Arthur’s Seat Edinburgh Scotland

February 2, 2016February 3, 2016 / The Grateful Golfer / 10 Comments

In May of 2015, my wife and I travelled to Edinburgh, Scotland. We were there for only a few days and before anyone asks, I did not go golfing. We spent our time exploring Edinburgh and taking a walk through history.

On the first day, the sun was shining and the weather forecast suggested it was this day that was best for climbing Arthur’s Seat. This 822 foot ‘hill’ was formed by an extinct volcano and could be climbed from several directions. Enjoying our walk, my wife and I missed the easy ascent path and ended up climbing to the summit of Arthur’s Seat via the vertical stair route. Although this route was more difficult, it really was not that big of a deal. However, we did take the easy route down. Continue reading →

2015 Toronto Golf & Travel Show

February 23, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

The Toronto Golf & Travel Show did not disappoint. It was a mecca of golf for three days at the International Centre by Pearson International Airport! With 100s of booths, there was something for everyone. As I strategically walked my way through the maze of everything golf, it was easy to get swept up in the excitement of all the golfing possibilities.

There was something for everyone! If travel was your thing, well you could take trips to Central America and Mexico. Of course, the US was well represented. Of direct interest to me was the availability of golfing opportunities in the Northeastern US states. With only a few hours drive from my home, the opportunity to play some great courses for cheap is appealing. But, of all the travel locations, these three were my highlights:

Scotland. The two gents representing golf in Scotland were great. They chatted up the benefits of playing in the country that invented golf. Their bottom-line was, anything you want for golf, they could provide. They understood the value of providing all the transport and accommodations requirements associated with a golf trip and were well prepared. The fact that they gave out a bottle of scotch each day was not the deciding factor as to why I really enjoyed talking to these guys. They just love talking golf. Couple websites to check out are Golf East Lothian and Saltire Executive Golf.

PEI. The folks from PEI were awesome! We talked for about 15 minutes about PEI being an untapped golfing paradise. Within a short drive of Charlottetown, there are plenty of golf courses to satisfy all golfers. They talked about how PEI offers more than just golf, it is a fun family holiday destination. Also, the folks at the Golf PEI booth were giving out fresh oysters…..mmmmm. PEI is on my bucket list of places to golf. Check out Golf PEI if you want more info.

Cobble Beach Golf Course. Warren Thomas and his crew were outstanding! They had a state of the art golfing simulator that garnered plenty of attention. I tried three shots and came to with 8 feet on a 100 yard island green hole. It was very cool. If I only had $15,000 lying around, I could purchase a similar simulator and be set during the winter. Cobble Beach Golf Course, located near Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, looks like a great course to play. Additionally, they offer a free round of golf on your birthday. What a great deal! I am looking forward to playing Cobble Beach in the future.

An honourable mention goes out to the chaps at Willow Valley Golf Course. They were great to talk too and had a fun game where you drop a chip in the top of a board and watch it ricochet down to a prize. I won a hotdog and pop. I was pretty excited until they told me I had to come to the course to collect! Well, we all had a great laugh and I just might take them up on their offer!

These above highlights were only a small part of the sights I saw at the Toronto Golf & Travel Show. My next post will be about other aspects of the Toronto Golf and Travel Show that may peak your interest. So stay tuned!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

The World Of Golf

May 26, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

On the Way to the First Tee

Golf is truly a universal sport. Created on the coast of Scotland in the 15th century, this sport has stood the test of time. Through the last 600 years, there have been many innovations to the sport that ensures new players continue to flock to this frustrating and yet exhilarating game. Kings, heads of state, Bob who lives down the block, and Fred who you just met yesterday on the course, have played it. Golf appears to be everywhere, but is golf really a sport played around the world or is it a game for the rich that is losing touch with the masses?

Recently, The Economist printed an article that the Cuban government has authorized the development of an 18-hole golf course. This is the first time golf has been authorized in Cuba since the 1959 revolution! The article suggests that this political move is purely economical to draw rich tourists, however if they are trying to increase tourism; why golf?

Iran has a 12-hole course! Yes, a 12-hole course. This country is extremely mountainous, very desert like and considers the game of golf very bourgeoisie. Yet according to thetop100golfcourses.co.uk golf is rather popular with the young women of Tehran. Iran has a rich history that does not include golf, but perhaps times are changing.

Kabul, Afghanistan, has a golf course. It has been de-mined and you require close protection to play there, but golf is still being played. One of the hazards is the road that goes through the center of a fairway. Ultimately, it is not a golf course in the true convention; however, the BBC has a video that will open your eyes.

How about golfing in the land of the midnight sun? Each summer the Billy Joss Open Celebrity Golf Tournament is held in the third week of July on a 9-hole course. This 4-day Arctic golf tournament is the ultimate golf holiday. Golf all day and all night. This winter wonderland of golf is at the Ulukhaktok Golf Course. Ulukhaktok is a small hamlet on the west coast of Victoria Island, in the Inuvik Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Golfing for 24 hours straight in daylight would be something that everyone should experience.

Not to be out done, The World Ice Golf Championships in Uummannaq, Greenland, was last played in 2009. “Playing golf on a frozen seascape is not the only task at hand. Coping with extreme temperatures, which can fall to minus 50º C with the wind-chill factor, challenges players both physically and mentally. Special kit is absolute essential. Other factors to consider are that the ‘green’ is white, the ball is fluorescent orange and there is the unlikely risk of losing a ball to a polar bear.” The rugged conditions would definitely challenge the most avid golfer.

There are many examples of how golf has touched the most remote and politically challenging places in the world. Golf is a challenging game that truly transcends age, ethnicity, and economic status. It is a universal sport that continues to grow and continues to bring people and perhaps nations together. If you have never golfed, it may be time to try; the opportunities are boundless. Golf is a sport played around the world and enjoyed by many!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!