looney2n

The Trail, the beach...............they are both nice. But, I cannot believe the variety great, I mean really great, courses you will find in and around Phoenix. From Troon North to Talking Stick to the Dinasaur to Poston Butte (also Troon) and within an hour or so of each other. The heat this time of year is warm, but very bearable. Good luck with you search.

I found 2 other books that look interesting: Hooked: An Amateur's Guide to the Golf Couses of Ireland and Rick Steves' Ireland with Map.............. It looks like Troon area is out for Saturday. Seems most all of the courses there don't have room for visitors on the weekend. Guess I will have to change the trip a bit.

Thanks everyone..................all have been very helpful. Looks like we are planning the following, based on where we have to be on the 8th of Sept: 3-Sep Ardglass 4-Sep Kilmarnock(Barassie) Troon 5-Sep Cairndhu Golf Club, Larne 6-Sep Portrush Valley 7-Sep Royal Portrush 8-Sep Galgorm Castle 9-Sep Galgorm Castle (they have a 2nite/2round/1dinner package...if you think it is worth playing) 10-Sep The Island Kevin has helped us greatly and we are hoping to share a pint while we are over there. Any comments greatly appreciated................ Almost forgot..........any thoughts on Seapoint Golf Club?? Thanks again...............

Hey Paddy................2 of us are headed to N. Ireland September 2nd through 11th and from the research I have been able to aquire, no need to play the top name tourist courses. We would rather mingle with the locals and play the "hiddden jewels". We are doing a 12 day trip on a restricted budget and was hoping you might help us out. We are heading up to Bushmills for first 2-3 days and then thought we would just cruise around in search of budget lodging and golf. Got any recommendations up that way on lodging (don't like the hotels so much) with friendly locals and any recommended "locals" courses? We need to be over in Ballymina on the 7th and 8th to spread father's ashes. After that we are open to anything around Dublin with flights departing on September 11th. Any help would be most appreciated............maybe we can hook up and share a pint or golf together. My email is jack.smith@pcg.com.............thanks much!!!