United States
All About Price – $241 vs. $552 per night
Whenever we are asked about golfing in Scotland, we are always answering 3 questions: can you get me on the Old Course, what’s the weather like at that time of year and how much is this trip going to cost on a per person basis. Fair questions all. We have answered questions about the Old here and weather here but we have never talked about prices before. Until now.
Monarchs House Championship 2010
Dave Savoring His 41 Over the Himalayas
Dave Savoring His 41 Over the Himalayas
The Monarchs House Championship
Post the best score on the Himalayas Putting Green while staying at Monarchs House and we will engrave your name and score on the Claret Jug replica for time immemorial.
The Himalayas is the historic putting green alongside of the Old Course and the home course of the St. Andrews Ladies Putting Club founded in 1867. The course, resembling an ancient burial grounds for elephants, is laid out weekly and enjoys many competitive matches and 50,000 rounds per annum by the general public.
Congratulations to this year’s 2010 winner, Dave Kusy from New York, NY.
| Year | Score | Winner | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 41 | Dave Kusy | Andy Winton |
| 2009 | 41 | Paul Flynn | Randy Burt |
| 2008 | 39 | Ed Antoian | Robert Campbell |
| 2007 | 39 | Joe Johnson | Phil Pecsoc |
| 2006 | 39 | Steve Kerr | Steve Loy |
| 2005 | 43 | Ken Chock | Sally Lurie |
| 2004 | 39 | Dan Barrett | Anthony Barrett |
| 2003 | 38 | David Brilliant Phil Canders | Sam Simonson |
| 2002 | 42 | Kevin Burke | Miceal Chamberlain Jnr Steve Daly John Harris Mike McCarthy |
Did Someone Mention Rain?
It does indeed rain in Scotland but in St Andrews not nearly as much as you might think. Since we are asked this question almost as many times as, “Can you get us on the Old Course?”, we thought we would share some intelligence with you that might be useful for you when planning your trip to St Andrews.
The table below highlights the 2010 monthly (to date) precipitation in St Andrews. We compare it to two other wonderful golf destinations, Turnberry in Scotland and Hilton Head in the U.S. Also, we thought we would show you how it compares against Rome, Italy and Boston, Massachusetts. We could have measured rainfall against London, Paris, New York and Miami to name a few, and St Andrews would still turn up favourably on top. (Keep in mind that while data is from 2010, it is fairly indicative of St Andrews weather.)
Haste ye back to the St Andrews sunshine!
St Andrews
(inches)Turnberry Hilton Head Boston Rome
Jan. 1.27 3.49 6.46 2.91 3.30
Feb. 1.11 2.96 2.61 1.11 3.00
Mar. .88 4.66 4.53 14.87 2.70
Apr .56 3.85 .70 1.78 2.70
May 1.03 1.84 3.67 2.90 1.90
Jun .53 1.77 7.94 3.18 1.60
Jul 1.92 7.74 9.86 2.66 .90
Aug. 1.32 2.81 10.07 5.75 1.40
David Robertson Forgan
As a lad, David Forgan of St Andrews was a fine golfer but before the age of sixteen, he chased his older brother, James, to Nova Scotia. Ultimately, he moved west to settle in Chicago where his newly honed banking skills led him to become the President of National City Bank in 1907. Forgan’s expertise was such that he was often asked to give speeches about banking but it was his speech at the Chicago Golf Club awards dinner in 1899 about golf (soon after Forgan won the Western Amateur) that has never been forgotten.
Forgan’s Golfer’s Creed, for us at Monarchs House, encapsulates everything one would want to know about the wonderful game of golf. We would like to share it with you here.
Golf is a science, the study of a lifetime, in which you may exhaust yourself, but never your subject. It is a contest, a duel, or a melee, calling for courage, skill, strategy and self-control. It is a test of temper, a trial of honour, a revealer of character. It affords a chance to play the man and act the gentleman. It means going into God’s out-of-doors, getting close to nature, fresh air, exercise, a sweeping away of mental cobwebs, genuine recreation of tired tissues. It is a cure for care, an antidote to worry. It includes companionship for friends, social intercourse, opportunities for courtesy, kindliness and generosity to an opponent. It promotes not only physical health but moral force.
It is as true today as the day Forgan spoke these words over 110 years ago.
Forgan Family Golf Works of St Andrews circa 1900
The Holidays at Monarchs House
Monarchs House's Chef Kevin Low
Kevin Low has been the chef at Monarchs House since we opened in 2001. And if well over a thousand visitors to Monarchs House are to be trusted, Kevin is St Andrews’ best chef. Naturally, we wholeheartedly agree but it is his demeanor, in addition to his cooking, that makes Kevin such a pleasure to be around. He is as equally quick with a smile as he is with a whisk.
Over the years, Monarchs House has hosted many visitors during the holidays and that will be the case again this year. Thanksgiving is solely a US holiday but on many occasions, Kevin has prepared a beautiful Thanksgiving meal for our visitors. We asked Kevin to share his menu for this Thanksgiving at Monarchs. What do you think?
Thanksgiving – Thursday, 26 November 2009, Monarchs House – St Andrews
Rocket Salad with Oranges, Pomegranate seeds and goats cheese
Orange and Mustard Basted Turkey
Served with Apple Cider-Mustard Gravy and Apple and Sage Stuffing,
Maple Butternut Squash Puree
Peas and Turnips with Scottish Back Bacon and Dill Butter
Cranberry Sauce with Dried Apricots and Cardamon
Sticky Toffee Pudding and Caramel Sauce
More on Weather
Usually there are two things people ask first when inquiring about a golf trip to Scotland: can you get me on the Old Course and when is the best time to go? The Old Course question is a story for another posting. This time we’re talking about Scottish weather.
Does Scotland deserve its reputation as the home of the constant shower?
When you talk to a native Scot they would have you believe that their weather is bad all the time. We never understood that. Why say your weather is bad when it’s not? There may be a secret campaign to convince visitors not to expect much and then, when the weather is grand, you have exceeded expectations. Here, we are only dealing with facts.
Unlike the United States, golf in Scotland is a walking sport. There are few courses where you can take a motorized cart or buggie with out a Doctor’s note. If you start with that premise, Scotland has the perfect weather for golf and walking. It is neither too hot or cold. Yes it rains but much less than you think, unless you’re on the west coast (region A, if you’re following along). There it rains 300 days out of 365. On the east coast (regions B, C, D & E) it rains far less than you might imagine. St Andrews, for example, has less average annual rainfall than Rome and far less than New York City.
Scotland’s visitor golf season (locals play all year round) is between the months of May and September, with the shoulder months of April and October providing some great golf opportunities as well. Here are some handy charts that will help you plan your next trip.
Temperature (warmest to coolest/min -max temps in F°)
July (56-72)
August (54-68)
June (50-65)
September (50-62)
May (42-58)
October (40-55)
April (38-50)
Rainfall (driest to wettest)
April
June
May
July
August
October
September
On the West coast, you should consider that during the months of August, September and October rainfall levels are double that of April, May and June.
Personally, we favor golfing in April and October. During those months there are fewer crowds, better opportunities to make tee times and if you are a price sensitive consumer, there are more bargains.
