Author: Ivana Miteva

A Day at Carton House

Posted on by Ivana Miteva

A Golfer’s Paradise just 25 minutes from Dublin

If you find yourself at Killeen Castle and have a bit of extra time, do yourself a favor and make the short 25-minute journey south to Carton House, a stunning Fairmont-managed resort that is truly a golfer’s paradise. Recently, I had the pleasure of joining a few clients for a live scoring event at this magnificent venue, and I must say, Carton House is nothing short of spectacular.

As you approach, you’re immediately struck by the grandeur of the estate. The drive is lined with lush greenery, guiding you to a large Palladian mansion that dates back to the 16th century. This architectural masterpiece sets the tone for what lies ahead—a perfect blend of old-world charm and modern luxury.

Carton House

Further down the drive, you’ll find the golf area, housed in a beautifully renovated stable. The stable’s original features have been preserved, creating a unique atmosphere that marries history with contemporary comfort. The pro shop is a treasure trove of memorabilia, and the entrance to the golf course is simply grand, setting the stage for an unforgettable day of golf.

During our visit, the staff were nothing short of delightful, making us feel right at home from the moment we arrived. We set up our event outside The Carriage House restaurant, a lovely spot that offers the perfect ambiance for any occasion. It’s the kind of place where you can unwind after a day on the greens, with great food and even better company.

Carton House is home to not one, but two championship golf courses, each offering its own unique challenges and breathtaking backdrops. The Montgomerie, designed by Colin Montgomerie himself, is a par-72, 7,300-yard inland links course. Ranked 37th in Ireland and 2nd in County Kildare, just behind the K Club’s Palmer North course, it’s a must-play for any serious golfer. The golf course is known for its strategic design, demanding precision and skill, but don’t be intimidated—there are plenty of opportunities to score well, even if your handicap isn’t quite Tour level.

For those looking for a different kind of challenge, the O’Meara golf course offers a journey through ancient woodlands and along the banks of the River Rye. This golf course has hosted the Irish Open in 2005, 2006, and 2013, as well as the World Amateur Team Championships in 2018. As the home of the Golfing Union of Ireland, it’s seen its fair share of legendary play, but it’s also a course that welcomes golfers of all levels.

One of the most iconic features of Carton House is the Tyrconnell Tower, which is prominently featured in the resort’s logo. Erected in the 17th century, this tower stands atop a hill, offering stunning views of the entire golf club. It’s a sight to behold and a reminder of the rich history that permeates every corner of this estate.

And if all that isn’t enough to convince you, Carton House is just 25 minutes from Dublin city center and 30 minutes from Dublin Airport, making it incredibly accessible. Whether you’re in town for a day or planning a longer stay, it’s well worth the visit.

In short, Carton House is more than just a golf resort—it’s an experience. From the historic architecture to the world-class golf, every moment spent here is one to cherish. So why not make the trip? You won’t regret it.

VPAR Fantasy Golf

Posted on by Ivana Miteva

Fantasy leagues and competitions are becoming ever popular in the world of sports as ways fans can consume their favorite games grow and evolve. Fantasy Golf is increasingly on the rise and particularly attracts many participants hoping to top the tables when it comes to carefully picking their teams during the four Major tournaments. If you think you know which star is going to peak just at the right time or have been following a lesser-known player that is on a hot streak of form and is destined to shoot low, then maybe Fantasy Golf is the game for you.

Many of these competitions see participants choose players from a range of categories to construct a team, which is exactly how VPAR Fantasy (powered by Hunch) works. Managers get to choose one player from each of the following categories: Hot Favorites, Strong Contenders, American Challengers, European Challengers, Rest of The World Challengers, and Wildcards. The aim of the game is to achieve the lowest cumulative stroke play total across all selected players. If at the end of the tournament fantasy players cannot be separated, the winner will be decided via a tiebreaker. This is based on what they chose the score to par of the winning player to be before the tournament commenced.

