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Tailored golf tours in Scotland...the Home of Golf |
Thistle Golf (Scotland) Limited
3 Hillcrest Road,
Bearsden,
Glasgow G61 2EB
+44 (0)141 942 4043 |
News 
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Welcome:
As we enter our 12th year in the Golf Travel Business, we decided to contact our
former clients and also those who have previously shown interest in Thistle Golf, to update you
with some news about developments in the golf scene in Scotland, and the ongoing activities of our
company. We sincerely hope that you will find our news of interest to you
Did you know?:
that the tee markers on the Ailsa Course at Turnberry were presented to
the club by Tom Watson, following his epic Duel in the Sun with Jack Nicklaus during the Open
Championship there in 1977. The markers were made from granite hewn from nearby Ailsa Craig.
The Open Championship will return to Turnberry next July16 -19…..so demand to play the
magnificent Ailsa Course by visitors from both home and overseas is expected to be very heavy in
2009. The golf course and the hotel will close to all visitors from 1 November, 2008, until after the
Open Championship next July, due principally to a recent change of ownership and to major
refurbishment of the facility.
The three previous winners of The Open at Turnberry have been Tom Watson in 1977, Greg
Norman in 1986 and Nick Price in 1994……. Watson won four of his five British Open titles in
Scotland.
On re-opening, visitors will be welcome to play the Ailsa, Kintyre and Arran courses at Turnberry
…… but please note that priority for tee reservations will be offered to hotel residents at the
Turnberry Resort.
New golf developments in Scotland:
Scotland is blessed with almost 600 golf
courses…… more than almost anywhere on Earth when based upon the size of population. Besides
our world-renowned Championship links, we boast many great courses which offer a serious golfing
challenge at a very reasonable price. We are always delighted to recommend and advise on such
courses to those who may be a little more adventurous, perhaps having previously played the major
trophy courses.
Here are just some of the exciting new golfing developments in Scotland 2008:-
Construction of new championship golf courses is well under way at Castle Stuart, near Inverness,
and at Machrihanish Dunes on the Mull of Kintyre, and we await the outcome of a Public Enquiry
which will determine if Donald Trump will be permitted to construct two new courses in the sand
dunes at Balmedie, to the north of Aberdeen. Also, Jack Nicklaus is currently designing a new
course near Stonehaven to the south of Aberdeen, on the east coast of Scotland, where our great
game originated.
At the end of June 2008, St. Andrews Links Trust opened their splendid new Castle Course, on the
outskirts of St. Andrews, adding to their marvellous portfolio which now extends to 117 holes.
Thistle Golf were privileged to play the Castle Course prior to its opening to the public……a very
demanding golf course!
Further south, a new and highly exclusive golf development, designed by Tom Doak, opened for play
in April 2008 at The Renaissance Club, near Muirfield in East Lothian.
Thistle Golf:
over the years, our company has gained an enviable reputation for providing
our clients with a highly personal, reliable and efficient service for groups ranging from single
individuals to larger groups in excess of 30 golfers and non-golfers. We have been delighted to
welcome back many of our most valued clients, some of whom have been with us on several golfing
trips, and who we are now pleased to call our friends.
We pride ourselves in providing a top quality golfing experience for all our clients, including
reservation of golf and accommodation arrangements, together with self-drive or chauffeur-drive
transport for the group, and a comprehensive restaurant and tourist information package. We are
also more than happy to cater for non-golfing groups or those accompanying golfing groups, and to
offer visits to all the top places of interest both in this wonderful country of ours, and elsewhere
throughout the UK and Ireland.
You may care to consider a tour to Scotland or Ireland, or the other areas of the UK, and we shall be
delighted to prepare a tour schedule proposal to meet your specific needs and budget. Please
remember, if you hope to play the top courses……..make your plans early, ensure that group
members are fully committed, and contact us to prepare your tour itinerary. We are always happy to
stand comparison with any other tour operator company, and our record of satisfied clients proves
that point.
Our extensive knowledge of golf courses, quality accommodation and places of interest allows us to
develop tours to meet with the specific requirements of both golfers and non-golfers throughout
Scotland, Ireland and the remainder of the UK.
Feature golf club:
in this issue, we feature the excellent course, known as The Glen in
North Berwick, which is about half an hour’s drive east of Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh. Less
well known than its illustrious neighbour, the west course at North Berwick Golf Club, The Glen
offers a superb golfing challenge allied to some superlative views over the Firth of Forth towards the
Bass Rock, Fife and the Isle of May. The splendid new clubhouse handsomely complements a lovely
golf course….give it a try!
Quiz Question:
We are offering a bottle of Single Malt Scotch Whisky to the person
drawn from those sending in the correct answer to the following question:
Which Scottish golf club bears the logo below?
Please send your answer to the e-mail address below, on or before the closing date of 31 August,
2008. All entrants must include their full name and address, and confirm to us that they are over
21 years old.
Golf at St. Andrews:
the time is rapidly approaching when golfers who hope to play the
Old Course at St. Andrews in 2009 will be required to make advance application to St. Andrews
Links Trust. They operate a two course policy, and you must send an application on behalf of your
group, by e-mail or fax, to arrive at 10.00am GMT on Wednesday 3 September, 2008…..try not to
miss this opportunity!
We’ll be delighted to assist you in making your application and to answer your queries, but you may
care to visit their website at http://www.standrews.org.uk/golf/book_golf/advanced_old2009.html to find
out more about the process and strict regulations. We may readily incorporate your rounds there within a
tour package.
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