The No Laying guys visited Ireland with us in late April & early May and had an amazing experience, even if we do say so ourselves! Tron, DJ, Soly, Neil & Big Randy (Phil!) were also accompanied by the then Branding & Social Media guru for Callaway Golf, Chad Coleman, and Golf Writer Extraordinaire, Tom Coyne. It was a great group and they experienced some of Ireland’s best and brightest courses along the West Coast during their stay while also staying at some beautiful properties, travelling in luxury with O’Callaghan Coaches and sampling the odd Guinness or two as well…….. Here is a look at their trip day by day!
Day 1, Tuesday 23rd April 2019 – Arrival Day, Doolin Pitch ‘n Putt & Doonbeg
The guys arrived into Shannon in the early hours of Tuesday 23rd April. Met by our very own Tom Kennedy and also Mike Moynihan from O’Callaghan’s, the trip got off on the right foot getting breakfast at JJ Ruddles at Shannon Airport. A quick turnaround and it was off to Doolin Pitch ‘n Putt to shake off the cobwebs. En route to Doonbeg from Doolin there was a stop off at the spectacular Cliffs of Moher while the rest of the afternoon and evening was spent at the tremendous Trump Doonbeg (alongside Irish Amateur Golf Legend & Golf Course designed, Ken Kearney), golf in the afternoon followed by dinner and pints that evening.
Day 2, Wednesday 24th April – Lahinch & Spanish Point House
Following an amazing breakfast at Doonbeg we made the short trip to Lahinch to take on their phenomenal Old Course! A murky start cleared to blue skies and all the group thoroughly enjoyed their time at one of Ireland’s best links courses, which hosted The Irish Open this year along with their Annual Hosting of The South of Ireland Amateur. Alan Dunning, GM of Leopardstown Golf Centre joined us for some very enjoyable links golf – and thanks for the Whiskey! A great day was followed by many pints of Guinness in the Corner Stone and 19th Bar, followed by Paddy the owner of the 19th dropping the guys back to their lodging at Spanish Point House.
Day 3, Thursday 25th April – Adare Manor
The day & night spent at the amazing Adare Manor was very much like their hashtag, beyond everything! Having left Spanish Point House early that morning they took in some falconry & clay pigeon shooting before lunch in the lovely Carriage House clubhouse at which point Golf Writer Tom Coyne joined the group. The afternoon was spent on the gorgeous golf course, it was a phenomenal day capped off by dinner in the Carriage House and drinks in the Tack Room. Adare pulled out all the stops and remains one of the best experiences in Ireland!
Day 4, Friday 26th April – Ballybunion Golf Club & Cliff House Hotel
Another early morning departure from another property we wished we could linger longer in! Wheels rolling on the bus around 6am headed for Ballybunion Golf Club to take on The Old Course in the morning and The Cashen in the afternoon. Storm Hannah was arriving in Ireland as the guys teed off and while conditions were really tough out there it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience on one of the World’s most famous Links courses. The afternoon’s round on the Cashen course was cut short due to the weather deteriorating rapidly while the remaining of the afternoon and evening was spent at the Cliff House Hotel in Ballybunion, watching for those crazy enough to brave the elements while the guys enjoyed dinner and a few drinks into the early(ish) hours!
Day 5, Saturday 27th April – Dooks Golf Links & Brook Lodge Killarney
Today was the day that some of the guys were due to take part in Ride Dingle but due to Storm Hannah the cycle was moved to Sunday which meant Saturday was free for golf! And off to Dooks we went!! Gorgeous Glenbeigh provides the beautiful backdrop for a lovely links course with one of the most wonderful welcomes in Ireland, bordered in every directions by stunning scenery. The guys had another great day, even Neil who decided to keep the woods at home and go iron-only for the 18 holes. That evening in Killarney will go down in Insta-story history due to some “unique” dancing by the aforementioned Neil, the people at Reidy’s Bar will never be the same again!!
Day 6, Sunday 28th April – Waterville Golf Links & Brook Lodge Killarney
Super Sunday was indeed that at the wonderful Waterville Golf Links. A great welcome is always to be found by Noel and the tremendous team in this beautiful part of the world which Charlie Chaplin and Family spent many a holidays over decades. The course at Waterville underwent renovation work under the careful eye of Tom Fazio in the recent past and the course continues to go from strength to strength, the clubhouse renovations are also superb and really add to the already quality product and experience to be found at Waterville. Another day to be cherished in the golfing memory banks for sure!
Day 7, Monday 29th April – Tralee Golf Links & Broadhaven Bay Belmullet
Most people hate Mondays – at least that what the song says anyway – but we had a marvellous Monday at the terrific Tralee Golf Links! The Back 9 gets a lot of the praise – Arnold Palmer having said that “surely God designed the back 9” – but the front 9 came in for equal love from the No Laying Up guys today. A truly heavenly golf course from 1 to 18 with the highlight of today’s golf being an Eagle 2 (nett 1) from DJ Piehowski on the 5th Hole!! After golf the guys were reunited with Mike Moynihan for the rest of the trip, including the long haul drive to beautiful Belmullet with a stop for dinner at Moran’s on the Weir!
Day 8, Tuesday 30th April – Carne Golf Links & Great National Hotel Ballina
Carne was simply put, 27 holes of heaven on Tuesday 30th April 2019! The No Laying Up guys were given a phenomenal welcome by Gerry (Maguire!), Fiona and all the Team and if that day was never-ending the lads may actually still be there playing a few holes. A truly amazing place and the favourite golfing experience for most of the group on this trip. If you’re heading to the West of Ireland then make sure you tee it up at Carne, and play all 27 holes!!
Day 9 Part I, Wednesday 1st May – County Sligo Golf Club
The best welcome of the No Laying Up Tourist Sauce Trip came on the last day of golf, it’s not every day you get sung onto the 1st Tee by the Golf Club Men’s Choir but that is what happened this morning and there was even an original rendition of “There’s No Laying Up….” which was amazing. So, onto the golf course. Another highlight in a trip of highlights, the annual venue of The West of Ireland Amateur did not disappoint. Down the stretch it really came into to its own, a true test of links golf on the West Coast of Ireland.
Day 9 Part II, Wednesday 1st May – Enniscrone Golf Links & Great National Hotel Ballina
The Final 18 holes of the trip took place at the exquisite Enniscrone Golf Links and it provided a fitting finalé to a wonderful 9 days in Ireland. Amongst the dunes for the last time in 2019 this beautiful course on the Sligo/Mayo border capped off a tremendous trip to Ireland for the No Laying Up guys, and we even got some nice hip flasks (filled with Whiskey too!) to help us on our way around the course! Tron Carter (young TC!) came away with the spoils having carded the last birdie on the trip (a Scottish-Irish NLU Double as well), congrats young man!! We retreated back to the Great National Hotel Ballina for the final night and final pints of Guinness while discussing what were the best 1st-18th Holes on the trip, a nice way to finish the trip.
Day 10, Thursday 2nd May – HOME TIME!
After an early breakfast at the hotel we all said our goodbyes with the No Laying Up gang headed for Shannon Airport and the trip home. An amazing few days in Ireland and thanks to everybody for making it what is what – sheeesh!!
Check out the No Laying Up Tourist Sauce Itinerary!
