Sunday, April 8, 2012

Atlantic Coast Challenge Giveaway (free green fees worth €405)

A few months back I wrote a blog on the different Irish Golf Challenges that take place around this great island. Some go back 30 – 40 years, while others are much younger. I played in the inaugural Atlantic Coast Challenge in July 2011, and it was three days of pure bliss. Carne, Co. Sligo and Enniscrone are among the best links in the country… if you happen to have my book, look up the scores… and easily make my top ten.

Yes, there are other Challenges, but here you’re talking about three supremely exciting golf courses, each as good as the other two and in beautiful locations.


[Photo: the mighty 11th at Carne. The green, if you're interested, is tucked behind that enormous dune on the right]

That’s why I played last year; that’s why I’m playing this year on July 2, 3 and 4 (Mon-Wed). Golf doesn’t get better than this, and for €135 to enter the event, the value couldn’t be better either. That equates to €45 per course and it's during peak season.

But on this blog you might not even have to pay that, because the Atlantic Coast Challenge organisers have given me a FREE line, worth €405, to give away to one lucky winner… you can even choose what time to play (subject to availability).


[Photo: Enniscrone's clubhouse]

For official details take a look at the Challenge flyer here. And if you’re not the winner, you can book a line for yourself before the April 30 closing date (follow the same link). Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

How To Enter

All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog, with your name.



[Photo: views from the 9th at Co. Sligo, with the stretch of back 9 holes, 13-16, heading home]

It’s not a phishing exercise, or trawling for emails, and no information will be sold/given to any third parties etc. etc… it’s just an opportunity to win a real golf treat for you and two friends (the event is played as a 3-ball single and team competition).

So click the ‘comments’ link at the bottom of this blog and choose the ‘Name’ option, so you can leave your name! That's all.


[Photo: The view back to Enniscrone's complex of dunes from the 8th tee box]

The giveaway will be open until midnight on April 24th. I’ll then use a random number generator (who knew there was such a thing) to pick a winner, which I’ll announce here on the 25th. Please be sure to check back as this is the only way I can contact the winner.

If the prize isn’t claimed within two weeks, another winner will be selected. Please note that there is no cash alternative.

Links to Websites

Carne website and photos and Twitter @CARNELINKS

County Sligo website and photos and Twitter @CountySligoGC

Enniscrone website and photos



[Photo: views from the 17th tee box over the par three 16th (tee box top left) and holes 15 and 13 beyond]

Airports

If you’re flying in from Europe, Knock Airport is very close by (County Sligo) and flies to 11 destinations in Great Britain and a further 20 in Europe. Check out the map here

From the US, it has to be Shannon or Dublin.

Cars can be hired from all three.


Accommodation Recommendations

These are general recommendations and pulled from a Failte Ireland search. I have stayed in only a couple of them, so dig around and you’ll find everything from self-catering to 4 star hotels.

Ballina (Between Carne and Enniscrone)
Ice House Hotel is close to the centre and very fancy indeed

Something v. special: Mount Falcon

And drop in to Murphy's pub on the River Moy for a superlative pint and atmosphere (it’s also on the way to Enniscrone Golf Club).

Belmullet (i.e. Carne Golf Club’s home town)
I stayed at the Broadhaven Bay hotel which is just before you get to Belmullet itself and 5 minutes from the golf course.

Enniscrone
Ocean Sands hotel
Diamond Coast hotel, is practically on the golf course itself.

Several years ago I stayed in a self-catering cottage in Enniscrone and it’s a good solution if there are several of you.

Sligo

The big town and therefore has the most choice – here are just a few:

Sligo Park Hotel is a few minutes out of town and was a very comfortable venue when I stayed here a couple of years back.

And there’s the Radisson Blu

The Glass House is in the town centre

Where to eat?

All three clubhouses serve good food and last year we found that a big breakfast and a late afternoon, post-round meal was more than sufficient… and left room for a couple of pints later on.

So what are you waiting for? Enter away, and be sure to tell your friends (on the condition they invite you, of course).






92 comments:

  1. count me in for this kev and i promise not to hold you up this year.

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  2. Fair play Kevin, great blog and offer on what I've read are three great courses - have only played Enniscrone yet.

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  3. Another great blog.

    One day I'll make it over there for that links epxerience.

    Scott Phillips

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  4. Having never played any of these courses I would love the chance as a hacker to play with the gang and learn a few things.

