2001
River Cup Tour of Ireland
Saturday, June 23 - Thursday, July 5
Saturday, June 23
Depart Richmond mid-afternoon by bus to BWI. James River charter bus will pick up Richmond golfers flying in group at Willow Oaks Country Club parking lot. Aer Lingus direct flight to Shannon Airport departs 7:40 pm.
Sunday, June 24 - Lahinch Old Course
Upon arrival in Shannon at 7:20 am, you will
be met by your SGH Golf tour manager, who will assist you with your luggage
and show you to your waiting luxury motor coaches. Two coaches will be assigned
to the tour to give flexibility in travel arrangements for golfers and non-golfers.
Coaches are air-conditioned and feature 
reclining seats, TVs, videos, hot and
cold drink service, and restroom.
3:30 pm tee time at Lahinch. Golfers will transfer for golf nearby at Lahinch Old Course. Known as the St. Andrews of Ireland, The Old Course was originally laid out by Old Tom Morris. It is a Links in every sense with plenty of blind shots, cavernous bunkers, and sweeping sand dunes. Holes number 5 and 6 (The Klendyke and The Dell) propose that you play completely blind to your target area, the latter with a volcanic setting. A visit to Lahinch is a must for any student of the game. After their round, golfers will leave for Killarney and the Aghadoe Heights Hotel.
Non-golfers will transfer directly to Killarney and the Aghadoe Heights Hotel. One of Ireland's finest hotels, the luxury Aghadoe Heights is renowned for its panoramic views of the lakes and mountains. It also enjoys a reputation for its warm hospitality, luxurious comfort, good food and personal service. The hotel's elegance and style is evident on stepping into the welcoming reception area and displayed in the rich furnishing, paintings and antiques.
Non-golfers may like to visit the Cliffs of Moher. (Image above left.) They stand on the edge of Ireland with the Atlantic crashing on the rocks 700 feet below and look out on the Islands in the distance. A few miles from the coast is one of the strangest landscapes in Ireland, the Burren. Here there are fascinating neolithic tombs called dolmens and concealed in the fissures of the rocks are exotic flora that lure botanists from around the world. And underneath are the Ailwee Caves.
Shannon
Airport to Lahinch Old Course is approximately 45 minutes.
Shannon Airport to Aghadoe Heights Hotel, Killarney, is approximately 2 hours.
Overnight tonight at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel.
Monday, June 25 - Tralee Golf Club
12:18 pm tee time at Tralee Golf Club. (Image at right.) 
The course at Barrow is the creation of
Arnold Palmer. No critic may claim that this is an "Americanized" golf course.
Palmer has created a pure, unabashed links-style golf course on fertile, rugged
Irish soil. The front nine play nicely on open flat land with several memorable
golf holes. It is the back nine at Tralee that grabs your attention, with its
absorbing mix of mountainous dunes, carries over cavernous valleys, and a stretch
of unforgettable seaside holes.
Non-golfers may like to visit the Dingle Peninsula. Here the dramatic mountains sweep down to golden beaches and stark rocks. The greens of the hills in contrast with the wildness of the scenes make Dingle an enchanted place. Dingle is a native Gaelic speaking area and the lilt of this ancient tongue adds an extra element of mystery to this hauntingly beautiful place.
Aghadoe
Heights Hotel to Tralee is approximately 45 minutes.
Overnight tonight at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel.
Tuesday, June 26 - Ballybunion New (Cashen) Course; Ballybunion Old Course.
7:56 am tee time at Ballybunion New. This morning after breakfast, at Ballybunion New (Cashen). The Cashen Course at Ballybunion was designed by Robert Trent Jones and is every bit as demanding - if not more - than the Old Course.
3:14 pm tee time at Ballybunion Old. The Ballybunion Old Course (image at left) is a place of giant
sand hills and deep valleys. 
Herbert Warren Wind, the most famous of all golf
writers, once stated, "Ballybunion revealed itself to be nothing less than the
finest seaside course I have ever seen." Tom Watson has often lavished the Old
Course with nothing but the highest of praise. From the opening hole, bordered
on the right by a cemetery, the links at Ballybunion is a treat for the senses.
