St. Andrews Golf Groups

Event Sales and Marketing Consultants Required Have you got skills in Sales and Marketing? Have you ever wanted to work in the golf industry?

2012-01-24T14:19:00.002Z

Have you got skills in Sales and Marketing?
Have you ever wanted to work in the golf industry?
Do you want to work from the comfort of your own home?

If the answer is yes to all these questions, then you could be the person we are looking for.

St. Andrews Golf Group, hosts of the Facebook Open 2012 are building a team of Sales and Marketing Specialists to carry out fantastic new roles, working from home with a globally expanding business.

The ideal candidates will be highly motivated, have very strong communication skills, both digital as well as offline, and an experience of writing marketing material. Whilst sourcing sponsorships and new business the candidates will also maintain strong strategic relationships with existing clients.

Successful candidates will be offered a range of incentives.

This is a commission only position.

Telephone and email are both essential.

For further information, please contact us.

Steve Cooke
Manager St. Andrews Groups

Members of IAGTO
Members of St. Andrews Merchants Association
Members of FSB

Facebook Golf Open. St. Andrews. 19th-23rd August 2012

2011-10-07T09:26:00.012Z

Who can enter? If you answer yes to all these questions...... YOU CAN !!!

Golfers of any gender, over the age of 12 (under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult)
Professionals and Amateurs ! (bring your club pro along!)
Must have a valid handicap certificate
Must have a facebook account.
Must like playing great Golf Courses.
Must want to be part of the largest picture taken outside the Royal and Ancient!!
Must enjoy having fun !!

The entry to the event will be £299
This includes:

The welcome reception and gala prize giving meal in the Old Course Hotel, Resort & Spa.
3 Rounds of Championship Golf.
Entry Fee to the event. *We may run extra sweeps for those who want to have a go for magic 2's etc.

Its been months in the planning, involving a lot of people, and at long last, we are almost ready to launch !!

***Please note, we will be helping to arrange accommodation, transportation, partner packages, add on packages and other extras. More information when we launch the event website in the near future where you can enter the event***

The event Schedule.

SUNDAY 19th AUGUST 2012

Grand welcome Reception
Old Course Hotel, Resort & Spa

6.30pm for 7pm

Today, everyone will gather at the world famous Old Course Hotel Resort & Spa for a grand ''Welcome reception'' where golfers will be, greeted, entertained, issued with welcome packs and the event format and benefits explained in more detail.

MONDAY 20th - THURSDAY 23rd AUGUST 2012

GOLF, GOLF & MORE GOLF !!

* NEWSFLASH*
We are looking to get as many of you on the Old Course, St. Andrews on one these 4 days via the ballot, more information soon ............
*Please note, the green fee for the Old Course is not included in the event fee*

THE FACEBOOK GOLF OPEN

THE COURSES

18 holes - St. Andrews Dukes - Championship Heathland
18 holes - St. Andrews Kittocks - Championship Links
18 holes - St. Andrews Fairmont - Championship Links

THE FORMAT

Pairs and singles event (you don't need a partner to enter)
Full handicap. Stableford

Tee times will be between 8.30am and 1pm on a daily basis *except on the Old Course (if successful) as we cannot tell how the ballot will behave*

THURSDAY 23rd AUGUST 2012

During the day, we don't know, as yet, what each golfer will be doing

Gala Dinner and Prize Giving
Old Course Hotel, Resort & Spa

7pm for 8pm

Fantastic prizes to be won, some hidden!

However,
With some of the finest dining (with the best service you will ever witness!) everyone is a winner!!

St. Andrews Golf Groups, in 2008, can boast to have already organised the largest ever dining function at this spectacular hotel, and we hope to beat it at this event!

A journey through the decades at St. Andrews....

2011-04-12T12:24:00.009Z

I touched on some of what I'm about to write, in an earlier post, but this is about my St. Andrews experiences.

When I was a young boy living in West Yorkshire, aged between 10-16, which covered the mid to late 1970's, holidays were spent visiting St. Andrews. It was a LOT different back then!

We stayed in some spectacular self catering accommodations, one or two even overlooked the sacred turf of the Old Course.

Lasting memories of this era of St. Andrews are plenty, those that have been fortunate enough to walk around the sacred town, know that St. Andrews has a special aroma about it.

Its now about 1975, I was wandering around St. Andrews with my clubs on my shoulder, quite late at night, and a drunken looking man staggered towards me (this man became a life long friend!) He proclaimed ''hey laddie, do you know who I am??'' I thought to myself, uhm yes, a drunken funny sounding American/ Scottish guy, and before I could say anything he said ''I'm the famous Tip Anderson, caddie of Arnold Palmer'' well that grabbed my attention.
That night, Tip told me about his life, and drank something out of a brown bag, stories about when he was a member of the St. Andrews Golf Club, and some of his on great feats he had achieved himself as a golfer.... He wouldn't fly, and never left the UK, yet had somehow adopted an American twang in his accent!

Back then, I had a paper round, and saved and saved so I could play the the links.

St. Andrews was so, so different. There were only 4 courses, the Dukes and Fairmont not even thought of yet.

The New and Jubilee shared what would be best described as a shed, with a changing room you couldn't swing a cat round!
The New is about the only course that has not really changed over the years.

The Jubilee back then was quite an enjoyable, short, open and quite easy links Course, however over time that changed!

The Eden also had a small clubhouse, it is the building just across from the Old Course Hotel Resort and Spa, with the Rolex Clock on it, the first hole would be down the driving range!!
I do miss the Old Jubilee and Eden courses!

To play these 3 courses didn't cost a lot, I just bought a weekly ticket, as the Old Course was/ is/ and will always remain a different creature!

I met many people over the years, standing by the first tee of the courses, asking if I could join, I never have enjoyed playing golf by myself, knowing my luck, I'd get a hole in one and no one was there to share my joy!

During my holidays, I used to always have enough money to play the Old, my first ever score was 100!

Other things I recall from these days was the ''free'' juice you got from the upstairs of the woolen mill!

Other confessions I can now bring myself to share are - at about 10 o'clock at night I made myself a wee golf course in St. Andrews as I played the 1st, 17th and 18th on the Old at a great rate of knots!! Please forgive me ''links management committee'' this was almost 35 years ago!

When I did venture up the town, it just seemed there was a drunken caddie on ever corner, friendly as anything wanting to tell you his story about how he caddied for somebody famous yesterday etc etc ;=)

Auchterlonies golf shop always fascinated me, I could spend hours watching the guys through the window make golf clubs, and dream of one day winning the famous ''Sunday Post putter''

Suffice to say, St. Andrews had me hooked, I just couldn't get enough of this place, great courses, nice people, free juice....

So I joined the RAF with the cunning plan to get to the local Air Base at Leuchars. Achieved that, not once, not twice, but three times in my 12 year career **SAVE RAF LEUCHARS** Shameless plug!This was 1983, by now, forward thinking was developing itself in St. Andrews. I remember a mini outrage as they dared put a water feature on the Eden Course, and those that don't like change hadn't seen what was yet to come!!

So achieving my goal of getting close to golfing mecca, I now had to find out how much this was going to set me back, surely it must cost a fortune to be a member of these courses??

Not at all, £52 a year!! Including the Old. The Links had a deal with MOD Staff where we could get a cheap links ticket! Doesn't get any better than that!

I joined the RAF Leuchars Golfing Society, we played all our games at St. Andrews, and Station games were played on the Old Course. I represented the station and the RAF, so I was quite fortunate there, but like all things, with good planning, you can achieve all sorts!

RAF Leuchars played games against many local clubs. Ladybank, Scotscraig, Lundin Links, Crail, St. Andrews Golf Club (my old mate Tip Andersons club) Cupar. Friendships formed for many years to come, I still have friends at these clubs to this day.

One RAF Leuchars club championship day, I had a hole in one of the 11th on the Old... You couldn't make it up, was even witnessed by a fellow member of the Society who now works on St. Andrews Golf Links!

Commissioned officers based at Leuchars got into the Royal and Ancient, so thank you Sqn Ldr Graeme Stagg & Wing Commander Jack Haines for getting me into this wonderful building!

Early years in the RAF were spent in a variety of places, the Balaka was the place to eat for me, I had a meal just after it opened in 1982!

Kates, Tudor Inn, Ma Balls, the Vic, Ogstens were some of my favourites, I always liked the Niblick bar, as it had an insane amount of whisky to try, we never did make it from one side to the other.

Over time, the caddies sobered up (on the whole!) and are now a professional outfit, who are very good at what they do.

The Links now have 7 magnificent Courses to cater for all standards of golf. The Castle Course is superb for its youth. The Balgove and Strathtyrum Courses are great additions.
Bye to part of the old Eden, and a superb driving range was created!
The New and Jubilee now have a superb club house, with a state of the art restaurant. Over by the Eden, the links also have another award winning food, and amazing facilities

The St Andrews Bay opened, and to be honest I wasn't too struck with it. However, since the Fairmont have taken over it, they have taken the bull by the horns and the Courses are superb.

And then we come to the Dukes Course, part of the Old Course Hotel, Resort and Spa.

More about the Dukes and Fairmont in later posts....

When I became self employed in 1995, and opened the Barbers Pole in South Street, St. Andrews ''free nip of whisky with every haircut'' I thought my golfing journey had come to an abrupt end!

I was involved with the St. Andrews Merchants Association for a few years, and pretty much got to know everyone in town when it came to anything to do with Business/ University/ Fife Council/ Scottish Enterprise and various other bodies, including the Links Management and the R&A, so that in itself was another journey into St. Andrews

A few years ago, things got a bit messy between the Student and the towns folk, it seemed to feel like a little like ''us'' against ''them'' the Barber's Pole was always a safe haven for the students, so we helped to create the ''Town and Gown'' a committee of prominent people, who could discuss all the problems, the local police inspector even attended meetings!
The problems were all ironed out over time, and everyone loved each other again.

That year I was guest speaker at the University of St. Andrews annual Debate, which was an interesting experience!
The motion was ''This House believes the Gown is more important than the Gown'' well I basically told them my theory was simple, and as follows... St. Andrews is a revolving clock, take my Barbers for example, in the colder months, its the large population of students that keep the girls there in a job. when they have finished up for term, the tourists roll into town, and when that seasons over, we have a couple of weeks to switch everything back round, and the students come back, therefore, I had to abstain, as I believed they were both vital parts of the town, one needs the other to make St. Andrews work.
And abstention won!

My journey did continue, I know all the great courses in the area, and when my daughters diabetes meant I had to watch her from home, and the Golf Tourism Company was born, now known as St. Andrews Golf Groups.

One of our finest achievements was arranging for over 300 of the Society of Liverpool Golf Captains to celebrate their centenary in 2008, which ended up with the Provost of Fife, Frances Melville sending me a lovely bottle of malt whisky to my door, and a bunch of flowers for my wife, to someone like me, that meant a lot.

I've seen all sorts over the years in St. Andrews, a town that has its moments, a town I saw refuse to give Jack Nichlaus freedom of the city ......

If you want to arrange things yourself, just ask, I'm more than happy to offer assistance, being helpful never cost anyone anything! I'm now a member of St. Andrews Golf Club and would be more than happy to show you around the great building.

St. Andrews can serve every budget, with good planning you don't have arrive and have that Old Course Guaranteed time.

If events is your thing, that's what we do, if you're a society of over 8 or more and want everything sorted for you with no hassle, give us a call

Our latest project is the facebook golf Open 2012 at St. Andrews which has attracted quite a lot of interest.

Stay tuned!

