River Cup Tour of Scotland ItineraryThe 1998 River Cup was contested on ten historic Scottish links courses during a ten day Tour of Scotland. The Tour included 6 of the top 100 golf courses in the world. This tour itinerary was prepared exclusively for The River Cup by SGH Golf of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Orientation Map | Planning Notes | Photos from the Tour
Sunday, June 21
Depart USA for Glasgow, Scotland.
Monday, June 22
Upon your arrival in Glasgow 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 coach. This vehicle, which is air-conditioned, features reclining seats, TV's, videos, and rest room. Transfer to the Turnberry Hotel.
Turnberry is surely one of the most beautifully situated of all hotels in Scotland. It is set in its own 360 acre estate and faces west with panoramic views of the 2 great golf courses, the Ailsa and the Arran, stretched out below.
With the mountains of Arran and the vast granite mass called Ailsa Craig jutting smoky blue from the sea in the distance beyond, this beautiful Edwardian hotel is ideal for a memorable vacation.
This afternoon golf will be arranged on the Turnberry Ailsa Course. The Ailsa, venue of the 1994 British Open, is the more famous of the two courses here and undoubtedly one of the fairest and most demanding tests of the golfer's skill. A rigorous 6384 yards, it is seldom visited by Lady Luck and a good score must be justly earned.
Non-golfers may like to sightsee and shop in the town of Ayr. There are many beautiful parks and gardens in and around the town of Ayr, notably Belleisle, Craigie and Rozelle. Rozelle is also the home of Ayr's Art Gallery, and displays one of the very few Henry Moore sculptures to be seen in Scotland. The shopping center of Ayr often surprises visitors by its range and size. Here you will find both branches of the great multiple stores, together with family owned shops in considerable variety.
Dinner and overnight at the Turnberry Hotel.
Tuesday, June 23
After breakfast this morning golf will be arranged at Royal Troon. Founded in 1878, a stern, uncompromising test faces all golfers fortunate enough to play here. The famous 123-yard 8th, with the appropriately named Postage Stamp green, drops off quickly on three
sides and provides not only a super challenge, but quite a spectacle as well. Frequently the venue for the Open.
Non-golfers may like to visit Culzean Castle. Home of the Kennedys, Culzean dates back to 1777 and is one of Robert Adams most notable creations. Culzean also has long associations with the USA, as General Eisenhower was given a suite of rooms here after the Second World War in appreciation by the British people. Culzean is surrounded by a country park which includes a walled garden established in 1783.
You may also like to follow the Burns Heritage Trail. Scotland's most famous poet, Robert Burns, was born in the nearby county town of Ayr and you can visit the thatched cottage where he was born and also many of the places immortalized in his poems.
Today after golf you will transfer to North Berwick and the Marine Hotel. The Marine Hotel is a delightful Victorian turreted mansion, which proudly stands chateau-like-like, overlooking the 16th green of the magnificent North Berwick Golf Course. It has superb views past the sandy beaches of the Firth of Fourth to the distant shores of the golfing kingdom of Fife.
Overnight at the Marine Hotel.
Wednesday, June 24
This morning after breakfast golf will be arranged on the Gullane No.1 Course. Founded in 1882, the golf courses here, of which there are three, and the venerable hamlet are linked as one. Golf here is at the core of Scottish love for the game.
Views from the top of the course are simply magnificent, and the finish at 18, much like that of St. Andrews, attracts town folk and visitor alike to applaud the golfers for a round well played.
A second round of golf will be arranged at North Berwick. Measuring 6317 yards, it's no monster in length, but such is its trickery that it demands a full repertoire of shot making. Founded in 1832, the club is one of the oldest in the world. Former Prime Minister, Lord Balfour, was captain here in 1891-92. Every hole is memorable - there are blind shots across the bay, and bunkers in which you can disappear from sight. It is great fun and a real test of skill.
Non-golfers may like to sightsee and shop in Scotland's capital city of Edinburgh. Edinburgh has been named the "Athens of the North" and among the places of interest well worth a visit are the Castle, Holyrood Palace, St Giles Cathedral and the Royal Mile. Or you may like to browse around the many fines stores to be found on Princes Street - Jenners, the oldest independent store in the world, is well worth a visit.
Overnight at the Marine Hotel.
Thursday, June 25
After breakfast today golf will be arranged at Muirfield Golf Club. Muirfield is the home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and is the most exclusive golf club in the U.K. Founded in 1744, the existing course is designed in two loops of nine holes. Players have a constantly changing battle with the wind, and the beautifully constructed bunkers (over 150 in total) which never allow a bad shot to escape, are a great feature of the course.
Non-golfers may like to visit Hopetoun House. Hopetoun House, just 8 miles west of Edinburgh, has been the home of the Hope family since it was built in 1699. There is an excellent museum filled with fascinating documents, costumes and other relics of a bygone age.
Today after golf you will transfer to St. Andrews and the Scores Hotel. The Scores Hotel is a comfortable, distinguished seafront hotel that really puts you in the center of things. The first tee of the famous Old Course is only a 7 iron away and a brief, leisurely stroll takes you to the heart of St. Andrews. Every room at the Scores is comfortably furnished in traditional style and the cuisine ranges from the continental to simpler traditional Scottish fare.
Overnight at the Scores Hotel.
