tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48290568254183551782024-03-14T06:15:28.622+00:00Scottish golf courses - all of themreports my progress in playing all of Scotland's 681 golf courses to raise funds for Cancer Research UK and hopefully of interest to golfers anywhere.Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.comBlogger473125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-62264112610262662922023-08-11T17:30:00.007+01:002023-08-18T12:22:18.084+01:00Golf-It! Glasgow - Course No 675<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you know where to look, Facebook has been awash with comments, all positive, about the R&A's new initiative to promote family orientated golf in Glasgow, including a new 9 hole golf course. The new course is a combination of re-modelled holes from the former Lethamhill Golf Course (see Blog entry No 544) and completely new holes. After I'd played the old Lethamhill layout in October 2012, I commented in the Blog that the course and related buildings needed serious investment and that since Glasgow City Council were strapped for cash, it seemed highly unlikely that that would ever happen. In other words, I thought that the course had little going for it and faced a bleak future. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm glad I got that completely wrong and now that I've played the course, I'm equally pleased to agree with the many Facebook comments that have been made. As the R&A have described it -</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="background-color: #f2f8ff; color: #041e42; font-family: Radikal; font-size: 18px; text-align: left;">Golf It! is the R&A's new community-based golf and entertainment facility located on the south bank of Hogganfield Loch, following the redevelopment of Lethamhill golf course. </span><span style="background-color: #f2f8ff; color: #041e42; font-family: Radikal; font-size: 18px; text-align: left;">The vast new indoor and outdoor attraction is a new innovation and marks a significant financial investment by The R&A towards its purpose of making golf more accessible and inclusive. </span><span style="background-color: #f2f8ff; color: #041e42; font-family: Radikal; font-size: 18px; text-align: left;">The new facility features a range of introductory golf formats including a twist on pitch and putt, adventure golf and community putting greens plus a double decker floodlit driving range and a new look 9 hole course for all the family to play. These sit alongside other attractions and activities such as padel tennis courts, nature trails, bike hire and a street food-style dining and drinks area.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="rich-text-span" style="background-color: #f2f8ff; box-sizing: border-box; color: #041e42; display: block; font-family: Radikal; font-size: 18px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><i>The state-of-the-art development is creating more than 100 jobs and offer a range of apprenticeships that will boost employment opportunities for those living locally. The facility includes something for everyone new to the sport as well as those golfers who already play. The new nine hole golf course incorporates four sets of tees and an integrated ‘Go Golf It!’ par 3 tee position on each hole to encourage people of all abilities to play. </i></span></span><span class="rich-text-span" style="background-color: #f2f8ff; box-sizing: border-box; color: #041e42; display: block; font-family: Radikal; font-size: 18px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;"><i>Other features include:</i></span></p><ul style="background-color: #f2f8ff; box-sizing: border-box; color: #041e42; font-family: Radikal; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 2rem;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;"><i>A short game area with three adventure golf courses, Park Golf pitch and putt and a family putting green for people of all ages to enjoy.</i></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;"><i>A 55-bay floodlit double-decker Top Tracer driving range, including bespoke family bays and simulators.</i></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;"><i>A golf equipment library with easy access to hire equipment for anyone who wants to try before they buy.</i></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;"><i>Seven Lochs Visitor Centre with nature trails that link to Scotland’s largest urban nature park.</i></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;"><i>Street Food by The Big Feed. </i></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;"><i>Fit, Build, Play retail area by Scottsdale Golf. </i></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;"><i>Three Padel tennis courts by Game4Padel.</i></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;"><i>Early Years Nursery operated by Lullaby Lane.</i></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;"><i>A long-term education programme across Glasgow with the aim of providing in-curriculum golf experiences to 42,000 children across the city.</i></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;"><i>A community orchard and gardens.</i></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i>Free bike access in partnership with St Paul’s Youth Forum.</i></li></ul><div style="background-color: #f2f8ff; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 300; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Golf It! opened officially on 5 August 2023 so I'd arranged with Douglas and his son Stuart to play the new 9 hole course on 15 August 2023. As regular readers of the blog will know, Douglas is still trying to play every course in Scotland and only had one course to go before Golf It! was added to his target. Anyway, we were booked to play at 1600 hrs but the weather forecast had been for occasional showers - not the monsoon that began around 1530 that threatened to flood the whole development! The course was still playable by the time the deluge abated but with more ominous towering clouds on the horizon, we'd have to play quickly and be very lucky if we were to get round without a real soaking<span style="color: #041e42;">. <br /></span></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Facebook comments had highlighted the outstanding quality and smoothness of the greens and the imagination shown in providing 4 sets of tees for golfers of differing abilities. This is a view of the 1st tee, showing the different yardages that were available. I'm still just about hanging on to my 8.6 handicap index, so we chose to play off the pink tee markers, making the course play at 2431 Yards, Par 33. The former Lethamhill layout had poor drainage and would have been completely flooded by the deluge. The new course was very wet underfoot but had stood up remarkably well, the only real difference being that the greens were slower than we'd expected from Facebook comments.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ooKZGEP5TD8IuMvvJnFg4efbU3asJqrh98IJMLt3k_xYy-R2sIR9BegMx5EfQCPFtyZGHdCY5n4_PpFMRYHzRnnon8WsOpHpS104cLWAciP7gFfo_NpFzF6g7PuVe3G-ex3Lgukqlk6KfWaINEvC7FYFHx8Wy1dC9tJR_6lsXWIqnd5Xm2bjL8itMZ0h/s4032/IMG_0600.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ooKZGEP5TD8IuMvvJnFg4efbU3asJqrh98IJMLt3k_xYy-R2sIR9BegMx5EfQCPFtyZGHdCY5n4_PpFMRYHzRnnon8WsOpHpS104cLWAciP7gFfo_NpFzF6g7PuVe3G-ex3Lgukqlk6KfWaINEvC7FYFHx8Wy1dC9tJR_6lsXWIqnd5Xm2bjL8itMZ0h/w400-h300/IMG_0600.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our 1st hole was an </span><span style="font-family: arial;">uphill </span><span style="font-family: arial;">335 Yard Par 4, with green surface not visible for second shots. We'd rushed on, had no warm up and agreed to play ready (and speedy!) golf in an effort to beat the next downpour. Predictably, my drive only went as far as the trees to the right of the photo above. I've had a foot injury for a while that's only now clearing up so that's my second excuse for an opening double bogey.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 2nd hole is a really good downhill 141 Yard Par 3, as shown below, complete with background rain.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4tqkI_gRLwhdM_Abp0QSwy5aC5763Di4g6VGcAiDd0Jhdt1B1bNbYgZ1_s8El2HnjAyLnk7T800daT39RnrhtMlS96QR6mWIkyu7RCZ3BZKkqKB97d4RLuPyDuSZfgdTNnEw1omKKQdPQhpUcTqsLhIAyonrdb6Cui4ffViUKMMqf5iHKCyPYmOWvPRG/s4032/IMG_0601.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4tqkI_gRLwhdM_Abp0QSwy5aC5763Di4g6VGcAiDd0Jhdt1B1bNbYgZ1_s8El2HnjAyLnk7T800daT39RnrhtMlS96QR6mWIkyu7RCZ3BZKkqKB97d4RLuPyDuSZfgdTNnEw1omKKQdPQhpUcTqsLhIAyonrdb6Cui4ffViUKMMqf5iHKCyPYmOWvPRG/s320/IMG_0601.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oShkZsXEk7CfbSKhFdPiB-lY7DzICTVPk9_fMApE9INiUbIAFS-He1uI6qpKsIcttXa-CKk4pKY5OGe2oZHNki4V802Y-w2rvGEYuPNZ4tUByQmdzbKK3WZ7Fh0mwJTacPbHOiP1TW2SJs98F1zxw0O8i8j6iBSX8IAf535UPuSe7_YY1NluTZOxb-Wn/s4032/IMG_0602.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oShkZsXEk7CfbSKhFdPiB-lY7DzICTVPk9_fMApE9INiUbIAFS-He1uI6qpKsIcttXa-CKk4pKY5OGe2oZHNki4V802Y-w2rvGEYuPNZ4tUByQmdzbKK3WZ7Fh0mwJTacPbHOiP1TW2SJs98F1zxw0O8i8j6iBSX8IAf535UPuSe7_YY1NluTZOxb-Wn/s320/IMG_0602.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'd hit my tee shot to within 15 feet dead on line for an easy 2-putt par, only to be beaten by Douglas's tee shot to 3 feet for our only birdie of the evening. A good hole though!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 3rd hole is an uphill 381 Yard Par 4, and the Gents' Stroke Index 1, parts of which I recognised from the former Lethamhill layout. I'd hit a decent enough drive but I was playing too quickly and after missing the green and 3 putting, it was a poor 7 on the card. Much the same story unfolded on the 4th, a 517 Yard Par 5 played steeply downhill from the tee. The fairway dog legs sharp left after that and heavy rough on the inside of the dog leg adds to the difficulty. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 5th is a 162 Yard Par 3 that played longer than it looked, so a bogey for me on that one. The 6th is a 288 Yard Par 4 played from an elevated tee with ball losing rough and trees to the right. The second shot is uphill to an awkward highly contoured green, as shown below. Readers with good eyesight may be able to spot my ball in the bunker! Another bogey but we were making decent progress in under an hour for 6 holes and staying dry!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-PkoZ722O23WJqFfqkZu3zUSM3i8Dy0FVoIhZcCHs8NQ4odP-WcqjE2j_66yQ6oRCM8oj5z8hIV3NFM3YsVQWMnbmqNkzdspTaRCK8gKag2TkZdlJ6LY5GjnC2r6cXDWeZmNK5wDePgQWeBDU7WFQ3CLkPdnP62-qI1LATlimUQPFHlptDwR8up0e7g2/s4032/IMG_0605.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-PkoZ722O23WJqFfqkZu3zUSM3i8Dy0FVoIhZcCHs8NQ4odP-WcqjE2j_66yQ6oRCM8oj5z8hIV3NFM3YsVQWMnbmqNkzdspTaRCK8gKag2TkZdlJ6LY5GjnC2r6cXDWeZmNK5wDePgQWeBDU7WFQ3CLkPdnP62-qI1LATlimUQPFHlptDwR8up0e7g2/s320/IMG_0605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Our 7th was a short 102 Yard Par 3. It looked easy enough but there's steep fall off slope on the right so my par was decent in the circumstances. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Syq_FUUQngv1IBpxaM7MO-kUHh2RKAbfhkCsNfgSL5iPDuxYgGyMjPWJy9TkKAmL3jZBvuobyr9ZA5blqdngh7Q8YDa-RB8izso7B062yUbj81ZHtIlAkNTLdOc0RtOt7pbP25K8TqCFI-PtoHZl7R1l2kJgJq_zBWIINd5CNYWcl0dAp-OTc9-Y4nmn/s4032/IMG_0606.