Interview with Marty Carr, CEO of Carr Golf Travel

Marty Carr is CEO of Carr Golf Travel, which includes the brand Online Golf Travel, and offers bespoke golf travel in Europe and the US and runs several world-class golf events in Ireland. The son of Joe Carr, who won 40 golf championships and was one of the world’s best ever amateur golfers, Marty studied at the University in California before working for five years on Wall Street. He returned to his native Dublin in 1990 to set up the Carr Golf Group. What is it that you do exactly?

I manage a business of more than 40 staff. I get up early and am in the office at 7.30am each day (when I am not travelling) and I spend a lot of my time in meetings and dealing with emails, but am at my happiest selling. No day is ever the same. I travel and am on the road at least three months of the year. I also attend a lot of international and domestic golf events and also events which we run. Our company manages several golf venues and I visit these from time to time.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

The variety, meeting people and working as part of a team. The golf business is all about fun.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

1) Floridian Yacht & Golf Club – This was a unique club owned by Wayne Huizenga and I was privileged to be a member. The accommodation, the golf course, the clubhouse and the staff were spectacular, but it was so relaxed and so much fun. It has since been sold and is privately owned. 2) I love The Breakers in Palm Beach. I spent Christmas there with my family and it was just fantastic. 3) Doonbeg Lodge in Ireland. This creation by the owners of Kiawah Island is the finest golf links resort in the world.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

I had an interesting meal a few years ago at Nobu in Malibu. I had just flown in from Ireland and was a little tired. I went out to dinner with Stuart Townsend and the actress Charlize Theron. The food was unbelievable (I love sushi) and I decided to pick up the tab as I was staying with them. Little did I know we were drinking vintage saki and the bill was close to $2,000. Needless to say I will never forget this one.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

I have been fortunate to meet and play golf with many celebrities over the past 20 years. Dan Quayle and Dan Marino play in our family golf events every year. I have also played golf with Jack Welsh and Matt Lauer (who my brother and I beat in a 9-hole match, this was memorable). I also have played golf with Wayne Gretsky and Catherine Zeta Jones and we have had Michael Douglas, Rush Limbauch, Tom Fazio, Denis Taylor, Arnold Palmer, Bobby Orr work with our company over the years.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

I would like to travel around the world for six months. My two girls are 8 and 10, so I will probably have to wait a few years before I can do this, but I would like to visit South America, Australia, Asia, Africa with them over a long period of time.

Thank you for taking part in our interview, Marty.  The course at Doonbeg Lodge does indeed look stunning! If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.