Like any good story, it usually starts at the beginning, but this one almost didn’t happen.
9 months prior, a bunch of my buddies were throwing around an Ireland golf trip. Now, I love golf. Almost as much as Napa Valley red wine but that’s a story for a different blog. At the time, the boys were thinking we fly into Dublin, then we go north. I loved the idea. Then I saw this price tag. 4 grand. NOT including flight. That’s a lot of cake, even for a high end network anchor like myself. So, initially I said no. And you have to understand, I’m obsessed with golf. And travel. And this was on my bucket list forever. I mean, I usually get up early in the morning for ONLY two things, and golf is one of them. So then I got to thinking, if not now while I’m young (ish) and with some great guys, then when? When I’m 40? 50? Hell, I might not make 50. So, I did what most financially smart guys my age would do. Said "I’m IN" and put it on my credit card. It was the best stupid decision I ever made.
9 months prior, a bunch of my buddies were throwing around an Ireland golf trip. Now, I love golf. Almost as much as Napa Valley red wine but that’s a story for a different blog. At the time, the boys were thinking we fly into Dublin, then we go north. I loved the idea. Then I saw this price tag. 4 grand. NOT including flight. That’s a lot of cake, even for a high end network anchor like myself. So, initially I said no. And you have to understand, I’m obsessed with golf. And travel. And this was on my bucket list forever. I mean, I usually get up early in the morning for ONLY two things, and golf is one of them. So then I got to thinking, if not now while I’m young (ish) and with some great guys, then when? When I’m 40? 50? Hell, I might not make 50. So, I did what most financially smart guys my age would do. Said "I’m IN" and put it on my credit card. It was the best stupid decision I ever made.
We left September 26th, 2015.
So, like any good road trip, it starts with a few drinks at the airport. We had a total of 8 guys going, including our buddy TJ Rule who is not only a member at our golf club (Scarboro) but also runs Golf Away Tours and did all the planning. TJ is not only a great guy but loves his golf and I knew we wouldn’t play any crap courses. The first day was tough (well, by golf trip standards). We actually played in our men’s closing day event at Scarboro then went straight to the airport for our 11 pm flight. Trying to sleep on an airplane is about as comfortable as a Sepp Blatter media conference...
We landed at 9 am local time and met up with our bus driver named Kieren. What a beauty. I didn’t understand a word he said, but he was always polite and laughed and was on time. The bus sat 8 guys perfectly and came with Irish whiskey. Good start. We drove straight from Dublin and headed off to Portrush, which is a cool little town. We drove directly to our first golf course, Castlerock. No sleep, no problem.
So, like any good road trip, it starts with a few drinks at the airport. We had a total of 8 guys going, including our buddy TJ Rule who is not only a member at our golf club (Scarboro) but also runs Golf Away Tours and did all the planning. TJ is not only a great guy but loves his golf and I knew we wouldn’t play any crap courses. The first day was tough (well, by golf trip standards). We actually played in our men’s closing day event at Scarboro then went straight to the airport for our 11 pm flight. Trying to sleep on an airplane is about as comfortable as a Sepp Blatter media conference...
We landed at 9 am local time and met up with our bus driver named Kieren. What a beauty. I didn’t understand a word he said, but he was always polite and laughed and was on time. The bus sat 8 guys perfectly and came with Irish whiskey. Good start. We drove straight from Dublin and headed off to Portrush, which is a cool little town. We drove directly to our first golf course, Castlerock. No sleep, no problem.
Now the first thing I noticed about Ireland golf was this thing called “sunshine”. I remember talking with Ray Ferraro at the World’s in Prague and he did relatively the same trip we were going on the year before. On his and many people’s advice I spent 900 bucks on Galvin Green Hurricane rain gear (ok maybe I was lucky enough to win the rain gear at Thornhill Golf & Country Club’s Member Guest tournament, but still). I mean, the only way I was getting wet is if I splashed Guinness on my crotch. We got ZERO RAIN the entire trip. For those that don’t understand how crazy that is? It’s like someone not taking a selfie… for the entire day… around the globe. We got lucky, big time.
So on no sleep, we played Castlerock... and it was great! A nice way to ease into the trip. Also in Ireland, no golf carts which I really came to appreciate. The only other time I had a caddy was in Pebble Beach and that was special. You just go for a walk, select a club and hopefully swing it less than 78 times. At least that’s usually the plan for me.
Now, caddies are an interesting conversation. To be honest, I had a caddy for Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, two of the big boy courses over there. I enjoyed the caddy for 2 main reasons. Carrying my bag and helping me with blind tee shots. It’s a very cool experience walking by the ocean and just enjoying the stroll and not rushing to bang your next shot into a bunker.
Now, caddies are an interesting conversation. To be honest, I had a caddy for Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, two of the big boy courses over there. I enjoyed the caddy for 2 main reasons. Carrying my bag and helping me with blind tee shots. It’s a very cool experience walking by the ocean and just enjoying the stroll and not rushing to bang your next shot into a bunker.
The one frustrating thing for me is that I’m a pretty good putter and YOU WOULD THINK your caddy would know the greens pretty well. I think he was speaking Spanish and I was translating in Dutch, which doesn’t go well in Ireland. Nothing really rolled in. My best scoring rounds were WITHOUT the caddies. They would pick your line, you would hit your putt, you miss by a foot and they say you pulled it. After 8 holes I just stopped asking. So I guess buyer beware. I’ve learnt they don’t really work for me but some of the guys had amazing experiences with them so that’s your call.
Another piece of advice. You don’t want to be hungover. Well, I think that’s advice for life, but feeling like crap and walking 18 and playing some of the toughest (and most beautiful) golf courses ever is not fun with a pounding headache while farting out Black Bush whiskey all day. Especially if the other boys are down wind. After a long first day, I went straight to bed. Out at 9 pm local time. Some of the boys went chasing locals and were a bit worse for wear the next day.