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Syq_FUUQngv1IBpxaM7MO-kUHh2RKAbfhkCsNfgSL5iPDuxYgGyMjPWJy9TkKAmL3jZBvuobyr9ZA5blqdngh7Q8YDa-RB8izso7B062yUbj81ZHtIlAkNTLdOc0RtOt7pbP25K8TqCFI-PtoHZl7R1l2kJgJq_zBWIINd5CNYWcl0dAp-OTc9-Y4nmn/s320/IMG_0606.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And so to the 8th, which for me was the best looking hole on the course, as shown below. This is a 303 Yard Par 4 played from an elevated tee with an uphill </span><span style="font-family: arial;">semi-blind</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">second shot to a green well protected by trees.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORQ3Wi5A38UXZw8WA386W0MABbT8A3w4MxXDH9H-k-C7ejgaorfSD0v1dqdkkbl8BOkJvrNwz3Ep3iW27-PowPRf4v0m4lmE2eWdZzz0torZJVcHH2Uk8jTgkDnjLayX8jN9vxxSl2thoZPCAAeOAP1jQb5xFb1mk9Mhq4ANWcjhzrtBS2q0w4EG3kvRf/s4032/IMG_0607.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORQ3Wi5A38UXZw8WA386W0MABbT8A3w4MxXDH9H-k-C7ejgaorfSD0v1dqdkkbl8BOkJvrNwz3Ep3iW27-PowPRf4v0m4lmE2eWdZzz0torZJVcHH2Uk8jTgkDnjLayX8jN9vxxSl2thoZPCAAeOAP1jQb5xFb1mk9Mhq4ANWcjhzrtBS2q0w4EG3kvRf/s320/IMG_0607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I just missed the green, played a poor pitch and run and ended up with another bogey.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a view of the 9th green , with the double decker driving range in the background.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi8kstgfQzMlH_wheDdQLIfoJQhg7XzCSQP-gvjgEipgBv5FBSif07AFAtmfJ9A8XfTMR9hT2HYKJ5uTBe_608jl50eT0qzlvv-4WwUXdGAJ1OmPViqZgGAjK2XjDfb_Z8w5UilNWFhLq_gNpXCjf0t_72BBDdrcrdSR0knR7I3TQKqL_Z3ETpZsyL-gY/s4032/IMG_0608.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi8kstgfQzMlH_wheDdQLIfoJQhg7XzCSQP-gvjgEipgBv5FBSif07AFAtmfJ9A8XfTMR9hT2HYKJ5uTBe_608jl50eT0qzlvv-4WwUXdGAJ1OmPViqZgGAjK2XjDfb_Z8w5UilNWFhLq_gNpXCjf0t_72BBDdrcrdSR0knR7I3TQKqL_Z3ETpZsyL-gY/s320/IMG_0608.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The 9th is a 202 Yard Par 3 that looked likely to play longer than it looked, despite being downhill. And so it proved and my final bogey of the round meant I was round in a poor 44, with 20 putts. Still. it was new course for me and one that I really enjoyed, despite the conditions and the threat of further heavy rain. Our only negative comment was that there were no bunker rakes (yet?) and that the greenside bunker by the 9th looked to have particularly well-visited, given the many footprints on show.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Congratulations to the R&A and all concerned at Golf It! I really liked the course layout and in time I hope this becomes</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> a model for the future promotion of golf</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> to all ages in local communities. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We'd all played pretty poorly but for my buddy Douglas this was his second last new course in Scotland, with only the Castle Course in St Andrews remaining. As I know only too well, it takes stamina, determination and a peculiar form of madness to even attempt to play every course in Scotland, from the world famous championship courses to the really obscure ones, tucked away, seemingly miles from anywhere familiar. Paths less well trodden for both of us, but an unforgettabe journey. My first round with Douglas was at Glenburn Golf Course (where's that, you might wonder!) in August 2013, (Blog entry 614) and since then we've been on some real adventures, helping each other find new courses and experiencing their unique challenges. He's a fine man, great company and story teller, and the only St Mirren supporter I know. Douglas once told me I'm the most sane person he knows. I'm not sure about that, having just played my 675th course in Scotland, but although his journey is nearing it's end, we two pals will doubtless be back together soon, playing our own interpretations of the sport we love so dearly. We may even have a beer or two afterwards - stranger things have happened, believe me.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's to you Buddie! (a rare Paisley joke)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rzEDaBE8OD1oQJV8yBG7RVZaFYj891zxIvvX6yvsoahddHfUU2uYZQARap4uy1Z62F04WGvFyDfO-M7urGhYLNWUzk-yZSPqlb_IvRWd_FPC3tkXVwel77TO3tLOdDGw761Jl4Fwr5mT9ogWmM0EVJEDPWeyjfp2Jty1dgQ0_A1dw_jto8J426NAH5fA/s4032/IMG_0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rzEDaBE8OD1oQJV8yBG7RVZaFYj891zxIvvX6yvsoahddHfUU2uYZQARap4uy1Z62F04WGvFyDfO-M7urGhYLNWUzk-yZSPqlb_IvRWd_FPC3tkXVwel77TO3tLOdDGw761Jl4Fwr5mT9ogWmM0EVJEDPWeyjfp2Jty1dgQ0_A1dw_jto8J426NAH5fA/w400-h300/IMG_0604.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p></p>Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-82772696887724420682023-05-20T13:13:00.001+01:002023-05-20T13:18:00.891+01:00Royal Musselburgh GC<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Royal Musselburgh Golf Club is the 6th oldest in the World and has the distinction of owning the oldest trophy still played for in the World, the Old Club Cup, dating back to 1744. The club moved to its present site close to Musselburgfh and Prestonpans in East Lothian in 1926, to a new parkland course designed by James Braid. The clubhouse building is also one of the oldest, if not THE oldest in Scotland, with parts dating back to the 12th Century. I'd played the Royal Musselburgh course a few times before, and certainly years before I started writing this blog, which explains why the course is listed in my Blog entry No 1. I'd have been content to leave it at that, as nowadays I much prefer links courses and I have no current connections to the Royal Musselburgh club. However, the course is one of the venues for the 2023 US Kids Golf European Championships. The American kid that I've been caddying for over several years in US Kids Tournaments is playing there in this year's 13 age group competition, so I played the course again on 18 May 2023 to remind myself about the layout and check out the condition of the course and any issues that young Ayush might have to face.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The course layout is pretty flat on the Front 9 and relatively straightforward, but is far more demanding and undulating on the Back 9. Overall, it's a modest 5880 Yards, Par 70 off the Yellow Tees and a far more tricky challenge of 6254 Yards, Par 70 from the Whites. The 1st Hole is a modest 309 Yard Par 4 opener. Avoid a couple of fairway bunkers on the right and it's just an easy short iron to the green. Greenside bunkering is fairly strong throughout the course although I have to say the depth of sand was poor, as I was to find out later in the round. However, I'd an easy opening par. The 2nd was even shorter, at a mere 280 Yards, but there are 4 fairway bunkers to avoid. I took a 3 wood off the tee to ensure I landed short of that trouble and another easy pitch set up a 6 foot birdie putt, which I made, just!<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5wSYsuh_Zyu04YG-yQwIpPVReTC9-xG7GMWgyPP2Dh_R9VqEJh0fXTdaZFFxMyri-NYNPjl3PhaIHOohiJ-a-NKIxU5Lxd_4IUonjG1UBJk299Oj_GeU5yqGynydqLCuvcyG-om5I7XcXYhBuK6HDs3-Ub4iWwUqu_FYVVYlcJEMbuRCmjwOyNG-aA/s4032/IMG_0528.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5wSYsuh_Zyu04YG-yQwIpPVReTC9-xG7GMWgyPP2Dh_R9VqEJh0fXTdaZFFxMyri-NYNPjl3PhaIHOohiJ-a-NKIxU5Lxd_4IUonjG1UBJk299Oj_GeU5yqGynydqLCuvcyG-om5I7XcXYhBuK6HDs3-Ub4iWwUqu_FYVVYlcJEMbuRCmjwOyNG-aA/s320/IMG_0528.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Tee for 349 Yard Par 4 3rd Hole offers this good view of the old Clubhouse, though I'm not sure about how the (1970's?) flat roofed extension ever got planning permission. I 3-putted the 3rd green from under 30 feet for a bogey. The next couple of holes are of similar length and difficulty so even par after 5 holes wasn't too shabby.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WWxeAxhHhrmGu5PScAjulpJ3S7b0QxcAs-WoHOLz77cbuhy04P7t6NZVDAQCGu7qZzJd2Jezdo_Rr3DRIEfJhayjj3Ovx5QGZG2CWjDhMCJwm7A8nuaWK-JhgWrwNqCQWfosoJqNExsudUjfybxoNzA5wFQyI1tschmiIGN9U7p2xZaEY5kd6UudmQ/s4032/IMG_0529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WWxeAxhHhrmGu5PScAjulpJ3S7b0QxcAs-WoHOLz77cbuhy04P7t6NZVDAQCGu7qZzJd2Jezdo_Rr3DRIEfJhayjj3Ovx5QGZG2CWjDhMCJwm7A8nuaWK-JhgWrwNqCQWfosoJqNExsudUjfybxoNzA5wFQyI1tschmiIGN9U7p2xZaEY5kd6UudmQ/s320/IMG_0529.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 6th is the first Par 3 at Royal Musselburgh, as shown here. The green is small and well protected by bunkering that makes the hole look shorter than it really is. I took the Course Guide's advice to take one club more and another comfortable par was on the scorecard.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjrBXZ-MC1CoN0vVIuiLqYJ2ZaLNH7kIKhSgkBWgOohAF0489LZH4qz7_JLoauHpxtIJiP5ECwOeftpJRDd-LHn0r3dMYtueYgfqW-qIngm8eLyCmokw-d4igCarZ7HzHH7aUB7aJTi07dERBiFVMvTmdpzaqAiXqUNqnuC8iTy4HgkotljGHwHY0jg/s4032/IMG_0531.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjrBXZ-MC1CoN0vVIuiLqYJ2ZaLNH7kIKhSgkBWgOohAF0489LZH4qz7_JLoauHpxtIJiP5ECwOeftpJRDd-LHn0r3dMYtueYgfqW-qIngm8eLyCmokw-d4igCarZ7HzHH7aUB7aJTi07dERBiFVMvTmdpzaqAiXqUNqnuC8iTy4HgkotljGHwHY0jg/s320/IMG_0531.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 7th is a really good hole and a sign that the course is about to become a more serious challenge. At 363 Yards, fairway dog leg lef and the green is well defended by good bunkering. A further par was really encouraging. I'd remembered from years back that scoring was easier on the Front 9, so level par after 7 would certainly do for me. The 8th is a dog leg right Par 4 of 410 Yards with a generously wide fairway, which I missed quite comfortably, finding my first bunker of the day off the tee. A double bogey 6 was disappointing though. Next came the 465 Yard Par 5 9th, named after the course designer, James Braid. The front of the green is well defended by strong bunkering. I found a narrow gap but found heavy rough at the back of the green, so another bogey followed and I was out in 39, in barely 90 minutes of easy walking.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The course was about to get more challenging and I was glad to have had that decent start. The 10th is blind off the tee and is a dog leg left 351 Yard Par 4. I'd sclaffed my drive barely 170 Yards and was left with a long downhill second to a narrow well-defended green. A bogey was about the best I could do and bunker trouble on the 11th led to a double. The Course Guide warns that you "cannot go left off the tee" on the 12th. Well, that's wrong for a start, as my hooked drive was to prove! Trees on the left meant I'd almost no shot but a low running 7 iron at least got me back into play. Bogey there and my 3 over par after 9 was now 7 over after 12. My playing handicap off the Yellows was 9 so I needed a run of pars to keep the round going my way. The 13th is the Stroke Index 1 hole at Royal Musselburgh, and at 435 Yards this Par 4 is a formidable test. The tee shot is blind and from the landing zone the fairway runs significantly downhill to another well protected green. More bunker issues and another bogey. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 14th Hole had stuck in my mind over the years, so I knew what to expect. As the photo immediately below shows, there's nothing to suggest that this 127 Yard Par 3 hole is particularly tricky. As the subsequent photo shows, there's a deep and steep-sided gulley right in front of the green. Anything short risks a bogey or far worse. I was barely a yard short and faced an awkward lie just to be able to hit the ball at all, so yet another bogey and I'd used all of my 9 handicap strokes, with 4 of the most difficult holes on the course still to come.