Welcome to the 2024 Gulf States PGA Ireland Pro-Am!
The following outlines the day-to-day itinerary for our 2024 Pro-Am in Ireland’s southwest region. The golf lineup is truly world-class with 6 rounds scheduled – Waterville, Ballybunion, Old Head, Dooks, Tralee, and Lahinch.
Our base will be in the vibrant town of Killarney where it feels like St. Patricks Day every day.
We will finish up with our last round at Lahinch and an overnight at Doonbeg Lodges which will cut our transport time to Shannon Airport from 2hr 30 min down to 55 min.
We are excited to welcome you next September for what will be a very memorable experience.
Robert Brown, PGA & the Golf by Distincte Team!
Flights Depart from the US to Ireland
Flights will depart from the US and arrive at Shannon Airport on the morning of September 28th. Once flights are booked please provide flight details so that we can plan for transportation from the airport to the hotel.
Flight Arrivals at Shannon Airport
Flights will begin arriving at Shannon Airport.
Transport from Shannon Airport to Great Southern Killarney
Upon arrival, you will be shuttled from the airport to the Great Southern Killarney to check-in.
Check into Great Southern Killarney
Great Southern Killarney Spectacular architecture melded with effortless service and genuine hospitality has made Great Southern Killarney an iconic retreat for over 170 years. Originally opened in 1854.
View
Dinner and Evening at your leisure
Full Irish Breakfast (included with your stay) and morning at your leisure
Transport to Golf Course
Shuttle from Great Southern Killarney to Waterville Golf Links. This will be approximately a 1 hour and 15 minute drive.
Golf at Waterville Golf Links
NOTE: There will be a slight gap in some of the tee times. Tee times will be at 1:00p / 1:10p / 1:20p / 1:30p / 1:40p / 1:50p
In 1987, Waterville was sold to a small group of Irish Americans. They loved the game of golf and set about carrying on the history and tradition of the Links. The new owners brought together the 18th Century, four-star Waterville House with the Links to create one of the finest golf and fishing resorts in the world.
Waterville Golf Links embarked on a new chapter of its fabled history when noted international golf architect, Tom Fazio, was commissioned to update the memorable Eddie Hackett masterpiece. Fazio has assisted many of the world’s leading clubs including Winged Foot, Pine Valley, and Augusta National.
Course Stats: 18 holes, 6197 yards, par: 72
View
Transport from golf course to hotel
Shuttle from Waterville back to Great Southern Killarney. This is approximately a 1 hour and 15 minute drive.
Dinner and Evening at your leisure
Full Irish Breakfast (included with your stay) and morning at your leisure
Transport to Golf Course
Shuttle from Great Southern Killarney to Ballybunion. This is approximately a 1 hour drive.
Golf at Ballybunion Golf Club – Old Course
NOTE: Tee times @ 9:01a, 9:12a, 9:23a, 9:34a, 9:45a, 9:56a
“If sheer pleasure is the yardstick, then Ballybunion’s Old Course gets my vote as the No. 1 in the world.” So said Peter Dobereiner, the famous English golf writer. Dobereiner was doing no more than reflecting the views of the locals who somehow knew through all of their struggles for survival since the day the club was founded way back in 1893 that Ballybunion Links Gold in Ireland was an unknown treasure waiting for the outside world to come and discover it.
Course Stats: 18 holes, 6802 yards, par: 71
View
Transport from golf course to hotel
Shuttle from Ballybunion back to Great Southern Killarney. This is approximately at 1 hour drive.
Dinner and Evening at your leisure
Full Irish Breakfast (included with your stay) and morning at your leisure
Transport to Golf Course
Shuttle from Great Southern Killarney to Old Head Golf Links. This is approximately a 1 hour and 45 minute drive.
Golf at Old Head Golf Links
NOTE: Tee times are split into 2 groupings from 10:00a / 10:15a / 10:30a / 10:45a then at 12p + 12:15p
Old Head Golf Links is built on a 220-acre diamond of land jutting out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The promontory is almost an island with numerous caves running beneath your feet as you play the course. The links and practice area occupy 180 acres and the remaining 40 acres of unspoiled cliff frame the course. It is a piece of golf real estate like no other, that causes many a golfer and visitor to pinch themselves as they drive through the ancient gateway with the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean some 300 feet below.
Course Stats: 18 holes, 7159 yards, par: 72
View
Transport from golf course to hotel
Shuttle from Old Head back to Great Southern Killarney. This is approximately a 1 hour and 45 minute drive.
Dinner and Evening at your leisure
Full Irish Breakfast (included with your stay) and morning at your leisure
Transport to Golf Course
Shuttle from Great Southern Killarney to Dooks Golf Links. This is approximately a 35 minute drive.
