THE SUN IS COMING UP OVER CARNE, COUNTY MAYO, IRELAND. WHERE WILL 2025 LEAD?
In 2010 the Traveling Duffer (TD) made a side trip from his first St. Andrews Open down the Fife Coast and wound up in Crail. A seaside town of historical significance and extreme beauty. Follow the TD as he spendsnext summer in Crail (2024).
RETURN TO THE EMERALD ISLE - 2023
Well, the time has come for the old TD to head back over to his beloved Ireland. Being of serious "kraut descendancy", one must wonder what he sees here. But, pictures being worth at least 1,000 words, hopefully readers get the, well, picture.
CARNE
This year's excursion will begin, once again, at Carne for their International Members Tournament. TD understands that celebrities will be in the mix and he will share these sightings if and when they occur. But, with or without celebrity, Carne is just a great place to hang for a couple of weeks. TD hopes to wander from the Mullet Peninsula in both northerly and southerly directions taking in Ross's Point at Sligo and Connemara near Clifden. If you'd like to follow, stay tuned!
A special thanks . . .
. . . to Mrs. TD and the TD family and further extensions thereof for allowing an old codger the opportunity to shirk so many family responsibilities in order to experience Ireland and beyond at his slow and lingering pace. Therefore, he says, Happy Birthdays, Happy Anniversaries, Happy Mothers' Days and just simply Happy Happy to those left in his wake for the summer of 2023. Although, somehow, many of these seem to breathe a sigh of relief when he leaves the country. Just a brief excursion to Ireland, England, Belgium, Germany, France, England (did I say that one already) for a date with Van Morrison, back to Ireland, then to Denver for business (pooey!), then home. I love you all!
GOLF IN IRELAND - 2023
TOM COYNE - THE PERPETRATOR
ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY GOLF TEAM
THE SLIGO (STRANDHILL) THREE
It was certainly TD's privilege to meet golf author Tom Coyne as he is the reason that many people find their way to Ireland to play "dunes golf". In his book, A COURSE CALLED IRELAND, Coyne recounts an 1100 mile walk around the Emerald Isle, carrying clubs and playing every links course on the Island. It has become a biblical story of
It was certainly TD's privilege to meet golf author Tom Coyne as he is the reason that many people find their way to Ireland to play "dunes golf". In his book, A COURSE CALLED IRELAND, Coyne recounts an 1100 mile walk around the Emerald Isle, carrying clubs and playing every links course on the Island. It has become a biblical story of how to approach golf "over here" and his following has become monumental. Thanks Tom!
THE SLIGO (STRANDHILL) THREE
ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY GOLF TEAM
THE SLIGO (STRANDHILL) THREE
A Scotsman, an Englishman and a Irishman walk into a bar. Sounds like the beginning of a friendship more than a joke to the TD. These gentlemen have become good friends and whilst conversations between them require a keen ear the "translations" are more than harmonious. Add the American and it becomes a throw back to D-Day.
ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY GOLF TEAM
ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY GOLF TEAM
ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY GOLF TEAM
As luck would have it, members of the St. Andrews University Golf Team were staying at the same B&B as their "grandpa, the old TD". Here, TD is seen photo-bombing what could have proven to be a Christmas card picture. This simply proves that your never too old to ruin a good thing!
MORE PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS
TOM COYNE & BRITS FOURSOME
INAUGURAL CARNE INTERNATAIONAL MEMBERS WEEK & TOURNAMENT
INAUGURAL CARNE INTERNATAIONAL MEMBERS WEEK & TOURNAMENT
Brothers Peter and Chris joined TC and TD for a round at Carne during International Members Week. TD hopes to hook up with Peter in a few weeks in Sandwich as he attends the Black Deer Festival to see Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Bonnie Raitt and Lucas Nelson & The Promise of the Real. TD will rap up his UK visit with the Van Morrison show at Royal Albert Hall in London on June 28.
INAUGURAL CARNE INTERNATAIONAL MEMBERS WEEK & TOURNAMENT
INAUGURAL CARNE INTERNATAIONAL MEMBERS WEEK & TOURNAMENT
INAUGURAL CARNE INTERNATAIONAL MEMBERS WEEK & TOURNAMENT
This was an extremely classy event that started on Monday morning with Fiona Topher's explanation as to the "plight" of Carne and ended with a banquet for over 100 international members from the US, Canada, the UK and other friendly places, i.e., Vladmir was not in attendance.
