depending on number of days.  Full details are available at PremierGolf.com

Just when the leaves of fall are covering courses in the U.S., Bermuda will be in full swing!

I’ve just returned from a girls getaway weekend at The Wentworth, and let me say a one night escape felt like days of pampering.  The delight begins as you turn right off Route 1A (first exit after the Hampton Tolls) onto Wentworth Road and ride past the pastoral golf course stretching along the ocean’s edge, and then catch your first glimpse of the gleaming white, red-roofed resort perched on a hill with commanding views of ocean in every direction.  The impact is instantaneous, beach-side grandeur of yesteryear.   There’s a smile on every face as we park the car – heads swiveling in every direction – taking in the ocean views, manicured gardens  (we’ve hit tulip/lilac season), hidden arbors and gazebos, and oh yes, let’s not forget the marina with happily bobbing yachts.  Sigh….

Entering the grand foyer we’re greeted by the ever smiling and dapper Concierge, George, who later volunteers to give us an historic tour of the property.  We hear tales of treaties signed by Teddy Roosevelt, jazz performances by Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway, and architectural wonders like the magnificent cherub entwined ‘whisper’ rotunda dome that graces the dining room.  We visit the very elegant spa, which is clearly one of the main attractions of the hotel, and then enter the pool pavilion which seems suited for a Grecian goddess – gorgeous.  The social rooms are a perfect balance between elegance and comfort – inviting rather than stiff and stuffy.  The sweeping porches dotted with wicker furniture encourage guests to sit a spell, breath in the briny sea air, and gaze off to the ever changing landscape of sea, marsh and boating channels.

And finally off to our room which is large, luxurious and offers sweeping ocean views.  Since the hotel is built on a coastal island, it enjoys entertaining water views in every direction.  We particularly love the heated marble floors in the bathroom – now that’s indulgence!  The decor is bright and dignified, with every high end amenity on your wish list.  Families love the new 1,000 sq ft, two-level marina suites built right along the water’s edge by the outdoor swimming pool, seaside restaurant and marina.  But you won’t be spending much time in your room, there are so many activities to beckon you -  golfing, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, nearby antiques and outlet shopping, historic Strawberry Bank in the lively city of Portsmouth – to name just a few.  We had dinner and breakfast at the resort and both were outstanding – delicious, with interesting offerings, and prepared to perfection.  Wentworth By The Sea is a Marriott resort, so if you are lucky enough to have Marriott reward points, this is a spectacular choice for redeeming them.  Rates usually begin in the $250 per night range for a standard room and I would say this resort is worth every penny.  They do a robust wedding business all year round, making it important to book your spa services in advance if you’re visiting on a weekend.

So the next time you need a dose of pampered living, fine dining and beautiful sea views, that are close to home, head right up Rt 95 to Wentworth By The Sea.  This resort makes a perfect weekend destination for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Anniversary or Birthday celebrations, which probably accounts for the fact that they are sold out most weekends of the year – plan your visit in advance and enjoy!

Here’s what’s in it for you!

• Find a golf partner wherever you travel around the world
• Monthly contests for photo of the month, video of the month and player of the month
• Connect with other golfers through the Virgin’s Golf Blog
• Read course reviews by other members and contribute your own
• Win a spot in a Ryder Cub style competition – Europe versus the rest of the world.  The golf championship  will take place in September in the UK for the top 12 Swingers!
• The first 100 Swingers to submit a score will receive a special Swingers goody bag.

All great reason to join Virgin Atlantic’s Flyers Club whether you plan a cross-Atlantic journey in the near future or not!

So now that all this snow has got you yearning for the sweet green grasses of spring, it’s time call all the guys (or gals) and plan a golf blitz getaway to the sunny golf mecca of Myrtle Beach South Carolina!