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFkfekI615OSCY-vMiU_NCFHhSlZsJSyzEPJMiGh9l0ssNu38aAai4AmUVPGFDSNaUCj2kPOUrNxaYzKlmzAiWk2aAnafylXiRCy6av8zVgI0z4G6ZFmk5EOwqo08T7hrf0X6-9ZcMSPpjNAXuH_f8Ag-eIG2YU2nDhVyWAz-Pprc_-7qic-OR4W9KQ/s4032/IMG_0534.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFkfekI615OSCY-vMiU_NCFHhSlZsJSyzEPJMiGh9l0ssNu38aAai4AmUVPGFDSNaUCj2kPOUrNxaYzKlmzAiWk2aAnafylXiRCy6av8zVgI0z4G6ZFmk5EOwqo08T7hrf0X6-9ZcMSPpjNAXuH_f8Ag-eIG2YU2nDhVyWAz-Pprc_-7qic-OR4W9KQ/s320/IMG_0534.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEOsWNV57XHqES7NS_sAgZ4_nsRq6pQp78IVYKxZt1sBbqAYgAAmnSXvgOIzQF6igbWSfEfdtMfXH2OgJNunJM4u8SPZdyxwgc-KMCpu2jnCtEoZGpMrn6pZGMBCD2WCh1MqmyJ0Dcns3H2LZkCLvJKK8Zci0kKWBOUKR8ORWuzkwJWLOUpbT5MpDzw/s4032/IMG_0535.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEOsWNV57XHqES7NS_sAgZ4_nsRq6pQp78IVYKxZt1sBbqAYgAAmnSXvgOIzQF6igbWSfEfdtMfXH2OgJNunJM4u8SPZdyxwgc-KMCpu2jnCtEoZGpMrn6pZGMBCD2WCh1MqmyJ0Dcns3H2LZkCLvJKK8Zci0kKWBOUKR8ORWuzkwJWLOUpbT5MpDzw/s320/IMG_0535.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The 15th is easily the most difficult of the closing holes and although its a meaty 419 Yards off the Yellow tee, deep gulleys running across the fairway mean that you can have 2 or more blind shots and a Par 4 hole playing nearer to 500 yards, uphill. The Course Guide states "be happy to make 5." I was, but I was now 10 over and mindful that young Ayush might also be happy to make 5 when the tournament starts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The 16th is a downhill 148 Yard Par 3 that offers some relief and would be my sole par on the Back 9. 17 is a blind Par 4 of 334 Yards running in the opposite direction to the 15th, with similarly tricky fairway gulleys to contend with. I'd hit a really good drive, blind over a ridge, but my approach shot was also blind and as it turned out, really overhit into heavy rough at the back of the green. Bogey again. The 18th is an uphill 377 Yard Par 4 that plays longer than it looks. I'd found this bunker 50 yards short of the green but there was almost no sand in it, which was disappointing. I got the bunker shot onto the green and 2 putted for yet another bogey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uOrmhR2scmwWF_0XuTSI5MpZamL1H57lmePZ1Po6PauDJQdmBcQsuAwhzM0VFxuewvd7u52x4p5NQk-ty1hAiBpV_9K9aSwf_U4j8omJcM0aDnvTdPUIyyON44fkYEqo5wFiffaZr9uOikVmNcPqLkCpQp0foXcAR0rHhFBnwBIACvbPjNB_Wl9TaQ/s4032/IMG_0536.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uOrmhR2scmwWF_0XuTSI5MpZamL1H57lmePZ1Po6PauDJQdmBcQsuAwhzM0VFxuewvd7u52x4p5NQk-ty1hAiBpV_9K9aSwf_U4j8omJcM0aDnvTdPUIyyON44fkYEqo5wFiffaZr9uOikVmNcPqLkCpQp0foXcAR0rHhFBnwBIACvbPjNB_Wl9TaQ/s320/IMG_0536.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoA5jYoL7TZlR_6vqkydDG9uujCjqIHXZg0RxxMYk-VvQQ_F5nehZyLJ_2spRi-sNH2Sl9mtpFHrcK602wRwGoOJWPd0_jk2fV04dY4mwXZneDRregNyFQogCpvNIq_ggycKSigv19FjdJtVpKQfuEzrARoisLBGtQsJQxAfxP5Zb0HMLkMLmIHIZYw/s4032/IMG_0537.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoA5jYoL7TZlR_6vqkydDG9uujCjqIHXZg0RxxMYk-VvQQ_F5nehZyLJ_2spRi-sNH2Sl9mtpFHrcK602wRwGoOJWPd0_jk2fV04dY4mwXZneDRregNyFQogCpvNIq_ggycKSigv19FjdJtVpKQfuEzrARoisLBGtQsJQxAfxP5Zb0HMLkMLmIHIZYw/s320/IMG_0537.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'd played the Back 9 in 43 for 82 overall, a net 73 with 33 putts. Not bad I suppose, but 8 bogeys out of 9 holes on the Back 9 was poor. However, at least I'd gathered a better understanding of how this course should be managed. I'll be trying to keep young Ayush out of the bunkers and making sure he takes enough club on particular holes. He's a talented lad, so I don't think my 82 will be much of a target for him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Royal Musselburgh was good test and I'd recommend you give it a try and good value for money. The fairways were in really good condition, the greens were medium paced and smooth and the lack of bunker sand is easily remedied If you've played Newbattle or Ratho Park, some of the holes here might look very familiar!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-56549824053548901322023-01-25T16:01:00.001+00:002023-01-25T16:19:07.310+00:00Muirfield - The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Muirfield. Golfers all over the world will know the home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers in Gullane, East Lothian as one of the finest links courses in the world. I'd played it a few times and had never got remotely near playing to my handicap. That didn't really matter since the experience of walking and playing such a prestigious layout was what it was all about. The golf society (SEDGC) I'm still a member of used to go there every year until around the mid 1980s and if memory serves I first played Muirfield in 1981, when my handicap would have been around 18. I didn't beat 100 net (!) and in particular, was completely beaten up by the severity of the bunkering. Some years later I managed a gross 89 by avoiding most of the bunkers, hitting straight(ish) and putting reasonably well, but that was my best and over the years I'd harboured ambitions to try to play Muirfield again and beat that score. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fast forward to earlier this month when Colin, my buddy at Dunbar GC, asked me whether I wanted to play Muirfield on 24 January 2023. His son in law Stuart is a member of the Honourable Company and had invited Colin to bring along a couple of friends for a morning fourball, followed by a leisurely lunch and light permitting, a few afternoon foursomes holes. Suffice to say I jumped at the chance, as did Gordon, one of our other Dunbar buddies. January in East Lothian has been typically cold, wet and pretty miserable, so much to our delight 24 January was a perfect day for golf, a bit cloudy but otherwise mild, with just a light breeze across the links. I'll get to the actual golf, but first some history and context.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1744, Edinburgh Town Council agreed to present a Silver Club to the winner of an annual golf competition over Leith Links. The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith, later renamed The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, codified and wrote the original Rules of Golf as a precondition of receiving the Silver Club, which remains the oldest trophy in world golf. From the 1820s onwards HCEG members played more at Musselburgh and by 1836 the club had relocated. A dedicated clubhouse was built in Golf Place Musselburgh in 1865 and as one of the original subscribers for the Claret Jug, along with Prestwick and the R&A, the HCEG hosted 6 Open Championships between 1874 and 1889. Due to overcrowding on the Musselburgh Links, the HCEG moved to Muirfield in July 1890. The Muirfield course, designed by old Tom Morris, opened in May 1891 and in 1892 the course hosted the first 72 hole Open Championship. In 1922 the HCEG purchased the existing links and added a further 50 acres of land. The layout was redesigned by Harry Colt with advice from a past HCEG Captain and since 1892 it has hosted the Open Championship 16 times, together with the Ryder, Walker and Curtis Cups and numerous other international and national competitions.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Muirfield is different from the classic 9 out 9 back links layout, with the opening 9 holes circling clockwise around the perimeter of the course, and the closing 9 holes running anti-clockwise inside the first 9. Although there are fine sea views on some holes the course is separated from the sea by trees and natural dune land and wind can be a significant factor here. We played from the Red (front 9) and Yellow (back 9) markers, meaning the course played to 6457 Yards, Par 71, with a Course Rating of 72.5 and a Slope Rating of 139. Note that the Red tees aren't "for Ladies'" play. It's just another of the ways that the ECGC does things- Red out, Yellow back. At Dunbar GC our comparable numbers are 6196 Yards, Par 71, Course Rating 70.4 and a Slope of 124. My 8.6 Handicap Index converts to a Playing Handicap of 9 at Dunbar and 11 at Muirfield so it was obvious that Muirfield would be a significantly more difficult challenge. However, I was still hopeful that I'd manage to beat that 89 from many years before.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MjceXSX_cH25V5MZSskMhpU_iikkRXoTzhMjuSOJ13rhDf7zTAKeHEXjr1UdSpZTXCT6gWu82OwWOaf0ee1LhPArc9E1qzh0odQbgiVrpq_mwDPuPHRkl7K8d9vgJ8pe0d4HrM5yDN8jy4vRpZI2B5vQtLYjMEEyujy-g0qTiIwuOe1JNwiDdUbC2A/s4032/IMG_0427.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MjceXSX_cH25V5MZSskMhpU_iikkRXoTzhMjuSOJ13rhDf7zTAKeHEXjr1UdSpZTXCT6gWu82OwWOaf0ee1LhPArc9E1qzh0odQbgiVrpq_mwDPuPHRkl7K8d9vgJ8pe0d4HrM5yDN8jy4vRpZI2B5vQtLYjMEEyujy-g0qTiIwuOe1JNwiDdUbC2A/s320/IMG_0427.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A view </span><span style="font-family: arial;">from the first tee back to the clubhouse. The first hole is almost a flat dog leg right 420 Yard Par 4, played directly into the prevailing wind (such as it was). We'd had coffee in the clubhouse rather than a warm up so I wasn't surprised to find myself still 80 yards short of the green in 2. The greens would prove to be faster than they looked (stimping around 9.5?) and after misjudging the pace my 3 putt double bogey wasn't ideal. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The second was shorter at 346 Yards, with OOB close to the left side of the green. Bogey there, but at least I was warming up. Next, a 370 Yard Par 4. The last 60 yards of the fairway is squeezed between mounds that reduce it to a narrow strip, with the mounding also restricting visibility of the green itself. Gordon on his way along the 3rd fairway.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfUnrEImRDQpEM2Nz2xEWeURSCGiIqhxXGT3nSbKErICfmOG0RWbixM4HBr9WlJA1z_Yy4g65S13erggiFIN_ZPSQRwZHpAkWPzZKpa2tn8o-EhSJGMeuNv2kC6T5xuYTJbsbHrp8xLD7bO8qc2OWVViT6jIVVzJQUYerbHxGYJSZOfgA7Bc5NdacZg/s4032/IMG_0428.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfUnrEImRDQpEM2Nz2xEWeURSCGiIqhxXGT3nSbKErICfmOG0RWbixM4HBr9WlJA1z_Yy4g65S13erggiFIN_ZPSQRwZHpAkWPzZKpa2tn8o-EhSJGMeuNv2kC6T5xuYTJbsbHrp8xLD7bO8qc2OWVViT6jIVVzJQUYerbHxGYJSZOfgA7Bc5NdacZg/s320/IMG_0428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A decent drive and a 6 Rescue to within 15 feet set me up for an easy par, but any thoughts of a continued scoring trend were ended at the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">4th, a </span><span style="font-family: arial;">180 Yard Par 3. The pin was mid-right on the plateau green close to deep bunkering and grassy hollows. I missed my "brave" target line by a couple of yards and had a blind shot up a 10 foot bank for my second. However, a double bogey was poor from there. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 5th is slightly uphill and is a short 487 Yard Par 5. Easy enough if you keep to the fairway. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Stuart's advice was to avoid the 5 bunkers to the right of the fairway and target my tee shot short of the second of 3 bunkers on the left. Unfortunately my drive went right of the right side bunkering, leaving a hugely awkward stance. I was happy enough with a bogey in the circumstances. Next came the 419 Yard Par 4 6th, which the Course Guide describes as "probably the most demanding hole on the course." Flying the 4 bunkers on the inside of the bend in dog left left fairway wasn't deliberate but somehow I managed what for me was a long drive, setting up a 4 Rescue to the green, a mere 44 Yards long! Bogey again but I suspect I've scored worse there. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the 7th, a slightly uphill 147 Yard Par 3, played to a plateau green with heavy bunkering and grassy hollows waiting to gobble up anything remotely wayward e.g. my tee shot. I was only a few feet offline to the right but ended up 20 yards right and 15 feet below the green. My lob wedge to 6 feet was given rightful applause by my playing partners but any hopes of a stunning par didn't last long and a tap in bogey was scant consolation.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGzuR1UBkjzAHqz-hQq-zDJ1Jb_oclhbKVXAGZ82Odn3Y2jQZFOrg_JnJfwEBl1Dc29QvQmVKCM0p1VgdlDlCP31MImnybSqXQeEBRIy8KT8RRmi7vs9komy0xUp-Wy2VC8AzDiM9vVM1ipaEEUZunPZWx_b488VmvVTa-Xp9791Ah97IRIPFh8THkg/s4032/IMG_0429.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGzuR1UBkjzAHqz-hQq-zDJ1Jb_oclhbKVXAGZ82Odn3Y2jQZFOrg_JnJfwEBl1Dc29QvQmVKCM0p1VgdlDlCP31MImnybSqXQeEBRIy8KT8RRmi7vs9komy0xUp-Wy2VC8AzDiM9vVM1ipaEEUZunPZWx_b488VmvVTa-Xp9791Ah97IRIPFh8THkg/s320/IMG_0429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 8th is the Stroke Index 1 hole, for good reasons. It's a daunting 430 Yard Par 4, requiring a good long drive, left of the 5 bunkers that hug the inside of the dog leg right fairway. I got that bit right but I still had around 190 to the green. Three bunkers protect the approach to the green from 58 to 17 yards out, so I tried to steer a 3 wood left to avoid them. I hit a reasonable shot but at Muirfield the catchment areas for bunkers are often quite considerable and my approach shot rolled sideways into the biggest and deepest of those bunkers, as seen below. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhnvebNjDipmSIl0sMhs1f5cJuiBe-T9qBWvjyxMPNeZEHV8lq7b2YEBArf7TsMTUrc697ciBSw0Bek3x8-TYkjmsLb5SpHvu3uddXdYdZZkupN3cx6XaoTPiHbKz6UBmWVBiD4dMjMwxl8N7laT-yTGlsIfYpslp2oec7JxoM35UHxrsPAlE6_HRrw/s4032/IMG_0430.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhnvebNjDipmSIl0sMhs1f5cJuiBe-T9qBWvjyxMPNeZEHV8lq7b2YEBArf7TsMTUrc697ciBSw0Bek3x8-TYkjmsLb5SpHvu3uddXdYdZZkupN3cx6XaoTPiHbKz6UBmWVBiD4dMjMwxl8N7laT-yTGlsIfYpslp2oec7JxoM35UHxrsPAlE6_HRrw/s320/IMG_0430.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'd a hugely tricky shot just to get out, but it was disappointing that I ended up in another bunker on my way to a snowman 8. That meant I was now 12 over after 8 holes! The 9th offers no relief and for me, is probably the most tricky hole on the course. This is a 474 Yard Par 5 that plays directly into the prevailing wind. I'd hit a decent drive but had an awkward stance in light rough. My weakest shot of the day dribbled into a fairway bunker (again!) and after 4 shots I still had to avoid another 5 bunkers protecting the green. Another 8 for a poor outward 51. This is a view of the 9th green, clubhouse in the background.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6l8ZPIiWWw6RW2KlkMMoHPGm-nlX24e9GIuxukbE4r2fbpqs6IDdvzT9taSiuAZ_leQOgRenAfQnsZ98EZ589jHDKYBR8ahcgDKww-cjrxYOl4zTxy8PpI4WwPrGpMKqOug5HTcYR_mprZuFzB1dHWGSQflsvbO6Z-cTFCepRF76Z3os55jHUmMxWA/s4032/IMG_0431.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6l8ZPIiWWw6RW2KlkMMoHPGm-nlX24e9GIuxukbE4r2fbpqs6IDdvzT9taSiuAZ_leQOgRenAfQnsZ98EZ589jHDKYBR8ahcgDKww-cjrxYOl4zTxy8PpI4WwPrGpMKqOug5HTcYR_mprZuFzB1dHWGSQflsvbO6Z-cTFCepRF76Z3os55jHUmMxWA/s320/IMG_0431.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Back 9 starts with a whopping 446 Yard Par 4 with, for me at least, a blind second shot over deep twin fairway bunkers. I'd come up just short of the green in 2 and just missed my par. The 11th has the only completely blind tee shot on the course and is a short 332 Yard Par 4. Thankfully the pin was at the front of the green and an easy wedge helped me avoid the 6 deep bunkers that almost surround the green. A rare par! The 12th is a downhill 366 Yard Par 4 that looked deceptively easy. Avoid fairway bunkering and it's a simple hole, if you also avoid the 6 deep bunkers around the green. I managed to miss the fairway entirely on this hole and had the rough been at "Summer" length, my bogey would have been considerably higher. </div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the 13th, a tricky 156 Yard Par 3. The Course Guiide says " The green should be an easy target but but is never more than 15 paces wide and angles off to the left in a hollow in the dunes. On top of that, it is severely bunkered on both sides, drops sharply from back to front and falls away to the right. You just have to stay out of the sand." And that's an easy target?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_dkiy3mayaVst3-AuljAuUMk99Y3BXrvLbk335JmUm4IF7xyeC_KNRALEES2-I0kETpjKhgVly4RwA0a_gjx9Fzuk9MhUMioJmMcHao2UAgoOo2OjWdqSHhyfENjeyZYOW8QZX2u2PRS-xxVEwrN6RC92Nm0ejLw5E5KE0kE8nHtrDRsB88CMFhSeg/s4032/IMG_0433.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_dkiy3mayaVst3-AuljAuUMk99Y3BXrvLbk335JmUm4IF7xyeC_KNRALEES2-I0kETpjKhgVly4RwA0a_gjx9Fzuk9MhUMioJmMcHao2UAgoOo2OjWdqSHhyfENjeyZYOW8QZX2u2PRS-xxVEwrN6RC92Nm0ejLw5E5KE0kE8nHtrDRsB88CMFhSeg/s320/IMG_0433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJegeQGjWcZMGFwu9NDnPDEcaGJhrqbmTAjygFF9CQ9Nh7jVExgjZGhGi9_SvsCYrBBIbNh4f-zz4ifKV4lhPfzP8tFIwzBn0MYeMuHPv_jbTHrzd_BKX6wzZTlXwHOquJN9mmjZ1BxugPWdJR2QZpG4M8tzyhkX--z51QIgotTHtDtY4Cp0BiDHgBg/s4032/IMG_0434.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJegeQGjWcZMGFwu9NDnPDEcaGJhrqbmTAjygFF9CQ9Nh7jVExgjZGhGi9_SvsCYrBBIbNh4f-zz4ifKV4lhPfzP8tFIwzBn0MYeMuHPv_jbTHrzd_BKX6wzZTlXwHOquJN9mmjZ1BxugPWdJR2QZpG4M8tzyhkX--z51QIgotTHtDtY4Cp0BiDHgBg/s320/IMG_0434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I tried a 7 iron, which thankfully stuck on the bank just short of the green, leaving around a 100 foot putt. Aye, right, a bogey 4 would have to do, and I know I've scored far higher on this hole. The 14th is a 432 Yard Par 4, slightly downhill and played into the prevailing wind, this is another daunting hole. Only 8 bunkers to avoid this time. The Par 4 15th is almost equally formidable, at 393 Yards, with a remarkable 13 bunkers and significantly sloping green. I double bogeyed both of those holes! 16 is the final Par 3 and at 179 Yards and almost totally surrounded by 7 bunkers and grassy hollows is a severe test. The pin was on the right side of the green and after just missing the green, I'd yet another bogey. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And so to the 17th, a 478 Yard Par 5 that normally plays downwind and should be fair;ly straightforward. I'd hit a reasonable drive down the right avoid the 4 bunkers but leaving a semi blind second over another 4. I just found this bunker, had a poor lie and was daft enough to try to play over the bunker just beyond it as shown here. I then had an almost impossible lie and had to play back down the fairway. Another double bogey was on the card! </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkCDPpfc41FaVl181_BN2NpaO8nc2X-_ur75fHEO9eAEV-4yqIrTORf5KlJlu6NCHdkJuOIpfNevccwcLFUTU3wTrJOC86Ptp4i7cRXc4tIjeW3inKF7XTHAURgsra8PYyH4DTB_EHGWcbGfOqMmpRZHOPrVg1dbi12jl47PCfihRmGVfxeiwQl1wqg/s4032/IMG_0435.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkCDPpfc41FaVl181_BN2NpaO8nc2X-_ur75fHEO9eAEV-4yqIrTORf5KlJlu6NCHdkJuOIpfNevccwcLFUTU3wTrJOC86Ptp4i7cRXc4tIjeW3inKF7XTHAURgsra8PYyH4DTB_EHGWcbGfOqMmpRZHOPrVg1dbi12jl47PCfihRmGVfxeiwQl1wqg/s320/IMG_0435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The last hole at Muirfield is one of my favourite closing holes in golf. 402 Yards for club amateurs like me but a formidable 471 Yards from the tournament tees. 2 bunkers to the left of the fairway were out of range but the one on the right was worryingly well within range. By this time I'd seen enough of Muirfield's bunkers to last me a while. The next challenge was to avoid another couple of fairway bunkers and 2 greenside ones, in an effort to close the round under 100. I opted to lay up and hit a short pitch to the green. I'd forgotten just how steep the slopes were on that green and my 12 foot putt for par was quicker than I'd really want, but I was happy with a closing bogey and delighted with the morning's golf. Great company, some really good and bad shots by all 4 of us, no lost balls in my 97 gross, 86 net, with 37 putts. A very poor 26 over par, so my personal record score of 89 remains intact for another round at least. This a view of the 18th green.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZmLf-jr4TqDgkhMpeHwT0Z9y_UaJ1_3-SwJeSjq69iinKmi8VkNFnSXxioLszj7aFYUr3DiXPJG2XCA5Q_x7kxUJ8hS4EThn6tVd0Ul22nchORYVYkHvpVKUkx5olmdS05ttJ5whFqIWvYjieCeqZeG6p5WFdeYDtBli6S6jlaVnoqGIZd-PMzke8w/s4032/IMG_0437.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZmLf-jr4TqDgkhMpeHwT0Z9y_UaJ1_3-SwJeSjq69iinKmi8VkNFnSXxioLszj7aFYUr3DiXPJG2XCA5Q_x7kxUJ8hS4EThn6tVd0Ul22nchORYVYkHvpVKUkx5olmdS05ttJ5whFqIWvYjieCeqZeG6p5WFdeYDtBli6S6jlaVnoqGIZd-PMzke8w/s320/IMG_0437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">No visit to Muirfield would be complete without their truly sumptuous lunch and a tour of the iconic clubhouse and its priceless golfing artefacts. Although the course is open to visitors on Tuesdays and Thursdays, only 3 fourballs were booked for the hole of the day, including ours and Stuart was the only member among all 12 of us. A round at Muirfield is not cheap but is an experience that goes far beyond "18 holes and there's the door" which I'm afraid I've experienced elsewhere at other major tournament courses I'd better not mention. From start to finish this was an unforgettable experience so if you ever get an invite to play here, jump at it. Failing that, just make a tee time reservation for the low season rate if the peak rate is a bit steep for your wallet. Be prepared to book well in advance and remember, every hole will be challenging and you will need to be extremely skillful to miss all of the bunkers and avoid 3 putting on the huge greens. The course was in truly remarkable condition for late Winter, with full tees and greens and no matts, firm fairways and fast running smooth greens. Even our weather was kind. We even went out again at 1545 to play the 10th and 18th and with few lights remaining in the clubhouse and daylight fading fast, I took this final photo of our day at Muirfield. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJWbx9oJyMzA0D6wEkiX8wBOIquWMIr_jTeWs7yJvwsDGxX0iE8nsxWx757cx3uvKhXKEJMSpkVU1ea_itvjQXwCSeaF9lmO1mOh2leXhammpUPH3baqTGg7_xZodJAHInAApLdMwMKZ9CbqMBAQKfE6pQAvSOoZMJ_Y1fpUEWHz4BwI56JjQJe1ftw/s4032/IMG_0438.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJWbx9oJyMzA0D6wEkiX8wBOIquWMIr_jTeWs7yJvwsDGxX0iE8nsxWx757cx3uvKhXKEJMSpkVU1ea_itvjQXwCSeaF9lmO1mOh2leXhammpUPH3baqTGg7_xZodJAHInAApLdMwMKZ9CbqMBAQKfE6pQAvSOoZMJ_Y1fpUEWHz4BwI56JjQJe1ftw/s320/IMG_0438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank you again Stuart for your </span>hospitality and kindness in making our day so very special.