Issued: 23 July 2008
The Celtic Connection
Irish eyes were certainly smiling in Angus recently when almost 100 members of The Monks Society from Thurles in County Tipperary enjoyed three days of golf on three superb Carnoustie Country Courses.
“We really enjoyed our visit to Carnoustie Country,” said Toby Cullen, the member of The Monks Society who organised the trip. Golfing societies are very popular among Irish golfers and Toby explained that The Monks Society was set up ten years ago by regulars at The Monks, a popular pub in Thurles.
The Monks Society played Carnoustie Championship, Kirriemuir and Letham Grange. The Captain of The Monks Society, Toss Hayes, explained that playing Carnoustie Championship had been a dream come true for many of the golfers on the trip, including himself. “And, to make a great day even better, the sun shone all the time we were playing there,” said Toss, who added that the golfers had also enjoyed a spectacular round of golf at Kirriemuir.
On their last day, the golfers played Letham Grange, where they were welcomed to the course by an Irish flag. “The course is in magnificent condition at the moment so this was a great time for this group to visit us,” said Stewart Melrose of Letham Grange. “I’m confident The Monks Society members will spread the word around Ireland about just how wonderful Letham Grange and the other Carnoustie Country courses are.”
In fact, following their day at Letham Grange, almost all the members of The Monks Society were raving very enthusiastically about the course, with many of them putting it above some of the top courses in Ireland!
As well as being impressed by the golf courses of Angus, The Monks Society members were also impressed by the friendliness of the people of Angus.
“The people we met during our trip to Carnoustie Country, especially those in Kirriemuir, couldn’t have done enough for us,” said Toss, who reckons the Scots can rival the Irish in the friendly stakes.
As well as golfing, several activities were also laid on for the group, including a very impressive barbeque at Piperdam Golf and Leisure Resort, which ended with an impromptu and highly-enjoyable gig from the singers and musicians in the group.
Although most of those on the trip were keen golfers, not everyone played golf - but that didn’t stop them all having an equally wonderful time! “We were only here for the social side, which was excellent,” revealed non-golfer Michael O’Gorman, the landlord of The Monks, who was accompanied by his wife and fellow landlord of The Monks, Kay. “We’d love to come back again.”
During their time in Angus, many of The Monks Society members expressed a similar wish to return and several are already planning their next trip to Carnoustie Country. “Word of mouth is one of the most effective methods of advertising,” said Councillor David May, Angus Council’s Infrastructure Services convener. “Almost 100 people going back to Ireland with such a positive image of Angus should ensure even more Irish golfers come over here.”
David Valentine, Head of Economic Development with Angus Council, responsible for the Carnoustie County marketing campaign, was delighted by the success of The Monks Society’s trip. “We’re hopeful that this is the start of a wonderful golfing relationship between Carnoustie Country and the golfing societies of Ireland,” said Dave. “Golfing breaks bring a lot of money into Angus so there’s real potential here to give the Angus economy a further boost.”
On their last night, The Monks Society held a prize giving. To celebrate their first trip to Carnoustie Country, Angus Council presented The Monks Society with The Carnoustie Country Rose Bowl, which was then awarded to the golfer who had returned the best score from the Carnoustie Country courses - Barry O'Dwyer, who plays off a 12 handicap.
“In future, The Monks Society will compete for this trophy during their annual golfing trip,” explained David Valentine. “Hopefully, before too long, The Monks Society will once more be competing for the Carnoustie Country Rose Bowl in Carnoustie Country as they will always be very welcome in Angus.”