The 144th Open Championship

Luxury Scottish Golf Tour – 10th – 20th July 2015

The Open Championship was first played on 17 October 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. The inaugural tournament was restricted to professionals and attracted a field of eight golfers who played three rounds of Prestwick's twelve-hole course in a single day. Willie Park, Sr. won with a score of 174, beating the favourite Old Tom Morris, by two strokes. The following year the tournament was opened to amateurs; eight of them joined ten professionals in the field. The Open has always been dominated by professionals, with only six victories by amateurs, all of which occurred between 1890 and 1930.In 1995, The Open became part of the PGA Tour's official schedule. John Daly's playoff win over Italian Costantino Rocca began another era of American domination. Tiger Woods has won three Championships to date, two at St Andrews in 2000 and 2005, and one at Hoylake in 2006. There was a dramatic moment at St Andrews in 2000, as the ageing Jack Nicklaus waved farewell to the crowds, while the young challenger to his crown watched from a nearby tee. Nicklaus later decided to play in The Open for one final time in 2005, when the R&A announced St Andrews as the venue, giving his final farewell to the fans at the Home of Golf. In 1873 the "Home of Golf" became the second course to host the Open. Nowadays, it does so more often than any other course. Since 1990 it has been scheduled every fifth year and The Golf Touring Company look forward to welcoming you to the town for the 144th Open Championship.

Richard Mercer has been a member of the Australian PGA for over 30 years. He has played on the Australasian, Japanese and European tours (including the 1984 British Open at St. Andrews, Scotland). Today Richard is the director of the Richard Mercer Golf Academy at The Vintage in the Hunter Valley where he has been nominated NSW PGA Instructor of the Year three times. Here, Richard shares his passion and love of golf with others – from beginners to fellow professionals. When he is not teaching, Richard is busy with his hosted golf holidays, taking groups to the US Masters and the Players Championship, amongst other top golfing destinations.

7thJuly 2015

Your journey starts today in the home of golf in the North West of England, Southport. Please make your own way to our home for the next 3 nights, The 5 Star - Vincent Hotel. Situated on Lord St, Southport`s Parisienne Boulevard, The Vincent takes comfort & personal service to new heights, all within a fresh, stylish and contemporary interior.

A Welcome dinner has been arranged for this evening to give you chance to meet your fellow travellers!

8th July 2015

  • Breakfast with Morning Free Time then transfer to Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club for an afternoon Tee Off.
  • 18 Holes of Golf at Royal Lytham & St Annes (host to Ten Open Championships, Two Ryder Cups and numerous other major tournaments – Ranked 5th Best Course in England)
  • Transfer back to Southport
  • Evening Designated Free Time

9thJuly 2015

  • Breakfast followed by a transfer to Royal Birkdale.
  • 18 Holes of Golf at Royal Birkdale (host to Nine Open Championships, 2 Ryder Cups and venue for the 2017 British Open – Ranked 3rd Best Course in England)
  • 2 Course Lunch in the Clubhouse.
  • Transfer back to Southport
  • Evening Designated Free Time

10th July 2015

  • Check out and Transfer to Scotland
  • Clubhouse lunch at Old Prestwick
  • 18 Holes of Golf at Old Prestwick (venue of the first Open Championship in 1860)
  • Check in to 5* Turnberry a Luxury Collection Resort
  • 3 Course Welcome Dinner
  • TURNBERRY - A truly Scottish icon, the Turnberry Resort enjoys a spectacular coastal setting with breath-taking views of Isle of Arran, Ailsa Craig and the Irish Sea. Set on a stunning 800 acre estate on the west coast of Scotland, Turnberry two championship golf courses a luxury spa and a number of exquisite dining options for you during your stay

11th July 2015

  • Full Scottish Breakfast
  • Links Golf Clinic at The Turnberry Golf Academy
  • 18 Holes of Golf on The Ailsa Course (2009 Open Championship venue)
  • 3 Course Dinner at Turnberry & Overnight Stay

