Our visit to Ireland was not included in the previous Chronicles, therefore we are sharing our experiences here. Our coach driver and tour guide, Chris, was exceptional. He combined fun, humor, and safety, along with an extensive knowledge of folklore, history, and factual information. Throughout our 19-day journey, we explored breathtaking seascapes, centuries-old castles, charming villages, lush landscapes, and impressive golf courses.
Our first stop was Dublin, where we were introduced to Guinness and Gaelic football. We had the opportunity to join the locals in watching the final game of the All Ireland Senior Club Football championship between Dublin and Kerry. Golf at St Anne’s Golf Club provided us with an introduction to “links” golf and allowed us to meet the friendly people of Ireland. The ladies league members were particularly welcoming, offering their assistance and engaging in conversation.
Kinsale, home of Old Head Golf Course, was our next destination. We were fortunate to have perfect weather for experiencing this remarkable golf course. The scenery and views at Old Head surpassed any other course we have played, making it a highlight on Kristy’s bucket list.
In Killarney, we explored parts of the Ring of Kerry and enjoyed a ride in a jaunting car through Killarney National Park. The golf at Dooks and Killeen was delightful, with favorable weather conditions.
Dromoland Castle provided a magical experience with absolute luxury and service. Staying here felt like an invitation to Windsor Castle from the Queen. The estate’s golf course was beautiful, despite a bit of Irish mist that did not feel cold.
On our way to Westport, Chris took us on the Taggert Ferry across the Shannon estuary. We then traveled along The Kilkee Cliffs, a remote and stunning coastline in County Clare. Our golf in Eniscrone was challenging due to gale-force winds, but the course itself was fantastic. With giant sand dunes, narrow undulating fairways, and pristine greens, this links golf experience was unforgettable.
Belfast, offered more historical insights, scenic opportunities, and another round of golf at the Royal Belfast Golf Club. Founded in 1881, this is Ireland’s oldest golf club, featuring panoramic views across Belfast Lough from its delightful parkland course. This adventure was truly amazing, with wonderful companions and memories that will last a lifetime.
On Jan.25 2020 a Toronto man returned from the Chinese city of Wuhun and was the first presumptive case of the novel coronavirus and this led to a golf season we had never experienced. The World Health Organization declared a pandemic March 11 and we thought our golf season was not going to be. We experienced much uncertainty and confusion as everyone tried to deal with the impact of this difficult and unprecedented crisis. Golfaround’ s existing members had already registered for their league play and lessons however things were uncertain, so we opted to offer a choice of refunds or deferring membership to 2021. Those who chose to defer would get to play as the schedule was done but we did not know if the golf courses would be allowed to operate as they weren’t an essential business. In May the public courses got the go ahead to reopen but as you can appreciate opening would not be easy as protocols had to be implemented, and staffing procured so it took a while and it was no ordinary golf season. Golf courses implemented a variety of new safety measures to keep golfers and staff safe and healthy. Kristy and I and a couple of friends went to try it out at Blue Devil prior to opening up to our members and we encountered changes to how we checked in, social distancing, limited washroom access, only one person in a power cart unless you were of the same household, no rakes in the bunkers, and no touching the flagstick and I loved the different touchless ball retriever systems. After our round no handshakes and worst of all no socializing. But we got to enjoy the fresh air good friends and felt very fortunate to be there. So in June we started some league play but it was different and some of the changes remain with us today. The pandemic was a godsend to the golf industry as it created a surge in the popularity of golf, giving the beleaguered golf industry a boost. For the first time in years, demand for tee times was on the rise as people looked for a socially distanced outdoor activity. However Golfaround was somewhat negatively impacted by the demand as some of the golf courses we had been supporting for 25 plus years could not give us tee times, but thanks to many we have survived.
2021 was another challenging and stressful year. We experienced a lot of on again off again challenges, but we made it through having fun as well. We know that a constructive way to deal with this was to spend time doing things we really enjoy and what better way than spending time on the golf course. Because of the ongoing restrictions we had to forego our mystery bus trip and a play & stay, but we planned a self drive trip along the Kootenay Trail and it was fabulous.
We were concerned about planning a bus trip in 2022 because COVID concerns were still with us so we chose to do a day tip to Water Valley and it was just great. The weather was perfect and our theme, Wheel of Fortune was a hit. Water Valley Golf & Country Club offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep the course difficult yet friendly.
In February 2023 we finally got to do our Africa trip, it had been cancelled three times due to the pandemic. Africa is like no other place on Earth—vast, sweeping, diverse, complicated, and breathtaking. We experienced three distinctly different parts of Africa combining the exquisite beauty of Cape Town and the winelands of the Western Cape, the iconic Victoria Falls and finishing up with Nairobi and the great wildlife stage of the Masai Mara where our four-day raw and unscripted safari was. We were center stage in the greatest wildlife theatre on earth, face to face with the wonderful mammals that walk our planet. It was the ultimate adventure. The legendary Mystery Bus trip traveled to Crowsnest Golf Club and of course the theme was Girls Gone Wild, African Safari. As we got ready to tee off the area was a hive of activity as the teams decorated their golf carts, wow what an effort, it was amazing. We had balloons, African of course, animals and more animals, bright African coloured drapes, flags, fringes and fruits. In addition, one of the groups were in matching costumes, tutus included, a great time was had by all. Our Play & Stay was held in Medicine Hat where we enjoyed great weather, wonderful, picturesque golf, comfortable accommodations and one of the best banquets we have ever savored. We ended 2023 feeling very grateful that we were finally back to normal. We certainly missed playing at some of the golf courses and struggled a bit with the cost increases but unfortunately that was the negative effect COVID had on us all.
Twenty twenty-four had a bit of a rough start with mother nature showing us who is boss, but we struggled though the inclement weather to enjoy an enjoyable summer and fabulous fall. The Mystery Bus trip took us North to Rocky Mountain House and we all had fun at Luau on the Links, again the costumes and cart décor was outstanding. Our next happening was marshalling hole #14, a 554-yard par 5, at the CPKC, held at the Earl Gray Golf Club. We experienced all types of weather from 35C to almost freezing. It was very demanding however being up front and personal to those amazing LPGA professional was a sight to see. August was a busy month as we had our Play & Stay in Innisfail and Trochu and a wind-up Mexican
fiesta at Wingfield. The wind-up was so much fun complete with costumes, a photo booth, the macarena and the piñarta.
In September 32 of us travel to Croatia a beautiful country with a long scenic coast on the Adriatic Sea. It is known for delicious seafood, charming harbors with centuries of history, stunning National parks and a lively culture. Some highlights were Dubrovnick’s perfectly preserved medieval walls that surround the old town. The Istrian peninsula with its medieval towns and breath-taking scenery to ancient ruins and the beautiful coast of the Adriatic Sea. Exploring the medieval cobbled street of Zadar and enjoying the the beautiful architecture of Oapatija and Rovinj and the amazing pristine waters of Plitvice. Our sea portion started in Split where we boarded the Adriatic Pearl, exclusively chartered for Golfaround. The delux ship was small enough to visit unspoilt islands and drop anchor in secluded bays. Our island hopping included Korcula with it’s striking city walls Mijet with it’s beautiful combination of saltwater lakes, dense forest and Franciscan Monestry. Hvar offered great beaches and more medieval architecture. It was a fantastic trip and a great way to end 2024. Twenty-twenty five takes us into our 29th year, who would have ever thought!!! The chronicles for previous years is available on the news feed, just enter the website go to news feeds and search for chronicles.