Bonnies Golf Ireland Tour

The Bonnies went on a trip to be remembered for a lifetime in August, traveling to Ireland Aug. 12-18. 

Along with the entire 2023-24 team, an extended travel group of alumni, parents and friends of the program had the opportunity to play some of the finest courses in Europe. While in Ireland, the Bonnies teed it up at Dooks Golf Club, the Ballybunion Old Course, Tralee Golf Club, Old Head Golf Links and Doonbeg Golf Club. 

After a long day of travel, the Bonnies landed in Shannon and then made the drive to the southwest and their first stop, Dooks Golf Club in County Kerry. 

Dating back to 1889, Dooks is one of the oldest courses in Ireland. For 100 years the links remained a steadfastly quirky, 9-hole monument to those early days as the members resisted all efforts at modernization. It was extended to 18 holes in the 1970s under the guidance of Eddie Hackett. The course was further enhanced in 2002 by Martin Hawtree.

Low rounds: +2 Michael Bucko (73), Lance Sininger (73), Nolan Swanson (73), +3 Jude Cummings (74), +4 Gabe Williams (75), Jack Angelucci (75).

After making the trip to Killarney where the Bonnies would make their home base for the first three days of the trip, the team and travel party had an early morning wakeup call to head to one of Europe's most renowned layouts, the Ballybunion Old Course. 

Dating back to 1893, the course is considered one of the most challenging layouts in Europe. In 1993, Ballybunion Golf Club celebrated the proudest of milestones – its centenary.  

In 1995, Tom Watson then undertook what was for him a labor of love, updating the Old Course, giving a facelift to the century-old course.  After his work, she now presents to the world a face more beautiful than ever as its current 6,802-yard layout.

In 2022, Ballybunion's Old Course was ranked as the No. 18 course in the world by Golf Digest.

Low rounds: +3 Michael Bucko (74), Dwayne Randall (74), +4 Lance Sininger (75), +5 Brennan Payne (76), +6 Josh James (77), Andy Fretthold (77), Nolan Ditcher (77)

After another night in Killarney, the Bonnies headed to Tralee for more ocean views and another incredible round at Tralee Golf Club for Day 3. 

Dating to 1896, Tralee was completely reformed with a redesign by Arnold Palmer in 1984. 

Situated on the Atlantic along Ireland's southwest coast, each of the course's holes boasts a view of the ocean. The links course features towering dunes, undulating fairways, punishing rough and clifftop tees and greens. Among the notable characteristics of the course include multiple castle ruins along with a 15th century circular fort just off the course's signature hole, No. 3, which is aptly named ‘Castle.’

Low rounds: -2 Jude Cummings (70), +2 Lance Sininger (74), +4 Dwayne Randall (76), +5 Jack Angelucci (77), Josh James (77), Nolan Swanson (77), Caleb Decker (77), Aidan Shaw (77)

After an amazing day at Tralee, the bar may have been raised on Day 4 at Old Head Golf Links. 

Considered by many to be perhaps the most breathtaking setting in the golf world, the course is set on the Old Head of Kinsale, a plot of land with some of the longest history in Ireland. Stretching two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, evidence of settlers on this land date back more than 6,000 years and several centuries-old reminders of this history dot the course including multiple lighthouse and castle ruins dating to the early 1600s and beyond. 

Much of the course is built on jagged cliffs of the Old Head with 300-foot drop offs to the Atlantic Ocean below creating some remarkably breathtaking and nerve-rattling views at several tee boxes. 

On this day, the Bonnies lucked out with ideal weather conditions and some of the teeth taken out of the course by the lack of much wind. 

Last year, Old Head ranked No. 85 in the Golf Digest world rankings and it has been ranked as high as the 60s. 

Low rounds: +1 Jack Angelucci (73), +4 Brennan Payne (76), Lance Sininger (76), Michael Bucko (76), Josh James (76), Dwayne Randall (76)

After traveling to Limerick, the Bonnies wrapped up their trip by playing Doonbeg on Day 5. 

Spanning 1.5 miles of beach and sand dunes, Doonbeg offers views of the Atlantic on 16 of 18 holes. The course dates back to 1892 and the current layout opened in 2002 following a redesign by Greg Norman. 

The new design debuted in 2002 when Norman defeated Padraig Harrington 2 to 1 in an exhibition match. 

Today, the 6,885-yard course also is considered a top 100 course in the world by many. 

Low rounds: +5 Gabe Williams (77), Mark Angelucci (77), +6 Dwayne Randall (78), +7 Josh James (79), Sydney Shaw (79), Michael Bucko (79)

After playing five of the best golf venues in the world, the Bonnies made their return flights back to the United States. Though the trip was now complete, each member of the Ireland tour was left with memories to last a lifetime.