How One Golfer Turned His GolfN Points into the Trip of a Lifetime to Ireland

What happens when a 15-handicap golfer maxes out his GolfN points on a sweepstakes entry? If you're lucky — like our community member CCI — you win the golf trip of a lifetime to Ireland and Northern Ireland. Seven rounds, world-famous links, zero rain, and memories that will last a lifetime.

We caught up with CCI fresh off his nine-day journey to hear how it all went — and spoiler alert, he's already dreaming about the next one.

Rolling the Dice on GolfN Rewards

Like many GolfN members, CCI had been stacking points by caching collectible sets in the portal over the past year. When the Ireland Golf Adventure of a Lifetime sweepstakes launched, he knew it was a shot worth taking.

“I had about a 37% chance after using all my points,” he said, referring to his odds according to the Portal. “I figured, let’s get lucky — and then I got the email. I couldn’t believe it. I texted my friend immediately — we were going to Ireland!”

Watch: Sweepstakes winner recaps his trip of a lifetime to Northern Ireland

Professionally Planned, Locally Guided

GolfN partnered with Golf Traveller to create a premium tour experience for the winner, and it made all the difference. From custom tee times to a dedicated driver and curated itinerary, the trip was seamless from start to finish.

“It took all the stress away,” CCI said. “Our driver Jord was the best — whether we wanted to get there early to practice or stay after for a pint, he was totally flexible. I didn’t have to worry about anything.”

Legendary Courses — and Legendary Nerves

The first round? Royal County Down. No warm-up round. No easing into it.

“That was the most nervous I’ve ever been over a golf ball,” said CCI. “First time playing with caddies, total strangers in the group, and I’m standing on the tee just hoping to make contact. Thankfully, I striped one down the middle — about 240 yards — and my caddy goes, ‘Haven’t seen someone shake like that in years.’”

It didn’t take long for the nerves to settle. Over the week, he played some of the most iconic layouts in the world, including Royal Portrush, Portstewart, Ardglass, Ballyliffin, and Rosapenna’s Saint Patrick’s Links and Sandy Hills.

St. Patrick’s Links Takes the Crown

Though Royal County Down and Royal Portrush are the household names, CCI surprised himself — and probably a few in the community — by ranking Saint Patrick’s Links as his favorite.

“We watched a course video the night before, and it looked unreal,” he said. “And then we played it, and it was even better. It just had its own identity — wider fairways, multi-tier Tom Doak greens, and these natural dunes that hadn’t been touched. It felt like golf in its purest form.”

A New Appreciation for Links Golf

Wind, waste bunkers, and firm-and-fast conditions are a signature part of the Irish links experience. For CCI, it was a challenge that made the trip even more memorable.

“Some bunkers were just massive — I had to go sideways or even backwards a couple times,” he laughed. “And the wind changed everything. I hit a 5-wood that normally goes 220, and it went 160. But that’s what you want — that full Irish test.”

A Historic Final Round at Royal Portrush

On the last day, CCI teed it up at Royal Portrush — just before it closed for The Open Championship setup. Grandstands were being assembled. The rough was thick. And the nerves? Still there.

“Walking into that clubhouse was like entering a museum,” he said. “Photos of Rory, amazing memorabilia, and that first tee is right in front of the bar — you feel the eyes on you.”

Though he ranked Portrush seventh on his personal list, the experience of playing a major championship venue just before the pros added another unforgettable chapter to the trip.

The Adventure of a Lifetime

From caddie bets and clutch putts to hotel breakfasts and picture-perfect weather (not a single day of rain!), CCI calls this the greatest golf trip of his life — and one that inspired future travel.

“I’m already talking to my buddies about going back to Rosapenna,” he said. “They’ve got three amazing courses there, and you can play them for like 550 quid. Every course we played felt bucket-list worthy.”

Why GolfN?

For CCI, the trip was a full-circle moment after months of using the GolfN app and telling friends about the novel system that creates the opportunity for rewards for golf.

“I’ve been raving about it since October,” he said. “And now that I’ve actually won something this big? They’re all ready to sign up. The more you play, the more chances you have to win stuff like this.”

The GolfN app is changing the game with its golf loyalty program. It rewards golfers not just for playing, but for staying engaged on and off the course — with prizes that go way beyond golf balls and gloves.

Want In?

If CCI’s story has you thinking about your own dream golf trip, the next sweepstakes is just around the corner. Stack your points, stay active in the app, and you just might be next.

Download GolfN, play more golf, and earn your way to experiences that money can't buy.