Sounds easy right?

VPAR Fantasy

Fantasy Golf with VPAR is open to everyone. Want to join on your own and take on the masses? No problem, we offer a public league for all. Have a handful of friends or colleagues that also want to take part? Then why not create your own league and battle it out. There have been a range of great prizes on offer, from vouchers worth £125 at a golf retailer of your choice, to free VPAR premium annual memberships.

If you think you have the knowledge and guile to take home the fantasy title and bag yourself a prize (alongside the bragging rights), keep your eyes on our socials and website for our next fantasy competition and go head-to-head with your fellow golf fanatics!

Traveling with VPAR: Behind the Scenes

Posted on by Ivana Miteva

Over the years, VPAR has grown from hosting events in England to traveling across Europe and beyond. This expansion has given me the opportunity to visit some of the most stunning venues, providing scoring services for corporate businesses in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Germany, France, and more.

Our journeys involve packing up laptops, devices, and a sense of adventure as we head to each new destination. In this series of blog posts, I’ll take you behind the scenes on some of these trips, highlighting the amazing venues and features that make each location special.

A Trip to Killeen Castle

One of the most memorable trips I’ve taken was to Killeen Castle in Ireland. Flying into Dublin Airport, I opted to stay nearby. It’s a more budget-friendly option compared to the city, which can be quite expensive. From the airport, it’s just a 35-minute drive northwest to the castle.

Killeen Castle in Ireland
Killeen Castle, Ireland

Killeen Castle is home to one of only two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses in Ireland. Stretching over 7,700 yards from the back tees, this course is ranked 28th in Ireland—a must-visit for any golf enthusiast. Jack Nicklaus, famously known as the Golden Bear, holds a record of 18 major championships and has designed nearly 300 golf courses worldwide. Upon arriving at Killeen Castle, be sure to pay homage to the man himself by admiring his large golden statue near the 1st tee.

The course at Killeen Castle is a masterpiece, with mature trees and small ponds that add to its unique character. The new, modern clubhouse, situated at the end of a scenic mile-long drive (a signature of Nicklaus-designed courses), overlooks the 1st tee and putting green. The clubhouse also boasts an impressive collection of memorabilia from events hosted at the venue, including the Solheim Cup, Ladies Irish Opens, and PGA Events.

One of the course’s most iconic features is the Shamrock Bunker. This enormous bunker is easy to miss in person, but once you see it in photos, you’ll appreciate the subtle nod to Ireland. Positioned on the left of the fairway as you tee off, this green shamrock-shaped bunker is as beautiful as it is challenging—be sure to keep your shot straight to avoid landing in it!

While the castle itself was under renovation during my visit, it remains an incredible sight. The structure, which dates back to 1180, can be seen from the drive and from holes 3, 11, and 18. The castle’s rich history adds a layer of mystique to the entire experience. Keep an eye on the ongoing renovations—they’re sure to make this venue even more impressive.

Though I haven’t had the chance to play a round at Killeen Castle yet, the Jack Nicklaus name alone makes it worth a visit. If you find yourself in Ireland and are looking to host a golf day, Killeen Castle should be at the top of your list.

Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes stories from my travels with VPAR!

The Open Championship – Royal Troon Follow-Up

Posted on by Ivana Miteva

This year’s Open Championship was brutal. Picking a winner was hard enough but the conditions made it even more of a challenge. The best man won in Xander Schauffele, with a final round 65 to secure his second major of the year. It was a ruthless round of golf from the world number two and every time he needed to step up, he did. Schauffele was very much under the radar the first two rounds but he hanged in there and was very consistent.

The media spotlight was more on the likes of Shane Lowry and Daniel Brown the first two days, who stood out from the field in some of toughest conditions I’ve ever seen in professional golf. Even some of the best of the longest hitters in the world couldn’t hit some of the par fours in two and watching drivers being hit into the par three 17th hole was crazy. It was great viewing from the sofa!