OH YES, AND CALIFORNIA
INAUGURAL CARNE INTERNATAIONAL MEMBERS WEEK & TOURNAMENT
OH YES, AND CALIFORNIA
Not only were these two Canadian Ambassadors (Center) here to represent the Trudeau Administration, the Country of California was represented by Eric (left) who was fortunate to have been paired with these "a-booters" and TD on the first day. All golfers got an "eh?" for "achievement?"
FELLOW CARNE-IES
A CATCH 40 YEARS IN THE MAKING
OH YES, AND CALIFORNIA
The host tract did not disappoint as many new embellishments have come to fruition at golf's greatest dunes course. Truly, a special place.
THIS OLD HEIFER . . .
A CATCH 40 YEARS IN THE MAKING
A CATCH 40 YEARS IN THE MAKING
. . . or maybe young heifer as TD is not experienced in cow aging. Regardless, she had heard where the grass was greener and TD had no right to interfere in her day.
A CATCH 40 YEARS IN THE MAKING
A CATCH 40 YEARS IN THE MAKING
A CATCH 40 YEARS IN THE MAKING
TD came to Ireland directly from the East Coast of Florida where he was hobnobbing with other environmentalists. It as suggested that he should try his hand at fishing off the pier at Jacksonville Beach. Result? Let's just say that in 40 more years, he'll be 110.
THE HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS
BRU CHLANN LIR - PREMIERE B&B
This is my first B&B hostess Josephine, who not only looks like she could be my daughter, but in real life runs Bru Chlann Lir B&B (http://www.bruchlannlir.com) on the Belmullet Peninsula along with her husband Matty. Bru Chlann Lir is just a few kilometers down the road from Carne, TD's golf home in Ireland..more on that later.
The peninsula has spectacular views and beaches on the Atlantic Ocean to the west and Blacksod Bay to the east. It's just spectacular and Josephine is quite the host. They also run a sightseeing cruise boat from Blacksod Bay Pier that goes over to the Inishkea Islands and also to Achill Island. Both are beautiful sights and I have absolutely no pictures to prove it.
These islands figure tremendously in the local lore as the story of The Children of Lir (you can read about them here...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Lir) is the ultimate evil stepmother story. After the death of his wife, Lir married his sister-in-law who later forced the Children of Lir to roam the islands nearby for 900 years (well, at least, she did it in three, 300 year stints).
After two weeks of "the full Irish" for breakfast, TD can now be referred to as "fat-daddy TD".
Thanks Josephine and Matty!
SCOTLAnd, at the journey's end
WITNESSING HISTORY
KNOWING REAL SCOTSMEN
WITNESSING HISTORY
This was emotional, even for the old TD. He felt the ground shake, and a tear appeared in his eye as Woods crossed the Swilkin Bridge and ascended the rise to the 18th green. Woods committed to be back to for the 2023 Open to which the TD remarks, Godspeed!
KNOWING REAL SCOTSMEN
WITNESSING HISTORY
A picture of the Crail Golf Hotel, first being taken by the Traveling Duffer in 2010, just made him feel that golf was a major part of life in Scotland. This has been and will continue to true for many centuries to come.
KNOWING REAL SCOTSMEN
KNOWING REAL SCOTSMEN
MORE BEAUTY THAN SHOULD BE ALLOWED
While TD only was able to hook up with Martin, Dylan and Jim far into the back nine, this meeting once again exemplified what fine people inhabited this part of the world. Three tradesmen, father and son and co-worker - a pint and a chat with these three solidified the necessity of TD's return to the home of golf.
MORE BEAUTY THAN SHOULD BE ALLOWED
MORE BEAUTY THAN SHOULD BE ALLOWED
MORE BEAUTY THAN SHOULD BE ALLOWED
TD and his entourage spent two days traveling from St. Andrews to Pitlocry to Inverness and back, experiencing the beauty of The Highlands.
GOLF AT THE FAIRMONT ST. ANDREWS
MORE BEAUTY THAN SHOULD BE ALLOWED
GOLF AT THE FAIRMONT ST. ANDREWS
A view of the City of St. Andrews from the Torrence Course at the Fairmont St. Andrews had an impact on the TD. While he had not experienced this property before, he shall again! His only complaint was too few Scots.
IRELAND - a fine trip north
THE DONEGAL THREE
SIMPLY A NUMBER - DONEGAL BAY
THE DONEGAL THREE
TD met these fine gentlemen (Bill from Toronto on the left and Creegan from County Donegal on the right) at the Donegal links just across the bay from...hold on...yes...Donegal. What a beautiful course and the company was great!
