News
Kelly Kraft takes aim at John Peterson on social media
Returning home from the CJ Cup, Chesson Hadley took to social media for some light venting after a plane at his gate caused him to miss a connecting flight from Denver to Raleigh. The mild-mannered Hadley probably didn’t expect much to come from the post, but after former PGA Tour professional, John Peterson, chimed in on the subject, and things got interesting.
Peterson, who officially retired from the professional golf in September after failing to keep conditional status on Tour having missed the cut at the Web.com Tour Championship, replied to Hadley’s post in typical forthright fashion.
Hey man, the money ain’t always worth it. I saw my family today, and yesterday, and the day before that, and that, and that, and that, and that. #fam
— John Peterson (@JohnPetersonFW) October 23, 2018
Hadley responded to Peterson’s post, telling the 29-year-old that although he agreed that his last tournament wasn’t worth it, “the one before that was”, referring to his T2 finish at the CIMB Classic which netted him over half a million dollars in prize money.
The curt reply from Hadley appeared to end the affair, until Kelly Kraft came to the table, indignant at Peterson’s remark.
Don’t knock us on the @PGATOUR for living our dream of playing golf at the highest level. Especially when you know damn well you would be too if you didn’t lose your status. We still see our families, You can take as many off weeks as you want if you work hard and are good enough
— Kelly Kraft (@kkraft11) October 23, 2018
Kraft, who is currently ranked 157th in the world, clearly felt Peterson’s opinion represented resentment at his failure to secure his playing rights for the 2019 season. Despite his assertions that he’s all good with Peterson but feels that “he’s out of bounds with this one,” the dispute is not the first on social media between the two.
Earlier this year, Kraft called Peterson “so bitter it’s unreal,” and after the latter posted news of his application for reinstatement for amateur status, Kraft asked Peterson: “So you still want to travel around and play golf, but now you just don’t want to make any money doing it?”
After Kraft’s recent scolding of Peterson, the former PGA Tour professional simply stated “Here we go” in response. With these two involved, it’s safe to say that this particular difference in opinion isn’t over yet.
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Another Open Championship has come and gone and links golf was once again in the spotlight at Royal Troon! For those who have never played a links course (like myself), it sparks a desire to fly across the pond to experience it for ourselves. While a golf trip to the UK or Ireland is a bucket-list item, most people look to play the big-name courses (Old Course, Carnoustie, Lahinch, Royal Portrush,etc.), but don’t realize they can get a similar experience by traveling to some of the lesser known destinations where you will find some of the purest links courses in the world. With this in mind, here are our picks for the best hidden gem links courses you should play when you book a UK or Ireland trip:
IRELAND
We start our list off with a 36-hole club in the Northwest of Ireland, a remote area of the Emerald Isle that is known for its rugged terrain and spectacular scenery. Bordering the Wild Atlantic Way, Ballyliffin is relatively newer (est. 1947) but offers golfers one of the purest links golf experiences anywhere in the country. While not easy to get to, the two courses onsite (Old and Glashedy) are well worth the travel with large dunes shaping the fairways that overlook the North Atlantic Ocean and a myriad of pot bunkers everywhere you look. Even Rory McIlroy believes that “Ballyliffin’s two courses are a must play on any golf trip to Ireland.” and we tend to agree.
How to incorporate Ballyliffin in a golf trip:
Stay:Ballyliffin Lodge, Hotel & Spa
Play: Old Links & Glashedy Links at Ballyliffin, and Old Tom Morris Links or Sandy Hills Course at Rosapenna
The next course on the list is in the Sligo area of the Northwest where we find Enniscrone, roughly 3 hours (by car) south of Ballyliffin. Like many links courses, Enniscrone was originally a 9-hole course when it was opened in 1918 before an additional 9 holes were added 12 years later. In 1970, Eddie Hackett was tasked with redesigning the course to help the two 9-hole courses flow effortlessly into one 18 hole layout. A big feature that can be seen throughout your round here are the towering dunes that shape the course and protect some holes from the ocean winds. Built right out of the landscape of the dunes bordering the sea, the course has a lot of undulation in the fairways and greens with some elevated tee boxes providing unreal views of the natural land.
How to incorporate Enniscrone in a golf trip:
Stay: The Glasshouse Hotel, Sligo
Play: Enniscrone, County Sligo, and Donegal
Additional Courses: Strandhill, Carne, and Narin & Portnoo
Another fantastic gem on the Northwest coast of Ireland is the NEW (2020) St. Patricks Links at Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Links. The land was purchased back in 2012 which was already a 36-hole facility and Tom Doak was brought in to reimagine the property to the layout it currently is today. Large sand dunes shape the front 9 holes before heading back through some more subtle dunes back towards the clubhouse. The course offers elevation changes with some tee boxes sitting atop the dunes offering spectacular views of Sheephaven Bay and beyond. With two other courses and a fantastic hotel on property, this destination is all you could ever ask for.
