Connoisseurs Scotland Gives Golfers Chance to Experience Most Legendary Courses

This year two of the world's most celebrated golf venues, both proud members of the Connoisseurs Scotland family of properties, are offering packages that include play on the sport's most legendary fairways. The Gleneagles Hotel, which will host the Ryder Cup in September 2014, is offering the chance to play on the finished PGA Centenary Course before the pros get there; meanwhile, the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in St. Andrews, the official birthplace of golf, is giving players a rare guaranteed chance to get on the Old Course.

Playing a round on St. Andrews' Old Course is a dream for most golfers, but only a few – those lucky enough to have their ballots drawn in the daily lottery – actually get the chance to do it. Until now, that is. With the Old Course Hotel's Suite Golf package, players get a three-night stay in a luxury suite and a round on the Old Course … plus an additional round on either the New or Jubilee Course, one on Kingsbarns, and one on The Duke's (with buggy hire). The package, which starts at $3,600 per person, double, also includes a full Scottish breakfast each morning, dinner at the Road Hole Restaurant one night and in the Sands Grill on a second night, a 50-minute luxury spa treatment at the world-class Kohler Waters Spa, and a golfers gift pack. Additional nights are available from $778 per room per night. For reservations, call +44 (0)1334 474 371 or e-mail reservations@oldcoursehotel.co.uk.

About 30 miles away in Perthshire, Gleneagles has developed its Ryder Cup Celebration Golf Break, the highlight of which is a round on the PGA Centenary Course. In 2014, from September 26 through 28, this course will welcome the golfing greats of the United States and Europe as they partake in the annual battle for the Ryder Cup. Guests coming this year can enjoy this package that includes overnight accommodations; full breakfast ; dinner for two in the Dormy Clubhouse Bar & Grill, which overlooks the 18th greens of each of the resort's other two courses, the King's and Queen's; full use of The Club leisure facilities; and a commemorative Ryder Cup gift for each player. The package is priced from $707 per room per night and is based on two people sharing a Classic Room. (Other room rates are available upon request.) For reservations, call 866-881-9525 toll-free in the United States and Canada or e-mail resort.sales@gleneagles.com.

Each of these Connoisseurs Scotland properties offers an array of other golf packages, as well. Gleneagles has a Three in One package that includes three rounds of golf over two days with one night's accommodation; a Swing and Dine package that includes a round of golf, dinner and an overnight stay; and a Healthy Stay package that combines a round of golf with a 55-minute treatment in the resort's spa. For more information and pricing, visit www.gleneagles.com.

At the Old Course Hotel, the Winter Passport to Golf includes a guaranteed round on the Old Course; a choice of two rounds on the New, Jubilee, Eden or Strathtyrum courses in the St. Andrews Links Trust; luxury accommodations overlooking the famous 17th Road Hole; a hearty Scottish breakfast; dinner in the Sands Grill; and access to the Kohler Waters Spa. For more information and pricing, visit www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk.

In addition to these legendary locales, Connoisseurs Scotland is proud to have two more of the world's finest golf resorts – Cameron House and Turnberry – among its members. Connoisseurs Scotland's collection of 30 luxury accommodations also includes city-center properties; country house hotels; exclusive-use properties; Scotland's only destination health spa, Stobo Castle; the ultimate luxury train, The Royal Scotsman; and the only cruise ship in the world with a Royal Warrant from HM The Queen, The Hebridean Princess. Seven of the members boast Michelin-starred restaurants, including the only two-starred restaurant in Scotland, which is found at Gleneagles. Information on Connoisseurs Scotland, its member resorts, partners and special offers can be found at www.luxuryscotland.co.uk.