Now they’re the perfect pairing, a match made in heaven and the golf club is the perfect pitch for the biggest occasion, so read on as I tee up the Ryder Cup and Long Island.
As thoughts turn this week to Bethpage State Park in Long Island our own roll back.
To when the US Open was held here and we were in town and one Lucas Glover took home the trophy.
My Irish-American cousin Eddie got his hands on a prize far bigger though than any golf bauble then, his beautiful new wife Sandy.
Proud Americans that they are, Eddie, Sandy, and their two future little Solheim Golfers will, of course, be cheering on the Yanks, as they should.
Long Island gateway
Island life: My American family
Long Island for me was my gateway into America as a teenager visiting the Oo Es of Eh for the first time.
For a peak of how the rich and famous might live and visit the iconic Montauk Lighthouse.
Which many of us will associate with the Dominic West TV blockbuster The Affair.
The Island’s Fab Four
Beach life: The Affair was shot on the Island
Long Island boasts four regions.
The North Shore is known for its opulent estates and harbourside villages.
Then there is the South Shore where racegoers gather at Belmont Park.
And partygoers converge on the UBS Arena, Jones Beach boardwalk for their kicking concerts.
The North Fork’s farmland and vineyards are the destination for foodies.
High living: The Hamptons
While, cycling and swimming friendly South Fork – The Hamptons and Montauk is where you can bag those celebrity sightings as some trophy fishing of your own.
Now whatever your pleasure, beaches, vineyards, museums, waterparks for the kids.
Start spreading the news… New York is more than just the city, although what a city! So start spreading out to New York State and start to discover its many charms.
Our friends at New York State who are never strangers and regularly come to see us in Dublin were in town again to share their wares.
NYS Partners represents Long Island, Greater Niagara, Buffalo, Wine, Water and Wonders NYS Tour and Dutchess County,
Bandanaman and Long Island are in more than nodding terms… it was my first billet in New York, aged just 17, when I stayed with my cousins.
Water water everywhere: Photo by Chait Goli on Pexels.com
It may surprise some that Long Island isn’t in New York but it’s not one of the five boroughs: Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Staten Island.
But who couldn’t be entranced by the Hamptons mansions on Long Island, the setting for The Great Gatsby and still hang-out for the rich and famous…
New York State has water, and what water with Niagara, wine, and Buffalo with its wings and that’s the nourishment I need.
And if you want the last word on it… then New York State came up with the logo I heart NY. Insert the heart emoji yourself. You don’t expect me to do everything for you!
The R&A, the guardians of golf, except for in the US and Mexico (go, figure) were at pains up in Royal Portrush on Sunday to promote the fact that the golf season now moves on.
From the Open Golf Championship… and that the Solheim Cup is on the horizon for Europe and America’s best golfers at Gleneagles.
Maybe you’re already making a late pitch for Catriona Matthew’s European team or you just want a bit of recreational golf. Either way this package at the world’s Best Golf Hotel (World Golf Awards 2018) will be right up your fairway.
Enjoy an overnight stay and two days’ golf at the 5* Dromoland Castle. Arrive on October 20 for a two-course lunch at the Fig Tree restaurant followed by an afternoon Golf Clinic with Head PGA pro Ian Kearney at the Dromoland Golf Academy. You’ll dine at night at the AA Restaurant of the Year, the Earl of Thomond Restaurant.
Don’t get too relaxed though. After breakfast the next day there’s an 18-hole Ladies competition, teeing off from 9am-10.30am followed by the prize-giving.
From €295pps. If you’ve got time you can avail of the self-guided woodland walks around the 450 acres estate and fun use of the Leisure Centre and swimming pool.
This week I hope to meet my cousins over here for a family get-together when the conversation will quickly turn to golf… their great passion. And foreign shores.
A favourite holiday destination of my Uncle and Aunt was the Seychelles and my cuzes could sell Seychelles on the sea shore.
And so can Tropical Sky. Particularly at these prices.
Try savings of up to €1700 per person on seven night stays at the 5* Banyan Tree, Seychelles for travel completed before September 30. The holiday is now €3189pp.
Each villa is furnished in a traditional Creole style and comes with a private pool, indoor sunken bath and the option of in-villa dining or BBQ.
Based on two sharing on a half-board basis and including flights from Dublin and transfers. Visit http://www.tropicalsky.ie or call (01) 664 9999.
And she’s usually (no, make that always) right. She told me that if she wanted my opinion she’d give it to me.
I know she makes a great Mum but I reckon my Scary One would have made a great Mummy in Egypt too.
She did though pass up on a trip out there a few years ago, though in retrospect I think she was wise to hold out for the real Egyptology over the resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.
Luxury Gold has two itineraries in Egypt in 2020. Each journey includes a luxurious voyage along the Nile aboard the deluxe all-suite River Tosca where you can relax on the sun deck, the pool or the shaded cabana.
Book before August 31 and save up to €1,000 per couple on departures between January and April.
Elegance of the Nile is 12 days with up to €1,000 saving per couple while Elegance of Egypt is seven days with a saving of up to €500 per couple. Visit http://www.luxurygoldvacations.com or call 1800 98 989 98.
All roads lead to Rhodes
Here’s a welcome: Rhodes. Photo by Jean van der Meulen on Pexels.com
You’ve left it late again. Don’t worry there are some great late deals to pick up.
TUI has Dublin to Rhodes, seven nights’ self-catering at the 2*+ Kassandra Apartment at Ialyssos from €449pps on August 28.
Or my old favourite for a late and good budget trip, Bulgaria. TUI has seven nights’ B&B on August 29 from €489pps.
Well, no. The sun may be splitting the heavens but the skiers among us never stop dreaming of a white one.
Crystal Ski Holidays has two for one lift passes on select winter holidays to Andorra, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland. With deposits starting from €150pp.
Depart on December 21 and stay in the 3* Borsat IV Apartments, Tignes on a self-catering basis for seven nights from €705pp (four sharing).
Depart on December 21, stay in the 3* Hotel L’Aigulle Rouge, Les Arcs on a half-board basis for seven nights from €879pp.
I’ll come back to New Year later… it would be ridiculous to think of that yet. I’ll leave it a week.
Center of everything
The €233m forest resort that is Center Parcs Longford Forest had a soft opening yesterday.
Special offers from €399 for three or four nights in a two-bedroom lodge off-peak. Visit http://www.centerparcs.ie for a full range of rates.