Golf at Dooks Golf Club
NOTE: Tee times starting at 10:10a, 10:20a, 10:30a, 10:40a, 10:50a, 11:00a
Golf has been played in Dooks since 1889 which makes the course one of the oldest Golf Links in Ireland. Originally named Dooks & Caragh GC, it was affiliated with the GUI in 1903. For 100 years the links remained a steadfastly quirky, 9-hole monument to those early days as the members resisted all efforts at modernization. It was extended to eighteen holes in the 1970s under the guidance of Eddie Hackett. The course was further enhanced in 2002 by Martin Hawtree. For the golfer who is seeking a beautiful and tranquil environment to enjoy great Golf, Dooks presents a convincing case. Dooks is not as exposed as some Irish courses and features an amazing variety of gorse, heather, and wildflowers, the “gentle” wind is never far away and the narrow genuine sandy fairways and well-contoured greens offer you a real taste of traditional links golf at its very best.
Course Stats: 18 holes, 6586 yards, par: 71
View
Transport from golf course to hotel
Shuttle from Dooks back to Great Southern Killarney. This is approximately at 35 minute drive.
Dinner and Evening at your leisure
Full Irish Breakfast (included with your stay) and morning at your leisure
Transport to Golf Course
Shuttle from Great Southern Killarney to Tralee Golf Links. This is approximately a 50 minute drive.
Tralee Golf Club
NOTE: Tee times starting at 11:30a, 11:42a, 11:54a, 12:06p, 12:18p, 12:30p
Designed and built by Arnold Palmer, this stunning setting represents a true paradise for those willing to challenge what is widely acclaimed as one of the finest links courses in the world.
Instituted October 1, 1896, Tralee Golf Club opened its present Arnold Palmer-designed course for play at Barrow in October 1984, after moving from its nine-hole course at Mounthawk near Tralee. It was a great achievement for the Club. Having decided to buy land at Barrow back in 1980, the members’ dream of seeing the Club attain worldwide status has been realized.
Course Stats: 18 holes, 6948 yards, par: 72
View
Transport from golf course to hotel
Shuttle from Tralee back to Great Southern Killarney. This is approximately 50 minutes.
Dinner and Evening at your leisure
Full Irish Breakfast (included with your stay) and morning at your leisure
Check Out of Great Southern Killarney
You will need to check out of the hotel as we will move to the Doonbeg Lodge for your final evening.
Transport to Golf Course
Shuttle from Great Southern Killarney to Lahinch Golf Links. This is approximately a 2 hour and 30 minute drive.
Lahinch Golf Club
NOTE: Tee times starting at 10:54a, 11:06a, 11:18a, 11:30a, 11:42a, 11:54a
It has been described as ‘The St. Andrews of Ireland’ and many other complimentary titles. Those who know and love the place firmly believe that Lahinch Golf Club doesn’t need comparison with any of the game’s other world-class venues.
Lahinch Golf Club is renowned for the way the links have retained all of its old virtues. It has benefited from the willingness, over the decades, to move with the times and is now regarded as one of the best and most enjoyable challenges to be found anywhere in the golfing world. The legendary Old Tom Morris set the highest standards for the course from the outset. He was followed by equally celebrated architects Charles ‘Mo’ Gibson and Dr Alister MacKenzie. In more recent times, the expertise of Dr. Martin Hawtree ensures its place in the higher echelons of all golf rankings.
Old Course: 18 holes, 6950 yards, Par: 72
View
Transport from golf course to hotel
Shuttle from Lahinch to Trump International Doonbeg Lodge. This is approximately at 35 minute drive.
Check Into Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg
Luxury accommodations, breathtaking views, and unparalleled service await you at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg. We treat you to old-world luxury and refinement in 5-star hotel suites, each uniquely crafted to ensure that your every expectation is exceeded.
Spanning 1.5 miles of crescent-shaped beach and sand dunes, the Dr. Martin Hawtree newly re-designed course at Trump International Golf Links Ireland is a stunning sight to behold and offers views of the Atlantic from 16 of 18 holes.
Anyone who has been to these lands, who has felt the impressive power of the Atlantic Ocean forcing its way along the rugged Clare coastline or smelled its rain-washed air knows why this land at Doonbeg is so unique.
View
Dinner and Evening at your leisure
Full Irish Breakfast (included with your stay) and morning at your leisure
Check Out of Hotel
Check out of Trump International Doonbeg Lodge
Transport to Airport
Shuttle to Shannon Airport for your return flight.
Return Flights to the US
** Notes – EU Driving Regulations – Drivers must adhere to maximum driving limits combined with minimum overnight rest times. Depending on the length of days, a relief driver might have to be brought in for a day. The average driver’s hours is approx. 8hr to 9hr / day.
Now, what about sunshine? Yes, they do have it in Ireland and when it comes out, especially in the late spring and summer months, it can be quite warm to hot. Therefore, a few pairs of golf shorts are in order. Golfers have been known to wear shorts under their rain pants simply because the extremes from showers to sunshine can be very dramatic – so this is sometimes the best approach.
All in all, these are the best tips to prepare you for what we hope is a memorable experience golfing in Ireland.