Eskimo Golf Society

“Best Ever” is what I usually say after each Eskimo Annual Golf tour and Turkey got me saying it again this year.  South Africa, Thailand, Florida, Ireland, Portugal and the many other places we've been to over the past twenty five years or so, also had 'best ever' tags, so it must be the people not the place that makes Eskimo Golf  trips outstanding.  We have a membership of some 150 ordinary men and women, young and old, golfers and non golfers but they become extra - ordinary in bringing out the best in everyone around them on these golfing tours. 

I appreciate there are ‘Super stars’ such as Secretary Kevin Kennedy, Captain Kathy Carrie, President Peter Argue and characters such as Patsy Firmo and Derek Ryman that we'd struggle without - but it seems everybody takes a personal interest in making sure each trip is even more enjoyable and special for everyone around them, than the previous one. Very few Golf Societies have so many  Lady members and non golfers along, making it more of a ' grand affair' than the usual society golf trips. Dressing for dinner, the breakfast banter, the dancing, the singing sessions, the Gala Ball - it couldn't happen without this dimension which makes it extra special wherever the Eskimo's happen to be - at home or abroad. Certainly Balek's Cornelia Diamond Resort Hotel in the Antalia region of Turkey was unquestionably the best 5 starHotel we'd ever seen or stayed in anywhere in the world. It had literally everything, spacious rooms with huge balcony's on the 5th Floor overlooking the beach, stunning decor and friendly staff, who were at our beck and call, made us feel like multi-millonaires. The sheer size and opulence of the place is hard to describe  - the walk to our rooms was sufficient daily excercise. 

The Golf Courses we played were outstanding too, carved and shaped out of a mature woodland terrain with Waterways, Fountains, Clubhouses and features that would put our courses back home, to shame. Tat, Carya,Montgomerie, Cornelia (Nick Faldo), National and Sueno were all  courses that found the  flaws in your game - but were a pleasure to play on. Our Overall winner Dave Corley, or Hole-in-one star Mick McGarvey, or the star golfer of the tour Patsy Firmo who conquered all easily.

 

The weather except for one day was beautiful and sunny, making the golf, beach and 'off golf' day trips a really pleasurable experience. The tours outside the Hotel complex, especially to Antalia helped us get a  glimpse of a modern progressive country and brought us face to face with some of  the 72.5 million Turks, celebrating their independence day and eager to show that their stunning Ancient Ruins is all that's left of yesteryears dark and sometimes brutal history. After forty seven years of independence Turkey's world economy ranking is 16th and its infrastructure and goverance has already surpassed many of the accession criteria of the European Union - which it is set to join very soon. It's a Moslem country with a Middle East feel to it alright but there is more to Turkey than the pained calls to Prayer we heard broadcast on the golf courses. You could be literally anywhere in Europe or the America’s because it has the same trappings as any modern progressive western society - including a Shopping Mall not unlike Brent Cross or BlueWater - that is partially owned by an Irishman - we're everywhere. 

The amazing whirling dervishes in the Riverdance copy show "Troy" by Fire of Anatolia (at the Gloria Aspendos Arena - which they built in 42 days) helped us to understand some of the ancient history, religeon and culture of the Turkish nation  and the Cornelia Diamond  (which they built in 14 months)  had  ' in house'  bands and entertainment shows was as good as in London's West End - they certainly had us rocking - and our own entertainment wasn't bad either - Pat McNicholas, Noel Walshe, Andy Kane, Kevin Kennedy, Eileen Beisty, Marcus Benion were exceptional and Patsy Firmo had the crowd roaring for more the night he fronted the resident band.  Add to this the huge variety of delicious top class food and branded acohol drinks in the many restuarants and bars -that were included in the 'all in'  package deal - and you'll understand why everyone seems sold on this format for future trips - we 'ate and drank for Ireland' every night - and after the dancing or show, the late night  'sing song or joke telling session'  and Eugene Flannery's drumming  usually  carried on until the early hours - 'it really was the nearest to perfect we found'.     

Marcus  and Jenny were brilliant, everything went like clockwork and everyone agreed they deserved high praise and continued success for the way they organised and presented each days events and for the way the final presentation and prizegiving was handled - it really was a top professional service that extended beyond any contractual obligation. There is no question that it was great value too, considering the pressure it took off our Secretary and Committee members and the deals Marcus secured on our behalf as part of his involvment. The  Eskimo display stand and leaderboard in the hotel lobby indicated a professional tour from the artic region of the US.  I didn't advise them otherwise but I'm sure you appreciate how it brought home the worry that I may be like the Captain of the Titanic and let us all down next year. 

The WWW.Eskimogolfsociety.com website gives an account of the founding ethos of the society - which was to raise funds to care for the street urchins of South America - and it has been successful in doing that down the years without stretching anyones pocket. However, it's clear that it has an equally important role  in providing a catalyst for people to share and care for each other here and on these Eskimo Tours. - long may it continue to do so.

Next Year's tour venue is still being investigated but news should be available fairly soon -  meantime this year is to be savoured the Golf, the  Laughter, the Singing, the Jokes  and the lovely feeling of sharing that wonderful trip will certainly shorten the winter for me.  I hope we can all be together to repeat the process next year - meantime must get working on my golf.   

Best Regards

Tom Beisty.

P.S Apologies for the poor quality in some of the pictures, but enjoy anyway for they capture some of the moments.. .. Derek and others will provide better later. 

I think I have another batch to send later...

 

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