How to incorporate St. Patricks in a golf trip:
Stay: Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Links
Play: St. Patrick’s Links, Sandy Hills Course , and Old Tom Morris Links (all at Rosapenna)
For our last hidden gem in Ireland, we head 30 minutes north of the country’s capital, Dublin, to The Island Club. Built along rugged terrain and the highest sand dunes on the east coast of Ireland, the Island Club is situated on a small peninsula surrounded by water on three sides providing a difficult challenge, especially with the winds. Founded in 1890, the Island Club continues to be ranked in the Top 10 courses in Ireland and has held some Amateur Championships and Open Championship Regional Qualifiers.
How to incorporate The Island Club in a golf trip:
Stay: The Grand Hotel, Malahide
Play: Island Club, Portmarnock Old, County Louth
Additional Courses: Royal Dublin
SCOTLAND
Located along “Scotland’s Golf Coast” of East Lothian is where we find the classic links of Dunbar. Opened in 1856 with only 15 holes, this is one of the many courses in Scotland that Old Tom Morris had a hand in crafting. Laid out along rocky and rocky terrain, the course is only 6500 yards long and while not long by modern standards, the course requires shot making and proper club selection to play well. The course has held many national and international tournaments including a few rounds of The Open Final Qualifying.
How to incorporate Dunbar in a golf trip:
Stay: No. 12 Hotel & Bistro
Play: Dunbar, Gullane (No.1), North Berwick
Additional Courses: Craigielaw, Kilspindie, Gullane (No.2, No. 3)
The next course on our list brings us to the Scottish Highlands, one of the lesser traveled destinations in Scotland, but still home to some amazing links courses including Cruden Bay! Located 25 miles north of Aberdeen on the east coast of the Highlands, Cruden Bay was opened in 1899, although history would indicate golf has been played at the property since 1791. Another Old Tom Morris design, the course is consistently ranked in the Top 25 of courses in Scotland and it is easy to see why. At only 6600 yards, it is relatively short, but the natural lay of the land provides elevation changes, punchbowl greens, and some large, 3-story high dunes that offer spectacular views for a classic links experience.
How to incorporate Cruden Bay in a golf trip:
Stay: Leonardo Hotel Aberdeen
Play: Cruden Bay, Trump International Links, Royal Aberdeen
Additional Courses: Murcar
We head back to the Highlands just north of Dornoch to where we find Brora Golf Club. Similar to a lot of links courses, Brora opened as only 9 holes in 1891, but that only lasted for 9 years before an additional 9 was added in 1900 before a James Braid redesign in 1924. At just over 6200 yards, this is one of those courses that will make you appreciate links golf in Scotland with cattle and sheep roaming freely around the property. The course is a typical links routing with the front 9 going out and the back 9 coming back to the clubhouse. The defense of the course is the wind (naturally), but the greens are relatively small with pot bunkers standing guard to catch errant approach shots.
How to incorporate Brora in a golf trip:
Stay: Royal Golf Hotel, Dornoch
Play: Brora, Royal Dornoch – Struie & Championship
Additional Courses: Golspie, Tain
Staying in the Scottish Highlands, the last Scotland links gem on the list is just outside of Inverness at The Nairn Golf Club. The narrow fairways are fast and firm leading to decent sized, tricky greens that roll true, but are guarded by devious pot bunkers. The first seven holes play right along the water and with not a ton of elevation changes, spectacular views across the Moray Firth can be seen throughout the course. With fantastic course conditions throughout the season, this fantastic links is an absolute must-play when visiting the Highlands.
How to incorporate Nairn in a golf trip:
Stay: Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness
Play: Nairn, Castle Stuart (Cabot Highlands), Fortrose & Rosemarkie
Additional Courses: Nairn Dunbar, Moray
Golfbreaks by PGA TOUR highly recommends you start planning your trip across the pond AT LEAST 12-18 months in advance in order to secure tee times and hotel rooms over the dates you desire. With more and more people taking up the game of golf, these bucket list trips have already become extremely popular and will continue to gain interest so make sure to start planning early!
RELATED: Open Championship courses you can play (and when the best time to book is)
Editor’s note: This article is presented in partnership with Golfbreaks. When you make a purchase through links in this article, GolfWRX may earn an affiliate commission.