Another piece of advice. You don’t want to be hungover. Well, I think that’s advice for life, but feeling like crap and walking 18 and playing some of the toughest (and most beautiful) golf courses ever is not fun with a pounding headache while farting out Black Bush whiskey all day. Especially if the other boys are down wind. After a long first day, I went straight to bed. Out at 9 pm local time. Some of the boys went chasing locals and were a bit worse for wear the next day.
The next day we played Portstewart, which was windy. I think Portstewart loosely translated means “kick in the nuts via wind". But it was awesome. Golf in Ireland is almost like a different sport. You have to be creative and try hit shots you would NEVER try in North America. Like putting from 100 yards out. Like hitting a knock down 5 iron 130 yards. It also makes you appreciate why guys like Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell are so damn good. Go into this trip knowing you might shoot 8 more strokes on average than your ‘NORMAL’ round.
Next up was Royal Portrush Valley and Dunlunce. EPIC. The Valley course was the only time I snuck into the 70’s on the trip. Dunlunce is ranked I believe top 20 in the world and is one of the best experiences of my life. What a walk!!! I remember a par 3 on the back 9 that was 180 yards. I smoked a 3 wood and was short left. That’s Ireland. With our group the handicaps were everywhere from a plus 2 to a 20 but it was great to see how everyone fought to get it around the course. Another warning. Grab some toilet wipe for your golf bag. No outhouses and no big spruce trees to hide behind gentlemen. Just you, your caddy, your buddies and nature. I can tell you this, those old golf gloves at the bottom of my bag were never more useful. One of the best throws in history (I’m talking Joe Montana stuff) was my buddy Paul launching me a nice old Taylor Made glove from 30 yards back. I’m in a full-out squat doing my business and still caught the glove with one hand. Quick wipe, made par. Ok, maybe too much information for you all but lesson learnt.
We had a fun rule. If anyone chipped or putted in from off the green it was “TARPS OFF” for the next hole. Aka shirts off. Sadly we had no females on trip. However, our one buddy Craig chipped in for par and we got to see his dad bod for a hole. SIDE NOTE… there is a male nude beach by The Island Course and trust me… it’s not pretty. I did take my shirt off at one point but it was for ‘ARTISTIC REASONS’ and if my boss will let me, I will post the video after the blog. Laughing is key to a full life and we had no shortage of that on this trip.
We had a fun rule. If anyone chipped or putted in from off the green it was “TARPS OFF” for the next hole. Aka shirts off. Sadly we had no females on trip. However, our one buddy Craig chipped in for par and we got to see his dad bod for a hole. SIDE NOTE… there is a male nude beach by The Island Course and trust me… it’s not pretty. I did take my shirt off at one point but it was for ‘ARTISTIC REASONS’ and if my boss will let me, I will post the video after the blog. Laughing is key to a full life and we had no shortage of that on this trip.
The last part of our trip was in Dublin and that is a fun city. Great live music, and no shortage of drunk people. But EVERYONE is super nice and friendly. For those that have been, you’ll understand me when I say this. Guinness in Dublin tastes like candy compared to back in Canada. The beer doesn’t travel well and if you can have a pint or 30 in Dublin? I highly recommend it, it’s amazing. We did tours of both the Guinness and Bushmills factories and it was very cool.
Royal County Down was by far my favourite course. It was also the hardest (at least for me). For those that watch golf on TV, it’s where Rory has hosted the Irish Open. The first 12 holes will take your breath (and golf balls) away. It was just ranked best course in the World by Golf Digest and I can see why. Again, one of the best walks of my life. We then played European Club, which had arguably the best back 9 I’ve ever played, and it also helped that it was 20 degrees without a cloud in the sky. The Island Club and Portmarnock were also special but I have to be honest. Once you play Royal Portrush and Royal County Down? Nothing really compares. It’s like drinking a bottle of 2007 Colgin then going to the 2017 Bearfoot twist off. No comparison. I like to believe that great things happen to amazing people! TJ worked tirelessly to make sure the trip ran like clockwork and it did. I’m not just saying this because he’s our friend, but because I admire people that work hard and play hard and really pay attention to detail. He did that and then some. AND TJ came within a centimetre of getting a hole in one on this trip! That was cool!
My closing thoughts on this trip, Ireland and a little life talk. Many people don’t know this, but I’m a cancer survivor. I fought it twice at 17 and 19. It changes your life. Provides you with a level of perspective that I can’t explain. My advice? Take the trip you’ve always wanted to take. I’ve been blessed to golf in 10 countries and Ireland might be my favorite. Have the courage to write your first blog (this one’s mine). Tell people that are important to you that THEY ARE important. Go after what you want in life because you only have one shot. My best friend shared a book with me recently that has this quote: “The purpose of life is a life WITH purpose”. I really like that one. The one I live by? If you’re not living, you’re dying, so get living! I hope you enjoyed reading this blog as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you.
Muddy
Muddy
10 Tips for Ireland:
1) rain gear (HA but I guess suntan lotion for our trip)
2) at least two pairs of golf shoes
3) a few toques
4) blister Band-Aids for fingers and feet
5) moisturizer for hands (seriously)
6) visit at least 3 Irish pubs and listen to live music
7) have the fish and chips
8) talk about your favourite shots (good or bad over a beer after)
9) toilet paper in your golf bag (you might be able to sell it for big dollars out there)
10) on the last day of the trip? Plan your next one!
If you have any questions about this trip reach out to me on twitter @bryanmudryk
or contact TJ at Golf Away Tours at [email protected] or 647-406-6016.