Facebook 2012 Golf Open. UPDATE

2011-04-05T10:43:00.012Z

So....
here we have it, as it stands 0ver 170 Facebook users have shown interest in attending some form of Golf event at the Home of Golf in St. Andrews in 2012.

If you have not shown interest yet, you can do by clicking here
If you have been given this link to look at on your profile, it means that you have already shown interest!
If you know people who would be interested, please share this event with them....

As you may have read, my company, St. Andrews Golf Groups have already organised and welcomed the largest Golf Society into St. Andrews, when the Society of Liverpool Golf Captains celebrated their centenary here back in 2008.

The backbone of this event will mirror a lot of what we did for those gentlemen.

Please note, anyone with a handicap can play in this event.
Men, Ladies, juniors, and even pro's can come (maybe bring some of your clients with you?)
We also hope to see some disabled golfers at the event.

This will be a fantastic event to network, meet old/ new friends, bring your work mates, golf Club/ Society.

There are already many people who want to sponsor this event, and that's before we've even finalised anything!
There will be many prizes to win!

The one thing I would like to emphasise is that this event is about FUN!!

Another thing I would like to do is raise some money for some charities.
2 that would get support are Ollys Rainbow and Finleys Footprints

More about all these things as we go along,

As I said, nothing is set in stone at the moment, but this will keep everyone informed of what we plan to do, and how we are hoping to achieve it.

This will be the first post as part of a diary to see if we can make this event happen, and to tell the story of its progress.....

So here is what I have 'hypothetically' planned.

To be held in August 2012
The event will be able to cater for up to 360 golfers
There will be non golfing packages too, for those who don't play golf, and maybe want to see some of Scotlands delights, Castles, Palaces, lochs and glens etc!
There will be a welcome reception, penciled in at the wonderful Old Course Hotel, Resort & Spa.
Golf will be played over 4 courses, yet to be confirmed, but all will be Championship, we are initially looking at The New Course, St. Andrews, The Dukes Course St. Andrews... and 2 from Lundin Links, Crail Balcomie, Scotscraig or Ladybank.
80 people per morning will play each course
There will be grand prizegiving and gala dinner at the Old Course Hotel.
Accommodation will be no problem, and will cover all budgets.
Transportation will be also available, including airport transfers
Add on packages will be available for those who want to come earlier/ stay later
AND MUCH MORE!!!

How do we make this all happen, well by good planning is how!!

I have formed a small initial committee, as I believe an event of this magnitude deserves one.

My good friend and fellow golf tour operator Wullie Duff from Duffers Golf Travel will be helping me put various packages together.
Jim Hutton is looking at helping us put airline travel deals together

Andy Brown who is also based in St. Andrews has been asked if he could look after the photography side of the event, not dropped the biggest bombshell on you yet Andy!

Gary Hart, from www.saaga.org.au will be helping us promote the disabled aspect of this

Mr. Tenerife himself, OldGolfer Bill , started throwing suggestions like ''Texas Scrambles'' and other formats for the golf. Seemed to me that a volunteer is better than 10 pushed men! Bill has been delegated as the organiser of the Competition format, and will be match and handicap, and rules committee! Way to go Bill!
On a serious note, Bill living in Tenerife gets to attend many events over there being a 365 day of the year destination, and knows what format works and what doesn't, so his experience in that field is invaluable.

The first meeting we are having will be at Crail Balcomie on April 15th, where Jim Hutton, Wullie Duff, Bob Taylor (Links with History) and myself will (do battle) have a lovely game of golf and discuss the next steps.

The following week, I'll start going around town and speaking to everyone I need to, in regards to putting something like this together, and telling you the story along the way! It'll be some journey if everyones serious about attending!

Don't miss out!!
Attending this will see us break some World Records at the Home of golf too ;=)
This is going to be the biggest ''must attend'' golf event in 2012!

A challange to golfers coming to Scotland!!!

2011-03-31T14:17:00.003Z

Groups of 8 or more who are coming to St. Andrews, Scotland.

Do you fancy playing a fun game against a local club?
Meet the locals, enjoy a meal, and drink some beer!

As a past Captain of Falkland Golf Club I would be delighted to take invite groups of 8 to 32 !!

We look forward to welcoming the Nash party from Barcelona on 16th June 2011.

If you would like your group booking taken care of when you are coming to St. Andrews look no further, Golf Tours with a difference!!

Steve Cooke. Managing Director.
St Andrews Golf Groups

St Andrews Golf Groups on facebook

St Andrews Golf Groups on twitter

Golf. Scotland v England at Crail Balcomie

2011-03-28T10:55:00.007Z

Forget the Ryder Cup, Scotland v England games are always keenly fought affairs...

The Venue - Crail Balacomie

Teams
Representing Scotland - George and David

Representing England (and the peoples Republican of Yorkshire) - Steve and Bob

The match started in bright sunshine, still a bit crisp, but was good to play on the magnificent settings of Crail Balcomie again.

The match was very close all the way round, England never down, went 2 up twice to be dragged back to all square, Bob as deadly as ever from 6ft, and Steve playing Par golf, and shooting +3 made sure England pipped Scotland on the 18th Green winning by 1 hole....

The great thing about today, and Fridays game at Crail, reminded me why I love this game, and these Courses so much, friendship, banter, fun and frolics, with some great conversation.

I think a lot of people have forgotten how to have fun, I've noticed that a lot of golfers now like playing with their group, clique, gang etc, and it become difficult to become accepted into a new club sometimes.

The game of golf is more of a chore than something where you can have fun, I was brought up in the 'old school' as I wrote in a previous blog, playing golf for the RAF which is an excellent education, and have always enjoyed helping people.

So very often people become suspicious about those who do things for free, whats in it for them? What are they after? May be its just a case that the true integrity of this sport is really alive and kicking, but you just have to look a little harder to find it these days.

Golf to me always was a symbol of friendship, honestly, integrity and etiquette, a springboard to the rest of your life if you started playing when you are young. I see some clubs where ''Juniors'' are a swear word, I see other clubs, like Ladybank who have a superb system for Juniors.

The older readers will know what I mean when I say this modern world has changed, and not for the better. Even golf has changed and attitudes.

The great thing is, I know great people are out there, and the game with Bob, David and George proved it........

Most people who will be reading this will be positive, productive forward thinking people who know exactly what I mean

Long may the true spirit of golf live

If you see a guy playing by himself, ask to play with him
If you see a new member, say hello
Its free to smile and be friendly
Its just as easy to say nice things about a person than it is bad things

Few picture of the day can be found HERE

A crazy hole at Crail Balcomie !!

2011-03-26T08:50:00.000Z

Sometimes, odd things happen on a golf course, and this was certainly the case when I had the pleasure of playing with Bob Taylor, from ''Links with History'' and his mate George, at Crail Balcomie.

Myself playing off 8 these days, Bob off 10 and George off 15, had been plodding along getting acquainted, and enjoying some great golf, along with some pretty dire stuff too.

Bob had been in an aggressive mood from the 1st, and soon realised he was one of these golfers who never left a putt short on these superb, lightening fast greens. On the first 8 holes he had sunk a monster putt already, maybe 45-50 feet to save par on the 8th after being in the bunker, and a couple of previous holes had hit lengthy putts that were thankful the hole was in the way to slow them down!

So there we were on the 9th tee, playing off the medal tees, into the wind, a fairly modest par 4 that needed negotiating of about 350 yards. We all went pretty much down the middle, but the best was yet to come.

Bob went first, and his 7 iron looked close, in fact, I said to Bob that's either in, or its a ''gimmi''
George had got a dose of the hooks, and of course went about left, leaving himself about 30 yards from the pin, I hit my sandwedge on the green, but about 35 foot short.

As we walked to the green, Bobs ball was nowhere to be seen!! George walked up to the hole and gave out a cheer as he found Bobs ball, in the hole for an eagle!! Superb, well done, congratulations.... and I was very pleased for my new found friend.

So on we went, George off the green and some distance away went next, using the good old fashioned putter from miles away as you learn to do on these fantastic links courses. As he hit his putt, some form of profanity was heard as it sailed away... I said its looks pretty decent, and as it got closer, it got better and better, and in she plopped!! George had now achieved a somewhat incredible birdie (what I haven't mentioned is George and Bobs combined age is about 135 years old!) My putt was quite a steep uphill effort, quite a big right to left break, and I thought to myself, a par would be a good result, and saw George and Bob doing the good old ''high 5'' thing.
Standing over my putt, I struck it, it looked half decent all the way, Bob tending the pin took the flagstick out as my putt neared the hole, and in she went!!!

The 3 of us went wild!! What a hole! -4 between the 3 of us!

It was that kind of day, and the best of it is, I found 2 great friends in Bob and George

A day at Crail Balcomie Links near St. Andrews

2011-03-25T18:55:00.006Z

Ahhhh Gowf, as gowf is supposed to be, a nice sunny, wind free day on Crail Links with some wonderful company.

FULL PICTURE GALLERY OF CRAIL BALCOMIE - HERE !

If all 365 days of the year were like today, what a wonderful country we would have! Alas, thats why our season runs from May- September, yet the fringe months either side can produce magnificent weather.
I played the Old on March 1st, and caught the sun, 9 days later, we saw another 2 days of snow!

Crail is one of the many superb courses in the St. Andrews area. That's what our company take pride in, we promote what we know, we want groups/ clubs or societies to STAY in St. Andrews and experience the delights this region, the region that is the home of golf

If you want to go elsewhere we will just suggest you go to our travel partner Wullie Duff, from Duffers Golf Tours who's expertise is Scotland and Ireland...

We will be doing full reviews, and interviews in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!!

Have a great weekend golfing!

Steve Cooke
Managing Director.
St. Andrews Golf Groups.
134 South Street.
St. Andrews. KY15 7BA

Telephone +44 1337 858888
email - golfgroups@aol.com

Website . www.golfgroups.org
Facebook - www.facebook.com/golfgroups
Twitter - www.twitter.com/golfgroups

''Proud members of St. Andrews Merchants' Association & IAGTO''

Re-launch of St. Andrews Golf Groups

2011-03-17T11:01:00.001Z

Some of you already know me, some have wanted to follow my blog, and have waited a while for me to actually start it. Its going to start with blurb about me, and in the next few weeks I have lined, and am lining up interviews with people in and around St. Andrews, I'm not leaving any stone unturned! Got some interesting people lined up already!!
You know who you are friends!

If you want a place in St. Andrews featured, please ask, I'll be delighted to do a review on anything here.

I would also like to say, there is going to be a unique opportunity in the coming weeks for you to have a monthly public display in St. Andrews too.... Get your message out!! More about that soon!

Today a little bit of History about myself, the face behind St. Andrews Golf Groups and the Barber's Pole, if you're going to do business with someone, its best to know exactly who he is and what can be achieved, and maybe a little bit of information!

Life can take many directions, mine certainly has, its been an adventure!
I'll be brief, but this is my journey of life...

1965
Born in a 'pit house' where just about all my family including my own father were involved in the mining industry.

1971
Wakefield. West Yorkshire

Moved to where my dads side of the family live Wakefield, Yorkshire, where he became a self employed electrician. He found a Niblick hickory shafted golf club on a job, and gave it to me

My grandparents bought me 3 uniroyal golf balls. Nobody in my family played golf, I think back then, it was more of an elitist sport.

I learnt to play golf in a cemetery!

Please bear in mind, and forgive me, but this was West Yorkshire! A place where green land wasn't rife, and if there was any in the area going free, the gypsies would soon find it!

