Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Joel_Stewart on March 11, 2015, 01:57:58 PM
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With the dollar hitting a 12 year high against the Euro, it's expected Americans will flock to Europe this summer. The dollar against the pound hasn't been quite the same but its still going to help.
There should be no reason that golf in Europe doesn't have a banner year.
Thoughts?
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I suspect the outrageous air fares will eat up much of the savings!
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I suspect the outrageous air fares will eat up much of the savings!
I have seen some outrageous fares, while some have been pretty reasonable. If you're flying out of major airports, like JFK or ATL, there are some very good deals if you're willing to connect in countries like Ireland and Denmark. I'm not sure if those types of deals appeal to the traveler who is spending thousands on a European golf trip, but they're still out there.
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I don't think many Americans golfers view continental Europe as a golfing destination. I doubt the typical American who has traveled to GB&I once or twice for a golf vacation could even name 3 or 4 golf courses on the continent.
Have the golf courses in Holland even been featured in an American golf magazine in the past 5-6 years?
Ireland may benefit a bit as it uses the Euro.
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Ireland will definitely benefit!
As much as I am looking forward to Notts, it's a shame the Buda isn't in Ireland this year. It would have been a cheap trip.
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Ireland will definitely benefit!
As much as I am looking forward to Notts, it's a shame the Buda isn't in Ireland this year. It would have been a cheap trip.
That's right. The Republic of Irleand is on the Euro, so golf and Guiness are there at bargain rates.
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I suspect the outrageous air fares will eat up much of the savings!
I have seen some outrageous fares, while some have been pretty reasonable. If you're flying out of major airports, like JFK or ATL, there are some very good deals if you're willing to connect in countries like Ireland and Denmark. I'm not sure if those types of deals appeal to the traveler who is spending thousands on a European golf trip, but they're still out there.
Unfortunately I always start in Pensacola! My son's fare to Edinburgh in May was $500 less than mine. He flies from Houston.
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One big reason for the parity is that the European economy is getting sliced and diced. That seems to me real bad for golf there.
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European countries have been voting in policies guaranteed to stifle economic growth for decades. What surprises me is that it isn't already worse.
Living in Europe on the euro I haven't noticed things being any more difficult since the euro has devalued. Indeed, a lot of people are looking forward to being able to move European goods and services abroad more readily.
Imported turf equipment is more expensive, but that's the case every year regardless of currency fluctuations.
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Joel
Your whole premis seems to be that Americans make up the bulk or even a significant percentage of golfing visitors. Don't have any facts or figures to hand but I very much doubt that. I'd suggest the bulk of "visitors" will be home grown in which case golf in certain countries in Europe could continue to struggle as some countries in the Eurozone struggle to get out of the economic trough.
That said, me and my friends are very much looking forward to our trip to Spain in September with the exchange rate the best its been for 7 or 8 years.
Niall
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That's funny, I was just looking up the latest exchange rate 5 min ago as This American has been enjoying wearing shorts and playing the best courses within an hour an a half of Lisbon, Portugal. Having a wonderful time with one more course to see! Cha-Ching$$$!!!
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Joel
Your whole premis seems to be that Americans make up the bulk or even a significant percentage of golfing visitors. Don't have any facts or figures to hand but I very much doubt that. I'd suggest the bulk of "visitors" will be home grown in which case golf in certain countries in Europe could continue to struggle as some countries in the Eurozone struggle to get out of the economic trough.
That said, me and my friends are very much looking forward to our trip to Spain in September with the exchange rate the best its been for 7 or 8 years.
Niall
For Ireland, I seem to remember a figure last year that stated 16% of overseas visitors were from the US.... 44% were from the UK.... Along those lines.
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Joel
Your whole premis seems to be that Americans make up the bulk or even a significant percentage of golfing visitors. Don't have any facts or figures to hand but I very much doubt that. I'd suggest the bulk of "visitors" will be home grown in which case golf in certain countries in Europe could continue to struggle as some countries in the Eurozone struggle to get out of the economic trough.
That said, me and my friends are very much looking forward to our trip to Spain in September with the exchange rate the best its been for 7 or 8 years.
Niall
Could be £1 = E1.50 by then Niall. It has been an amazing rise this year time, to buy property again if your a Britt! Golf at 50 Euro with a buggy is now a bargain for sunshine golf. Long haul flights are so expensive because of the 13 hour compliance laws, means a trolley dolley are effectively $500 dollars per flight and the pilots is probably $6000 per flight if they need 3.
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The cost of my flight to Ireland back in December broke down something like this: $550 for the "ticket" and $650 for the various fees (landing fees etc) for a total plane ticket cost close to $1200. Of course I'm flying from East Bumfuk, Montana and that adds several hundred to the cost as well.
But, planning to return in September, and real happy to see the Euro and Dollar reaching parity. It will make everything cheaper!