At the start of the final round, I really felt the world number one Scottie Scheffler was going to push through the field and win The Open by two or three shots but it was the world number two who stepped up. Schauffele made six birdies in the final round and was bogey free. His short game is on a different level to anyone else and he rarely makes a silly mistake, which was what made sure he hanged in there when other top players crumbled in the early stages of the tournament.

I can see him completing the grand slam first out of the current crop of players in the professional game. His game is trending and it suits every type of major, especially The Masters, where I think he will heavily tipped for next year.

Two guys on a golf course.

The story line of Royal Troon in my opinion was Billy Horschel. When I’ve watched him at the BMW Championship before, I’ve always felt like he had the home crowd with him, even though he is American. The Europeans love him and he always comes across the pond to play on the DP World Tour a few times a year. His West Ham golf bag is a trademark piece of his and all the West Ham fans follow him around shouting West Ham chants and cheering him on.

He’s known to be one of the nicest guys in golf so it was great to see him being in contention going into the last day and seeing how much The Open Championship means to him. His major record in the past has been statistically poor so it’s great to see Billy prove that he can handle the immense pressure of a major championship. He finished with three birdies in a row to finish T-2 with Englishman Justin Rose.

Lesser-Known Golf Rules

Posted on by Ivana Miteva

Here are some interesting or lesser-known golf rules that you might not have been aware of in 2024:

1. Accidentally Hitting the Ball Twice

If you accidentally hit the ball twice during a single stroke (often called a “double-hit”), there’s no longer a penalty. The stroke counts as one, but no extra strokes are added.

2. Dropping the Ball from Knee Height

When taking a drop, you must drop the ball from knee height rather than shoulder height. This change was implemented to increase consistency and fairness in drops.

3. Touching the Sand in a Bunker

You can touch the sand in a bunker with your hand or club for a variety of reasons, such as leaning on a club or removing loose impediments. However, you still can’t test the condition of the sand or ground your club directly behind or in front of the ball.

4. Unplayable Ball in a Bunker

You now have the option to declare a ball unplayable in a bunker and take a two-stroke penalty to drop the ball outside the bunker, keeping the spot where the ball lay directly between the hole and the drop location.

5. Repairing Damage on the Green

You can repair almost any damage on the putting green, including spike marks and other forms of damage, even if they weren’t made by the player themselves.

6. Ball Moved During Search

If you accidentally move your ball while searching for it, there’s no penalty, and you must simply replace the ball in its original spot.

7. Ball Hits You or Your Equipment

If your ball accidentally hits you, your partner, your caddie, or your equipment, there’s no penalty. The ball is played as it lies.

8. No Penalty for a Ball Played Out of Turn in Match Play

In match play, if a player plays out of turn, there is no penalty, but the opponent can require the player to cancel the stroke and play again in the proper order.

9. Flagstick Left in the Hole

You can choose to leave the flagstick in the hole while putting. If your ball hits the flagstick and goes in, it still counts as holed.

10. Penalty for Moving an Object in Penalty Area

You can now move loose impediments and ground your club in penalty areas (formerly known as water hazards). This rule change allows you to take practice swings and ground your club as you would on the fairway.

11. Search Time Reduced to Three Minutes

The time allowed to search for a lost ball has been reduced from five minutes to three minutes. If you can’t find your ball within this time, it’s deemed lost.

12. Dropping Zones for Penalty Relief

In some circumstances, courses have designated dropping zones for penalty relief. These are optional, but if a player uses them, the ball must be dropped within that zone, and it counts as taking a penalty drop.

These rules, many of which were updated or clarified in recent years, aim to make the game more fair, streamlined, and enjoyable for players at all levels.

Scottie Scheffler vs Xander Schauffele

Posted on by Ivana Miteva

Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele have had two amazing seasons to date and the FedEx Cup play offs are still to be played. But who’s season would you rather take at this moment in time?