Over the next few years, I started building up a set of golf clubs, and holidays were centered around my golf, either Blairgowrie, where I fell in love with the Courses in Angus, not too far away from here, and of course St. Andrews. They went day-tripping, I went golfing. I was about 11 years old. All the money I could save was saved for an unlimited weeks golf pass playing St. Andrews links. This pass allowed me to play 3 of the 4 courses back then. Of course the Old wasn't part of the deal, but happily went round and round and round the Eden, New and Jubilee. The New and Jubilee courses not recognisable today to what they were back then, and there was no Fairmont, or Dukes!! Damn even the Jubilee and New shared a small wooden hut of a clubhouse!! I always had enough money for one round on the Old!!
Always remember the day I broke 100!
Oh how times change!!
I was lucky to meet, and become a life long friend of Arnold Palmers Caddie, a chap called Tip Anderson, normally when we met over the years, he was hungover, or drunk, that was Tip! Everyone I know fell for the charms of this great man, a great golfer in his own right.
RIP Tip my old friend....

Thanks to Wullie Duff from Duffers Golf Travel for the photo.
A signed copy is going to be displayed in the Barbers Pole. St. Andrews.

1983 -1995
THE RAF YEARS!!
Big boys world now, joined the RAF, because I knew there was a base near St. Andrews, and by good luck spent most of my 12 year RAF career there at Leuchars, representing the RAF at Golf, and playing all the best courses around, for free, and with spectacular hospitality!
On several occasions I was fortunate enough to be invited into the Royal & Ancient, the ultimate for any golfing purist!

I was a tactical chef in the RAF, I was on the first aircraft out to the Gulf War in 1990 with MCSU

I was eventually attached with a Helicopter refueling site, where days were long, hot and pretty boring, but fortunately, I'd remembered my hair clippers! Seemed I was the only guy in the desert for miles around who had got any!!! This then ended up with me cutting ever unit arounds hair, even our good pals the Americans, I must have done hundreds over the months.
We were never short of illegal alcohol (banned in Saudi Arabia!) Extra rations, and even got all our uniforms washed an ironed by an American unit!

I quite enjoyed the life, but like today the forces started cutting back, and I was literally told with 2 years to go I would need to find a job in civvy street! Quite a scary prospect as I had been in the forces not long after I had left school, and to be honest I had kind of got used to the disciplined way of life.

Natural wastage they called me, very nice having been put on the streets of Belfast in the heights of the problems there, going to Kurdistan to stop Saddam obliterating them as well after the Gulf war, I witnessed 3 colleagues get murdered by a car bomb planted by the IRA in Roermond, that along with driving down the Basra Road after the war had finished, youtube video of it here, not for the fainthearted.

So, not to be beaten down, In my final 2 years, I decided to train as a Barber on my days off, I was working 2 days, 2 nights and 4 days off, so I worked hard to get qualified.

I then prepared to open a shop in St. Andrews!
Quite a worrying prospect, the bills for the year, were as much as I was getting paid for a year in the RAF!

1995 - present
The Barbers Pole St Andrews opens
Became very popular very quickly.
I needn't have worried, even opened a couple of other shops up which worked too!
16 years to date and still going strong, to the extent its been accepted in principle to be franchised, and I have made the latter stages of Dragons Den to try and get the help I would need when dealing with something of that magnitude!

Lots of famous people have been in over the years, far too many to mention!

We are famous for giving away a free nip of whisky with every haircut, and are currently sponsored by Whyte & Mackay!

The Barber's Pole website
Barber's Pole on Twitter
Barber's Pole on Facebook

Its really quite simple, for me why.
How is a little more complicated, my 1 year old daughter, Leigh became Scotland's youngest diabetic in 2001 aged just 22 months. Nearly losing your child is a wake up call in anyones life, stranger still, there was no diabetes either side of the family. It makes you wonder if the illegal anthrax, plague, nerve and biological goodies they pumped into me in the first Gulf War, and where highly illegal. had anything to do with it....

So I gave up working in the Barber's and was a stay at home dad, looking after my daughter who needed about 10 blood sugar tests a day, and 4 injections.
As she grew older, she became able to do more things by herself, she has been injecting herself since she was 4 years old!
Today she is as healthy as any 10 year old could be, only difference is, she has to inject herself insulin, and knows she cannot eat the same things other kids can....

Then I created the Golf Company at this stage,

2004- present St. Andrews Golf Vacations.
Now St. Andrews Golf Groups

I have now lived breathed and grown to love everything about the local area, and especially golf
When working in my shop, I soon realised the lion share of Golf Tour Operators, are just bringing golfers to St. Andrews for a day or 2, and they are not really seeing St. Andrews, they are seeing what they are led to see. Well I'm sorry, you can't see everything in this great town of ours in a day or 2!!

Its impossible, there is so much to see and do in this historic town, that I don't wash this staying in town for that long, its stupidity in my opinion, when paying homage to the home of golf, you actually miss it all in the blink of an eyelid, and lose the chance to visit everything in this great town, eating in the MANY award winning restaurants, visiting the attractions, walking the beach where the opening of ''Chariots of Fife'' were filmed, pictures outside everything that is deep routed to this great game we all love, and most of all, the locals, I have already mentioned Tip Anderson... there are many more like him.....

When I first visited St. Andrews and fell in love with the links, there we 4 golf courses here, there are now 10, facilities that are incredible, courses within a short drive that will give you golfing bliss, including Carnoustie a short 30 or so minute drive (avoid rush hour!)
I was lucky to have played for the RAF against the many outstanding other courses, the Likes of Ladybank, Scotscraig, Crail and Lundin Links.

You don't need that GUARANTEED time to the Old, I keep telling people, if you plan well, you will get on, I do this year in year out.
There are GUARANTEED tee times available, these of course come at a price, and we deal with our Partners, the Old Course Experience

We have done dozens of groups over the years, arranged several Charity events, and covered every special occasion thinkable!

In 2008, we broke all sorts of record when we organised the Centenary event for the Society of Liverpool Golf Captains, 300 red coated gentleman, gracing the fairways of the Golf Courses in the area, starting with a civic reception attended by the gracious Provost Frances Melville, and a granda gala ball and prize-giving.

One of my proudest moments was sitting on the top table with the Captain of The Royal and Ancient and Provost Melville at that event!

We kind of stood down after this event, as the global recession hit, we have several groups booked already for 2011 and 2012, and are always happy to assist and give free advice and tips!

Everything you want in Scotland is already here, all we do is help people put it together, and have an enjoyable visit to the area, there is something very special about this Old Town, I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't get you to try it too!

The recession made me put the company on the shelf, and decided to relaunch Oct 2010, and have done all sorts of marketing ploys now, including email campaigns that has attracted the attention of a massive sponsor, and trust me, when I say they don't come any bigger in golf, as far as I'm concerned!
We have also got into social media
Twitter and facebook have both proved to be popular methods for spreading the word in business circles,
My personal profile on facebook. Please add if you like.
On Linkedin
St. Andrews Golf Groups on facebook
St. Andrews Golf Groups on twitter

Here is a facebook page if you need assistance when coming to St. Andrews, or indeed Scotland.

During all of this Ive been involved with various things over the years.
I have been Captain of Falkland Golf Club, and think many will agree, I was instrumental at bringing it back into the right direction, and now, thanks to a good team, it is one of the few clubs in the area attracting new members, and making a profit!

I've been heavily involved at stages with the St. Andrews Kilrymont Rotary Club, which I may be rejoining

Vice President of the St. Andrews Merchants Association, I have just suggested I become membership Secretary, as I'll be visiting many of the Businesses in town anyway giving you an insight to what we have here!

Ive served on many committees in town, getting the students on good terms with the locals was one of the more interesting ones! St. Andrews Festival week, and think its safe to say I had a lot to do with the Christmas decorations in St. Andrews too! But thats another story, I have a great story about a Solicitor who nearly got charged with breaking and entry to a building when we realised we couldn't get to the main light switch that was supposed to switch the main display on at countdown which was 10 minutes away! Thousands of people outside, live on radio....

Charity is very special to me, I have several I would like the company to support, they are for my friends Mel, Alex and Muzza, I'll keep plugging those on my facebook and twitter accounts as we move into a different era!

Well we started with black and white TV's and ended up on facebook... thats life I guess!

I'm here to help people get to St. Andrews, on any budget, if its in a tent, or into the Old Course Hotel, I've done them all!

Oh and I also support Leeds United ;=)

Fancy bringing your club to St. Andrews?

2011-03-17T11:00:00.000Z

Had a good idea recently which we are putting into practice, we are inviting groups of golfers to play members of clubs in the St. Andrews area! with a view to having annual return matches at various venues thereafter!!

Apply within, already got a group from Barcelona who are interested in a club/ society swap, Spain does appeal in the colder months!!
looking for groups of 16-24 ideally, apply within! Location no problem! Affordable golf, affordable accommodation!

Contact me for more details @ golfgroups@aol.com
Putting the fun back into golf!!

St Andrews Dukes Course!

2011-01-01T15:07:00.000Z

The Duke's is highly regarded as one of the finest heathland championship courses in the British Isles and a 'must play' course for any golfer. Its style ranks alongside the great inland challenges which demand accuracy and inventive play as well as power golf. And with five separate tee positions at every hole, The Duke's has the flexibility and challenge to appeal to golfers at every level.

WHOLE ALBUM CAN BE SEEN HERE!

Kingsbarns Golf Course!

2011-01-01T15:01:00.000Z

The Kingsbarns Golf Links site has long been known for its intimate connection with the sea. The fact that its golf origins date back to 1793 is testimony to the attributes of the site which foster ideal conditions for links turf to flourish amid interesting natural terrain. This unique part of East Fife has sandy soils, undulating ridges and hollows, Cambo burn running into the sea, all set immediately against the rugged coastline of the North Sea.

WHOLE ALBUM CAN BE SEEN HERE!

Auchterader Golf Club!

2011-01-01T14:59:00.000Z

An easy walking course of 5775 yards, it has a variety of challenging holes which are a test for golfers of all abilities. Our clubhouse offers a variety of refreshments and meals throughout the day.

WHOLE ALBUM CAN BE SEEN HERE!

Machrihanish!

2011-01-01T14:57:00.000Z

The course is set in wonderful dunes in the small village of Machrihanish, which is situated on the western side of the remote Kintyre Peninsula; this is where the sky is big, the sunsets are dramatic and the air has been warmed by the Gulf Stream and its relative inaccessibility has saved it from becoming more commercialised.

WHOLE ALBUM CAN BE SEEN HERE!

Lundin Links!

2011-01-01T14:52:00.000Z

Lundin Golf Club, near to St Andrews the 'Home of Golf', is well known throughout the golfing world as a course of rare quality. Founded in 1868, on a Tom Morris course it was extensively redesigned by five times Open Champion James Braid in 1909.

WHOLE ALBUM CAN BE SEEN HERE!

carnoustie!

2011-01-01T11:32:00.002Z

One of Scotland's most infamous courses is Carnoustie Championship Links in Angus.

It's a regular host to the British Open and has seen winners including Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Tom Watson and most recently Padraig Harrington in 2007. But its recent lore belongs to who didn't win it, Frenchman Jean Van de Velde, after his infamous triple bogey collapse on the 72nd hole in 1999. Play the diabolical 18th yourself however, and it's easy to sympathize with the Frenchman.

For golfers staying in nearby St. Andrews, Carnoustie is less than an hour's drive away, making it easily includable in any Fife golf tour.

FULL ALBUM CAN BE SEEN HERE!

St. Andrews Golf Groups. - Guaranteed Old Course St. Andrews Tee times

2010-11-07T19:42:00.000Z

St. Andrews Golf Groups. - Guaranteed Old Course St. Andrews Tee times

Gala Dinner. Old Course Hotel. St. Andrews. Society of Liverpool Golf Captains.