    Brian Kavanagh

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  5. Hi, I'm playing a few of these competitions this year and the idea stemmed from reading this blog.At the end of may there is a fourball competition in Killarney, playing the 3 courses for €150, I've played both of the Golf Digest events this year and I intend to play a team of 4 event over 3 days at Woodenbridge(the JB Carr all Ireland final is played there) in September. The Atlantic Coast Challenge would complete a great year of competitive golf on fantastic courses and bring my total irish courses played to 85.

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  6. Have not played any of the 3. I hope to change that with kevin's help. thanks

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  7. Congrats on a great blog and would love to win this comp. Cheers Paschal McSweeney

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  8. Great comp thanks Kevin - directed here from boards.ie (as I regularly am!).
    Conor Martin

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  9. good man Kevin, count me in Pat McCarthy.

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  10. Great courses and a stern test of golf. Count me in.
    Regards, Kris Chimler.

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  11. Count me in please Kev

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  12. Hi Kevin,

    I would love to win! Really enjoyed the book too great reference point.

    Regards,

    Ian Quinn

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  13. Doh. Scrubber real name is John Langan.

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  14. Count me in please Kevin.

    Thanks a Mil

    David Flynn

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  15. Terrific competition, 3 superb courses, many thanks, once again Kevin

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  16. Played all 3 at different times last summer, superb!! Would love to get at them over three days.

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  17. 3 superb courses, count me in please Kevin.

    Stephen Fenlon

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  18. super courses! super idea! great excuse to get away from kids for 3 days......Ciaran leyden

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  19. nice one
    count me in
    regards Ross o keeffe

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  20. Count me in aswell.....

    Back nine in Carne is astonishing...

    Charlie Blacque

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  21. Haven't played any of these fine courses, but have read about them in Hooked and have seen the photos on Flickr. Please enter my details in the competition, thanks.

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  22. Kev,

    I,m in. Working my way through my signed copy of Hooked.

    Tony (TheGEN)

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  23. Great Idea - love the blog

    Count me in - Padraic Farren

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  24. Hi,
    Loved this last year hope this gets me back this year.
    Michael Finnegan

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  25. Fairplay you can't beat links golf I am a member of Arklow and love it,

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  26. Great blog Kevin, have played Enniscrone and is top drawer. Carne is top of my to do list

    Brian McAleer

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  27. Declan Basquille

    great prize kev - fair play

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  28. Ger Doolan

    Played Carne based on your recommendation in the book, travelling from Cork, but well well worth it. One of the best courses I've ever played.

    Would love to return and play the Atlantic Challenge.

    With thanks again Kevin.

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  29. Thanks for the heads up on your great offer on these fabulous course

    Mark Webber

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  30. Good on you Kevin, thanks for the chance to win.

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  31. Super offer Kevin,

    Have only played Eniscrone but loved it. Should be a great 3 days golf in the northwest!

    denisoc16 (boards)

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  32. kev,

    what an offer. Would love to get a chance to play these courses.

    john creaner

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  33. Just think how many balls I cold lose on those bad boys. I'm in! Ta

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  34. Great courses and fair play for offering the line Kevin.
    Had a look at Enniscrone while staying up there last summer for a weekend....next time i'm bringing my clubs!!

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  35. Fair play kevin. All those courses are on my golf "bucket list!"
    charlieIrl

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  36. Hiya, Kevin.
    I've recently taken over as writer for webgolfcoach.com and came across your original article on golfmagic. Fantastic prize and a cracking blog, too, if I may add?
    I'm spreading the word for you, squire: http://www.webgolfcoach.com/?articles=get-away-to-connaught-for-golfing-at-a-snip
    Put it in my fledgling golf delicious stack, too.
    Fingers crossed. xxx

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  37. Well done Kevin !! Keep up the good blogging...............

    Great links courses !!!

    Count me in !!

    Sean O'Hanrahan

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  38. Sounds great 3 courses to tick off my list.

    Brian Mahon

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  39. Fantastic opportunity to play equally fantastic and challenging links course would love the opportunity. Carol CMcE1968 (twitter)

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  40. Would love to play the Atlantic challenge...saw the adds for it last year but never got ti play in it. great courses....links golf is "real" golf! :-)
    David Dobson
    cavan.

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  41. Cheers Kevin,

    Nick Burke

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  42. I'd love to give this challenge a go - great competition - well done.

    Kevin Begley

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  43. Would so love to win this and get to play those lovely west of Ireland courses.

