New Life Presents Expedition

Seven rounds of golf, single/shared accommodations, meals, tips, transportation within Scotland and tournament prizes are all included. To keep entry level costs as low as possible, it does NOT cover airfare or caddies (optional). A caddie package will be offered as we get closer to the event dates.

Yes. You should plan on booking a flight into the EDINBURGH AIRPORT (EDI), departing the USA on SUNDAY, July 13th for a morning arrival on MONDAY, July 14th. For your return flight, plan on booking a flight home on Monday, July 21st after 10:15am to allow for group transfers to the airport. On departure day home, our drive to the Edinburgh Airport is about 90 minutes.

With the time change, you should be able to be home the same night you depart Scotland.

YES. But details on extensions are not finalized yet.

Airfare and caddies.

Yes. Our golf format will be a handicapped system that will be competitive and fun for the low and high handicap golfer.

Yes. Many of the courses we will playing are private (or semi-private) courses and are open to golfers with a minimum 24 handicap. You may be asked to show proof of that handicap. If you don’t have an established handicap, there are great websites that will establish a handicap for you. You will need a minimum of 5 full rounds to establish an initial handicap. SEE: www.myscorecard.com for a great online service.

We utilize a software program that randomly establishes foursome where you will play with different players each day.

On all courses, we will be walking with a pull cart, and caddies will be available (but not included in the fee). Most of the courses (if not all) do not even have golf carts. As we approach the event, we will offer a “caddie package” for those that desire to play with a caddie.

Currently, no formal plans have been made to play the Old Course

This will require a little background… The St Andrews Trust (which oversees the management of the Old Course and six others in the area), strives to maintain fairness and accessibility of play. That being said, more than ¾ of all tee times are unavailable for public reservation. Factor in that St Andrews is the most traveled golf destination in the world, a “reserved” public tee time is one of the toughest in all of golf. It’s all a part of the Old Course journey, something everyone has to go through. So… outside of playing in an amateur or professional tournament, there are only five ways to obtain a tee time on the Old Course:

1. The Old Course Lottery. Entry for this is in the previous year with a September deadline (Sept 1, 2024 deadline for a handful of reserved 2025 tee times). All attendees that will be confirmed for this event on August 31 will be entered into the lottery. The odds of getting a tee time through this option is extremely small.

2. Authorized Providers. A handful of official authorized providers are given a few tee times each day. These come at a steep price and will be tied into a much larger package with many conditions and restrictions. Not a possibility for the size (not to mention the price) of our group. 3. Residents/Members. Residents, Members of the R & A and St Andrews Links, and students at the University of St Andrews have a handful of set aside tee times each day of play.

4. The Old Course Ballot. A system of allocating remaining open tee times through a ballot system 48-hours before play.

5. Single. An “in-person” sign-up to get a remaining spot for “same-day” play as a single. The starter will start assigning spots at 7am.

The bottom-line: advanced tee times for non-residents/non-members on the Old Course are almost impossible. In the outside chance we have a group selected in the Lottery (as described above), we will discuss options. Details TBD, and if selected, you will have NO obligation to play the Old Course.

You heard correctly. During our expedition, we will be playing a one-day Ryder Cup Style competition against the Moray Golf Club members on their championship course. Don’t be scared off by this, this will be a unique experience to play true Scottish golf hosted by a great group of local Scots. Full handicaps will be used.

We will be staying in two different areas of Scotland. The first 4-nights we will be staying on the east coast in the area of Aberdeenshire at the 4- star MELDRUM HOUSE. We will then drive to St Andrews where we will be staying in the 5-star RUSACKS HOTEL for the duration of our event (located right on the 18th fairway of the Old Course).

July is a great month to visit Scotland where they typically see the lowest rain levels of the year and the highest temperatures. Expect a mixture of sunny days and cloudy skies, wind with a daily chance of rain. (You have seen the fickle weather in the Open Championships – right?) The days (sunlight) are very long with an average daily temperature in the high 60’s. This is Scotland Links golf, and the “weather elements” are part of the golfing tradition and experience. Preparation is the key to an enjoyable week of golf. All of our courses are on the Ocean with “weather” always being a possibility. We should always expect windy/breezy days.

This is a “guys only” trip. Our itinerary will keep us busy from morning until late evening. If your spouse would like to come, our suggestion would be to have her meet you after the event is completed.

Adult sons are welcome (golf playing sons).

Yes, in fact it is encouraged! This is a perfect format to bring a guest with you. This is designed to be a “friend raising” event for New Life. We would be thrilled to have your guest(s) join us.

Assuming you are a United States or Canadian citizen – Passport, YES. Visa, NO.

Yes. We will have both morning and evening devotional sessions. Men of all faiths are welcome, and this would be a perfect opportunity to introduce a guy to a great group of Christian men.

You can register on our website at www.newlife.com/golf. Your registration will be formally confirmed after receipt of a $2,000 deposit.

Once registered (confirmed with a $2,000 deposit), full cancellations will be allowed up until March 1, 2025. After that point, efforts will be made to fill your spot. In the event that your spot would not be filled (post March 1), we would ask that you pay the full cost New Life would incur as a result of your cancellation. Options to insure your trip will be offered in January 2025 (optional).

www.newlife.com/golf will have all the current and updated information on the event. You can always call/text Brian Blomberg at (720) 635-2507 or email at bblomberg@newlife.com.