2008-08-22T12:09:00.003Z

PRESS RELEASE - SOCIETY OF LIVERPOOL GOLF CAPTAINS CENTENARY EVENT AT THE HOME OF GOLF - ST. ANDREWS.

2008-08-12T17:37:00.008Z

Press Release

During the week of 17th August, 2008, the Annual Society of Liverpool Golf Captains Event will convene in St. Andrews, Scotland as part of the centenary celebrations for one of the most prestigious golf organisations in the country. More than 300 society members are expected to attend this gala golf and entertainment event, which has been organised on an unprecedented scale by the St. Andrews based company, St. Andrews Golf Vacations.

Hundreds of red-coated captains from golf clubs across Merseyside are coming to St Andrews, the Home of Golf, where they will be photographed on the steps of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. The Society has become very special and popular. Its membership includes the captains and past captains, more than 700 men from 27 clubs, and its status and popularity is so great that it is impossible to accept the captains from other, more recently established clubs.

Many Society members will stay in the fantastic St. Andrews University facility, the David Russell Apartments, which were opened in February 2007 by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

On Sunday 17th August, the event kicks off in grand style at the Old Course Hotel, Resort & Spa where the captains have been granted a civic reception, and will be formally welcomed by the Provost of Fife, Councillor Frances Melville.

One of Scotland’s best known entertainers, Joyce Falconer, of BBC1 Scotland River City fame, will also be on hand with her accordion to welcome the captains in traditional Scottish style. Young Falkland piper, John Heaton- Armstrong, aged 13, will play the bagpipes before and after the evening’s festivities.

Over the next three days, the captains will play three of Fife’s finest and historic golf courses – Ladybank, Crail Balcomie and The Duke’s.

Steve Cooke, Managing Director of St. Andrews Golf Vacations, helped the captains select the premier St. Andrews links venues. He suggested the The Duke’s St. Andrews (newly refurbished) as one of the three courses/ He is so impressed with this heathland championship courses that he has become corporate member there.

“Since Herb Kohler bought the Old Course Hotel, Resort & Spa, inheriting The Duke’s as part of the deal, it was obvious that he sought to deliver the same professionalism and quality that are associated with his Whistling Straits courses in Wisconsin (USA). Most of my clients who have played The Dukes are blown away by the experience. Mr. Kohler has left no stone unturned—the staff are magnificent on all levels, and the catering is second to none,” explained Mr Cooke.

Richard Pinn, VisitScotland Regional Director added: “St Andrews is renowned as the home of golf and it is therefore extremely fitting a group as prestigious as the Liverpool Society of Golf Captains should choose this location as part of the celebrations in their centenary year.

“This visit will create an ideal opportunity to showcase what Fife has to offer in terms of golf with three different courses being played; it will also highlight the breadth of accommodation, restaurants and fantastic conference facilities Fife has. Hopefully this will encourage return visits for years to come.”

The second course the captains will enjoy is a true links course, which is a “must” when visiting the area. The Crail Golfing Society - Balcomie Links, established in 1786 and the world’s 7th oldest golf course fitted the bill perfectly.

The third course, guests will play another ‘Links with History’ course, Ladybank Golf Club, established in 1879. Ladybank is used as an Open Qualifying course when the British Open comes to St. Andrews.

Once the golf is completed on Wednesday, at about 7.00pm, one of the most spectacular sights will be seen outside the Royal and Ancient. More than 300 Society members, wearing their long-tailed red jackets, will be photographed by Campbell Savage from the Royal and Ancient, which is believed to be the largest ever group photograph taken outside golf’s most famous building.

The award winning ‘Fife Constabulary Pipe Band’ will be on hand to lead the captains beside the 18th hole of the Old Course, all the way up to the Old Course Hotel, Resort and Spa, where they will be looking forward to pre-meal drinks.

The week will come to a convivial close with a centenary gala dinner, which is the largest ever society dinner ever held in the ‘Hall of Champions’ at the Old Course Hotel.

-Ends –

Notes to Editors

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:

Scottish Celebrity Joyce Falconer will be available to photograph at the Old Course Hotel after 7.00pm
The largest ever organized photograph outside the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St. Andrews, will take place on 20th August at 7.00pm

For more information, please contact Steve Cooke on golfgroups@aol.com, +44 1337 858888 or +44 7968034414.

The recent weather in St. Andrews. Fife Scotland

2008-08-11T11:25:00.007Z

Back in 2006, we had the summer to dream of, continuous lovely, hot, sunny weather! Why do the hoards have to go abroad when we can enjoy such climates here. Its this global warming you hear so much about many were saying, but the downside was that it burnt up a lot of golf courses and damaged many greens

In 2007 in the early season, I was looking into getting a sprinkler system sponsored to Falkland Golf club, to save potential damage to the greens. April 2007 was glorious, and in May the heavens opened, and they pretty much have been open ever since, with the odd splidging of good weather in between

Now with the Captains event less than a week away, I am into the lap of the gods as to if 2 years of work pays off and the Captains get a bit of calm, nice and dry, sunny weather

Here is the 10 day weather forecast from weather.com . Leuchars is the RAF base just across the water from St Andrews

Over the weekend we have had what only can be described as a monsoon. The local paper, the Courier describes it quite nicely here

fingers crossed that carts are allowed onto the fairways at the Dukes, or we are going to have fun and games.....

yikes!

Kind Regards

Steve Cooke

MD St Andrews Golf Vacations
134 South Street.
St Andrews.
Fife
Scotland
Telephone +44 1337 858888

90th US PGA Championship - Congratulations to Padraig Harrington

2008-08-11T09:56:00.004Z

Well done to Padraig Harrington, what a grand fete, eyes popping out like a man possessed, celebrations reminiscent of Seve all those years ago when he slotted one home on the 18th at St. Andrews and pumped his fist in a sheer explosion of relief and adrenaline pumping out of his ears! How it must feel, us average golfers can only imagine and dream!

Myself and Robbie were fortunate enough to meet the great man after his Open Victory at Carnoustie last year. We have a friend who manages the Titleist wagon at Pga European Tour events and had invited us to take a look at during last years Annual Dunhill Cup at St. Andrews, Kingbarns and Carnoustie

We had a coffee, and it was like a who's who, of the golf and entertainment world from each passing minute, discussing Arsenal with Ian Poulter, and Hugh Grant cracking a joke the next.
Padraig entered the vehicle and we got talking about our beloved Leeds United. I had heard he was a Leeds fan like the best of us, however my heart sank as he told how he used to be a big Leeds fan, but the Bowyer and Woodgate scandal had tainted his support and he had changed allegiances! The man has no shame!

Having dealt with Colin Montgomerie in the past, I asked him also about his love for Chelsea, and where this left Leeds, and told me not to worry, he still supported Leeds, and only had a soft spot for Chelsea as he used to live near the ground, and they also gifted him a shirt with Monty on it!
The man has no shame part 2!

Kind Regards

Steve Cooke

MD St Andrews Golf Vacations
134 South Street.
St Andrews.
Fife
Scotland
Telephone +44 1337 858888

www.golfgroups.org

People to thank for their help in making this event come together

2008-08-05T20:18:00.012Z

Its only a few days left till the big Captains event kicks off....

It all started about 2 years ago when I received a call to see if I could cater for 350 or so golfers!

I've said it before, and no doubt I will say it again....

This has been all about teamwork

I'll start off with my mates Robbie Harrison and John Lambton spending hours putting golf courses into our database to boost our rankings in Google (shameless!) but that's whats allowed us to cut back on costs, we didn't have the budget some of these 'super golf tour ops' seem to have, more than likely because they like to charge ridiculous amount of money.... if people want to throw away silly amounts of money to see a plastic version of Scotland, then feel free! For those that want value for money then contact us at golfgroups@aol.com

Robbie has become the Sales and Marketing Manager and is enjoying learning the industry with each passing week, a more honest guy you are not likely to meet

Without the help of David Morris from the Society of Liverpool Golf Captains, and his team including Eddy Hampson, Dennis Boardman and Derek, with some cameo players in between, this would have been a very difficult job to organise, they have been a pleasure to work with, although at the beginning, we realised it was going to be quite a task organising something as massive as this event

I'm going to mention this here, David Morris has been to St. Andrews about 10 times in the past 2 years, working directly with me, sometimes he's travelled from Liverpool and not even brought his clubs to the home of golf!
He stayed in the Russell Hotel several times, and did a couple of trial stays in the David Russell Apartments! Basically, David has spent a small fortune as have others making this happen for over 300 Captains and Past Captains, if David ever walks into one of the 26 other clubs in the Society, I'd suggest they have a beer waiting for him, or I'll stand the drop of York!!

Another strange twist of fate has come in the form of Mr Campbell Savage, who I kind of met all at once in several ways!

He is the Junior Convener at Ladybank, and is doing a terrific job, always with a smile, and always got time for the kids, the next generation of the game, something myself and Lorna Henry hoped to achieve at Falkland Golf Club during my eventful reign as Captain last year, alas. due to draconian attitudes by a select few on the Committee, this will see the Club eventually fold, as the next generation of golfers get restricted beyond belief and got a bit annoyed with the whole state of affairs, its a vicious circle that needs repairing before the disease becomes terminal
Well done Ladybank, take heed Falkland Golf Club! Its not rocket science and everyone is allowed to have an idea and move with the times, its not something exclusive for other people!

Campbell also happened to be a very good friend of David Morris's, when this is all over, I'm hoping that the 3 of us and Robbie can have an evening in Campbell's back garden, chimenea going strong, and the odd mixture with Pimms! Not an occasion for the faint hearted
Campbell is also in charge of taking the photograph outside the Royal and Ancient on the Weds evening, still trying to find him a megaphone, as the police don't have one, I'm sure the Society must have some former Generals who could do the job without the use of a megaphone

My good mate Bill Murray from Mac Mur Tours must also get a mention, not only a professional, but a damned good bloke, who leaves his mark on all those people he meets, and are fortunate enough to meet him, he knows me well enough to know that this is sincere. hey Bill look what I managed to get for you thanks to my friend Alan Pryke

Alan Pryke, well actually, Alan's going to get a whole page of his own sometime soon! The words Thank You don't do this gentleman and multi talented man any justice!

A few thank you's to:

The staff at the University have been excellent, the Golf Courses and their staff have been accommodating and polite, special mention to Sandy Smith Golf Professional at Ladybank
There have been so many people we have dealt with over the duration of the build up to this event, Scotia Carts, the catering staff at each club, stagecoach, Margaret Mackie at the St. Andrews Citizen, Levenmouth Printers, Kate Hughes from Fife Council, Provost of Fife, Cllr Frances Melville and her staff. My staff at the Barber's Pole, Jo, Marie, Christina and Allison.
Tracy Logan from Visit Scotland, Iain and John from Blue Crags

The staff at the Old Course Hotel, Resort & Spa and the Dukes deserve mention. Jason Schelenberg helped me with the BIG bits of the event right at the start, and it was quite good fun negotiating the contract. I've pretty much dealt with Phyllis Wilkie hands on since the contract was signed and understood, again its been an excellent learning curve for all concerned! Lisa Parker, Clare Cochran, and Richard Ellison have been introduced to us over time as we are putting the garnish on the event. Ron the Professional at the Dukes and his staff who are always helpful. Martin in the kitchen at the Dukes, Alan McColm always helpful

Last but not least, my wife who has put up with me and been very supportive over the years I've been looking forward to getting involved with something as grand as this

I'm chuffed to bits chuck, as Cilla would say.... to be sitting on the top table with some very accomplished people is the icing on the cake for me

one last thing.... please please please rain gods, no crappy weather between 17th and 20th August!