    Elizabeth Browne

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  44. Hi Kevin,

    Please count me in your competition! I've also tweeted a link to this blog post from my Twitter account.

    Many thanks

    Steve

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  45. Fantastic blog Kevin & a great giveaway!!

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  46. Great read , would love to win or get to try out this challenge

    Many Thanks

    Peter Walsh (pistolpetes11)

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  47. I will throw my name into the ring also, for the chance to play at three of the best. Cheers Kevin.

    Danny McHugh.

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  48. I'm available for selection, thanks!!

    tom Healy

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  49. With an 8 month old at home my holiday options are limited this year - what a getaway this would be! Come on "random number generator" (and Kevin!).
    J. Lalor.

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  50. hi i am available.great blog by the way

    colm sherlock

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  51. Those golf courses look superb,true,raw links golf....you can't beat it!
    Allan Rodger.

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  52. Great blog and i have plenty of balls in my bag to try out those great courses :-)

    Andy Dunne

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  53. Scubapro from boards

    Enjoy your blogs Kevin for keeping us all updated on the world of golf, keep the awesome pictures coming.

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  54. Hope this isn't a repost- thanks for the blog and the offer Kevin.

    Michael Downes

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  55. How lucky we are to have these fantastic courses as our playgrounds in this country. Amazing golf courses!

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  56. Those courses look stunning. Would love to play in that competition. It's always a long drive to any decent Links courses from where I am.

    JasonW

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  57. 3 fantastic courses.

    Great offer yet again.

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  58. Great blog, played Carne a few years back in a gale and it was a monster. Would love another craic at it in better conditions!

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  59. Hi Kevin sounds like a dream. Count me in.
    Regards
    Kevin Kelly

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  60. time for a bit of female imput ! thanks for the informative reads Kevin.
    Heres hoping myself and my new pings get an outing

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  61. Love Carne, put me in please!
    Thanks
    Bereth OCallaghan

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  62. Great prize Kevin - would love a chance to play them.

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  63. Great Blog Kevin. Would love to spend 3 days on these courses.

    David Kelly

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  64. I have never played on any of these great links courses and would relish the opportunity with my Dad. Cheers Kev!

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  65. Another giveaway Kevin.....!!
    The Lotto has nothing on you :-)

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  66. Great Comp Kevin, count me in! Richard Blaine

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  67. Thanks Kevin

    Greg Darmody

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  68. Hi Kevin,

    Would love to win this prize, 3 fantastic courses to play

    Thanks
    Neil

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  69. sounds like a great comp over 3 fantastic courses - count me in! Dave Joyce

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  70. Count me in for the draw

    I have never played these courses before so it would be great to get the chance for free :)

    Paul O'Sullivan

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  71. Great offer Kevin. Would love to spend 3 days on these courses.

    Pierce Coleman

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  72. Thanks Kevin, Great competion with a magnificent price. some of the best courses in the country.
    thanks for the heads up. kevgaa

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  73. Hi Kevin

    Love the blog, you wouldn't believe how many hours I'v spent exploring the courses on you flickr account. Great pictures.

    My golfing career has yet to take me away from parkland and towards to coast, hopefully this year.! Who knows I might get lucky in your competition.

    Thanks
    Ken

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  74. Great Blog Kevin...just discovered it

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  75. Thanks Kevin.

    James Delvin

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  76. Have played both Sligo and Enniscrone on wet windy days and I still enjoyed them....class courses, count me in for the draw.

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  77. this sounds like 3 days of bliss. With 2 buddies on 3 consecutive days of links golf AND NO KIDS....count me in

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  78. Great Blog Kevin

    Love to play these 3 gems!

    Eoghan Bourke

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  79. Great offer Kevin,

    Thanks
    Poker Face

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  80. Nice work Kevin, would love to play this challenge. Came here from boards.ie btw

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  81. Great prize! Count me in please!

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  82. I heartily endorse this event or product :)
    Mark Hennessy.

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  83. I would love to play these links gems. Great prize. Great blog too. Keep up the good work. Andy crowe.

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  84. Hi Kevin

    Count me in for the draw. Would love to try to the Atlantic coast challenge!

    Paul

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  85. Great comp and look like three tidy courses. Last comment didn't show up.

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  86. Would be an amazing prize to win- Tom Hogan

    Thanks for bringing the comp to my attention, could potentially go with a course expert who is a member of co.sligo!!!

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  87. Nice blog, hadn't come across it before and good comp!
    Brendan.

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