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p></div>Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-44070743407810709912023-01-18T11:43:00.008+00:002023-01-19T11:38:50.276+00:00Stu<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Regular readers of this blog and indeed all those who have gone back to the first entries will know that I started my quest to play every course in Scotland in 2009, with the idea that I'd go round by myself. A change of plan was made late that year when I was joined by a couple of younger guys, Craig Watson and Stu Fleming. Craig was a Scottish Government auditor at the time and we'd met some years earlier through him working on financial records associated with my Scottish Government work. Craig and Stu had been best friends since early school days but I first met Stu when we got together for a bounce game at the Glen GC in 2009. Our first new course was at Archerfield Dirleton in November that year, for what would be many rounds the three of us would have together. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is Craig and Stu, inseparable buddies.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfN9hyAxR7b_TC6GGFfgWWIqaPt7F7iBP-EcQnZHy1itcVse675t94t3Hzt12futbJ2Md-NRIGtO7SPzbjDLCu1FwiwLYffY15rPLLqGf1NNvCTjO4APG-SB7dhKKMzDjEujvQldpiBK_aWGushgEq-UYRCTUGJVK0nTnBJ6nGPL9iwvkN-leEetbRjQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="318" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfN9hyAxR7b_TC6GGFfgWWIqaPt7F7iBP-EcQnZHy1itcVse675t94t3Hzt12futbJ2Md-NRIGtO7SPzbjDLCu1FwiwLYffY15rPLLqGf1NNvCTjO4APG-SB7dhKKMzDjEujvQldpiBK_aWGushgEq-UYRCTUGJVK0nTnBJ6nGPL9iwvkN-leEetbRjQ" width="314" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Being old enough to be their fathers, I'd thought there might be a slight disconnect between myself and these lads, but golf and more generally the enjoyment of life and touring round the country together meant we were quickly good friends sharing a common goal. Craig and Stu had young family responsibilities and busy jobs that limited the progress they could make towards our target of playing every course and as the blog shows, most of my new courses were solo trips. However, we'd a great time together playing remote courses on the Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland, Fair Isle, Stroma and at Dundonald, Loch Lomond and umpteen lesser known places.</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I mention all of this because a few days ago Craig phoned me with the terrible news that Stu had died. The circumstances aren't relevant to this blog. Suffice to say that his family have lost a truly good son, husband and father and Craig has lost his life long best friend. I'd not seen much of Stu in recent years, apart from when he did some electrical work at my then new house in 2019. He was so happy then, full of life and plans for the future and it's really tragic that for all the fun the three of us had, Stu will not be around to share in any of our further adventures. Craig is a member at clubs in Carnoustie and Panmure (playing off 0.5 having got down to scratch!!!) and we'll be playing together there later this year, and hopefully also at Dunbar and the Glen where I'm still a member. I'll maybe also join Craig when he's playing what for him will be new courses in his own continuing quest to complete the journey around every Scottish course, but it just won't be the same without Stu. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the three of us, Stu on the right, on our way to Fair Isle, the remotest and one of the oddest golf course in Scotland. I hope that one day another golfer will find some of the balls that we lost that day and wonder who was so wayward...... for the record, it wisnae me! Use the search box near the top left of the blog, key in Fair Isle and open the You Tube links about that particular trip. One of our best golfing experiences!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VyFyEqDfz-lPxzhzxLA3t3eYQ-VTXtEwd2mluV9kz3tZgxn6BF-0Y1jc9te2xRbnG8QJldxXoQO-7DW1-yIHRZIUaf7V-QZm5W2z3--jTCmZr7hIHV25J46uYCAFYG-sFf--2hKV2zlzPj7W6chub2LxTPtHNmCz1dzXt9fNGdpIhwhGlVjtVkWWVg/s3072/DSC05328.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3072" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VyFyEqDfz-lPxzhzxLA3t3eYQ-VTXtEwd2mluV9kz3tZgxn6BF-0Y1jc9te2xRbnG8QJldxXoQO-7DW1-yIHRZIUaf7V-QZm5W2z3--jTCmZr7hIHV25J46uYCAFYG-sFf--2hKV2zlzPj7W6chub2LxTPtHNmCz1dzXt9fNGdpIhwhGlVjtVkWWVg/w367-h276/DSC05328.JPG" width="367" /></span></a></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I also hope that when you read this particular blog entry, you will look back to some entries that include Stu e.g. Stroma, North Ronaldsay or Scarista on the Isle of Harris. He was such a good guy and I treasure the memories I have of the three of us playing together and sharing the journey. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv78SijTLlvwD0aiJ0SOg4vfXzyAtB8tEaxp9sMac02O97JgJpICmkK5LNNBy3EQxhKTDsekei4A-gbQVcIAKwDcCrnZ5fLMnvTdokGPsRVU2ltBfZST87_rgI6hY4XtmYmJvzH24pOiz09jmT2XbEtEpLIRuF9jYjl3nPTeX1cYRQtWKa3eoyBnco4g/s3072/North%20Ronaldsay%20GC%20-%2028%20July%202010%20006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3072" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv78SijTLlvwD0aiJ0SOg4vfXzyAtB8tEaxp9sMac02O97JgJpICmkK5LNNBy3EQxhKTDsekei4A-gbQVcIAKwDcCrnZ5fLMnvTdokGPsRVU2ltBfZST87_rgI6hY4XtmYmJvzH24pOiz09jmT2XbEtEpLIRuF9jYjl3nPTeX1cYRQtWKa3eoyBnco4g/s320/North%20Ronaldsay%20GC%20-%2028%20July%202010%20006.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Stu and I on the final green of the North Ronaldsay course. The clubhouse had seen better days many years before and the course no longer exists, having been abandoned and lost to the ravages of the weather. I suspect that ours was one of the last rounds to be played there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CCuzmZWmGKrvCNiBhZ3ZMnUu9Fs_kouSo8ACH3cwX0BBE57sB4VcVd_k6vwJVJL00cjGuhEQqzew-7NTm0Tq1lu_2QwsCspgW5o_MbIxbjWcTelzHRib87Pbc-f33vUe7BRfRTnx2xeRm2fL9pQPaeM7fnUnKuMi_PG6clKmGxbJ6CwPZ8aO8rpIew/s3072/Western%20Isles%20Trip%20-%2011-15%20April%202010%20037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3072" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CCuzmZWmGKrvCNiBhZ3ZMnUu9Fs_kouSo8ACH3cwX0BBE57sB4VcVd_k6vwJVJL00cjGuhEQqzew-7NTm0Tq1lu_2QwsCspgW5o_MbIxbjWcTelzHRib87Pbc-f33vUe7BRfRTnx2xeRm2fL9pQPaeM7fnUnKuMi_PG6clKmGxbJ6CwPZ8aO8rpIew/s320/Western%20Isles%20Trip%20-%2011-15%20April%202010%20037.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The lads in action at Askernish, trying to retrieve a ball from one of the many rabbit holes there. </span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Note too the distinctive yellow golf bag that served me so well for most of my journey around Scotland. It finally fell apart a few years ago but after a few indifferent bags since, I've recently tracked down a similarly bright bag that will hopefully last a good few years, starting at Muirfield next week, weather permitting.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLsqkmk4FQkB4RANub3taa60o3qXD7GnOw3JojSlXNaidJNlpUPEDV9iMAeTFAwEDwuz06I3EN5vm24JPyhmsba5tk8lKZV4JUOHn70AVOgbHlcJ_UXjL3UrnNnvvxwRMlT_NteBvZNqOl4lGcnaSi-7yyHeAAgCBfO6JigPBjTX5gESaOhEqWx9E6A/s4032/IMG_0419.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLsqkmk4FQkB4RANub3taa60o3qXD7GnOw3JojSlXNaidJNlpUPEDV9iMAeTFAwEDwuz06I3EN5vm24JPyhmsba5tk8lKZV4JUOHn70AVOgbHlcJ_UXjL3UrnNnvvxwRMlT_NteBvZNqOl4lGcnaSi-7yyHeAAgCBfO6JigPBjTX5gESaOhEqWx9E6A/s320/IMG_0419.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">No prizes for guessing where this photo was taken! (3rd Tee, Dunbar GC)</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-41552717619522112942022-06-02T17:42:00.005+01:002022-08-09T09:30:49.720+01:00A Podcast about my golf travels and caddying<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It's been quite a while since my last posting! Although I've played all of the "official" Scottish courses and many more besides, there's still a handful of pitch and putt courses to do and I'll need to play any new courses that are built, so watch this space for more course write ups. In the meantime, I've been busy playing at the Glen and Dunbar, my "home" courses and nursing my handicap (now 8.6) and playing abroad (particularly in Turkey - and sometime I might write something about the terrific quality of golf courses over there). I've also been working for Scottish Golf, revising clubs' course and slope ratings. If you've ever wondered why your home course is rated e.g. 124, or even higher, it's folks like me who go round, taking tons of measurements and trying not to get in the way of folks playing the course, before arriving at figures that reflect the relative playing difficulty of each course, so that handicapping can be fair to all concerned. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I'm still doing course ranking for various golf magazines, offering thoughts on the relative merits of Scottish courses. If you've ever come across lists of the best/most fun/value for money etc courses in Scotland, it's guys like me who contribute their thoughts to such lists. It's all very subjective, but for anyone who's planning a golfing trip to Scotland, such lists can help to identify what's available beyond the big championship courses. Just bear in mind that for every Muirfield or Renaissance, there's a Glen GC almost next door that's probably more playable and enjoyable at a fraction of the price! </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I'm also back caddying, now that COVID travel restrictions have eased and golfing tourists are able to visit Scotland again. Regular readers of this blog will know that I've been encouraging visitors to go beyond our big courses and search out courses that might offer greater value for money while still providing quality experiences. I recently did a podcast for a US-based golf travel company, touching on that very issue amongst other ramblings about my own golfing travels and caddying. Here's a couple of links to that podcast, which I hope isn't too boring!</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI","sans-serif"" style="background: white; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-34-alan-mcpherson-native-of-scotland/id1584048623?i=1000559604889">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-34-alan-mcpherson-native-of-scotland/id1584048623?i=1000559604889</a></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-34-alan-mcpherson-native-of-scotland/id1584048623?i=1000559604889" id="LPImageAnchor267816" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><img border="0" height="126" id="LPThumbnailImageId267816" src="https://is5-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts116/v4/a4/92/c8/a492c82b-64be-5cde-ea05-308eb7af7967/mza_8995339053611611072.jpg/1200x630wp.png" style="display: block;" width="240" /></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI Light","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-34-alan-mcpherson-native-of-scotland/id1584048623?i=1000559604889" id="LPUrlAnchor267816" style="color: var(--themePrimary);" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Travel Royally Podcast: Ep.
34 - Alan McPherson - Native of Scotland on Apple Podcasts</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI","sans-serif"" style="color: #666666; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Show Travel Royally
Podcast, Ep Ep. 34 - Alan McPherson - Native of Scotland - May 4, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI","sans-serif"" style="color: #a6a6a6; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">podcasts.apple.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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Native of Scotland</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI","sans-serif"" style="color: #666666; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alan McPherson is on