Steve Cooke. MD
St. Andrews Golf Vacations
134 South Street.
St. Andrews.
KY16 9EQ
Scotland. UK

W : http://www.golfgroups.org

E : golfgroups@aol.com
T : +44 1337 858888
M : +44 7968034414

Booking a golf vacation in Scotland. St. Andrews. Even non golfers will find this helpful

2008-07-25T08:38:00.015Z

I've covered this subject before in this blog, and now the Worlds economy is in meltdown, and less disposable income out there, people want a good deal.

We offer FREE help and advice to people who choose to use this service. Just email us at
golfgroups@aol.com

I can't emphasise enough times that a trip to Scotland, and in particular St. Andrews/ Fife, that all the things you require are already there.
Its a jigsaw puzzle, and by following this post you'll save you, your friends, family, golf group, golf society hundreds, if not thousands of pounds or dollars.

Most Golf Tour Operators insist that you play those ''Trophy'' Courses, insanely making the visitor travel hundreds of miles in true ''Wacky Races'' style in a short period of time.

If the golfer has travelled from America/ Canada, they have already lost a nights sleep, are jet lagged to hell and are accommodated in places that bear no resemblance to what this great country has to offer.

So lets look at the pieces of this vacational jigsaw puzzle, piece by piece

Flights
Transportation including Airport transfers
Accommodation
Golf and trips

The Internet has made the World a VERY small place. Just think, 15 short years ago, for most, to do this was almost impossible, now all you have to do is put your cursor over the link and click it!

We have a wealth of golf and things to do in the St. Andrews area. It is stupidity in my opinion to spend so much of your holiday on the road when you can be bashing the fairways in one area. It doesn't make sense, we Brits DO NOT, and WOULD NOT do it ourselves if we were going away, so why do the vultures that are Golf Tour Operators make you do it? Simple, they make lots of £$£$£$£$ by making you think that you cannot do it yourself and adding on commission

Lets start helping you to SAVE money, the dummy's guide to booking a Golf Trip to St. Andrews and pay homage to the Home of golf. If you have any questions, as I've mentioned email us at golfgroups@aol.com

Flights

If you are flying in from overseas, these are the usual suspects - Do shop around, and its worth noting that group bookings can save money with some companies.

a) http://www.cheapflights.com/book-flights-online/?fromdeals=1

b) http://www.vayama.com/

c) http://travel.priceline.com/flights/

d) http://www.opodo.co.uk/

e) http://www.ebookers.com/shop/home

f) http://www.expedia.com/

Please also remember to include Travel/ Medical Insurance, it wouldn't be the first time someones golf clubs, or luggage has gone missing, or worse still, someone has needed medical assistance.
Excuse me for being blunt, but during my time in the Forces I was taught a saying that has lived with me ever since ........

''Prior planning prevents p*ss poor performance!''

Transportation

I have my own personal preference on what I would do, and I'll explain why.

I'd book the services of the likes of our Transportation Director, Bill Murray and his team, from Mac Mur Tours who will pick and drop you from the airport, and take you to the golf courses, or on day trips

1/ We drive on the other side of the road over here
2/ Vehicles here are mainly gears & clutch and not automatic
3/ The price of gas/ petrol is extortionate!
4/ Local knowledge, knowing all the places to go, eat and avoid!
5/ Flexibility
6/ Bill wears a kilt, is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet and is a real Scot!

The other option is to hire a vehicle from the ''usual suspects''. Like everything on here it can be booked online.

Here are a few for you to choose from, but the one I have found the best by personal experience is http://www.expedia.com/ which is a website you may find that can kill 2 birds with one stone, as they tend to have excellent deals on flights too, but both can be booked individually

www.hertz.co.uk

www.avis.co.uk

www.ArnoldClarkRental.com

http://www.alamo.co.uk/

www.enterprise.co.uk

http://www.europcar.co.uk/

www.thrifty.co.uk

Accommodations

Having flown in, and found your way to St. Andrews, you need to decide what type of accommodation you require. If you have a good budget, we can get the best rates at the Old Course Hotel, Resort and Spa. However, take a look at the choices here, in and around St. Andrews to suite all budgets.

Our personal choices would be the likes of Kinburn Guest House a 9 iron from the town, or if you want a little bit of history, Ladywell House in Falkland, 20 miles outside town, and a place that was the former residence of Frances Shand Kidd, the mother of Lady Diana.

Golf, Golf and more Golf !

We know our golf, we play it, live it breathe it, we enjoy seeing people playing these courses...

The Old Course **Open venue** New Course, Eden Course, Jubilee, the new Castle Course (all these are St. Andrews Links Trust Courses)

The Dukes. St. Andrews
Kingsbarns
Links with History such as (Crail Balcomie Worlds 7th Oldest Course 1786), Lundin Links, **Open Qualifying venue** (1868), Scotscraig **Open Qualifying venue** (1817) , Ladybank Golf Club **Open Qualifying venue** (1879)
Carnoustie Championship**Open venue**
Monifeith, Panmure, Royal Montrose - **Yet more Open Qualifying venues**

You can of course pay a premium rate for an Old Course GUARANTEED time, we also work with the Old Course Experience who offer this service and can get you one, but as we have proved having got dozens and dozens of Golfers onto the Old, there really is no need to pay over the odds... Just follow these simple instructions.......

1/ Adavanced booking via the Links Trust

2/ The daily Ballot - the lottery. We are more than happy to help you put your name in

3/ Get up early and wait by the first tee - and I mean about 5am! It does work

It is important that you check for busy dates on the Old, if the Course has an event on, forget it, choose different dates to come!

The New, Jubilee and Eden Courses can also be booked directly by yourselves online, saving you lots of dollars!

Things to do in and around St. Andrews

Have a look at this page, which we hope may help. If you want any further help or suggestions, please email us!

Last but not least, we also own the World famous Barber's Pole which gives clients ''a free nip of whisky with every haircut'' as featured on ABC Sports and National Press!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE HOME OF GOLF!

http://www.golfgroups.org/

Society of Liverpool Golf Captains Centenary event - Organised by St. Andrews Golf Vacations

2008-07-15T10:28:00.005Z

In 2006, Steve Cooke, Managing Director of St. Andrews Golf Vacations had a phone call asking a mysterious question, ''Can you organise a golf outing for 350 people?'', it was a chap called David Morris, who was from the Society of Liverpool Golf Captains, and an ex Captain of Dean Wood Golf Club

David went on to explain that in 2008 it was the Societies Centenary and it was only fitting that it be held at the ''Home of Golf''.

The Society is steeped in History, it comprises of Captains and Past Captains from 27 Golf Clubs in the Liverpool area, two very famous ones, Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) and the 2008 Open venue, Royal Birkdale.

The requirements seemed simple enough on paper, but the logistics were not quite as simple as that, however as Steve explains, there are no such things as problems, only solutions!

3 Golf Courses of excellent standard in the St. Andrews area.
Extra carts at Golf Courses.
Lunch/ food at Golf Courses
Accommodation for 350 people.
A venue for a welcome reception.
A venue for a gala meal for 350 people, to include top table.
A venue for the Captains to utilise as a scoring room
Restaurants in St. Andrews for evening meal
A photograph of 350 people outside the Royal and Ancient.

The first thing to be done was to look at the ''busy dates'' in the area for 2008, so not to have any major conflicts. Steve created ''St. Andrews Golf Vacations'' after falling in love with the Golf Courses in the area as a young lad when holidays in the 1970's were spent in St. Andrews, a distant cry from industrial West Yorkshire where he lived in Wakefield.
Steve joined the RAF in 1983 just so as to get posted to Leuchars, a long par 4 to reach the famous Links across the Eden River!

This enabled him to represent the RAF at golf and play all the great local Courses and fall in love with them.
Having visited 3 ''links with History Courses'' with David Morris and members of the Society, it was decided to approach Ladybank and Crail, 2 of the Worlds oldest golf courses to check availability, and to see if they could cater for such large number. These things have to go through committee's and a nervous wait was had by all to see if we could be accommodated

Meantime, Steve Cooke had approached Jason Schellenberg from the Old Course Hotel, to see if he could kill 4 birds with 1 stone!

His idea was :

To utilise the Old Course Hotels ''Hall of Champions'' for a welcome reception, which he hoped could be eventually granted ''civic reception'' status given the magnitude of the occasion.
To utilise the Old Course Hotels ''Hall of Champions'' for the prize-giving meal
The Old Course Hotel was purchased in 2005 by Herb Kohler, and came with its own Golf Course, the St. Andrews Dukes. Mr Kohler has spent millions of pounds on an already great Course, and is one of the best in the area, it seemed fitting that this be requested as one of the 3 courses
To request a scoring room for the Captains to peacefully (if not painfully!) go through over 300 cards a day

The dates were pencilled in for Sunday August 17th to Wednesday 20th August 2008

After a few weeks wait we had secured the big pieces of this gigantic jigsaw puzzle

Sunday - Welcome reception - Hall of Champions - Old Course Hotel, Resort and Spa

Monday- Wednesday - Golf at Crail Balcomie, Ladybank and the Dukes

Wednesday Evening - Prize giving meal at the Hall of Champions - Old Course Hotel, Resort and Spa.

The Tom Morris Junior room at the Hotel was also to be used for the Captains to score in on Monday- Wednesday

The next small problem we had was where to accommodate over 300 people.
Gordon Brown had just been in St. Andrews and opened the newly refurbished David Russell Apartments, part of the St. Andrews University accommodation, and during term holidays would be open for the general public to use.
Linda Richardson & Kim Malherbe (Conference and Group Services, University of St Andrews) were approached, and this was seen as the ideal location to house the majority of the group.

All that was left to do was to put the garnish on the whole occasion.
Here is what else has been achieved

On Sunday 17th August, the reception has indeed been given a ''Civic'' status, and the Provost of Fife, Cllr Frances Melville will open up proceedings by welcoming the Captains to the Home of Golf. Joyce Falconer, from BBC1 Scotland Soap ''River City'' fame will also be giving the Captains a Scottish welcome. A young piper by the name of John Heaton- Armstrong will be piping in the Captains at the Old Course Hotel
The staff at each of the Golf Courses have been nothing short of fantastic, helping to sort out Carts and food on a daily basis. Special mention must go to the Professional at Ladybank, Sandy Smith who has gone above and beyond the call of duty on several occasions

On Wednesday 20th August, it appears that this group are going to break a couple of records

1. Campbell Savage (Royal and Ancient) will be in charge of what is believed to be the largest every group photograph outside the Royal and Ancient, which it is hoped will include the Captain of the R&A, Mr David Harrison. What will make this more spectacular is the fact that the Society will all be wearing long tailed red jackets (see picture below) Having obtained a temporary road closure from Fife Council/ Fife Police, the Captains will be piped by the Fife Constabulary Pipe Band to the Old Course Hotel for pre meal drinks

2. It is believed that the meal will be the largest ever meal sitting in the ''Hall of Champions'', guests invited Gavin Hastings OBE, Provost of Fife, Cllr Frances Melville and the Captain of the Royal and Ancient

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Society of Liverpool Golf Captains event being organised by St Andrews Golf Vacations

2008-07-14T20:11:00.004Z

Over 340 Golf Captains will be coming to St. Andrews in August 2008 which will see some record breaking fetes achieved and never seen before at the Home of Golf

More news coming soon...

www.golfgroups.org

Golf: Society of Liverpool Golf Captains to celebrate their centenary with St Andrews trip

2008-07-14T19:10:00.001Z

Event proudly orhanised by St. Andrews Golf Vacations

THE RED-COATED captains from across Merseyside are going to St Andrews, where they will be photographed on the steps of the famous old clubhouse, as part of the centenary celebrations for one of the most prestigious golf organisations in the country.

