It is a journey that takes the intrepid golfer to eight of the most extreme golf courses in the world: the highest, the lowest, the hottest, the coldest, the most southerly, the most northerly, the hardest and the greatest.

According to Robin it was one of the greatest experiences of his life: “It was an incredible trip,” he says. “Not only did we get to play some amazing golf courses but we met some fantastic people along the way. We were treated with incredible generosity and kindness at the clubs we visited; it showed the true spirit of golf.”

Robin and Neil are now the founding members of the most exclusive golf society in the world, a society whose membership is only open to those who have completed all eight courses on the Awesome 8 list. As soon as there are enough members to justify it, Robin is planning to host a bi-annual Awesome 8 golf day at some of the world’s most remote and extreme courses.

The challenge no longer requires the intrepid golfer, as it did Robin and Neil, to drag a bag of clubs around the world on a series of economy class flights. The Awesome 8 has evolved into the ultimate golfing experience —a package that includes travel by executive jet, accommodation in luxury hotels, and incredible excursions to places of interest. The trip takes place in two month-long stages, one in summer and one in winter, and the cost is a cool $200,000.

If you have the money and the time, you can take your place on the very first Awesome 8, which sets off in May 2009. You and around 25 fellow golfers will jet off in a luxury Boeing 757-200 and be whisked around the golfing world for two weeks; a second leg of the trip takes place in December of the same year.

Dubai The first stage of the Awesome 8 ends with a visit to Dubai on the Persian Gulf, and a chance for a round of golf at the Emirates Golf Club, home of the “Desert Miracle”— so-called because in 1988 it became the first all-grass championship golf course in the Gulf region. This is not one of the Awesome Eight courses; the stopover at Dubai is all about pure luxury—a chance for weary golfers to relax at the ultra-exclusive Al-Maha Desert Resort and enjoy the beaches and shopping for which Dubai is famous.

1. The Most Northerly
   

   North Cape, Norway

   The Awesome 8 jets out from Las Vegas, with first- class transfers organized from across North America. The first port of call is the edge of the Arctic Circle, where a round at North Cape golf club awaits, the most northerly course in the world. After the golf, a cruise will take place to the North Cape itself—the very tip of Europe, where it is possible to see the incredible spectacle of the Northern Lights.
   

2. The Coldest
   

   North Star, Alaska

   From Norway, a hop across the Arctic takes the Awesome 8 party to Alaska to play North Star golf club. It is the coldest golf course in the world, so much so that it has to close for six months of the year. Thankfully, playing it in May means that snow is unlikely to be a problem. North Star may also be the only club that provides an animal checklist on the scorecard—hawks, owls and eagles are all common sights and even the elusive lynx has been spotted. A course rule states that: “When a raven or fox steals a ball, a replacement may be dropped without penalty at the scene of the crime.”

3. The Highest
   

   La Paz, Bolivia

   After the climatic extremes of the Arctic, the Awesome 8 heads back southward to the city of La Paz in Bolivia. Not only is La Paz the highest capital city in the world, it is also home to the highest golf course, a club situated a heady 10,350-feet above sea level.

   Set against the majestic beauty of the Andes, this is one of the most scenic golf courses in the world. Golfers must be careful, however, because the altitude means that the average 4-iron shot will shoot past 200 yards. The activities associated with this stop include a visit to the world famous Lake Titicaca and a look around Tiwanako, ancient capital of the Incas.
   

4. The Greatest
   

   St. Andrews, Scotland

   After Bolivia, the trip heads back to Europe to play the only one of the eight courses that needs no introduction: St. Andrews is possibly the greatest and certainly one of the oldest golf courses in the world. This magnificent links is a Mecca for any golfer, and its many features and subtleties make for an amazing eighteen holes. Teeing off on the Old Course in the footsteps of the greats, from Bobby Jones to Tiger Woods, makes for an unforgettable experience.After the golf, the Awesome 8 party is taken on a tour of Glamis Castle, childhood home of the Queen, followed by a look around the British Golf Museum. Accommodation is provided at the luxury Fairmont hotel, situated beside the famous links itself.

5. The Lowest
   

   Furnace Creek, California

   he second part of the trip reconvenes in Las Vegas, with accommodation provided at the exclusive Bellagio hotel on the Strip. Activities include a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon followed by a champagne picnic. After this, the party is whisked across the desert to play Furnace Creek in California, at 214 feet below sea level the world’s lowest elevation golf course. This unfeasibly lush course stands in glorious contrast to the desolate desert landscape of its Death Valley location. Not only is it low; it is also hard and has been featured in Golf Digest’s list of “America’s 50 Toughest Courses.”

6. The Most Southerly
   

   Ushuaia, Argentina

   After three days in the US, the Awesome 8 sets out to play the most southerly golf course in the world at Ushuaia, Argentina. Sitting at the very tip of South America, Ushuaia claims to be the world’s most southerly city and isn’t much more than a super-charged drive away from Antarctica. The club itself is set in the Tierra del Fuego national park and provides a challenge. Strong winds from the polar region whip across the fairways, and the course is criss-crossed by a fast-flowing river.

7. The Toughest
   

   Ko’olau, Hawaii

   From Argentina, the Awesome 8 heads across the Pacific to the paradise islands of Hawaii to take on what is widely regarded as the most difficult course in the world of golf. Carved out of a forest on the windward side of the 2000-foot Ko’olau Ridge mountain range, Ko’olau golf course is officially recognized as the hardest course in America by the USGA. The course is almost unfeasibly steep and wind speed can often reach 40 mph. These factors, combined with the sheer difficulty of the course, means that most rounds take over 5 hours to complete. After such a tough round of golf, the party has a chance to enjoy a helicopter tour of the islands followed by an exclusive private dinner at theaward-winning Ola restaurant at Turtle Bay.

8. The Hottest
   

   Alice Springs, Australia

   From Hawaii, The Awesome 8 continues westward to Australia and Alice Springs golf club. Given its location in the middle of the Australian desert, it is not surprising that Alice Springs is officially the hottest golf course in the world, with temperatures regularly topping 120 degrees Fahrenheit. But the welcome is as warm as the weather, and Awesome 8 founder Robin Sieger rates Alice Springs as one of the friendliest clubs he has ever visited. The Awesome 8 Golf Challenge concludes with a special gala dinner in the exclusive Crowne Plaza Hotel in Alice Springs. Although luxurious, this incredible golfing experience has a serious side: a portion of the price goes to support the Douglas Bader Foundation, a charity that helps disabled people worldwide, and a check is presented to a representative of the charity after the dinner.

Credits

by Martin Sayers
St Andrews Photo courtesy of St. Andrews Links Trust

For more information and booking details, visit www.awesomeeight.com.