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Well, hopefully if the powers that be agree to the Mulranny / Carne / Enniscrone BUDA in September 2016, things will still be in your favour and we'll see a good contingent travelling...
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Airfares have dropped significantly lately, though still not cheap. Direct flight Newark to Edinburgh now just north of $800. Was around $1250. And yes, taxes fees and surcharges amounted to $474 of the $824 total tariff.
Don't forget to check IcelandAir. They do a terrific job.
Amazing to see the Euro down almost 30% in six months.
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My honeymoon will be end of August, beginning of September. Flights to and from Spain and five nights in the Canaries are on points, but we're probably going to save a few hundred dollars on our hotel in Madrid, and I'd imagine similarly adjusted savings for La Rioja and Sevilla. We're checking the rate every day and high fiving.
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The U.S. $ is now below $1.50 to the British Pound for the first time since May/June, 2010. The $ was above $1.70 to the Pound in early July, 2014.
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My honeymoon will be end of August, beginning of September. Flights to and from Spain and five nights in the Canaries are on points, but we're probably going to save a few hundred dollars on our hotel in Madrid, and I'd imagine similarly adjusted savings for La Rioja and Sevilla. We're checking the rate every day and high fiving.
Seville is a fantastic city Bill. I hope you like late nights, seafood and pork products
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My honeymoon will be end of August, beginning of September. Flights to and from Spain and five nights in the Canaries are on points, but we're probably going to save a few hundred dollars on our hotel in Madrid, and I'd imagine similarly adjusted savings for La Rioja and Sevilla. We're checking the rate every day and high fiving.
Seville is a fantastic city Bill. I hope you like late nights, seafood and pork products
Three for three!! We're really looking forward to the honeymoon a heck of a lot more than the wedding, though we do have a certain GCA judge performing the ceremony, which should be fun.
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FWIW, golf.com posted a slideshow today of some of the best courses in Ireland (and Northern Ireland):
http://www.golf.com/photos/play-them-theyre-irish (http://www.golf.com/photos/play-them-theyre-irish)
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My honeymoon will be end of August, beginning of September. Flights to and from Spain and five nights in the Canaries are on points, but we're probably going to save a few hundred dollars on our hotel in Madrid, and I'd imagine similarly adjusted savings for La Rioja and Sevilla. We're checking the rate every day and high fiving.
Seville is a fantastic city Bill. I hope you like late nights, seafood and pork products
Also, flamenco, olives, history, architecture, culture, language, sunshine, fiestas, sherry, tapas bars, friendly, down to earth people and bullfights. I lived there for three years and would move back in a heartbeat if I could.
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Steve
I attended the Feria de Abril in Seville, maybe 10 years ago now..it was a fantastic spectacle. But to be honest, just wandering the old town is good fun...I love stopping in at bars for a fino and tapas. Seville too is very good value considering the generally high quality of food and accomodation...maybe I should go back :D
Ciao
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Make sure also to see Cordoba and Granada. Book for the Alhambra in advance - tickets are timed. You could spend a week in Seville without seeing it all but, if you have time, hire a car and drive through one of the fantastic national parks. You might drive for a whole day without seeing another car.
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Ah Mark R.,
Alhambra! Tricia and I spoilt ourselves rotten and stayed there for two nights last year! Just unforgettable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqfkMgVaOeY
Cheers Colin
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Ah Mark R.,
Alhambra! Tricia and I spoilt ourselves rotten and stayed there for two nights last year! Just unforgettable.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,60691.0.html
Cheers Colin
Granada is my favourite Spanish city. You still get a free tapa with every drink in the bars, and if you pick the right bar that'll mostly be extremely good seafood. The restaurants on the hill of the Albaicin, across the valley from the Alhambra, are a great place to eat dinner -- the views when the sun goes down are out of this world.
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Adam, This is the clip I meant to illustrate!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqfkMgVaOeY
Cheers Colin
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Did you stay in the Parador Colin?
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Bill,
Are you driving around Spain? End of August can become quite crowded as people return home from the holidays!
What wineries are you visiting in Rioja? (I assume you are there for the wine!). I could help you with a couple of interesting visits if you are interested.
Regards,
Alfonso
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The U.S. $ gets even stronger!
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/sterling-pinned-20-month-low-095822071.html
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Seitz,
I've had a couple awesome vacations in Spain. Madrid and Seville are superb. Toledo is worth a tour. The Alhambra is spectacular. And Marbella, on the Costa del Sol, near Valderrama is phenomenal. Have fun!
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Did you stay in the Parador Colin?
Yes Adam we did.... hence the utterly spoiled phrase!
Cheers Colin
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Some of you regular visitors to the UK/Ireland need to look at nesting tickets. I'm paying £1050 to fly to NY, San Diego and back from San Francisco in BA business class and Anerican Airlines First for the domestic leg. As flights are valid for a year you could fly USA-UK in August. Return on the UK/USA outward ticket in August. Next July fly the return leg of your UK/USA ticket to here then fly the return leg of your original USA/UK ticket back home to the USA. With a little advance planning you could save hundreds in zoo and literally thousands in business.