12th July 2015

  • Full Scottish Breakfast
  • Luxury transfer to the 5* Gleneagles Resort

GLENEAGLES – The Gleneagles Hotel, just one hour's drive from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, is one of Scotland's most luxurious 5 star resorts and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. When Gleneagles opened in 1924 it was described as 'a Riviera in the Highlands' - today it remains dedicated to excellence, just as it was in its earliest days. Offering guests an unrivalled choice of sports and leisure facilities, Gleneagles is truly a world class resort

  • Distillery Tour at Tullibardine Whisky (on route to Gleneagles)
  • 3 Course Dinner at Gleneagles

13th July 2015

  • Full Scottish Breakfast
  • 18 Holes of Golf on The PGA Course (host venue of the 2014 Ryder Cup)
  • Luxury transfer to St Andrews, The Home of Golf
  • Check into the 3* Ardgowan Hotel
  • Collection of your Open Championship Season Ticket

Travel time to the Open Championship from the Ardgowan Hotel to the Old Course is literally 2 minutes’ walk. All rooms are with en-suite facilities, colour T.V./radio, hairdryer, tea &coffee making facilities, telephone, and Wi-Fi access

  • Course Welcome Dinner at Playfairs Restaurant St Andrews

14th July 2015

  • Full Scottish Breakfast
  • Luxury transfer to Carnoustie
  • 18 Holes at Carnoustie (1999 and 2007 Open Championship venue)
  • Practice afternoon at The Open Championship
  • Evening at leisure
  • Overnight at The Ardgowan Hotel

15th July 2015

  • Full Scottish Breakfast
  • Visit to Dunnottar Castle
  • 18 Holes of Golf at Trump International Links
  • Return luxury transfers
  • Dinner at ForgansRestaurant St Andrews
  • Overnight at The Ardgowan Hotel

16th July 2015

  • Full Scottish Breakfast
  • 18 Holes at Kingsbarns Golf Links

Kingsbarns Golf Linksis proud to be part of the heritage of links golf in St Andrews. Located 7 miles south east of the ’home of golf’, the game has been played on the site since 1793.Kyle Phillips designed this Top 100 Ranked golf course and by setting it in an amphitheatre along the coast, nearly every hole boasts spectacular views of the North Sea.

  • Afternoon at The Open Championship
  • Evening at leisure
  • Overnight at The Ardgowan Hotel

17th July 2015

  • Full Scottish Breakfast
  • 18 Holes on The Kittocks Course (stunning cliff top course with views over the North Sea) with golf carts
  • Afternoon at The Open Championship
  • 3 Course Dinnerat Fairmont St Andrews Clubhouse overlooking The North Sea & St Andrews
  • Overnight at The Ardgowan Hotel

18th July 2015

  • Full Scottish Breakfast
  • Full day at The Open Championship
  • Dinner at The Adamson Restaurant St Andrews
  • Overnight at The Ardgowan Hotel

19th July 2015

  • Full Scottish Breakfast
  • Final round at The Open Championship
  • Farewell dinner in the Claret Jug Restaurant
  • Overnight at The Ardgowan Hotel

20th July 2015

  • Full Scottish Breakfast
  • Check out of Hotel and bid farewell to your fellow travellers
  • Luxury transfer to Edinburgh Airport (if required)

Package summary

  • Tour fully escorted by a member of The Golf Touring Company staff throughout the trip
  • 13nights’ Accommodation – Twin Share Basis
  • Accommodation in St Andrews is only 200m away from the 18th Green
  • Breakfast Daily
  • 9 rounds of Championship golf at Royal Lytham, Southport & Ainsdale, Old Prestwick, Turnberry, Gleneagles, Trump International, Carnoustie , Kittocks and Kingsbarns
  • 9 dinners& 1 Lunch
  • Links Golf Clinic at Turnberry
  • Season pass to The Open Championship – Sunday to Sunday (access at your leisure)
  • Admission to Dunnottar Castle
  • All transfers where applicable

The Open 2015 / COST
From$17,995.00 per person based on double occupancy
From $23,500.00per person based on single occupancy