PLAY GOLF ON 2009 AND 2010 BRITISH OPEN COURSES

CONNOISSEURS SCOTLAND OFFERS

A RARE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE GOLF ON TWO OF THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS LINKS

                Edinburgh, Scotland, November 2009 --This spring, Connoisseurs Scotland welcomes golf enthusiasts to visit the birthplace of golf and experience golf on two (or more) of the most impressive courses in the world -- where immaculate turf, spectacular views and luxury accommodations are all to be expected.  Golfers swing their clubs at St. Andrew's Old Course - site of the 2010 British Open and a few paces from the Old Course Hotel - the Official Hospitality location for the Open, and the Turnberry Resort's Ailsa Course, host to the 2009 British Open duel between Tom Watson and winner Stewart Cink.  The upscale packages offer a host of inclusions - from spa features to meals at award-winning restaurants.

                Play the course before the pros -- the award-winning luxury Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa is making golfers’ dreams come true with two exclusive packages for St. Andrew’s Golf Course – home to the 2010 Open Championship, the 28th time in its history.  Recognized as the golfing Mecca, thousands of golfers visit each year to try their hand at the course that has tried the patience of every pro.  The “Ultimate Golf Package” features three nights' accommodation; full Scottish breakfast, lunch daily in the Links Clubhouse restaurant and a three-course dinner on one evening; one round on the Old Course (with requisite souvenir photo), one on Kingsbarns or Carnoustie and one on the New or Jubilee Championship courses; all transfers between the hotel and the courses; and a visit to the British Golf Museum.  Rates start at £1,830* ($3,020) per person, double. The “Suite Golf Package” includes a three-night stay in a luxury suite; dinner on two nights at the Road Hole, the resort’s 3 AA rosette rated fine dining restaurant; a 50-minute luxury spa treatment in the award-winning Kohler Waters Spa; and guaranteed tee times on the Old Course, New or Jubilee Course and The Duke’s. Prices are from £1,770* ($2,911) per person, double.  Both packages allow optional additional nights and guests receive a generous package of golf souvenirs. www.oldcoursehotel.kohler.com.

                With spectacular views of the Isle of Arran, Ailsa Craig and the Irish Sea, the five-star Turnberry Resort offers guests first-class golfing against a backdrop of stunning landscape.  The site of the 2009 British Open, The Turnberry Resort delivers the warmth and hospitality of a great country house, with sweeping views over the links, down to the beach and over the Ailsa Craig in a scene little changed since the hotel first opened its doors in 1906.  Golfers are offered “The Great Golf Experience” -- two nights of luxury accommodations with dinners and breakfasts; and one round of golf per person on both Championship Ailsa and Kintyre courses.  Rates start at £351* ($580) per person, double.  For those wishing to combine the passion of golf with luxury pampering, the two-night "Experience Turnberry Together" package includes breakfast daily, two dinners at 1906 - offering French cuisine with panoramic ocean views, rounds of golf at Ailsa and Kintyre, a lesson at The Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy and two treatments per couple at the award-winning Turnberry Spa.  Prices start at £382* ($630) per person, double.  Both offers are valid July 21 through Dec. 31, 2010.  Specials are not combinable.  Non-golfing spouses and companions can enjoy other activities -- trout fishing, Falconry, clay and rifle target shooting, walking tours, riding - both horse and mountain bikes and a Kids Club. www.turnberryresort.co.uk.

                Connoisseurs Scotland's 23 members include four of the world's finest golf resorts including Gleneagles and Old Course, Inverlochy Castle - recently voted the best hotel in Europe, six outstanding city centre properties, Edinburgh’s only 5 Red Star hotel (Prestonfield), a 19th-century castle health spa, a collection of intimate country house hotels, the Royal Scotsman luxury train, two exclusive use properties and three properties set in scenic coastal locations.  Four properties boast Michelin-starred restaurants.  Information on Connoisseurs Scotland, its member resorts and special offers can be found at www.luxuryscotland.co.uk. 

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