Scottie Scheffler has broken records this season winning six times on the PGA Tour and recently taking home the Olympic Gold Medal for the USA in Paris. He has won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Players Championship, The Masters, RBC Heritage, The Memorial Tournament, and the Travelers Championship so far on the PGA tour. He sits top of the FedEx Cup rankings heading into the Play Offs at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. His consistency the whole season has been mind blowing especially when he has been in the hunt, with some people comparing him to Tiger Woods in his prime.

When he won The Masters in April, I thought that he was going to win all four majors of the year but he did not. He came T-8 in the PGA Championship, T-41 in the US Open and T7 in The Open Championship. It did not help he got arrested mid-way through the second major of the year at Valhalla! He has been the man to beat in every competition, especially the elevated events but some would say his major season was disappointing for someone who has been so dominant. He bounced back from the last major of the year by winning Gold at Le Golf National at the Paris Olympics, shooting a 62 in the final round to break the course record. It was an electric performance from the World Number One.

However, some would argue that they would prefer to take fellow American Xander Schauffele’s season over Scheffler’s. This sounds hard to believe but there is an argument for it. Schauffele has had a very consistent year but was in the shadow of Scheffler for most of the season until he won his second major of the year at The Open in July. Two majors in one year does not happen very often! In May, he won the PGA Championship to win his first career major at Valhalla, which most would say was a matter of time. Then two months later, Schauffele edged out Scheffler on the final day of The Open with a final round 65. This is when golf fans started to question who’s season they would prefer between Scheffler’s and Schauffele’s.

Would you take a season with seven wins including a major and an Olympic Gold or two wins which were both majors?

Personally, I would have taken Schauffele’s season after The Open but after Scheffler won Gold in Paris, his season has gone one step ahead in my mind.

Golf Equipment Market Set to Grow by $1.58B

Posted on by Ivana Miteva

Golf Equipment Market Set to Grow by $1.58 Billion from 2024-2028, Driven by a Surge in Health-Conscious Lifestyles

The global golf equipment market is poised for substantial growth, with a projected increase of USD 1.58 billion from 2024 to 2028, according to a recent report by Technavio. This anticipated expansion is primarily driven by a growing global focus on healthy lifestyles, which is encouraging more people to take up sports like golf.

As awareness of the importance of physical and mental well-being continues to rise, golf is becoming an attractive option for individuals seeking to combine fitness with leisure. The sport offers a low-impact form of exercise, and plenty health benefits. It promotes cardiovascular health, flexibility, and mental clarity, making it especially popular among older adults and professionals looking to unwind. This trend is expected to significantly boost demand for golf equipment, including clubs, balls, and apparel.

Another factor contributing to market growth is the increasing popularity of golf among younger demographics. With the rise of social media and influencer culture, golf is shedding its image as a sport reserved for retirees and becoming more accessible and appealing to a wider audience. This shift is expected to further drive the sales of innovative and technologically advanced golf equipment, which caters to the preferences of these new entrants to the sport.

The market is also witnessing advancements in golf technology, such as smart golf clubs and GPS-enabled devices, which enhance the playing experience. These innovations are likely to attract tech-savvy players and boost the market even further.

Regionally, North America is expected to remain a dominant market for golf equipment, driven by a well-established golfing culture and high disposable incomes. However, the Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a key growth area, with rising interest in the sport and increased investments in golf infrastructure.

In conclusion, the golf equipment market is set for significant growth over the next few years, propelled by a global shift towards healthier lifestyles, technological advancements, and the sport’s expanding appeal across different demographics. For businesses in the golf industry, this presents a lucrative opportunity to capitalize on the rising demand for high-quality, innovative equipment.

The Open Championship – Royal Troon Predictions

Posted on by Ivana Miteva

Winner

Viktor Hovland

Viktor Hovland has been trending in major championships since he burst onto the scene and it’s only a matter of time before he ticks one of the majors off his rich trophy list! The reason I feel The Open will be the Norwegian’s first major is because he has been very consistent over the last five years in The Open. In fact, he is joined by Cameron Young, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jordan Spieth in the top four for Strokes Gained at the last five Open Championship’s.