The Society of Liverpool Golf Captains is 100 years old and events planned for this year will also recall its early beginning at Woolton Golf Club when secretaries, captains and treasurers of selected clubs were invited for a game of golf followed by a dinner.

The Society has developed to become very special. Its membership includes the captains and past captains, more than 700 men from 27 clubs, and its status and popularity is so great that it is impossible to accept the captains from other, more recently established clubs. Quite simply, no more could be accommodated at the annual dinner and golf competition.

The society may not be the oldest but as Geoffrey Leece, past captain of Huyton and Prescot who is now writing a history of the society, says: "We are the envy of many in other areas because of the strength of our society and we traditionally wear red coats. Others do not do that, but some are now following us."

So, as usual, the society’s annual dinner in Liverpool last month was a red-coated evening and for the three-days autumn meeting at St Andrews the society members will be in red coats at the old clubhouse before they go to dinner at the Old Course Hotel. Between 250-300 are expected to be there.

It is not clear who at Woolton invited the captains, secretaries and treasurers to that first get- together in 1908, although a J.F Clegg was a prominent figure at Woolton and indeed in the Society.

"Cleggie," as he was called, was in turn Woolton’s secretary, treasurer, captain and president, a naval architect by profession and, according to a Woolton history, a "very masterful personality."

In addition to Woolton, the clubs represented for the 1908 match and dinner were Royal Liverpool, Formby, Birkdale, Bromborough, West Derby, Heswall, Wallasey, Huyton, Ormskirk, West Lancashire, Chester, Leasowe, and one among the lost courses of Merseyside, New Brighton.

The evening was obviously a success because the idea was repeated before and after World War One, in 1911, 1912 and in the early 1920s. Then the golfers were known as the Liverpool and District Captains, Ex-captains, Hon. Treasurers and Secretaries Competition.

The Competition was renamed as the Society of Liverpool Golf Captains in 1938 and the secretaries and treasurers were phased out.

Clegg was secretary of the Competition from 1929 until he became the Society’s first captain in 1939. The other key figures in the history of the Society include Jack Stanway Johnson, a past captain at Childwall and secretary and treasurer of the Society for 30 years until retiring in 1992, and Harry Hayco, a captain at Huyton who in 1924 presented a trophy to the Society.

Members will again play for the Hayco Trophy at the annual competition this year.

The events this year include the annual competition, played each year at the home course of the captain, which this year means Derek Walkden’s Haydock Park, and a centenary dinner and dance at the arena at Kings Dock.

Also, the Society will play a match against the Bolton Society.

At Woolton, where it all started, a centenary match between the Societies of Liverpool, Edinburgh and London is being held in June and the St Andrews Night Dinner, always one of the biggest nights in the north west golfing calendar, will be a very special evening, again an engagement for the members of the society. A full pheasant for each guest will be part of the seven course menu.

Cleggie will undoubtedly figure in the memories of many.

The man who the Woolton history recalls had the air of a man used to command, was undoubtedly a major influence in the formative years of the society, a great power in the Woolton club for nearly 50 years.

His memorial service was held in 1953 and in the years following it must have seemed difficult to imagine the Woolton club without his commanding presence.

But then if you are ever at Woolton, perhaps at nighttime when the shadows lengthen or later as midnight nears and you perhaps imagine a figure at the far side of the lounge by the window... well, his ghost is said to frequent the building.

Kind Regards

Steve Cooke

MD St Andrews Golf Vacations www.scotlandgolftouring.com
134 South Street.
St Andrews.
Fife
Scotland
Telephone +44 1337 858888

www.golfgroups.org

St Andrews Golf Vacations photo gallery - Carnoustie Championship Golf Links

2008-02-12T20:05:00.000Z

CLICK HERE to see dozens of quality photos from the Home of British Open 2007
We are affiliated to Carnoustie

Rotary Clubs in St Andrews

2007-12-05T12:14:00.000Z

Calling all Rotarians visiting St Andrews !!!

If you would like to visit the 'Home of Golf' evening club while you are visiting St Andrews, they meet in the Golf Hotel on a tuesday night at about 6:45 pm for 7pm
The St Andrews Kilrymont Rotary Club has just celebated its 10th anniversary and is the smaller of the 2 clubs in St Andrews - Please visit our website HERE

The 'mother' club, 'St Andrews Rotary Club' meet at 12.50 for 13.00 on wednesdays at: St Andrews Golf Hotel, The Scores, St Andrews

Kind Regards

Steve Cooke

MD St Andrews Golf Vacations www.scotlandgolftouring.com
134 South Street.
St Andrews.
Fife
Scotland
Telephone +44 1337 858888

St Andrews Golf Vacations photo gallery - St Andrews Old Course before the 2005 open

2007-12-03T02:33:00.001Z

Please enjoy some photos of the 'Auld Lady', before the Open 2005

Dozens of images of all 18 hole course layout of the Old Course, St Andrews before the Open in 2005 can be SEEN HERE

The creme' de la creme' of all golf courses, everyone in 2006 who wanted to play this course and booked via St Andrews Golf Vacations managed it !

If you want to play this Course, along with the likes of Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Kingsbarns etc look no further

To view the gallery please CLICK HERE

St Andrews Golf Vacations photo gallery - St Andrews Fairmont Torrance Golf Course

2007-12-03T01:52:00.000Z

Formally, the Torrance (and its sister Course the Devlin) were part of St Andrews Bay Golf Resort and Spa complex until in 2006 Fairmont bought the resort and it was renamed

The resort sits about 2 miles south of St Andrews on the Crail road, and will be situated right next to Course #7 which is currently getting developed

Please find a full 200+ pictures of the 18 hole golf course HERE

The Torrance Course, designed by the late Gene Sarazen and winning Ryder Cup Captain, Sam Torrance, is a par 72, 7037 yard course that sweeps its way around the hotel and down to the coastal edge.It has been designed using the principles of links golf with an infusion of new styles. The natural contours of the land and the dramatic coastal setting are combined with a unique blend of Rye grass, innovative green-keeping skills and the expertise of winning Ryder Cup captain, Sam Torrance

St Andrews Golf Groups - Falkland Golf Club,

2007-12-01T18:35:00.001Z

This short but demanding course can be a great little course to play if you wanted to mix visiting a great attraction like Falkland Palace, having a lovely meal in the village and playing a round of golf at ridiculously low prices !

website can be located at http://www.falklandgolfclub.com/

Kind and warm regards

Steve Cooke.MD

www.golfgroups.org

St Andrews Golf Vacations - update and playing the Old Course advice, the Guaranteed and non guaranteed ways of playing the sacred turf in St Andrews

2007-05-04T21:23:00.002Z

Hi there !

Please visit our main website http://www.golfgroups.org

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO VISIT SCOTLAND - READ THIS

St Andrews Golf Vacations is about affordable Golf trips, we are alarmed how much other Golf Tour operators are charging, at the end of the day, the attractions, golf courses, accommodations, vehicle providers all exist, and more to the point, we are based at the Home of Golf and are personally known and affiliated/ partnered to all the Golf Courses you will wish to play

We have had several groups and individuals through this past year who have found out that we are sincere in our pledge to prevent making Golfing in Scotland elitist and expensive

Too many 'Golf Tour Operator companies' in this country are overcharging - Do not fall into this trap

When people think of Golf and Scotland, the first thing without question that springs to mind is 'The Old Course' - The sacred turf that is St Andrews - or is it ?

If you want to play the Old Course there are many methods to achieve this

We work with the Old Course Experience, if you want that 'Guaranteed time' this is really the only method during the peak season. Packages are made up at some of the areas most exclusive hotels and include Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and Gleneagles.
We can put your name in the daily lottery (the ballot) I think this is about a 1 in 5 chance depending what time of year and what traffic has been pre booked onto the Course - Like the Royal and Ancient, St Andrews New Club, and the St Andrews Golf Club for example
We have found that by turning up at the Course 15 minutes before the first Tee Off means you will almost certainly get on, either as a single or pair.
In the shoulder months, hotels and certain guest houses in town can get allocated times
Visit Scotland have teamed up with the Links and offer winter deals
You can enhance your chance of a time by applying in the October the year before you intend to travel via the links for an advanced application, If this fails you go to the above options

In the past 5 years EVERY single golfer who wanted to play the Old and followed our simple instructions and did their homework managed it - BAR NONE

Some of you will not board an aircraft without having that Guaranteed time, this is understandable and the route for you is via the Old Course Experience

Golf Vacations in Scotland

Most Golf Companies will throw you the merry go round of Scotland Golf tour. You'll get off your aircraft and as far as I can see, you move from course to courses, resort to resort, travel an insane distance, but you'll have played all the 'trophy' Golf Courses on your tour - Why ?

Why not stay in one place, and play any of 10 Courses in St Andrews (yes 10!) The Dukes is magnificent, the Old not unachievable, the New, Jubilee, Eden etc etc....

Kingsbarns is a short distance away

Carnoustie has 3 Courses and offers great deals

Gleneagles has 3 more championship Courses and is not too far away

Crail, Lundin Links, Scotscraig, and Ladybank - All these Historic Links with History offer great value for money and are as good as any of these so called 'trophy' courses - Ryder Cup, Open, Dunhill Cups, Open Qualifiers, Ladies Open Venues, Walker Cup venues galore, and all within an easy drive of St Andrews

The tourist cannot be blamed for no realising this, you only know what you've been told by the so called 'experts'. What you are not told is how much time on your trip you'll spend on the road, and in all honesty, you'll not see the real Scotland

Imagine this for a Golf Tour............

Carnoustie Championship
Gleneagles
Kingsbarns
St Andrews Championship Dukes
Crail
Ladybank
Lundin Links
Scotscraig
St Andrews Bay

Golf Events

Why not let us take care of your corporate Golf Event in St Andrews?

We have vast experience in the organising Golf events, and will shortly be announcing a very special event we have been asked to organise for 300 golfers coming to Fife.
We raised £5000 for an Orphanage in Baghdad when we held our annual event this year at the PGA Centenary Gleneagles Course
We also help organise the annual St Andrews Kilrymont Rotary Golf Event that raises money for good causes

ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO

If you want to see some of Scotland here were our top 3 choices of 2006

Edinburgh Castle and shopping
Castle and Palace tour
The Scottish Whisky Trail

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

In 2006 we had several special occasion tours 30th and 40th birthday treats. Silver wedding anniversary celebration, and we even had a wedding party !

Please email us for more details

No obligation quotes and free assistance offered

Kind regards

Steve Cooke MD

St Andrews Golf Vacations http://www.golfgroups.org

St Andrews Christmas light switch on 2006

2006-11-25T17:00:00.001Z

NONE GOLF - But interesting !

Today, after months of planning, we switched on the xmas lights in St Andrews. I managed to call on the services of good friend and Soap Star Joyce Falconer from River City along with onscreen hubby 'Raymond' (Paul Samson) who is a native of the town

I took a few pictures of the day that can be seen HERE

PRESS RELEASE
SWITCH ON TO CHRISTMAS
ST ANDREWS was filled with festive cheer on Saturday as the town's Christmas lights were switched on.
The honour of flicking the switch was given to the young winners of a local primary schools poster competition.Jordan Wilson, Megan Smith, Eirean Fletcher and Emma Shearer turned on the Christmas lights with the aid of Santa Claus and River City actors Joyce Falconer and Paul Samson, who play Roisin and Raymond.
Hundreds of people turned out for the event, which was organised by St Andrews Merchants' Association and Paul Marshall of Fife Council, and marked the beginning of the St Andrews Festival

Kind Regards

Steve Cooke

MD St Andrews Golf Vacations www.scotlandgolftouring.com
134 South Street.
St Andrews.
Fife
Scotland
Telephone +44 1337 858888

Rotary Club of St Andrews Kilrymont Golf event 2006 at Kingsbarns Golf Links

2006-10-30T15:02:00.003Z

St Andrews Golf Vacations were involved with the organising of this event for the 2nd year running Charity is a large part of what we do, having raised over £5000 earlier this year at Gleneagles.