DONEGAL VIEWS!
SIMPLY A NUMBER - DONEGAL BAY
THE DONEGAL THREE
Creegan had a hot date so Bill and TD sat on the terrace of Donegal Clubhouse drinking a pint or two and discussing the physics of carbon release and sequestration. By the second pint, they were quite authoritative in their views on the subject. Oh yes, the "other views" are quite magnificent as well.
SIMPLY A NUMBER - DONEGAL BAY
SIMPLY A NUMBER - DONEGAL BAY
SIMPLY A NUMBER - DONEGAL BAY
TD has a terrible time remembering the vantage points of his fine photography. Thus, many times he will try to frame a reminder of where a particular shot is taken on the course. On this hole however, the vantage reminder matched his score.
STRANDHILL
A COURSE BY THE COURSE
SIMPLY A NUMBER - DONEGAL BAY
Just to the west of Sligo Town, TD was able to roll his chariot into the parking lot before even the cook arrived. While napping, three fine early birds rapped on his window with an invitation to enjoy this spectacular layout. TD has been known to embellish for effect but the invitation was made, just the same.
WAKE UP, YANK!
A COURSE BY THE COURSE
A COURSE BY THE COURSE
What happens when a Scotsman, an Englishman, an Irishman and an American tee it up, first off on a cloudy day? You find out that the term yank can be a verb, an adjective and a noun; sometimes all three in the same sentence. Jim, Bob, John and TD comprised an international
foursome worthy of a
St. Andrews Open.
A COURSE BY THE COURSE
A COURSE BY THE COURSE
A COURSE BY THE COURSE
Strandhill, another Eddie Hackett re-design invokes the seaside into its being better than any TD has played on this trip. Horse races were held on the this sandy strand back in the day making this a golf course next to a horse race course.
Let's go back to Ireland!
HAPPY FAMILY BEGINS IRELAND TOUR!
HAPPY FAMILY BEGINS IRELAND TOUR!
HAPPY FAMILY BEGINS IRELAND TOUR!
TD is reunited with his family at the Dublin Airport and they head off into the Irish sunset for 10 days of doing "Irish things".
TRADING UPPPPP
HAPPY FAMILY BEGINS IRELAND TOUR!
HAPPY FAMILY BEGINS IRELAND TOUR!
While having grown accustomed to van living, TD was happy to change his ways to that of hotel life. The RIU Gresham in Dublin had beds and hot and cold running water. Yay!!!
THE GUINESS EXPERIENCE
HAPPY FAMILY BEGINS IRELAND TOUR!
HOWEVER, BEFORE GUINESS...
Hearing that they were giving away free beer if you only heard the beckoned call, TD and family were rushed to the Guiness hospital, ah brewery. It was a fine experience causing much enlightenment as to the concoction of such a fine ale.
HOWEVER, BEFORE GUINESS...
HOWEVER, BEFORE GUINESS...
HOWEVER, BEFORE GUINESS...
...came a trip to St. Patrick's Cathedral in an effort to pray for Guiness. Oddly enough, there was a significant connection between Sir Arthur Guiness and the cathedral; more on that later.
ON TO WATERFORD
HOWEVER, BEFORE GUINESS...
A MOVING SCULPTURE
A MOVING SCULPTURE
HOWEVER, BEFORE GUINESS...
A MOVING SCULPTURE
No trip to Waterford would be complete without a trip to the fabled glass maker. Here the TD and his group viewed, not only golf trophies and their making, but also a moving sculpture presented to New York firefighters after 9/11.
More shots from TD's NORTHERLY VENTURE in Ireland
ASTOUNDING MOUNTAIN VIEWS
VIEW FROM DOWNTOWN BONDURAN BRIDGE
THE ATLANTIC AT STRANDHILL
THANKS TO HIS NEW FRIEND JIM, TD CAME TO UNDERSTAND THAT QUEEN MAEVE MAY BE BURIED ATOP THIS MOUNTAIN ABOVE STRANDHILL LINKS. SHE HAD FIVE HUSBANDS WHO ALL BECAME KINGS. THIS REMINDED TD OF HIS AUNT MILDRED WHO MARRIED 9-13 TIMES (NOBODY REALLY KNEW) AND ALL OF HER HUSBANDS
DIED PAUPERS.
