Irish tourism operators have given their services free to a group of wounded United States soldiers in providing them with a unique golfing tour.
Over 40 tourism companies are providing 14 ex-combatants, and 11 family members and carers with flights, accommodation, and entertainment. The group which arrived in Ireland on Wednesday and will stay for 12 days.
The trip was organized by Linton Walsh, the Editor and Publisher of Golf Digest Ireland, who said he has been “flabbergasted” by the interest in the trip.
Walsh spoke to the Irish Times about the volume of interest he received from tourism operators in response to his idea. Without the help of these organizers, Walsh estimates that the trip would have cost $517,500 (€400,000).
While visiting the United States, Walsh met with the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides support and counseling for seriously injured soldiers. He decided to invite them to visit Ireland as a way of promoting his new golf tours business.
However, he told the Times, “the more I learnt about the incredible stories of these people it changed the whole nature of the thing.”
Read more: Ireland’s top ten best golf courses in Ireland - play a round with that “wow” factor
Now he wants this trip to “remind people in America that supporting [Fold of Honor Foundation] is so important – to bridge the gap between what they need and what they get.”
Golf courses such as Ballybunion and Waterville, to Old Head and Royal County Down, to Portmarnock and the European Club have waived their green fees for the trip. Six hotels including the Killarney Plaza, Merrion Hotel, and Dromoland Castle have given them accommodation, and Aer Lingus provided them with flights.
Failte Ireland (Ireland’s tourism board) has also provided the group with a grant, which Walsh told the Irish Times would be “used for drinks.”
Tourism Ireland has also paid for a group of US golf journalists to travel with the group during their 12-day tour. One such journalist is Golf Digest’s Roger Schiffman.
Earlier this week he wrote that he was going on “the most amazing” trip and added, “there’s a catch. I will be accompanied by the most inspirational people our country has to offer -- 11 wounded U.S. veterans who are using golf to get over their injuries. That’s right, nine men and two women who have sacrificed so much physically and mentally as a result of serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
13 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.vince | Oct 15, 2012, 07:06 AM EDT
Nobody forced them to serve. Once you join the military you can rape and murder as many foreigners as you wish. Sickening waste of hard earned money.
seamus60 | Oct 13, 2012, 05:33 PM EDT
Vince. I sincerely hope your swing with a club is better than your stroke with that big wide brush. Although I share your opinion on imperialist oil thieves etc, I seriously doubt any of these men and woman, are or were policy makers.
mamaginnty | Oct 13, 2012, 12:11 PM EDT
Vince you are every bit as bad as what you are trying to preach, to say plane crash, is sick.
vince | Oct 13, 2012, 07:37 AM EDT
How many children did they murder in the middle east ? Imperialist oil thieves, no better than the thugs that served in Vietnam. Ireland , screwed by the Germans again last night.Will the last person to leave the bankrupt 26 counties, please switch off the lights ? Hope their plane crashes. yanks out , the entire planet hated you in the ryder Cup, you bunch of losers. British imperialism bad, yankee invders, right on. Usual two faced hypocrisy.
joan1954 | Oct 12, 2012, 07:39 PM EDT
I think that this is marvelous. Thanks Ireland.
jacersagain | Oct 12, 2012, 06:42 PM EDT
Er... MarkMary73 made that great "Fair play to them!" comment at 05.11pm, not me.
jacersagain | Oct 12, 2012, 06:32 PM EDT
LOL @ great post by Markmary73. Brilliant (Fairways play, anyone?)! I saw the Irish TV news feature on this story. Saw the men and women playing golf on Irish courses with artificial arms and legs. I think it’s a tribute to the medical people who helped them to a new life after the atrocities of war. The Med people should also be given free “Thank you” gifts, like this one for the wounded. GEF has a point; maybe the NI Govt and Tourism people could organise something similar for their wounded, apart from what some of them achieved in the Olympics? Don’t forget to include Rep of Ireland golf courses for them too.
jacersagain | Oct 12, 2012, 05:11 PM EDT
Fair play to them!
noeltfox | Oct 12, 2012, 01:17 PM EDT
Well deserved ,Enjoy
Searlit | Oct 12, 2012, 11:27 AM EDT
Heartwarming story. There can be no doubt that they're having a wonderful time. Great!
GEF | Oct 12, 2012, 11:16 AM EDT
What about Northern Ireland soldiers wounded in Afganistan who fought with the US soldiers? What about a free holiday for them as well. After all it would cost less when they already live on the Island of Ireland.
Murph46 | Oct 12, 2012, 10:47 AM EDT
Good move Irish tourism!Just got back from 30 days in my Isles! Hated to leave!
glengesh | Oct 12, 2012, 10:09 AM EDT
There was a time when Ireland needed help from America and still do. I am pleased we can give this journey to wounded soldiers. It is people with big hearts that makes Ireland a wonderful place. I sincerely hope this visit to Ireland has lifted your spirits.