a quest to play every single golf course in Scotland. Only a couple of pitch
n putts remain for him. We hope you enjoy hearing the many experiences and
stories Alan has from traveling around Scotland.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</tbody></table><br /><p></p>Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-92033525916518684552020-10-28T17:08:00.002+00:002020-10-28T17:37:55.280+00:00Poloc Winter Golf Club - Course No 674<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Shortly after I'd published my report on Dumbarnie Links I was contacted by Adam, a Glasgow-based reader who advised me that I'd not played the Poloc Winter Golf Club, which he described as a "forgotten course and the second oldest course in Glasgow." I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that despite spending years 2-20 of my life living within a few miles of that course, going to school barely a couple of miles away and travelling literally thousands of times past its entrance, I'd never known that such a golf course existed. Internet research confirmed that the Poloc Cricket Club laid out a 6-hole course each year across their cricket pitch so that members could play golf outwith their normal Summer cricket season. Their cricket ground is located within Pollok Park, a truly remarkable countryside park, yet within a few minutes drive from Glasgow's city centre</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The cricket club was founded in 1878 and is clearly still thriving. I know very little about cric</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ket, having only played it twice at the most basic amateur level in the 1970's. I somehow got roped into being volunteered to play in a charity match in Gloucestershire by Barry, the best man at my wedding to Polly. If I recall the match properly, I was last man to bat and never got to face a ball, since the other batsman was bowled before I got the chance. Other than that, I stood where I was told and tried to field any balls coming my way. We lost, but the beer was good. Next time round, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">when I was living in Guildford, Surrey,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> I reluctantly made up the numbers for a nearby village team in a friendly match in Brixton, South London. I got to bat this time, or, more accurately, tried not to get clobbered by 3 balls coming my way at an alarming speed. I dodged the first 2 without actually seeing them coming and somehow connected with the 3rd, after trying to duck out of the way. From what I later gathered was a top edge, my first and last ever connection with bat and ball somehow evaded the wicket keeper and rolled gently towards the boundary. I'd scored a 4 and the over was over, if you get my drift. The other batsman was bowled out during the next and final over and we lost. So, that's all I know about actually playing cricket. Played twice, not out twice, 4 runs. I'll settle for that. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Poloc Winter Golf Club's Facebook page records that "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Founded in 1889, Wee Poloc is possibly Glasgow’s 2nd oldest golf course behind </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Cathkin Braes Golf Club. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: arial; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wee Poloc started off as a 9 hole course as was the fashion of the day, but the course was unfortunately reduced to 6 holes during the war. As other clubs of the era grew and the game evolved over the years almost all of the other clubs across Scotland expanded creating 18 individual holes. This would have been impossible for Wee Poloc as it was located within Sir John Stirling Maxwell's Pollock Estate. Making us the UK's only Royal & Ancient recognised 6 hole course."</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOdKytuFPNVu__hpZ6DVUFx0HtmRPG8hJeTHIY1OTwytUi_orRgb6t4YArr1A3dcD_dMSUGmpFYKBFkIcD4QYqu5_xnto_67vcAaAN6xM3GPMpNXFl6gvysn8xbDSQJ0vBVhq2oDiDXvz/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="960" data-original-width="584" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOdKytuFPNVu__hpZ6DVUFx0HtmRPG8hJeTHIY1OTwytUi_orRgb6t4YArr1A3dcD_dMSUGmpFYKBFkIcD4QYqu5_xnto_67vcAaAN6xM3GPMpNXFl6gvysn8xbDSQJ0vBVhq2oDiDXvz/w400-h433/image.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A map and scorecard for the course is set out above, suggesting that the course could be played as 3 loops of 6 holes, to form an 18 hole course of 3225 yards, with a </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Par 63. </span>It turned out that Adam, my "Dumbarnie" reader, was the greenkeeper and groundsman at the Poloc club. I'd arranged with him to play the Winter Club course on 28 October 2020, with Douglas, a dear friend who as regular readers may recall is also playing every course in Scotland. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3a71iAmE7i66QhQvT_4d6119RigmMqpiF8PZXG8XG3XdopzveDodT5RyZkaFZGRQkRDOExb5HbYlxZnENxOklH2zeI4RY5e2eJcVSNmS1Tp_GCJjflpljYTLxmAoQzbvt3ZPeHQYQaQP/s640/Poloc+2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3a71iAmE7i66QhQvT_4d6119RigmMqpiF8PZXG8XG3XdopzveDodT5RyZkaFZGRQkRDOExb5HbYlxZnENxOklH2zeI4RY5e2eJcVSNmS1Tp_GCJjflpljYTLxmAoQzbvt3ZPeHQYQaQP/s320/Poloc+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span>W</span><span>e'd originally planned to play the full 3 loops to form an 18 hole round, but the weather was pretty poor driving through to Glasgow and as the course was still soaking wet from recent showers, we opted for a single loop of all 6 holes, hoping we'd dodge the worst of the morning rain. This is Douglas on the 1st Green. If it looks small, you're not wrong! All of the greens were about 15 feet across, so accuracy with tee and approach shots would clearly be important. The course is surrounded by large trees so leaves at this time of year were an issue, as can also be guessed from this and the next 2 photos below.</span></span></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJBrCvPseuNHpVy1JOxEcECciQ5vO-amF1VSnVLmDp0KWHUO0vVpEn16tnY65SXSCDsUWtC71bOumzY61ek1kBQ8o12H-Ap7NWxvAusX6I93bbeJy9RdwPJraNuYmZLX95oD7pKL_d0Bi/s640/Poloc+4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJBrCvPseuNHpVy1JOxEcECciQ5vO-amF1VSnVLmDp0KWHUO0vVpEn16tnY65SXSCDsUWtC71bOumzY61ek1kBQ8o12H-Ap7NWxvAusX6I93bbeJy9RdwPJraNuYmZLX95oD7pKL_d0Bi/s320/Poloc+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiydFVZVTzzZM1N6VNeL-oXdd4zblMJfKuvX8VtUZ5r71Egjcx1T7EzOvSdmUeenAaiL-F9iXtdbXyQ1dyE24qgqxxGCRuqkisAx27MH4Mwaj2yeh8LS8ytdsx4k_RLXkyLJBRPGykv4f8/s640/Poloc+7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiydFVZVTzzZM1N6VNeL-oXdd4zblMJfKuvX8VtUZ5r71Egjcx1T7EzOvSdmUeenAaiL-F9iXtdbXyQ1dyE24qgqxxGCRuqkisAx27MH4Mwaj2yeh8LS8ytdsx4k_RLXkyLJBRPGykv4f8/s320/Poloc+7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhni1_H2s60nw1QX9oVYw-1sRtJV_2WY7klM9a7OqxzWItdRcntk39nAJ-_y9yu9jxDi67R-pDqzEUCgS38bTvA8qJS7B-Ac7urvAAcCXDY4oXSnScrnLy6orudNjfXOk2mIVEsSryBOdGY/s640/Poloc+5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhni1_H2s60nw1QX9oVYw-1sRtJV_2WY7klM9a7OqxzWItdRcntk39nAJ-_y9yu9jxDi67R-pDqzEUCgS38bTvA8qJS7B-Ac7urvAAcCXDY4oXSnScrnLy6orudNjfXOk2mIVEsSryBOdGY/s320/Poloc+5.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">Adam had very kindly set out the flags in advance of our round and, armed with a map of the course, it was easy enough to plot our way around - even though the 6th hole flag was placed on this, the 4th green, adding to the fun of our brief round. We weren't sure about the lengths of the holes, as listed above. I'd only taken a half set of clubs, leaving my Driver in the car but I'd expected that my 3 wood would be enough club to reach all of the greens, despite the heavy underfoot conditions. The photo below is from the 4th tee. My solidly-hit 3 wood tee shot was still short of the green, but it didn't matter, were just enjoying the novelty of the layout for what it was. </span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxhBBxxZ5tdkHHHvXHqzRDzF7PIJvaKtf6tMydZ9h5oM0nRivPGVE1qxBClub_FBwcNTJi2rfOKlFKqgIBSAa1AIyfSmWuIktjkqqNiVdLPLRXdydqBKm0sOWyWATSuzV8Ny9zhL8agq2/s640/Poloc+6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxhBBxxZ5tdkHHHvXHqzRDzF7PIJvaKtf6tMydZ9h5oM0nRivPGVE1qxBClub_FBwcNTJi2rfOKlFKqgIBSAa1AIyfSmWuIktjkqqNiVdLPLRXdydqBKm0sOWyWATSuzV8Ny9zhL8agq2/s320/Poloc+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>There are more than enough full length golf courses in Scotland presenting serious physical and technical challenges but there will always be a place for short courses like Wee Poloc, where a 6-hole round can take well under an hour. I read somewhere that golf is supposed to be fun (I still try reminding myself of that when ankle deep in wet rough, rain trickling down the back of my neck, searching for that errant drive) and Wee Poloc is a great reminder of that vital aspect of the game. The course is bordered by a riverside path and it was fun to stop and chat to the various walkers we met on our way alongside that path. Too often in these nervous Covid 19 days we offer only a brief nod of acknowledgement to passing strangers, so we both really appreciated that contact. It's easy to forget how friendly Glasgow can be.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our scores weren't great but for the record, I went round in 23 shots, with 7 putts on the greens themselves. Quite rightly, Douglas claimed the only birdie of the da</span><span style="font-family: arial;">y on the 2nd, the 160 Yard Par 3 (even if the hole had been doubled in width overnight after a fox had dug around the hole!) Still, a birdie is a birdie and you can only play the course as it lies, I reminded myself. Sadly, Douglas's birdie ball was lost among the leaves to the left of the 3rd green, or more likely sailed over the green and sank into the nearby River Cart, so his birdie joy was short-lived. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We'd really enjoyed our brief visit to Poloc Winter Golf Club and a special thanks must go to Adam, our amiable host and groundsman. Our green fees will be donated to Cancer Research UK in due course, so thank you for that generous gesture, Adam. Adam also asked us, on a scale from 1 to 10, just how eccentric we were, as evidenced by our journeys around the country, playing every course we can find. I suspect I rate a 10, but Douglas has now done 591 courses, so he's definitely heading in that direction. This is me with Adam after our round. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I'd been using my mobile phone camera and somehow switched it to video - and forgotten to clean the lense! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwXK7fIZ6e92ZS9p0UM9P4QL3TNb65Rv2MrKJeyPeHrfGBJm97SI6Vbrh-mY2YvomIzA0NIeNnk0ctHieOjUA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">The Wee Poloc golf course is open to the public and as the signs say, the club as a whole is inviting inviting new </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">members. Readers of this blog are also world-</span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">wide so if anyone finds themselves with time to explore Glasgow beyond the well trodden</span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">paths, a warm welcome awaits here. