For several years I have been planning on inviting a bunch of buddies who are passionate about golf out to Cape Breton for a three-day Ryder Cup-style competition. All of you know I love golf and know I love Cape Breton. Finally, I am getting this trip I've always talked about organized.
Save the Date: July 18-20, 2014 (weekend of The British Open)
Timing is designed to allow you to miss just one weekday out of the office (Friday, July 18) if time is of the essence. Or, if you can swing it, stay for an extra day after the competition for a more leisurely day at Cabot Links on July 21 and a more relaxed travel schedule back to Toronto on Tuesday, July 22.
Approximate Cost: $1,500 (About $400 more if you stay for Monday at Cabot Links (Covers Flights, Green Fees, Accommodations, Prizes, and Ground Transport …I will firm up costs when I have a better idea of numbers)
We'll play Friday and Saturday Foursomes and Fourball matches at www.thelakesgolfclub.ca (5 minutes from my cottage)
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On Friday night, we'll plan to do a Lobster Dinner and Bonfire at the cottage …and a little Pitch and Putt competition up on my practice facility under the lights with some beers and betting.
Then on Saturday night, we'll head over to www.cabotlinks.ca for Sunday's Singles matches and finale at www.cabotlinks.ca
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For those that need to get back to the office Monday am, there is a flight that leaves Sydney at 5:50am and lands Toronto at 7:30am. For those that want to make it a more leisurely trip, join me for another day of golf at Cabot Links, head back to my cottage Monday night, and we'll take a flight back to Toronto at noon on Tuesday.
The trip could work for anywhere between 8 and 24 guys (if we're near the higher end of that range, we'll get a few overflow rooms at the inn nearby)
If interested, do the following:
1) Let me know that you want to come. I will consider you confirmed when you tell me you've booked your flights. Believe it or not, flights to Sydney are always booked up in advance (they are usually at least half full of guys commuting to Fort McMurray).
2) Decide whether you want to stay the extra day to golf again at Cabot Links on Monday, July 21.
3) Book Departure flight to Sydney for Thursday, July 17, 2014:
- Westjet WS 278 Departs from Pearson at 7:55pm *** (I'LL BE ON THIS FLIGHT) ***
- or Air Canada AC 8794 at 10:15 PM, but it doesn't land until 1:34 AM because we lose an hour going east …but if you need to take this flight, then take it
4) Book Return flight to Toronto on Monday or Tuesday, July 21 or 22:
- Westjet WS 275 leaves Sydney each day at 6:30 AM and lands Toronto at 8:06AM
- Air Canada AC 8795 leaves Sydney at 5:50 AM and lands at 7:30am
- Air Canada AC 8799 leaves Sydney at 12 noon and lands at 1:35pm *** (I WILL BE ON THIS FLIGHT ON TUESDAY) ***
5) Keep your golf game sharp and have your Handicap Index ready for next July (We'll be setting the teams in the weeks approaching the date).
6) Cross your fingers for good weather.
7) If you book your flights now, they should cost about $500 all-in. Expect to spend another $1,000 - $1,500 for everything else. I will collect money from everyone once I know our costs.
8) Let me know if there is someone else you know that I should invite. I may have overlooked someone easily, or may not have their email address. Any good guys who appreciate friendly competitive golf are welcome.
If you need to bribe the wife, consider the option of having the family join you afterward (or before) for a family vacation touring the Cabot Trail and/or PEI and other parts of the Nova Scotia (Organize that separately, but I would be happy to give you lots of suggestions).
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I have also attached a tentative schedule for the weekend.