Hooked: Ireland's Golf Courses: Golf's Social Media Open

Monday, November 26, 2012

Golf's Social Media Open

Golf and social media in Ireland… an ever growing presence and, evidently, an ever growing purpose.

As more golf clubs, players and organisations see the benefits of social media, it’s no surprise that some enterprising Twitter golf nuts have created the inaugural ‘Social Media Open’. Check out @SMOpen on Twitter.

And they’re not exactly thinking small. This four day (5 night) tournament will see golfers playing Mount Juliet, Castlemartyr, Adare and Old Head of Kinsale. Those are four seriously good golf courses: two classic parklands that have hosted numerous international tournaments; a stunning headland course with a location that is envied around the world; and one of the new breed of inland links.

[Photo: the short par four 7th at Castlemartyr]

The Open is being promoted constantly on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, drumming up the interest of national and international golfers alike. It has also been submitted to ‘The Gathering’, which is the driving force behind 2013. The Open is the brainchild of several individuals, but putting the ‘flesh on the bones’ was the job of Tom Kennedy, currently Golf Sales Co-ordinator at Mount Juliet.

The goal is to be based in Kinsale town (one of Ireland’s most colourful and gastronomic towns) at the White Lady Hotel, and it will be during US Master’s week (April 2013) which should spice up the evenings nicely, especially as Rory McIlroy will be slipping on the Green jacket on Sunday night.

[Photo: the par three 16th at Adare]

The tournament will be played in a pairs fourball, betterball format, so you’ll have to drum up the interest of a friend… not that that is proving hard. I am reliably informed that spaces are filling fast, and from a very international audience, too.

Sponsors of the event, so far, include: http://www.mycoverpics.com, http://www.monocle-apparel.co.uk/ and http://www.wunderbrush.com so there will be a good prize ‘fund’ for entrants to play for.

[Photo: green to tee on Mount Juliet's 15th]

If you want further information you can contact socialmediaopen@gmail.com - either as an entrant or as a potential sponsor.

Social Media Open Itinerary

FORMAT – INTERNATIONAL PAIRS, TEAM OF 2 EVENT Day 1, Wednesday 10th April 2013
Golf at Mount Juliet, 11.20am tee off. Overnight in Mount Juliet, OR Kinsale where there will be a Meet and Greet and optional pints at the White Lady Hotel

Day 2, Thursday 11th April 2013
Golf at Castlemartyr, 12.30pm tee off. Overnight in Kinsale,
First Round of US Masters

Day 3, Friday 12th April 2013
Golf at Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort (day trip), 12pm tee off. Overnight in Kinsale, Second Round of US Masters

Day 4, Saturday 13th April 2013
Rest Day / Optional Extra Golf / Sightseeing / Possible Pub Crawl of the Town
Third Round of US Masters

Day 5, Sunday 14th April 2013
Final Day's Golf at Old Head Golf Links, 12.15pm tee off. Prize Giving Dinner at Old Head Clubhouse
Final Round of US Masters in front of the big screen at White Lady Hotel, overnight in Kinsale

Day 6, Monday 15th April 2013
Depart for Home

[Photo: the 2nd at Old Head]

Prices

Package price, golf & accommodation (4 rounds, 5 nights) €505 per person.
Golf only €275 per person.

A deposit of €150 per Team will be required to confirm any entries by 30th November and entries will be allocated on a first come first served basis. There are also non-golfing opportunities if you plan to drag your patient, non-golfing partner along.

If you’re playing, good luck, and if you can’t make it this year be sure to keep an eye out for the following year’s event.