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Why that is morally unconscionable, eh, Sir Sheehy! ;D
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Bill,
Are you driving around Spain? End of August can become quite crowded as people return home from the holidays!
What wineries are you visiting in Rioja? (I assume you are there for the wine!). I could help you with a couple of interesting visits if you are interested.
Regards,
Alfonso
We are indeed going to Rioja for the wine (and the scenery too, I suppose). My fiancee is a big Napa fan, and I've gone with her the last two years, and I've really enjoyed the tastings. We are staying in Logorono. I'm not familiar with it, but I'm told it's right on the main square (or at least one of them), so there should be some places around there to check out. Recommendations are welcome! Feel free to message me.
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Brian nesting is quite simple. If you flew 3 times a year New York to London and the tickets were $1500 return JFK-LHR but only $750 LHR-JFZ you'd do the following;
Trip A - return ticket JFK-LHR fly first leg say 1st Feb. $1500
Trip B - return LHR-JFK 7th Feb returning from JFK to LHR say 1st Jun. $750
Trip C - return LHR-JFK say 7th Jun return from JFK say 1st Sept. $750
Trip A - the return leg of the original ticket to JFK from LHR on 7th Sept.
Total cost for three returns $3000, saving $1500 for exactly the same flights, just needs a little forward planning. From Dublin via Heathrow to the USA on British Airways flights are usually 25-50% cheaper than starting in London.
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Ah Mark R.,
Alhambra! Tricia and I spoilt ourselves rotten and stayed there for two nights last year! Just unforgettable.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,60691.0.html
Cheers Colin
Granada is my favourite Spanish city. You still get a free tapa with every drink in the bars, and if you pick the right bar that'll mostly be extremely good seafood. The restaurants on the hill of the Albaicin, across the valley from the Alhambra, are a great place to eat dinner -- the views when the sun goes down are out of this world.
I think my favourite Spanish city remains Salamanca...although for big cities I prefer Madrid to either Barclelona or Seville. The place that puzzles me is Cadiz...it should be far better than it is. One other very cool place Cuidad Rodrigo. They have a great Carnival of the Bull.
Ciao
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Brian nesting is quite simple. If you flew 3 times a year New York to London and the tickets were $1500 return JFK-LHR but only $750 LHR-JFZ you'd do the following;
Trip A - return ticket JFK-LHR fly first leg say 1st Feb. $1500
Trip B - return LHR-JFK 7th Feb returning from JFK to LHR say 1st Jun. $750
Trip C - return LHR-JFK say 7th Jun return from JFK say 1st Sept. $750
Trip A - the return leg of the original ticket to JFK from LHR on 7th Sept.
Total cost for three returns $3000, saving $1500 for exactly the same flights, just needs a little forward planning. From Dublin via Heathrow to the USA on British Airways flights are usually 25-50% cheaper than starting in London.
Things must be really good at Number One! ;D
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While looking through the GolfWeek website, I came across this article, which indicates that golf tourism in Ireland--especially from the United States--is indeed at record highs:
http://golfweek.com/news/2015/jan/28/ireland-travel-us-visitors-world-/ (http://golfweek.com/news/2015/jan/28/ireland-travel-us-visitors-world-/)
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For you seasoned international veterans of the currency exchanges.... would you expect a corresponding % rise in green fee, golf costs that would equalize the financial impact on one's budget? I understand that Rep. of Ireland is Euro, and N.I. and G.B. are Pound. I am imagining that a green fee at an Irish course that was E120-130, may rise to 200. Would that be a correct assumption, or would the value of the current slide to parity be about a 30% savings from the Euro at its peak against the dollar?
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RJDaley -
I would be very surprised to see green fees in GB&I rise to offset the decline in the Euro & the Pound as you have mentioned, at least for the next year or two.
DT
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Thanks David. From what I can glean from commentators on CNBC, most think the E and $ will stay in relative parity for this year. I'm thinking based on my personal health holding out and financials that this year may be my window for a return to Europe, GB&I. My one and only previous trip was when there was parity in 2002 just after Italy joined the E from the Lira. It was good value then, and I didn't return in part due to the 30% hit on exchange. I imagine other punters like myself who dream of the chance to play golf on the "old sod" may be considering same. But, I reckon the local golf course effect on number of rounds at slower CCFAD pace of time to play and less rounds available to book may get crowded.
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RJDaley -
Unless the golf courses of GB&I are overrun with foreign (American, Canadian, Australian, etc.) visitors this summer, I doubt there will be an aggressive increase in prices for the 2016 golf season. Remember, a sizable portion of visitor green fee revenue at the courses in GB&I comes from visiting GB&I golfers and golfers from continental Europe. A big increase in green fees would really hurt that trade.
DT
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more good to know info, thanks.