Celebrating Life's Milestones with a Golf Trip to Scotland or Ireland
Life is made of moments. Some of them are small and fleeting. Others deserve to be celebrated in ways that create memories for years to come.
Over the years at Haversham & Baker, we’ve had the privilege of helping many of our Members turn life’s big milestones into unforgettable overseas Expeditions. Whether it's a 50th birthday in St Andrews, a retirement celebration in Ireland, or an anniversary trip where Golf and the Good Life are enjoyed in equal measure, these are the experiences that become cherished moments.
If you are approaching a milestone of your own, or know someone who is, here are a few reasons why many are choosing to celebrate with a golf trip to Scotland or Ireland.
Why More Members Are Planning Celebration Golf Trips
In recent years, we’ve seen a growing number of Members embrace celebration golf trips. Whether marking a milestone birthday, a retirement, or a major life event, these thoughtfully planned Expeditions combine world-class golf with unforgettable Good Life experiences to create memories that last far beyond the actual occasion.
We've also noticed these trips are trending a bit younger. There was a time when a 40th birthday group would have been virtually unheard of at H&B. Today, we host several each year, as younger Members look to mark life’s milestones with unforgettable experiences at golf’s most iconic destinations — from Royal Dornoch to Royal Portrush.
The Expedition led by Chris Smith from The Muttontown Club celebrates his 50th birthday in Ireland.
Milestones Worth Celebrating
In recent seasons, we’ve planned Expeditions around a wide range of occasions. Some of the most popular include:
Major Birthdays
Whether it's your 40th or your 75th, it’s the perfect reason to gather your closest golf friends and raise a glass at places like The Jigger Inn or the Bushmills Distillery.
Life's Milestones
What better way to mark a notable anniversary or college graduation than with a golf trip across the pond. We've even helped plan a bachelor party or two!
Career Achievements
Whether it's retirement, making partner, or another career accomplishment, a bit of links golf is the perfect way to celebrate.
Bucket List Goals
While we don't subscribe to the idea of a "bucket list," many Members choose to celebrate a lifetime love of the game by finally experiencing The Old Course, Royal County Down, or any of the other great links of Ireland.
Tom and Matt Doherty from the Country Club of the Carolinas celebrate the former's 70th birthday at The Old Course.
Why Celebrate with an Overeas Golf Trip?
There’s something truly special about celebrating life’s milestones overseas. Much of it is hard to capture on paper, but you'll definitely feel it once you're across the pond.
The Setting
The links courses of Scotland, Ireland, and England are steeped in history and natural beauty. Walking in the footsteps of champions adds extra meaning to every round.
The Shared Experience
Whether with family, fellow Members, or lifelong friends, an Expedition brings everyone together, both on and off the course. These aren’t just trips. They're shared experiences.
The Good Life
Fine dining, whisky tastings, historic castles, and the warmth of local hospitality turn these golf trips into journeys of discovery. For milestone celebrations, the combination of Golf and the Good Life often makes all the difference.
The Memories
There’s simply no better way to mark a milestone than to create stories that will be retold for years — at the club, around the dinner table, or during the next round.
Kris and Kirby Price from Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club celebrate their 40th birthdays in Scotland.
Tips for Planning a Milestone Golf Trip
Start Early
For a celebration golf trip, chances are you’ve got your sights set on one of the marquee destinations — The Old Course, Muirfield, Royal Portrush, or Royal County Down. Tee times at these storied courses are limited, and accommodations near the action tend to book quickly. For milestone trips, we recommend planning 18–24 months in advance, especially for St. Andrews tee times.
Consider the Group
Whether it’s your regular golf buddies, a couples’ journey, or a larger gathering of friends, the right group dynamic is key for a successful journey.
Balance the Itinerary
Build in time to savor the Good Life. A day off the course can become one of the highlights of the trip!
Celebrate the Occasion
From special dinners overlooking St. Andrews to personalized gifts, small touches can take your celebration golf trip to the next level.
Donna and John Pariseau from The Club at Cordillera celebrate their 70th birthday at Old Head.
Stories that Inspire
We’ve seen so many wonderful milestone golf trips over the years. Here are a few that stand out, in their own words:
The 70th Birthday
Hard to put into words how amazing the trip was. Staying in the Rusacks, overlooking 18, and getting to play The Old Course was a dream come true. This was a trip to celebrate my Dads 70th and I managed to shoot a 70 on The Old Course! Book the exact itinerary we did and don’t think twice.
~Matt Doherty - Country Club of the Carolinas, Providence Country Club
The 50th Birthday
Simply put if you are planning a golf trip there is only one company to use - Haversham & Baker. Connor Evers is a rockstar who had every detail of the trip planned out and executed on it all.
~Chris Smith - The Muttontown Club
The Graduation
This was a combination graduation and birthday present for our grandson (who BTW is a 1.9 index golfer). We analyzed and compared several golf trip companies before settling on H&B and I am glad we did! Every detail from start to finish was executed flawlessly resulting in a tremendous drama-free trip.
~Dave Kuhl - Boulder Country Club
Ready to Celebrate?
If you are approaching a milestone, or if there is someone in your circle who is, now may be the perfect time to begin planning a golf trip that's worthy of the occasion.
We would be honored to help you craft an experience that brings together each piece of our tagline: Golf at its Finest, Life at its Best, and Memories that Last a Lifetime.
Ready to Plan Your Milestone Golf Trip with H&B?
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