Friday, June 26
This morning after breakfast golf will be arranged on the St. Andrews Old Course. As you stand on the first tee, take a moment to reflect what a magnificent game was born on these very shores.
The Old is virtually an out and back course. It is very different from any other course in the world and is sometimes an acquired taste. It has a seaside quality, being basically flat with enormous greens and fearsome bunkers. There are only two holes less than 300 yards, and the long holes, especially the 17th, have ruined many a golfer's scorecard.
A second round of golf will be arranged on the St. Andrews New Course. The New Course will never be able to achieve the notoriety of the Old Course. It is, however, a fine links golf course. The Old Course relies on position off the tee to set up a proper second. The New Course, with its much tighter fairways, demands a more precise tee game. Not a pushover by any standards, The New Course, but for its more famous neighbor, would be on every golfer's "must play" list.
Non-golfers may like to take a walking tour of St. Andrews. St. Andrews is a fascinating town with a wealth of history not associated with golf. It was the ecclesiastical center of Scotland for many years before the reformation and houses the oldest university in Britain. Much of this history you can explore on your tour today.
You may also like to visit Falkland Palace. This is a lovely Royal Palace in a picturesque little town. The buildings of the Palace, in Renaissance style, date from 1501-51. This was a favorite seat of James V and his daughter, Mary Queen of Scots. The Royal Tennis Court of 1539 is still played on.
Overnight at the Scores Hotel.
Saturday, June 27
After breakfast today golf will be arranged across the River Tay at Carnoustie Golf Club. Of all the championship links Carnoustie is possibly the most severe. It has been recently reinstated on the Open circuit and will host the British Open Championship in 1999. On the five previous occasions Carnoustie was used, it produced champions of the highest caliber. With the wind so intolerant, the rough so devastating and the greens so fast, this is the complete test, both mentally and physically.
Non-golfers may like to visit Glamis Castle. Glamis dates back to the 9th century and is possibly the most spectacular of all the Scottish castles. It was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and birthplace of her daughter, the Princess Margaret. Glamis was also the setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Today after golf you will transfer to Aberdeen and the Caledonian Thistle Hotel. Ideally located in the heart of the city overlooking Union Terrace Gardens, the Caledonian Thistle Hotel is one of Aberdeen's finest. This traditional hotel offers elegance complemented by the modern standards expected of a four star hotel.
Overnight at the Caledonian Thistle Hotel.
Sunday, June 28
Today after breakfast golf will be arranged at Royal Aberdeen. This superb links course exudes the impression that it has been almost untouched by human hand and possesses that intangible aura of bygone days.
Non-golfers might enjoy visiting Scotland's Castle Country, the Grampian Highlands. Many of the castles are dramatic ruins, such as Dunnottar, chosen by Zeffirelli as location for his film of "Hamlet", and Slains, said to have inspired Bram Stoker to write "Dracula". Others are lovingly restored, fortified stately homes, such as Drum, Crathes, and Brodie. Nine of them are linked by a sign-posted trail - Scotland's award-winning Castle Trail. Follow the blue and white sign from the sandy estuary of the River Ythan west through the Don Valley to the slopes of the Cairngorm mountains.
Overnight at the Caledonian Thistle Hotel.
Monday, June 29
This morning after breakfast golf will be arranged at Cruden Bay. A fearsome seaside links course which provides golf of a high order.
It was designed by a master architect, Tom Simpson, and set amongst the dunes, with magnificent views over the Bay of Cruden.
Today you might also enjoy the Malt Whisky Trail. The Grampian Highlands are the home of more than half of Scotland's malt whiskey distilleries. Visitors are welcome to visit many of the distilleries to see the whiskey-making process and possibly to enjoy a wee dram after. Some of the malt whiskey distilleries include Cardhu Distillery, Dallas Dhu Distillery, Glendronach Distillery, Glenfiddich Distillery, The Glenlivit Distillery to name a few.
Today after golf you will transfer further north to Inverness and the Kingsmills Hotel. Set in three acres of woodland and gardens, only one mile south of the center of town, this lovely converted 18th century mansion reflects the unhurried atmosphere of days gone by, yet combines truly high standards of cuisine and modern comforts with friendly, personal service.
Overnight at the Kingsmills Hotel.
Tuesday, June 30
After breakfast this morning golf will be arranged at Royal Dornoch. This is undoubtedly the most important and intriguing golf course in the area and has been rated by Golf Monthly as the best course in the U.K. and one of the six best in the world. This is praise indeed and a fine tribute to a beautifully designed layout which is scrupulously fair and an exciting challenge.
A second round of golf will once again be arranged at Royal Dornoch.
Non-golfers could visit Dunrobin Castle. Magnificently set in a great park and formal gardens overlooking the sea, Dunrobin Castle was originally a square keep built about 1275 by Robert, Earl of Sutherland, from whom it got its name. For centuries this castle has been the seat of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland and fine paintings, furniture and a steampowered fire engine are among the miscellany of items to be seen.
You may also like to visit Culloden Moor. It was here that Bonnie Prince Charlie's troops were finally defeated by those of the Duke of Cumberland in 1746. The battle lasted only 40 minutes; the Prince's army lost some 1200 men and the king's army only 310. Old Leanach Coftage has been restored as a museum and contains exhibits and information about the battle.
Wednesday, July 1
After breakfast this morning, bus departs for Inverness Airport for return flight to USA.