Non golfers may like to visit the Gap of Dunloe. This is a four-mile gulch carved by glaciers. The trip can be accomplishged in part or entirely by pony trap. The boulders rise high on either side and several seemingly bottomless tarns converge to form a surging stream that runs alongside the road. From the top of the gap the views are breathtakingly compounded of purple mountains, the Upper Lake, and the Cummeenduff rolling into the hills.
Aghadoe
Heights Hotel to Ballybunion Courses is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
Overnight tonight at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel
Wednesday, June 27 - Waterville Golf Club
Today after breakfast you may like to visit Waterville Village. This is a lovely village situated on a tiny thread of land that separates Ballinskegs Bay from Lough Currane. On the lough is located Church Island which has the ruins of a 12th century church.
12:50 pm tee time at Waterville Golf Club. (Image at right.) Lacking the grandeur of Ballybunion
and Lahinch, Waterville's test is more straightforward. The sand dunes are less
intimidating, the greens a bit more welcoming. Much like Muirfield in Scotland,
it is perhaps in 
Waterville's subtleness and its changes in the directions of
its holes that it finds its greatness. Played from the championship tees, it
is the longest of the Irish Courses and certainly some may argue the hardest.
It possesses four of the finest par 3's in all of Ireland.
Non-golfers may like to visit the Ring of Kerry.This is a hundred mile route around the Iveragh Peninsula, which is one of the world's great scenic drives. This route, an amazing mixture of rugged mountains, winding valleys and dramatic seascapes begins and ends in Killarney.
Aghadoe
Heights Hotel to Waterville is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Overnight tonight at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel.
Thursday, June 28 - Old Head Golf Links
After breakfast today you will transfer to Faithlegg and the Faithlegg House Hotel. Faithlegg House Hotel is located on the already renowned 18 hole Faithlegg championship golf course overlooking the estuary of the River Suir. The 18th century manor house has been tastefully refurbished and extended.
2:45 pm tee time at Old Head Golf Links. En route to Faithlegg golf has been arranged at Old Head Golf Links (image at left). The Old Head of Kinsale is 
one of the
most remarkable developments ever conceived in the history of golf. The Old
Head is ideally located on the South Coast of Ireland, 30 minutes drive from
Cork International Airport. The course was designed by a combination of Ireland's
greatest past golfing heroes and recognized international contemporary design
experts - led by Joe Carr, Ron Kirby, Paddy Merrigan and Eddie Hackett.
Aghadoe
Heights Hotel to Old Head is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Friday,
June 29 - Waterford Castle Golf Club 10:00 am tee time at Waterford Castle Golf Club. This morning after breakfast, golf
will be arranged at Waterford Castle Golf Club. Parkland, wooded, four artificial
lakes, surrounded by River Suir, sand based tees & greens - an excellent
test of golf in most enjoyable surroundings. Non-golfers may like to visit in
Waterford. Famous for the Waterford Glass Factory, thousands of people converge
here each year to see the most renowned crystal works in the world, whose products
have made their way into the wealthiest international households. In the town
you can explore the handsome quays overlooking the peaceful River Suir. Overnight
tonight at Faithlegg House. Saturday,
June 30 - Portmarnock Golf Club This morning after breakfast, you
will transfer to the Grand Hotel, Malahide. The village of Malahide is located
on a spectacular site with views out onto a small marina and the sandy beaches
of Dublin Bay. The hotel is located eight miles from Dublin. 3:50 pm tee time at Portmarnock Golf Club. This afternoon golf will be arranged
at Portmarnock Golf Club. Portmarnock has hosted the lion's share of The Carrolls
Irish Open over the last several decades. It displays what many consider, the
finest use of bunkering on any course in any country. Fairly straightforward
in nature, there are perils for missing nearly every green or fairway. The 14th
and 15th are Portmarnock's most famous, with the former being described by Sir
Henry Cotton as "the best golf hole in the world." Played with a prevailing
right to left wind off the sea, the par-3 15th may call for as much as a driver,
and nearly requires that you send your ball out over the boundary fence and
allow the strong breeze to bring it safely to the green. Non-golfers may like to visit in
the popular seaside resort of Malahide, where you will find Malahide Castle.