THE ATLANTIC AT STRANDHILL
VIEW FROM DOWNTOWN BONDURAN BRIDGE
THE ATLANTIC AT STRANDHILL
AS THE ATLANTIC WRAPS THE WEST AND NORTH COASTS OF IRELAND, LINKS GOLF TAKES ADVANTAGE OF NEARLY
EVERY STRAND.
"ONE HUNDRED LINKS COURSES LINING THE SEA? NOTHING IS BETTER FOR THEE THAN ME!"
credit: Old Quaker hymn
VIEW FROM DOWNTOWN BONDURAN BRIDGE
VIEW FROM DOWNTOWN BONDURAN BRIDGE
VIEW FROM DOWNTOWN BONDURAN BRIDGE
THE TOWN HINTED THAT IT COULD DOUBLE FOR THE STRIP AT BAGNELL. HOWEVER, THE WAVES TOLD A DIFFERENT STORY.
ON THE ROAD BACK TO SLIGO
AND MORE, AND MORE, AND MORE!
VIEW FROM DOWNTOWN BONDURAN BRIDGE
VIEWS, VISTAS, VANTAGES AT EVERY TURN. A LANDSCAPE ARTIST'S DREAM...
OR NIGHTMARE?
AND MORE, AND MORE, AND MORE!
AND MORE, AND MORE, AND MORE!
AND MORE, AND MORE, AND MORE!
PHOTO FURNISHED BY THE
IRISH DEPARTMENT OF
REDUNDANCY DEPARTMENT
the beach bar
Relying on Tom Coyne's account . . .
A 300 YEAR OLD MASTERPIECE OF VENERABILITY!
A 300 YEAR OLD MASTERPIECE OF VENERABILITY!
. . . TD couldn't help but notice the sign on the N59 Highway (near Skreen) pointing north-ward-ly toward the BEACH BAR. Since Coyne's book had only a few pictures, TD was half expectant of a seaside shanty with dirt floors; something from a 60's American surfing movie starring Annette Funicello. He couldn't have been more mistaken!
A 300 YEAR OLD MASTERPIECE OF VENERABILITY!
A 300 YEAR OLD MASTERPIECE OF VENERABILITY!
A 300 YEAR OLD MASTERPIECE OF VENERABILITY!
Whilst TD likely missed out on some of the local craic of the Beach Bar by walking into the dining room rather than the pub, he was nonetheless overtaken by his surroundings. The walls of this spectacular Inn were adorned with memorabilia of goings on in current and past centuries. I fine dining establishment, for sure!
td's day at enniscrone
PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 2022
AT VALLE DO LOBO
AT VALLE DO LOBO
Thanks to the staff at corporate headquarters, TD travels mainly on points. Another "points Christmas" came in February when TD fled the Missouri winter to see what golf was like in the fabled Algarve region of Portugal. It was an enlightening experience.
AT VALLE DO LOBO
AT VALLE DO LOBO
AT VALLE DO LOBO
AT VALLE DO LOBO
TD'S ADVICE - SKIP THE ALGARVE...
TD was told by the nice English couple he played with here that this is the most photographed golf hole in Europe. 200yd par 3 over not one, but two canyons and against the sea. Whew! Stay right to avoid the hazard!
TD'S ADVICE - SKIP THE ALGARVE...
TD'S ADVICE - SKIP THE ALGARVE...
TD'S ADVICE - SKIP THE ALGARVE...
In the view of this duffer, The Algarve was too much like a steroidal Lake of The Ozarks. People tearing down million dollar houses to build $5M houses. (Photo of Monte Rei, the Nicholas facility in the eastern Algarve).
... AND GO NORTH YOUNG MAN!
TD'S ADVICE - SKIP THE ALGARVE...
... AND GO NORTH YOUNG MAN!
If he is ever so lucky as to return to Portugal, TD will make his stand north of Lisbon near Peniche. This four year old Dye Company layout was one of the best golf courses TD has ever experienced.
WEST CLIFFS & PRAIA DEL REY
TD'S ADVICE - SKIP THE ALGARVE...
... AND GO NORTH YOUNG MAN!
The vistas at West Cliffs and its sister course Praia Del Rey were just stunning. And, just to the north is Peniche, a peninsula city that is the surfing capital of Europe known for it's huge and angry Atlantic waves.
Notice here that the TD (a man always keeps his left eye on quality control) nearly always waits (possibly forgets) to photograph his food until he has started eating. As you can see, this Beach Bar filet of pesto encrusted sea bass is paired with a "halfglass" of Ireland's finest brown wine.
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