Friday Sept. 28th Wagon to the rescue! d Belvoir Park (for some reason pronounced "Beaver" by the locals - any suggestions re this pronounciation are appreciated!) is a semi-public parkland layout located a few miles from Belfast center. A Harry Colt design, the course offers panoramic views of the cityscape. Wagon arrived from the Newark-Belfast shuttle and we immediately departed for Belvoir Park to take advantage of a rare sunny day in the U.K. This was a glorious setting in a welcoming club. Fourball match of the day featuring Considine-Healy vs. Farrell-Haggerty. C-H jumped out to an early lead and cruised to victory and a Guinness celebration in the clubhouse. With the Ryder Cup on TV, this was a most pleasurable post-round "relaxer" as the locals acknowledged the excellent performance of the American team on day one. Dinner at Benedict's Hotel was tasty, and we were off to pub time at Robinson's and Fibber Magees-----connected pubs in downtown Belfast---one side with Irish music and the other with hen parties (traditional bachelorette celebrations) and the Ryder Cup The Americans played well again in the afternoon to finish the day up 5-3. As local observers, we can report Euros are in shock. Parkland golf in Belfast was fun and a nice warm-up, but we journey to Ireland for links golf which is more difficult and challenging than parkland golf. Tomorrow we are off to Donegal Golf Club on the Murvagh Peninsula. Photos are being taken and edited. Postings will begin tomorrow.Also report from Belfast 1912 memorial Orange parade with 45,000 marchers...

Thurs Sept. 27th Sincere apologies to all readers as our fearless foursome was beset by a series of logistical snafus preventing the maintenance of this blog. We were a victim of "non-support" for our chosen blog browser. Moreover, Kevin "Paddy Wagon" Haggerty's arrival was delayed for one day; our van was under-sized; and plumbing problems at the hotel kicked Farrell out of his room. Healy's toilet is still running. But we are back!!!! Belfast was our first stop. This vibrant city appears to be teeming with youthful activity, and reportedly sports a burgeoning Irish-music scene. We stayed at Benedicts Hotel, proximate to Queens University. The toney Malone Golf Club was the site of our initial round on Thursday. This 27 hole parkland beauty has a storied history, including possibly being the only employer to dismiss famed architect Alistair MacKenzie for some early design work. It was also the site of an extremist bombing during The Troubles in the '70's. All that seemed a distant memory as Considine, Healy & Farrell teed off in chilly weather. This was jet-lag golf, highlighted by some good shots and a few solid pars----no birdies on day one! The course itself prided itself on its tree-lined fairways, many of which arguably interfered with shot-making and tenets of modern course design. No matter, Malone was a welcoming first golfing venue. But we missed Wagon, and we agreed that the tour would not begin until our Social Chairman joined us in the hotel lobby. Dinner at chef Paul Rankin's Cayenne Restaurant with the convivial and generous Ian Brown (orthopaedic frinnd of WLH) was terrific. The beds beckoned after a long day of travel and golf.

For some background reading and to reacquaint you with our prior travels, check out the following links to the 2009 West Coast Challenge (featuring Bino and Chuck) and our foursome's tour of the Southwest in 2011. Surprisingly enough, the weather forecast for our trip to Northern Ireland calls for wind, rain, and chilly temps (50's). As Louie says to Rick: "Shocked...shocked... round up the usual suspects..." On behalf of the team, we welcome you to follow us on our tour. FORE! Commissioner "Commish" Considine http://eiregolf.blogspot.com/ http://www.southwestschwing.blogspot.com/

"We're back..." Yes, the putative august Irish law firm of Healy, Haggerty, Considine & Farrell is once again touring the grand Emerald Isle, this time venturing north to Belfast, Donegal and Northern Ireland, culminating with an appearance in The Great North Links Challenge -- a three-day amateur tournament on three of the finest links courses in the world. We intrepid linksters will be testing our skills against international competitors in a daily, best 3-of-4 stableford-score format. In our final day, we will be playing arguably the finest and most demanding course of the trip, Royal Portrush, home club of golfing superstars McElroy, Clarke and McDowell. Weather will be a factor during this time of the year, so the Lord Jeff contingent will have its work cut out for itself. Stay tuned... First up, the beautiful parkland layout of Malone Golf Club in Belfast, home to perhaps the best and smoothest greens in all of Ireland. Fore!