Ted Johnston, playing in his first PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com World Amateur Handicap Championship in 2018, made a late decision to sign up for the Club Choice Ireland Pairs competition.
Caught up in the excitement of his inaugural World Am, Johnston and his partner, John Long, both of them Texans, forgot they had registered to compete in the Club Choice Ireland Paris Competition. Wednesday night at the 19th Hole, the duo recalled their entry and set out on a quest to find the leaderboard for the two-person competition.
Much to their delight, they found themselves in contention and after a solid final round on Thursday, they were one of five teams to advance to Friday’s championship playoff at Barefoot Resort’s Dye Course. The duo played well again, winning the competition and along with it a 6-night, 5-round trip to Ireland, courtesy of Club Choice Ireland.
Long was unable to make the trip, but Johnston was more than happy to visit the Emerald Isle earlier this month. He brought his wife, Robin, and three other couples joined them, turning a two-person golf trip into a couples vacation that featured good times on and off the course.
The group arrived three days early to spend time in Dublin, and Club Choice Ireland, who provided the trip, took over when the group arrived at Powerscourt Resort on August 4, handling all facets of the holiday, including transportation.
With trip logistics taken care of, Johnston and friends were able to enjoy the splendor of the Irish countryside, particularly Kilkenny, a medieval town that is home to St. Canice’s Cathedral and the majestic Kilkenny Castle.
The trip was Johnston’s first to Ireland and he embraced the experience, including his time on the course. He played Powerscourt Golf Club, Druids Glen Golf Club, a former host of the Irish Open, and Rosslare Golf Links.
Johnston particularly relished the opportunity to play Rosslare, one of just 40 true links courses in Ireland. The layout overlooks Wexford Harbor to the west and the Irish Sea to the east, setting the stage for a memorable round of golf.
The area’s notoriously fickle weather was even cooperative as temperatures never got above 70 or below 55.
“Ireland is beautiful and the people were outstanding,” Johnston said. “It was a first class trip and everything went off without hitch (working with Club Choice Ireland).”
Want to take a trip of your own courtesy of the best tour operators in Ireland? It could be yours by registering for the Club Choice Ireland Pairs competition today. Registration closes Sunday at 5PM!