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-54359462276115712232020-08-06T14:58:00.007+01:002020-08-16T11:25:26.815+01:00Dumbarnie Links - Course No 673<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As regular readers of the blog will know, I've now played all of the Scottish courses that are recognised by Scottish Golf, the body that administers the amateur game in Scotland. I've a few unofficial and pitch and putt courses still to go but I've not managed to play any new courses since the Maverston 9 holer last year. It was therefore pretty exciting to get the chance on 5 August 2020 to play the newest course in Scotland, Dumbarnie Links, a genuine new links course a few miles south of St Andrews.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'd heard very positive reports about this course from a couple of Dunbar GC members who had played it recently and I'd also read rave reports on the internet and in various golf magazines, suggesting that Dumbarnie was the real deal, destined to rank alongside the very best courses that Scotland has to offer. The course website, at www.dumbarnielinks.com, is really superb but I was keen to judge for myself whether Dumbarnie was as good as those reports had suggested. OK, and I hope I'm not getting carried away here, but Dumbarnie easily met those expectations. The design, construction, condition and setting were all outstanding. One of my personal tests of a golf course is whether I'd really want to play it again. For some of the courses I've played on my travels around Scotland, that'd be definite no, with some additional and unprintable comments. For Dumbarnie, it's a definite yes and I can't wait to play it again. Once the clubhouse and some further landscaping are complete this course will definitely be recognised as one of the very best links courses in Scotland and one of the top ranked courses we have. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In recent years I've worked on assessment panels ranking courses for various golf magazines. Any Top 100 Course etc judgement is inevitably subjective, requiring careful consideration of factors such as architecture and design, conditioning and presentation, consistency, scenery and ambience of the course, playability, variety and challenge etc. but experience tells me that Dumbarnie is already a Scottish Top 20 course. Fife is naturally the home to some of these and for me, Dumbarnie has joined the likes of the Old Course St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Crail as must play courses for Fife-based golfing trips. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dumbarnie opened for play on 29 May 2020 and was founded and designed by Clive Clark, the well known course architect and former Ryder Cup player. The 345 acre site rises from sea level to around 80 feet, with the clubhouse set to overlook the course. Instead of a traditional out and back layout, contesting the prevailing winds, the design weaves its way through a myriad of newly created sand dunes requiring play under all points of the compass. I particularly liked how the design made use of elevation changes, with a number of elevated tees. Fairway widths were surprisingly generous. I'd played Dumbarnie on a relatively still day, but I suspect that those wide fairways might be welcomed on the kind of windy days that can beset our links courses.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I played Dumbarnie with Chris, a sports journalist that I've done some occasional work for, and my close friend Douglas, another of the mad souls set on playing every Scottish course. 4 August had been a horrible windy and wet day when sensible folk like me sheltered indoors with a good book, avoiding the flooded roads and heavy downpours. 5 August had been forecast to be fair, but as we arrived for our early afternoon tee time, the rain started again. Dumbarnie stretches from 5901 Yards from the men's white tees to a meaty 6940 Yards from the black tees, with other tees that could extend the course to a really formidable 7620 Yards for pro tournaments. Given the rainy conditions we opted for the white tees, making the 5901 Yards, Par 72 course more manageable - in theory!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dumbarnie started with a south facing 363 Yard Par 4 from an elevated tee. A burn running along the left side of the fairway and in front of the green made things interesting. I guess that my home town, North Berwick, would have been visible in the distance but the rain and smirr put paid to that! These were the views from the tee and for my approach shot, an easy 8 iron from 138 Yards. I managed to just miss the green to the right but a 10 foot putt for par didn't go as planned. The greens turned out to be impressively true, but were running a lot slower than they looked, after all of the recent rain. Still, a bogey start wasn't too bad.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42o6Cu8JBVMnp26aPmp3uaWEL9rM6UcLFYKwrX5Fl_axQ7_fSTn3flhDi3UIhi8fqHXWZLz5pCW2wqL4uCFHPoyJiQQgE7k8OX9__cOzHCJVH-eTWpOLbyxQIzARhkXYB8zsEn2STWHES/s2048/IMG_1112.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42o6Cu8JBVMnp26aPmp3uaWEL9rM6UcLFYKwrX5Fl_axQ7_fSTn3flhDi3UIhi8fqHXWZLz5pCW2wqL4uCFHPoyJiQQgE7k8OX9__cOzHCJVH-eTWpOLbyxQIzARhkXYB8zsEn2STWHES/s640/IMG_1112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8NUXdk1dddChK5cdfDn3GeOhheLcUEfjqlSO_Zj0wYYlnUqMRrXvanEcmMdL4fKcT6iZ0Ktb69-wAAror-1ucGt0oCrby1h3-bmjGsLj4nkcQbCDgtfcFNV4sCdzPANke1KHJ5AbTAbi/s2048/IMG_1113.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8NUXdk1dddChK5cdfDn3GeOhheLcUEfjqlSO_Zj0wYYlnUqMRrXvanEcmMdL4fKcT6iZ0Ktb69-wAAror-1ucGt0oCrby1h3-bmjGsLj4nkcQbCDgtfcFNV4sCdzPANke1KHJ5AbTAbi/s640/IMG_1113.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The west-facing 2nd hole was a 455 Yard Par 5 that suggested I'd need good course management. A burn cuts the fairway into 3 sections, as shown below. A couple of reasonable shots with Driver and 3 wood left an Approach Wedge to a slightly uphill tiered green, with the pin tucked into a low point on the front left of the green. 3 putts for another bogey from 30 feet reaffirmed impressions about the likely pace of the greens. By then we'd also noted the impressive condition of the fairways. On some new courses I've played, fairway growth has been sparse but at Dumbarnie all the fairways were really good, with strong growth on sandy soils.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMoaCk_gNsV6cFXl_erzVCMGgizWCjIWG2MWHfKaman8b5gpWfIpNcKUksxCOVp80wGkKDVa-lB6EYwAMy48x20tqMsjJIuQh7-KGG7BbEilTbmLtLdXMMpaLZrgbimt7GaqvOw4ojPL4/s2048/IMG_1114.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMoaCk_gNsV6cFXl_erzVCMGgizWCjIWG2MWHfKaman8b5gpWfIpNcKUksxCOVp80wGkKDVa-lB6EYwAMy48x20tqMsjJIuQh7-KGG7BbEilTbmLtLdXMMpaLZrgbimt7GaqvOw4ojPL4/s640/IMG_1114.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The 3rd hole is a short 294 Yard Par 4, dog leg left facing south-east. We'd already noticed the architect's use of two different bunkering styles, either deeply riveted or more naturally shaped fairway bunkers with overhanging rough edging, and this interesting contrast is shown in this view from the 3rd tee. Driver, Gap Wedge and a couple of putts for my first par.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWUpxMc2QetJvsgZJNkil3Z4Keb0j5uTOUW-LSTSRLuLhPBpA4AXGImgLfyzP38YYpR7ln6aw86VZxMH1H-HFWwtck7aNN62nNTlXycNvZ5-yK4X1apC0dqoRTutAK8rFXwPIfikAjZhS/s2048/IMG_1115.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWUpxMc2QetJvsgZJNkil3Z4Keb0j5uTOUW-LSTSRLuLhPBpA4AXGImgLfyzP38YYpR7ln6aw86VZxMH1H-HFWwtck7aNN62nNTlXycNvZ5-yK4X1apC0dqoRTutAK8rFXwPIfikAjZhS/s640/IMG_1115.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><h2 style="border: 0px none currentcolor; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The 4th is a 332 Yard Par 4, turning south west, into what would normally be the prevailing wind direction. Short, but on a windy day.....! Another par though. The 5th is a really interesting risk and reward hole and the first of the double fairway holes. Going left off the tee to a narrow fairway leaves a more direct and shorter second shot. Go right to a wider fairway and face a far longer approach. Our choice of the white tees meant this hole wasn't quite as formidable as it would otherwise be but I got out of position on the left, had a really awkward stance inches short of one of the fairway bunkers and had to settle for double bogey after another 3 putt green. Poor course management, Alan.</span></h2><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the 6th, and the first of the four Par 3s. We guessed there's a great view south west over Largo Bay. An easy 7 iron, slightly uphill and an equally easy par. A very meaty 226 Yards in a pro tournament into the prevailing south west wind, though!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAcFth3ySaNtvcggVC35p0PnWkpEIqUbC5fbP8K2zsUpM_dx1HN8QT_n7lOAEsXm9Y2Bt6XJ8RzGvq8I-pSpQGXvAtNeKi9HIQgyF8YlriGCcw3QoKBWhthoHNjOYkIqxJMVK7WO9pB0w/s2048/IMG_1117.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAcFth3ySaNtvcggVC35p0PnWkpEIqUbC5fbP8K2zsUpM_dx1HN8QT_n7lOAEsXm9Y2Bt6XJ8RzGvq8I-pSpQGXvAtNeKi9HIQgyF8YlriGCcw3QoKBWhthoHNjOYkIqxJMVK7WO9pB0w/s640/IMG_1117.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 7th is a really good 477 Yard Par 5, slightly uphill. Another good par after a couple of straight shots and an easy short iron to the angled green. Next was the shortest hole on the course, the downhill 122 Yard Par 3 8th, as shown below. Chris had taken a wedge but I tried an easy 9, didn't hit through the ball and skied it into the penalty area running to the right of the green. Double bogey from there was disappointing, on what looked to be one of the easier holes.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmcLYZ4MWhFLrSKVjmXoWvvWCoY03aD9YRs_SlgZq2y9B5P9oA5b15S4dLe7WejBCIImH9U2PmspjYRXnGdQTuoE7ubwMnWtEFeBSOkk6Z88xsSskkyDTEYGTk6n7WZwkMSo_-dBlUQhq/s2048/IMG_1118.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmcLYZ4MWhFLrSKVjmXoWvvWCoY03aD9YRs_SlgZq2y9B5P9oA5b15S4dLe7WejBCIImH9U2PmspjYRXnGdQTuoE7ubwMnWtEFeBSOkk6Z88xsSskkyDTEYGTk6n7WZwkMSo_-dBlUQhq/s640/IMG_1118.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 9th was my favourite hole at Dumbarnie, as shown below. This is a 351 yard Par 4, facing south from an elevated tee. The line was just right of the fairway mound (and thanks to the small boat on that line in the distance!). Ironically, one of my best drives left a short iron to a hea</span><span style="font-family: arial;">vily contoured green. Another par, albeit with a Mulligan from the tee, after a lost ball somewhere to the right of the nearest bunker! With that Mulligan, I was out in 42.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbu8Im7lzY9gcDQH9Jdm5H_-bnfUj_fn2rPXyNqGZ49rQr-Emlm3bzakMuOb3LRYM79aPeWZNeJkWnjRnoVQlewwuAU_Hu3YC-Xlka0zHClHdaXT8RtVPM1lzFIixqJbBa5YuT_O-FugA/s2048/IMG_1119.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbu8Im7lzY9gcDQH9Jdm5H_-bnfUj_fn2rPXyNqGZ49rQr-Emlm3bzakMuOb3LRYM79aPeWZNeJkWnjRnoVQlewwuAU_Hu3YC-Xlka0zHClHdaXT8RtVPM1lzFIixqJbBa5YuT_O-FugA/s640/IMG_1119.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 10th is a really strong Par 4, at 423 Yards, played in the heaviest of the rain showers we experienced. 