THE ROTARY CLUB OF ST ANDREWS KILRYMONT organised another very successful Charity Golf Day played over KINGSBARNS GOLF LINKS on Monday, 30 October, 2006.

This was the fifth running of the event and once again, the day was blessed with glorious sunshine and a challenging westerly wind to test the 86 golfers taking part.

23 Rotary Clubs from 8 Districts were represented this year. Rotarians travelled from as far afield as Bridgnorth in the south, Fraserborough to the north and Kirkbudbright in the west.

They were competing in teams for The Chesterhills Claret Jug and, individually, for The Kilrymont Vase. The Chesterhill Claret Jug is played for between teams representing North of Scotland, South of Scotland and England on a match play format and the North of Scotland, ably lead by Martin Foster (RC of Ellon), comfortably retained the trophy with 18 points.

Shaughn Gibson (RC of Amble & Warkworth) off a handicap of 4 won The Kilrymont Vase with 41 Stableford points.

Stephen Burnett (RC of Ellon) off 12 was runner up with 37 points, beating Alastair Morgan (RC of Stonehaven) off 7 with the better last three holes.

Fourth was Richard Wailes (RC of Amble & Warkworth) off 15, again with 37 points.

Prizes were won by Shaughn Gibson and Alan Dorrian (RC of Langholm) for the longest drives at the 18th and Jack Redhead for being nearest the hole at the 8th.

This year the event attracted several corporate sponsors including

ST ANDREWS GOLF VACATIONS
ROLLO, DAVIDSON & McFARLANE
DAVID DONALDSON
J&E SHEPHERD
FAIRMONT ST ANDREWS HOTEL
DUNVEGAN HOTEL PILMOUR GUEST HOUSE
LITTLEFORD ESTATES
IAIN MACFARLANE LOWE
STUART NIVEN & SON
THE BARBERS POLE
IRVINE ENGINEERING
KINKELL BRAES CARAVAN PARK
UBS
The event has raised around £3,500 and The Rotary Club Of St Andrews Kilrymont are very grateful for the generous support from all the golfers, Kingsbarns Links and sponsors in making the event such a successful fund raising day and, in particular, for our main beneficiaries this year, namely;

The Mary Slessor Foundation The Family Room in the new St Andrews Hospital – this is an on going project over the next 3 years

Rotary Foundation - The Rotary Club of St Andrews Kilrymont’s Charity Fund

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St Andrews Golf Vacations - St Andrews University Honouring Golf Legends

2006-08-04T18:12:00.003Z

We were delighted to attend St Andrews University who were Honouring Golf Legends, Nick Faldo, Peter Thompson and Peter Alliss. Laura Davies was also honoured but was unable to attend

We managed to get a few photographs of the event and even managed to also meet Bruce Forsyth who is no mean golfer himself !

PRESS RELEASE
Four of the biggest names in world golf have been awarded degrees by Scotland's oldest university, St Andrews University to mark the beginning of the 134th Open Championship.

Players Nick Faldo, Laura Davies and Peter Thomson have been honoured by St Andrews University, along with BBC commentator Peter Alliss. The golfers joined several other stars of the sport to be honoured by the university, including Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Colin Montgomerie and Seve Ballesteros.

Peter Alliss was one of Britain's leading professionals but is now best known as a broadcaster for ABC in the US and the BBC in Europe.

Nick Faldo won 30 times on the European Tour, six times on the USPGA Tour and has six majors to his name while Laura Davies was the first woman ever to win all three major golfing tournaments in one year during the 1980s.

Peter Thomson, an Australian, is regarded as one of the world's best links golfers.

http://www.golfgroups.org/

Do Golf Course managers clone T-shirts? exclusive

2006-07-24T16:11:00.002Z

While looking back to the sunny fairways of Gleneagles where we held our Charity event a couple of weeks ago I noticed something odd about Barrie Liddell (Golf Manager Scotscraig - Open Qualifying Course) and Colin McLeods (Carnousties Golf manager - British Open venue 2007) dress sense

Even the trousers match, rumour has it they used to work together too, the mind boggles!

www.golfgroups.org

Gleneagles Charity Golf Day news and thanks you's

2006-07-07T17:28:00.002Z

At the end of the day the Charity Golf day, wasn't really about Golf, it was created to raise funds for a project I am 100% behind and support, the Baghdad Orphanage

Around £5000 was raised and will help Ahmad Rustam get the first 5 innocent child victims into the Orphanage within the month of July

If you want to enter one of our events please do not hesitate to email us so that we can send you details of future events

You may find Riverbends Blog eye-opening, its holds no punches and makes disturbing reading - More here

The prizegiving began - trophies sponsored by 'The Barber's Pole' were presented to the winners with prizes

3rd Prize - went to my good friend and fellow teammate Richard Mitusch - Points 37 Carnoustie Story, signed by author Donald Ford - sponsored by Colin Mcleod, Carnoustie Golf Links

2nd Prize - Brian Brodie 38 points - Wine Sponsored by Syd Littleford

1st Prize - John Clarke 38 points (won on countback) - who won a day of golf for 2 sponsored kindly by Sheelagh at the Old Course experience

Nearest the pin - 3 ft on the 10th Won by Colin Hynd 4 ball on Dukes Championship Golf Course St Andrews sponsored by Jason Schellenberg Old Course Hotel Golf Manager

Longest drive on the 14th won by David McKean- 4 ball on Scotscraig sponsored by Barry Liddlle Golfing Secretary Scotscraig Golf Club

Winning team was (gulp) St Andrews Golf Vacations - 83 Points - best 2 stableford scores per hole- 4 Ball on Gleneagles

Joyce Falconer, after serving Clootie dumplins and whisky and posing for fo'ti's ! did a little bit of squeezybox entertainment with some good old fashioned Scottish humour thrown in for good measure !

We had an auction after this with some outstanding items donated including a stay in a 4 star hotel in France with 3 rounds of golf, wine, clothing and much more...

All in all a very enjoyable day was had by all

It wouldn't seem right not to mention a few 'thank you's' to the people who made this event possible in the first place.

Alan Pryke - Created a webpage and site for the event and project, for making a meal and getting his friends to pay £500 for it ! For making us VIP Tickets for the event, making posters and brochures. Alan is one of the unsung hero's in life who do things without looking for any thanks, but sometimes is nice to receive a thank you !

Gwen Brock/ Kedren Turner - Gleneagles - For helping us put the finishing touches to the event and answering dozens of emails !

Joyce Falconer - For being a wonderful person and a role model. Helping on the 10th tee and first class act in the Gleneagles Suite !

Arlene Cooke - Helped over the months promote the event and raise funds, helped Joyce on the 10th tee with our Daughter Leigh (aged 5) Very lucky to have her as my wife

Arthur Murray - Grahams dad, helped set up 'Book in' at the Dormay Suite and kept things running on the 1st tee

Dollar Thrifty - Ex Thrifty Paul Mylett helped us get major Sponsorship of the Golf event - Scott Toward Rosemary Duffy for helping make the day a success

Frances Connelly - For getting us a couple of teams and promoting the event

John O'Mahoney - For getting us a couple of wonderful Auction prizes that raised well over £500

And to all the other sponsors of the event.........

and most of all the players, and the customers/ Staff of the Barbers Pole St Andrews

The companies aim is to make golf 'more affordable' and bring the 'fun' aspect back into life I believe we achieved this, and raised some much needed funds for those that are much less fortunate than ourselves

As irony would have it, the event was held exactly a year to the day since George Bush and Tony Blair and other G8 Members met at the same venue

Regards
Steve Cooke MD
www.golfgroups.org

Tiger Woods showing off !

2006-06-01T23:52:00.000Z

Shotts Golf Club Charity golf day

2006-05-26T17:11:00.001Z

Another Charity Golf event we took part in was at Shotts Golf Club
Shotts is pretty much invetween Edinburgh and Glasgow just off the M8 Motorway

Rangers and Scotland great Tam Forsyth and Paul Mylett from Thrifty vehicle renatal, were myself and Graham Murrays playing partners for the day

A splendid time was had by all in good company, and most important of all, money was raised for a good cause

To see a full 18 hole guide of Shotts Golf Club please CLICK HERE

Robin Williams illustrates the Scotsman and the invention of golf. Warning - lots of language and may offend - But highly funny !

2006-04-01T23:45:00.001Z

www.golfgroups.org

Why create a Golf Touring Company at all ?

2006-03-23T13:54:00.002Z

The intention of this blog is to show you a little more about Golf in Scotland, an insight into the Golf Tourism Business, golf course, accommodations and Charity Golf events amongst other things

Why St Andrews? why Scotland? why promote this place at all?

Many people look at St Andrews in various ways, I'll explain to you what St Andrews means to me

In the late 70's, as a Golf enthusiast, my parents used to enjoys holidays/ vacations in various parts of Scotland.

We went to Tain once, where my good friend Iain Mcleod has since won plaudits worldwide for his fine work, and even won Greenkeeper of the Year a few years ago

Another place we visited 3-4 times was Blairgowrie, home of one of the most peaceful golf courses I know, and the highlight of the week was always a round on Rosemount.

There was also a little hidden beauty there called the 'Wee Course' , a must play if you want to play a wonderful 9 hole course, and at that time they built the 'Landsdown course' another 18 hole gem

However, we seemed to more often than not stay in St Andrews, mainly at the several self catering/ renting places in town
I bought a junior weekly pass to play the Eden, New and Jubilee 'unlimited' and always had enough to get onto the sacred turf of the 'Old Course' at the end of the week

St Andrews was a place I fell in love with from day 1

Joining the RAF in 1983, made my posting choice obvious, RAF Leuchars, which is 6 miles away from St Andrews and over the Eden Estuary. Chances for cheap golf on the Links and membership of St Andrews !
Most of my time in the RAF was spent at Leuchars

After 12 years service, in 1995, I left the RAF (thanks to Margaret Thatchers 'option for change' streamlining of the forces)

It was then I created the Barbers Pole, which gives away a 'free nip of whisky' with every haircut!
The shop raises an incredible amount for Charity through various events and fundraising
My long term staff - Jo, Marie, Christina and Allison deserve special mention

In 1996 I was invited to become an executive of St Andrews Merchants Association

In 2004 St Andrews Golf Vacations was thought up, catering for all types of Golfer, offering affordable Golf Tours, and the Golf experience of a lifetime

In 2005 we visited all major Golf Courses and Accommodations and had our first group of customers through

2006 was a proud moment, after a wee adventure in the Tamil areas of Sri Lanka helping Tsunami Victims I was invited to join St Andrews Kilrymont Rotary Club

that's enough about me, now onto a little what we hope to achieve with this blog

We'll be playing a lot of the local Courses and doing online Golf Course Guides (this job sucks!)with pictures in the next few weeks

Starting off at the world famous Carnoustie Golf Links which is home to 3 golf courses, not forgetting the small fact that it home to the British Open in 2007

Thanks must go to Colin McLeod for arranging for myself and Graham Murray to play the courses and do online guides, including one early Sunday morning when we took over the 18th fairway and recreated some famous Golf moments !

