Golf for Global Understanding & The Axis of Eagle Golf Circuit

A few weeks ago I told you about adventure travel entrepreneur, Dylan Harris, and the Inaugural Iranian Amateur Open.

The tournament is set to take place from the 20th through 22nd of April, when golfers from around the globe will meet at Teheran's Enghelab Golf Course for three days of competition.

Golf's rapidly growing global reach makes this possible, and the fact that The Iranian Amateur Open will allow a diverse group of international players to rise above the current cacophony of geopolitical saber rattling and get together on a golf course, makes the event exceptionally pertinent, laudable and uplifting.  Over the past year I've met many golfers who feel that the game has the power to unify and inspire, and many who share my belief that it can help overcome cultural barriers. 

As for Dylan Harris, the intrepid organizer of the Iranian Amateur Open recently announced that the Teheran tournament would be part of a circuit that will also include the 2012 North Korean Open.

Putting a positive turn on divisive term, he's calling it the Axis of Eagle Golf Circuit ...and rumor has it additional tournaments will be launched later this year, possibly in Cuba and Northern Iraq.

Harris' company Lupine

 Travel focuses on unusual destinations and Full packages, including tours of each country and entry to the tournaments can be arranged through Lupine Travel at www.lupinetravel.co.uk. or +44(0)1942 704525

2012 A Year of Hope ...and Golf for Global Understanding

Golf in Iran                                 (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2012!

If you put any credence in the Mayan calendar your New Years celebration was probably somewhat subdued last night.  After all, according to many interpretations of that document, this marks the year catastrophe and cataclysmic natural disaster will bring about end of the world... on December 21, 2012 to be exact ... Not exactly uplifting news.

Personally, I'm rather sceptical of the whole doomsday thing and... worst case scenario... we've got almost a full year left... to work on swings/putting, to help grow golf by introducing non-golfers the joys of the game, and to connect with golfers around the world.   There's a lot to look forward to.

Global Golf - The Inaugural 2012 Iranian Amateur Open

A couple of days ago I received a message from Dylan Harris, an ultra-adventurous friend of mine who happens to run a travel company.

Based in the UK, Dylan is passionate about golf... and a number of the trips his company runs revolve around the game.  But these aren't your typical golf trips... because Lupine Travel specializes in unique destinations, the kind of places some might find... intimidating.

Earlier this year Dylan took a group to North Korea where they played in the North Korean Open.  A fun and fascinating time was had by all.  Now, the success of the North Korea tournament has inspired, Mr. Harris to plan for a new destination and a new golf event for 2012: The Inaugural 2012 Iranian Amateur Open.   Scheduled to take place at Tehran's Enghelab Golf Club over three days from the 14th to 16th  of April, and the event is open to all amateur golfers with an up-to-date verified handicap.

Here's the thing;  though there's currently only the one course in Iran, there's a well established Iranian Golf Federation and part of it's recently stated mission  is "... to popularize and develop golf among every walk of life..."  As such the game has seen a huge increase in popularity over the past several years, particularly among women, many of whom compete regularly on a local and regional level. 

So, I've wanted to visit Iran for years.  I fully understand that the relationship between US and Iranian governments is rocky... to say the least... but Lupine Travel is adept a managing travel in geopolitically sensitive areas, plus I've spoken to a number of Americans just back from Iran, and what I've heard from all has encouraged me to seriously consider taking this opportunity to be a part of the 2012 Iranian Amateur Open.  My intrepid twin sister Cat, is also hoping to make the trip.

We'll keep you posted as our plans develop.