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GolfWRX and TaylorMade Golf have teamed up for one of the most exciting giveaways in recent memory. We are giving away one (1) set (3-PW) of the P7CB “Proto” irons, built to order for one lucky forum member! These yet-to-be-released irons have recently made it into the bag for both Tommy Fleetwood and Collin Morikawa.
Collin Morikawa’s TaylorMade “proto” 4-iron
Do we really need to say more? Head over to the forum and enter now for your chance to win a set of irons that truly are 1 of 1.
Read more about the P7CB “Proto” irons
- Spotted: Nelly Korda’s TaylorMade P7CB irons
- Rory McIlroy spotted testing a new TaylorMade “PROTO” 4-iron at the 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Michael Block spotted with full set of TaylorMade “Proto” irons at Valhalla
- Inside Collin Morikawa’s recent golf ball, driver, 3-wood, and “Proto” iron changes
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Geoffrey Holland
Oct 24, 2018 at 7:08 pm
I’m confused. Based on the hair the face and shirt I’m thinking Kelly Kraft plays on the LPGA?
hrfdez
Oct 24, 2018 at 7:43 pm
Awesome!
Smith
Oct 24, 2018 at 9:24 pm
Wow, calling out someone as a woman because of a pink shirt? You’re a couple decades behind the times, my man.
Geoffrey Holland
Oct 25, 2018 at 2:04 am
As I clearly had stated, based on the hair the face and the shirt.
And speaking of being behind the times I’m not your man. Nobody actually says “my man” anymore and they haven’t for at least three decades.
art Williams
Oct 24, 2018 at 7:07 pm
C’mon. The only fighting between members of professional sports should be on the ice or in the ring or cage. It’s not becoming for PGA Tour members to be exchanging such messages on social media. As an aside, I read some months ago that Phil is the leader in the clubhouse on tipping so that question is not up for debate!
JJVas
Oct 24, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Ugh… come on. Maybe the next article can be about which golfer tips the best in restaurants.
Mike Honcho
Oct 24, 2018 at 7:17 am
Hey Gianni,Inside Edition called. They’re looking for a weekly golf gossip segment host.
Evan
Oct 24, 2018 at 4:40 pm
You read it and commented on it.
Brandon
Oct 23, 2018 at 7:56 pm
This website really needs to get rid of all its millennial “journalists”.
DJ
Oct 24, 2018 at 4:42 pm
“Millennial”. What a dig!
Mike Honcho
Oct 25, 2018 at 7:12 am
Ergo what Evan??? I have stop and explain the whole concept of read and comment to try and dissuade future stories like this on the site? We want golf news not golf drama/gossip. I’m surprised you took time out from watching Bravo to comment on my comment.
Derek S
Oct 26, 2018 at 7:57 pm
Clearly you’re not getting enough Bravo. You’re totally in rage. You read it and even commented on it. Were you expecting an article about a new Taylormade driver that would allow you to fo from 190 yards to 250? Here’s a tip, DVR some shows on E channel as well.
Jamie
Oct 23, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Faux journalism. This is a worm looking for blood. Too many of those around. Don’t. Just don’t.
Wasn't Raised in a Country Club
Oct 23, 2018 at 4:21 pm
Why is pro golfers timing their trip home even a thing? I think his first post was somewhat a joke, but the fact that I’ve seen multiple pros do this leads me to believe they probably complain about it a good bit. Ask a veteran how long it takes to get home from deployment. Just a complete disconnect with the actual world.
carl
Oct 23, 2018 at 3:49 pm
Gianni can you find some real news to write about?
TLW
Oct 25, 2018 at 1:31 pm
No, he cannot. I cringe everything I see his or click bait Ben’s picture.
A. Commoner
Oct 23, 2018 at 2:16 pm
Who in the devil are these guys (golfers)? Also after several attempts, the writer should find something else to do.
Lee
Oct 23, 2018 at 1:14 pm
Worst article ever written. This is not journalism, it is reading some dumb tweets and then re-posting them as an even more worthless story
Evan
Oct 24, 2018 at 4:44 pm
You read it and commented on it. You sure it’s the worst?
Lee
Oct 24, 2018 at 6:22 pm
GolfWRX was an independent equipment blog with good content. Now owned by a media company, and they post stories about unknown players tweeting each other. I am just angry that this website now sucks and content standards are a total joke!
Aaron
Oct 23, 2018 at 12:29 pm
Peterson’s out of line on this one. I don’t blame The Snapper or Krafty for putting him back in his place.