It was built in the late 12th century by Sir Richard de Talbot and held by that
family until the late 1970's when it was acquired by Dublin County Council as
a historical site. There are nearly 300 acres of grounds, including lovely gardens.
The castle itself is in excellent condition and contains a remarkable assortment
of Irish period furniture along with a collection of oils belonging to the late
Lord Talbot of Malahide. Overnight
tonight at the Grand Hotel Sunday,
July 1 - Links of Portmarnock Golf Course 9:40 am tee time at Links of Portmarnock Golf Course. The first course designed by Bernhard Langer and the only PGA European Tour course in Ireland. The links takes advantage of the natural beauty and immeasurable quality of the landscape.
Non-golfers may like to sightsee in Dublin. Founded by the Vikings a thousand years ago, it's a cosmopolitan city with a strong historical flavor, particularly of the 18th century Georgian period. It's a bustling city of elegant hotels, restaurants, pubs and famous shops. Overnight
tonight at the Grand Hotel Monday,
July 2 - Royal County Down 9:30 tee time at Royal County Down. Currently listed as the 18th Best Course
in the World by Golf Digest, Royal County Down rightfully takes its place among
the other legendary courses of the world. Royal County Down, situated alongside
the Mountains of Mourne and the Town of Newcastle, is one of golf's most inspiring
settings. The challenge provided by its golf holes are no less spectacular.
It is essentially "big" golf with demanding carries and a premium placed on
precise iron shots. The abundance of gorse and heather, though quite beautiful,
severely penalizes any wayward golf shot. Non-golfers may like to sightsee in County Down. Down is St. Patrick's country. His boat was swept into Strangford Lough and he came ashore on the Lecale peninsula. Many places have strong associations with the Saint. Saul, where he is said to have preached his first gospel and later died; the Struell healing wells and St. Patrick's Grave at Down Cathedral, a special place of pilgrimage on 17 March. After golf you will transfer near
Portrush and the Royal Court Hotel. (Image at right.) The drive
from Dublin to County Down is approximately 2½ hours. Tuesday,
July 3 - Portstewart Golf Club 10:00 am tee time at Portstewart Golf Club. This is a difficult, but fair, open
links course giving magnificent views of the Donegal Hills, the rolling Atlantic,
Strand Beach and the River Bann. The greens are fast and true and the cours
has hosted many events, such as the Irish Professionals. Non-golfers may like to visit the
North Antrim Coast. The scenic A2 coast road of North Antrim provides a memorable
experience, From Larne in the east the road clips the heads of the Nine Glens
of Antrim on its way north, through charming sleepy villages. A minor coast
road leads through wonderful cliffland scenery to the tiny rocky isle fishery
of Carrick-a-Rede. Rejoin the A2 which continues to the Giant's Causeway and
passes the 18th-century Dunluce Castle on its way to the Londonderry border
at Portrush. The drive
from Portrush to Portstewart is approximately 15 minutes. Wednesday,
July 4 - Royal Portrush 9:30 am tee time at Royal Portrush. This beautiful links course is laid out
on a wonderful stretch of natural golfing terrain, with the course threading
its way through a tangle of giant sandhills, dunes and wild dwarf roses. Its
also the only course in Ireland to have hosted the British Open. Non-golfers are free once again to explore North Antrim. Overnight
tonight at the Royal Court Hotel Thursday,
July 5 Midmorning today depart for Belfast and 1:10 pm flight to Shannon. Arrives Shannon at 2:00 pm. Depart Shannon at 2:45 to BWI. Arrive BWI at 5:25 pm. Bus transportation for return to Richmond will be arranged. Included
in this Itinerary
Overnight tonight at the Faithlegg House.
The Royal Court Hotel is an elegant reflection
of the Edwardian era, expressing a style and sophistication of a truly civilized
way of life. The Violante's restaurant, with its superb cuisine, makes dining
for business or pleasure a true occasion. The Royal Court Hotel is located on
the scenic North Antrim Coast, overlooking Whiterocks Beach and Royal Portrush
Golf Course.
County Down to Portrush is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Overnight tonight at the Royal Court Hotel
Overnight tonight at the Royal Court Hotel.