He clearly enjoys golf and knows he can compete against the very best players in an environment he’s comfortable in, that others may not be. He handles pressure immensely, which we’ve seen at past Ryder Cups, the FedEx Cup and even back when he was playing as an amateur at Pebble Beach in the 2019 US Open. He finished T-12 which is when people started to realise that they were watching a future major champion in the making.

He has recently gone back to his original coach, Joe Mayo, who bought him success previously and his game seems to be back in the right place. Since his first Open at Royal St. George’s in 2021 where he finished T-12, he’s had aT-4 at St. Andrews in 2022 and a T-13 at Royal Liverpool in 2023. His game elevates when it comes to the Open Championship and I feel this year we will be seeing him holding the Claret Jug on Sunday evening and become the second Scandinavian in a row to win at Royal Troon following Henrik Stenson in 2016!

Source: Rob Schumacher – USA TODAY Sports

Top 10

Collin Morikawa

After winning the PGA Championship and the Open Championship on tournament debuts so early in his professional career, Morikawa has not won a major since. However, he is still only 27 years old and has had a successful 2024 season, especially in the majors. He has finished T-3 in the Masters, T-4 in the PGA Championship and T-14 in the US Open. Flying to Scotland, he will be full of confidence with the hope of securing a third major championship to his name at such a young age. Even though he has won more in previous years, Morikawa is having the best season statistically of his career, which means a win can only be around the corner.

He is a flawless golfer and rarely makes a mistake from tee to green hitting a consistent cut ball flight. Limiting your mistakes will be crucial when plotting yourself around Royal Troon which is why I feel he will be in contention again at the fourth major of the year.

Source: The Open website

One to watch

Matthew Southgate

The Englishman from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, has had a steady career on the DP World Tour and qualified for the 2024 Open Championship through final Qualifying at Royal Cinque Ports. He finished at 6 under, three shots ahead of anyone else on the Kent coast. Shortly after Final Qualifying, he was in contention at the 2024 BMW International Open where he finished T-4 so he is playing his best golf heading to Royal Troon, where he had a great week at The Open in 2016 finishing T-12.

The next year at Royal Birkdale, he finished T-6 and in 2023 at Royal Liverpool he finished T-23. He obviously feels at home playing links golf on the coast. To add to his links pedigree, he finished T-2 in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last year which is played at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St. Andrews so he is not short of experience in Scotland. Keep an eye out for Southgate in this year’s Open Championship, as I feel he’s in for a great week.

Source: Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club – twitter page

Local

Ewen Ferguson

Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson secured his spot at Royal Troon by winning the BMW International Open last week. The 28 year old, born in Glasgow, has three DP World Tour wins to his name already and he will be looking to add some major experience to his resume after missing the cut at Royal Liverpool last year. He is now fresh off a win and full of confidence, so we expect Ferguson to use the home crowd to his advantage and give the Scottish fans someone to cheer for.

Source: Getty

Amateur

Dominic Clemons

Dominic Clemons is already making quite a name for himself. The 21 year old Englishman won the Scottish Amateur Open Championship at Muirfieldlast month by 17 shots finishing at 24 underproving that he relishes playing on Scottish soil. Last month, at the Amateur Championship, Clemons was runner-up at Ballyliffin to Jacob Skov Olesen who won the 36-hole final.

Even though he did not defeat Olesen, it was an incredible achievement and proves he is built for the big occasion, and you don’t get much bigger than The Open Championship which he qualified for through Open Qualifying at Burham and Berrow with the likes of Justin Rose and Abraham Ancer. This will be a stepping stone in Clemons’ career and a huge experience for him to play and learn alongside the best players in the world.

The future is bright!

Source: The Open website