Anyone who is interested in playing at Carnoustie Golf Links please contact us,
You may know a group of golfers who may want to book an event?
have transportation arranged
accommodation and everything else that is required

2006 alone has seen us welcome guests who have had 30th, 40th birthdays, a Silver wedding anniversary, and all tend to choose a meal from one of the worlds best Indian/ Bangladeshi restaurants - The Balaka of St Andrews

I'll be personally visiting the Royal and Ancient St Andrews and the newly refurbished Old Course Hotel and will give the latest updates from both

Many thanks for taking time to read this, and if you are planning a trip to Scotland, please get in touch !

Kind regards
Steve Cooke MD
St Andrews Golf Vacations
http://www.golfgroups.org

Golf Course architecture and design

2006-03-13T20:10:00.002Z

While no two courses are alike, many can be classified into one of the following broad categories:
Links courses: the most traditional type of golf course, of which some century-old examples have survived in the British isles. Located in coastal areas, on sandy soil, often amid dunes, with few artificial water hazards and few if any trees. Traditional links courses, such as The Old Course at St. Andrews, are built on "land reclaimed from the sea," land that was once underwater. Parkland courses: typical inland courses, often resembling traditional British parks, with lawn-like fairways and many trees. Heathland – a more open, less-manicured inland course often featuring gorse and heather and typically less wooded than “parkland” courses. Examples include Woodhall Spa in England and Gleneagles in Scotland. Desert courses: a rather recent invention, popular in Australia, parts of the USA and in the Middle East.

Desert courses require heavy irrigation for maintenance of the turf, leading to concerns about the ecological consequences of excessive water consumption. A desert course also violates the widely accepted principle of golf course architecture that an aesthetically pleasing course should require minimal alteration of the existing landscape. Nevertheless, many players enjoy the unique experience of playing golf in the desert. Sand courses: instead of a heavily irrigated 'green', the players play on sand. Snow courses: another rather recent invention; golf being played on snow, typically with an orange colored or another brightly colored ball.

Can be played in Arctic or subarctic regions during winter. In the United States design varies widely, with courses such as the entirely artificial Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, where a course complete with waterfalls was created in the desert, and on the other end of the spectrum, Rustic Canyon outside of Los Angeles, which was created with a minimal amount of earth moving resulting in an affordable daily green fee and a more natural golfing experience.

http://www.golfgroups.org/

Golf - What is Team play

2006-02-13T19:59:00.001Z

Team Play
A foursome (defined in Rule 29) is played between two teams of two players each, in which each team has only one ball and players alternate playing it. For example, if players A and B form a team, A tees off on the first hole, B will play the second shot, A the third, and so on until the hole is finished. On the second hole, B will tee off (regardless who played the last putt on the first hole), then A plays the second shot, and so on. Foursomes can be played as match play or stroke play.
A four-ball (Rules 30 and 31) is also played between two teams of two players each, but every player plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole is counted. Four-balls can be played as match play or stroke play.
There are also popular unofficial variations on team play. In a scramble, or ambrose, each player in a team tees off on each hole, and the players decide which shot was best. Every player then plays his second shot from that spot, and the procedure is repeated until the hole is finished.
In a greensome both players tee off, and then pick the best shot as in a scramble. The player who did not shoot the best first shot plays the second shot. The play then alternates as in a foursome.

www.golfgroups.org

What is a Golf Handicap

2006-02-13T19:56:00.001Z

Handicap systems
A handicap is a numerical measure of an amateur golfer's ability. It can be used to calculate a so-called "net" score from the number of strokes actually played, thus allowing players of different proficiency to play against each other on equal terms. Handicaps are administrated by golf clubs or national golf associations.
Handicap systems are not used in professional golf. Professional golfers typically score several strokes below par for a round.

www.golfgroups.org

Golf rules and other regulations

2006-02-13T19:52:00.001Z

Golf rules and other regulations

The rules of golf are internationally standardised and are jointly governed by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), which was founded 1754 and the United States Golf Association (USGA). By agreement with the R&A, USGA jurisdiction on the enforcement and interpretation of the rules is limited to the United States and Mexico. Because the rules of golf continue to evolve, amended versions of the rule book are usually published and made effective in a four-year cycle.

The underlying principle of the rules is fairness. As declared on the back cover of the official rule book: "play the ball as it lies", "play the course as you find it", and "if you can't do either, do what is fair". Some rules state that:
every player is entitled and obliged to play the ball from the position where it has come to rest after a stroke, unless a rule allows or demands otherwise (Rule 13-1) a player must not accept assistance in making a stroke (Rule 14-2) the condition of the ground or other parts of the course may not be altered to gain an advantage, except in some cases defined in the rules a ball may only be replaced by another if it is destroyed, lost, or unplayable, and a penalty is incurred in the latter cases The Decisions on the Rules of Golf are based on formal case decisions by the R&A and USGA and are published regularly.

The etiquette of golf, although not formally equivalent to the rules, are included in the publications on golf rules and are considered binding for every player. They cover matters such as safety, fairness, easiness and pace of play, and players' obligation to contribute to the care of the course.

There are strict regulations regarding the amateur status of golfers. Essentially, everybody who has ever taught or played golf for money (or even accepted a trophy of more than a modest monetary value) is not considered an amateur and must not participate in amateur competitions.

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Golf or Gowf as its known in some Scottish Circles

2006-02-13T19:47:00.001Z

Golf (gowf in Scots) is a game where individual players or teams hit a ball into a hole using various clubs, and is one of the few ball games that does not use a fixed standard playing area. It is defined in the Rules of Golf as "playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules."

Golf originated in Scotland and has been played for several centuries in the British Isles. The oldest known course in the world is The Old Links at Musselburgh. Golf has been played on Musselburgh Links since 1672. Although often viewed as an elite pastime, golf is increasingly popular and continues to attract ever more players around the world.

www.golfgroups.org

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club

2006-02-13T19:42:00.001Z

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world. It is based in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, regarded as the worldwide "Home of Golf". Formerly it was also one of the governing authorities of the game, but in 2004 this role was handed over to a newly formed group of companies collectively known as The R&A.
The organisation was founded in 1754 as the Society of St Andrews Golfers, a local golf club playing at St Andrews Links but quickly grew in importance. In 1834 King William IV became its patron and the club became known under its present name. In 1897 the Society codified the rules of golf, and was gradually over the next 30 years invited to take control of the running of golf tournaments at other courses.

www.golfgroups.org

Scoring in Golf - How to Score

2006-01-13T19:50:00.001Z

The two basic forms of playing golf are match play and stroke play.
In match play, two players (or two teams) play every hole as a separate contest against each other. The party with the lower score wins that hole, or if the scores of both players or teams are equal the hole is "halved" (drawn). The game is won by the party that wins more holes than the other. In the case that one team or player has taken a lead that cannot be overcome in the number of holes remaining to be played, the match is deemed to be won by the party in the lead, and the remainder of the holes are not played. For example, if one party already has a lead of six holes, and only five holes remain to be played on the course, the match is over. At any given point, if the lead is equal to the number of holes remaining, the match is said to be "dormie", and is continued until the leader increases the lead by one hole, thereby winning the match, or until the match ends in a tie. In some cases, a match may be continued past the predetermined number of holes until one side takes a one-hole lead, and thereupon immediately wins by one hole.

In stroke play, every player (or team) counts the number of shots taken for the whole round or tournament to produce the total score, and the player with the lowest score wins. A variant of stroke play is Stableford scoring, where a number of points (two for the target score) are given for each hole, and the fewer shots taken, the more points obtained, so the aim is to have as many points as possible. Another variant of stroke play, the Modified Stableford method, awards points on each hole in relation to par and then adds the points over a round; for more details on this method, see the article on The INTERNATIONAL, a tournament that uses Modified Stableford scoring.

There are many variations of these basic principles, some of which are explicitly described in the "Rules of Golf" and are therefore regarded "official". "Official" forms of play are, among others, foursome and four-ball games.

www.golfgroups.org

How to Play a game of Golf

2006-01-13T19:49:00.001Z

Every game of golf is based on playing a number of holes in a given order. A round typically consists of 18 holes that are played in the order determined by the course layout. On a nine-hole course, a standard round consists of two successive nine-hole rounds. A hole of golf consists of hitting a ball from a tee on the teeing ground (a marked area designated for the first shot of a hole), and, once the ball comes to rest, striking it again, and repeating this process until the ball at last comes to rest in the cup. Once the ball is on the green (an area of finely cut grass) the ball is usually putted (hit along the ground) into the hole. The aim of holing the ball in as few strokes as possible may be impeded by various obstructions, such as bunkers and water hazards.

Players walk (or in some countries, often drive in motorized electric carts) over the course, either singly or in groups of two, three, or four, sometimes accompanied by caddies who carry and manage the players' equipment and give them advice. Each player plays a ball from the tee to the hole, except that in the mode of play called foursomes, two teams of two players compete, and the members of each team alternate shots using only one ball, until the ball is holed out. In all modes of play, when individual players have all brought a ball into play, the player whose ball is the farthest from the hole is next to play. In some team events, a player who is farthest from the hole may ask his or her partner who may be closer to the hole to play first. When all players of a group have completed the hole, the player or team with the best score on that hole has the honor, that is, the right to play first on the next tee.

Each player acts as marker for one other player in the group, that is, he or she records the score on a score card. In stroke play (see below), the score consists of the number of strokes played plus any penalty strokes incurred. Penalty strokes are not actually strokes but penalty points that are added to the score for violations of rules or for making use of relief procedures in certain situations.

If one wishes to play on a golf course, one has to pay a certain fee. There are two different fees: the range fee, which is for the driving range; and the green fee, which allows play on the golf course itself. The green fee may vary from the equivalent of a few U.S. dollars for communal courses in many countries up to that of several hundred dollars for elite private clubs..

www.golfgroups.org

The R and A - The Royal and Ancient

2006-01-13T19:44:00.002Z

The R&A - The Royal and Ancient

The R&A is the ruling authority of golf everywhere except the United States and Mexico where this responsibility rests with the United States Golf Association (USGA). It works in collaboration with national amateur and professional golf organisations in more than one hundred and ten countries. It also attempts to spread the game to new countries.
The R&A cooperates with the USGA in producing and regularly revising the "Rules of Golf", and the two bodies have issued the rules jointly since 1952. They also collaborate on the corresponding exegetic work, the "Decisions on the Rules of Golf". The R&A is also involved in formulating technical specifications for golfing equipment. The R&A organises several important competitions including "The Open Championship" (known in North America as the "British Open"), and the British Amateur Championship, as well as women's, junior and senior championships and the Walker Cup team event.

http://www.golfgroups.org/

What and who is St Andrews

2006-01-13T19:40:00.001Z

Named after Saint Andrew the Apostle, the Royal Burgh of St Andrews is a town on the east coast of Fife, Scotland, and the home of golf. It has a population of about 18 000, and stands on the North Sea coast between Edinburgh and Dundee. It is home to Scotland's oldest university, the University of St Andrews.
The town has acquired the name of "the Mecca of Golf", partly because the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, founded in 1754, exercises legislative authority over the game, and partly because of its beautiful links (St Andrews Links)(acquired by the town in 1894). Visitors travel to St Andrews in great numbers for several courses ranked amongst the finest in the world, as well as for the sandy beaches.
St Andrews from the top of St Rule’s TowerThe Martyrs Memorial, erected to the honour of Patrick Hamilton, George Wishart, and other martyrs of the Reformation epoch, stands at the west end of the Scores on a cliff overlooking the sea.

www.golfgroups.org

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