474 yards off the Blue tee and 524 off the tournament tee, facing south east. What you don't see from the tee is that a burn, extending into a large pond, cuts across the hole at the landing zone for decent drives. I'd hit a straight drive and was glad that I'm not the longest off the tee these days! A 6 Rescue over the water veered right, into the penalty area so a double bogey from there was acceptable. Good hole though!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 11th is a short 247 Yard risk and reward Par 4 as shown below. I managed another par after duffing my tee shot short and left into medium rough. I'd a great and very lucky lie and a good 7 iron found the green for an easy enough par.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionF5wCpVberWEDHXmYFfXOTM0TTR85yabq2ps5xPw_DD1O-XtjnqiqGeMtWK5UfI_-dPST9gOVB4fwd2nekUZlzHIRR-K9UVcWk1k4_0SX2xwpYjvd8DVwma4crU7VkIloNkmhwwrSxCr/s2048/IMG_1121.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionF5wCpVberWEDHXmYFfXOTM0TTR85yabq2ps5xPw_DD1O-XtjnqiqGeMtWK5UfI_-dPST9gOVB4fwd2nekUZlzHIRR-K9UVcWk1k4_0SX2xwpYjvd8DVwma4crU7VkIloNkmhwwrSxCr/s640/IMG_1121.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Next came the 12th, a 332 Yard Par 4, played in more heavy rain. I'd hit a decent straight drive and managed a punched 8 iron to a yard for a rare birdie. Go me! The 13th is a formidable 488 Yard Par 5, extending to 603 for tournaments. I hooked a drive into light rough but had a blind second over a fairway bunker, with trouble ahead. I opted for a recovery wedge, leaving the choice between going for the left section of the fairway, with a shorter route in over nasty looking fairway bunkering, or a longer approach from the wider right section of the split fairway. A poorly played wood found one of the bunkers and cost me a double bogey, saved by a rare single putt. </span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">14th next, a simple looking 147 Yard Par 3. A 7 iron to the back of the green, leaving a 15 foot downhill putt, which I left in the jaws of the hole. The 15th was a 521 Yard Par 5 (603 off the very back tee!) and another of the split fairway holes. I could have gone right, leaving a daunting carry over rough and bunkering to set up a short approach to the green. However,I opted for the safety of a the left section of the fairway, leaving 3 wood and an easy 7 iron to within 10 feet. I missed the putt but an easy par. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 16th, as shown below, was the longest of the Par 3s at 159 Yards, slightly uphill to a heavily contoured and tiered 47 yard long green. From the tee, the front of the green looked to be fairly shallow, but was deceptively deep. Anyway, that's where my tee shot went, leaving a long putt, which I did in 3!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTYQAR65rfb_OR1QCUu7jwwykDEgE6Ix7yxUwrjetGms37y4NSIjqd7Wr8JxU4u0CZx8Zm1N8WNSmvhwBLaeYOHtjCeisbPsAhfB5TX1KeKQohsEzB2s2zzOz84X78qjhd6I-NRiJ2iPe/s2048/IMG_1122.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTYQAR65rfb_OR1QCUu7jwwykDEgE6Ix7yxUwrjetGms37y4NSIjqd7Wr8JxU4u0CZx8Zm1N8WNSmvhwBLaeYOHtjCeisbPsAhfB5TX1KeKQohsEzB2s2zzOz84X78qjhd6I-NRiJ2iPe/s640/IMG_1122.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Next, the 17th, a sharply dog leg right and uphill Par 4. The direct route would leave a short pitch to the green but I opted for the safety of the corner of the dog leg, leaving an 8 iron to the green. Another 3 putt though after misjudging the pace of the green.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIcieVOxOJolgKRrr44_HwTjo464rmwmWFHkeKiNZM8yrJeMfrAqpbmWP4xVHJ0vLoONkFuq2C9ZNRxsUkD4dBBV38iNTuP-KE77W0OGaGF0A-RqYKC5PgzNoSGD7J7_xPMB2tKuXUUgi/s2048/IMG_1123.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIcieVOxOJolgKRrr44_HwTjo464rmwmWFHkeKiNZM8yrJeMfrAqpbmWP4xVHJ0vLoONkFuq2C9ZNRxsUkD4dBBV38iNTuP-KE77W0OGaGF0A-RqYKC5PgzNoSGD7J7_xPMB2tKuXUUgi/s640/IMG_1123.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, to the closing hole, a 393 Yard Par 4. The drive landing zone is generous, leaving an inviting long shot to the green, as seen here, with the clubhouse still under construction. I missed the green short and right, finding a bunker. Another 3 putt green and I was round in 85 with a remarkable 39 putts. Net 73 but o</span><span style="font-family: arial;">n a drier day, with more normal green speeds, I'd hope to do a bit better. Next time though, I'd go for the more demanding blue tees, extending the White tee course by around 500 yards.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkMB9NdNx92kI4SFQJ0KoTTUiYkTwW_BhqQyE2vidnRyG5_vNStM7UXPSaWxvno2RWAJytBeeg1MM45OZB4npEjYrkzYuUuUoJbGQqfytVHuCl9KDrbBDf2xpfQpUE22rxyPR-LRXb_HA/s2048/IMG_1126.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkMB9NdNx92kI4SFQJ0KoTTUiYkTwW_BhqQyE2vidnRyG5_vNStM7UXPSaWxvno2RWAJytBeeg1MM45OZB4npEjYrkzYuUuUoJbGQqfytVHuCl9KDrbBDf2xpfQpUE22rxyPR-LRXb_HA/s640/IMG_1126.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We were all very impressed by Dumbarnie and in parts, it reminded us of other courses. The old wall on 17 had echoes of Renaissance, some of the bunkers could have been from Machrihanish Dunes and other parts brought Kingsbarns, The Castle and other courses to mind. Indeed, we wondered whether, in time, golfers playing such courses would see reminders of Dumbarnie. Dumbarnie has opened in the most difficult times facing Scottish Golf that we can remember, with almost no foreign golf tourists being able to travel, thanks to Covid 19 restrictions. Despite that, the course was busy on 5 August, with Scottish and other UK national visitors. In time, it looks set to attract large numbers of visitors, particularly as an additional destination for those coming to play at St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Crail etc. It certainly has the quality they'd be looking for and I have a number of friends in the USA and Canada who are already keen to try Dumbarnie for themselves. Hopefully next year, Glenn, Scott, Mark, Chuck and the rest of you guys!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, a view from the back of the 17th looking roughly south towards North Berwick and Edinburgh. That dark cloud soon blew over to leave the course bathed in sunshine, just as we got back to the car park. Next time maybe I'll time it better.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NI6Z8o-QdeSCDxJRISjJX-1q26IYAEZ7R7yStsz71uRwyK4ecg-ci1xmVgg4bSYgAWamfnk9klZuIFzy10BOoANrm3O-i9zSCbtQuETf5_w49drk1hAfeKEF3RZa5J-NW18HHjLZmBuU/s2048/IMG_1125.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NI6Z8o-QdeSCDxJRISjJX-1q26IYAEZ7R7yStsz71uRwyK4ecg-ci1xmVgg4bSYgAWamfnk9klZuIFzy10BOoANrm3O-i9zSCbtQuETf5_w49drk1hAfeKEF3RZa5J-NW18HHjLZmBuU/s640/IMG_1125.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><br /></div><p style="border: 0px none currentcolor; box-sizing: inherit; color: #171717; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p></div>Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-7091397925496395802020-04-05T12:14:00.002+01:002020-04-05T12:14:46.474+01:00Answers to the 24 March Quiz<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope the many hundred readers who tried the quiz enjoyed trying to identify the courses from my photos of the clubhouses. From the feedback I've had from friends who've tried it, it was pretty hard, even for well-travelled local golfers. Well done to my close friend Douglas M, who managed to get all of the answers correct after I'd given him a few extra clues on 5 of the courses. Douglas had a real advantage, though, since he's one of the guys I know that is determined to play all of the Scottish courses and he's nearly there! We've been a few trips together around the courses - and with any luck we'll be playing the new Dumbarnie Links in Fife together once the lockdown is lifted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, here are the answers. Try inserting the names of the courses in the Search box at the top left of the blog header, to go to the relevant write up about each course. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 - this one is in Perthshire and has 2 courses.<span style="color: red;"> <b>Crieff GC</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 - Craig, Watson, Stu Fleming and me on our travels. This time, at a famous former European Tour venue. <b><span style="color: red;">Castle Stuart Golf Links</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G-fJHja668xBdbnfJqdMEoNVLt1dkjiMR3sf9nn1ZI5UVDK-EVCFDUAxuT5iKVAalv5tAsjaEG5Ez_OyuyAVLlYM2v9bqXy17bF3DiLwFM8_h3kf-RRl0t0nxAjfb_B3j_1BuHlQbQN4/s1600/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G-fJHja668xBdbnfJqdMEoNVLt1dkjiMR3sf9nn1ZI5UVDK-EVCFDUAxuT5iKVAalv5tAsjaEG5Ez_OyuyAVLlYM2v9bqXy17bF3DiLwFM8_h3kf-RRl0t0nxAjfb_B3j_1BuHlQbQN4/s320/068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 - one of our best links courses, which also has a 9 hole second course. <span style="color: red;"><b>Cruden Bay GC</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 - Aberdeenshire - good parkland course, also has a 9 hole second course. <b><span style="color: red;">Deeside GC</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5 - oddly named course (after the mountain in the background), which for some reason also does segway rides for tourists. <b><span style="color: red;">Dragon's Tooth Golf Course</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtVPZzBi7f1ShpvBn4dmslyfYrSNz0wmqYP5nYFQKnX9kvORcUl008_N_fcYgYHJE_sivpp75bR_EIvMq-kJade11m4o4PhQSb7gCxZf55tI9nSsH_F-mwYa76Ng9sisUw-PrgY2AhqNN/s1600/DSC05438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtVPZzBi7f1ShpvBn4dmslyfYrSNz0wmqYP5nYFQKnX9kvORcUl008_N_fcYgYHJE_sivpp75bR_EIvMq-kJade11m4o4PhQSb7gCxZf55tI9nSsH_F-mwYa76Ng9sisUw-PrgY2AhqNN/s320/DSC05438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6 - remote, but well worth the effort to find, close to a couple of more famous neighbours. <span style="color: red;"><b>Dunaverty GC</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSvNWPZ5rs1eOoFw8Xl9d8m4gzfoWboJRiExxyR8zUxBUFE1Vl3oBB-047b16OGrHIQNffzrbOOYd2TH7gFTOaNotya0MJJlsW5AwBZ8U9n5HEUYlgmFwmVKENc8aY6v2RRWRXh3kV6HF/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSvNWPZ5rs1eOoFw8Xl9d8m4gzfoWboJRiExxyR8zUxBUFE1Vl3oBB-047b16OGrHIQNffzrbOOYd2TH7gFTOaNotya0MJJlsW5AwBZ8U9n5HEUYlgmFwmVKENc8aY6v2RRWRXh3kV6HF/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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7 - <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">same name as one of our former new towns. <span style="color: red;"><b>East Kilbride GC</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZZpyUvewKm81KHi7MOVPvjlJtbkprPuSX4VNVuXtG5ja7zlXb_hfbdqImbvIazcg5Wi1SXFXpQA_W9uKsJ3FT2LRFZ0dA6SKnOGdCDgXxbDlzObZs62I1NFiNBEVMDrjXxVXbqp4tHmZ/s1600/Hole-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="555" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZZpyUvewKm81KHi7MOVPvjlJtbkprPuSX4VNVuXtG5ja7zlXb_hfbdqImbvIazcg5Wi1SXFXpQA_W9uKsJ3FT2LRFZ0dA6SKnOGdCDgXxbDlzObZs62I1NFiNBEVMDrjXxVXbqp4tHmZ/s320/Hole-18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8 - spectacular sea views, with a great Par 3 and a 656 yard P</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ar 5! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">Eyemouth GC</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJRl4UU0dvI-p7t6lVH7s-7a4iOrgQu4SR__DkluAEKjyrWePuZsPG_S6seS_VkNb30DqFTJ5DY5H0ogBSOuGFwS-x_1qDqt9gjmW8PlRq1dNk_fOza4_gqWUR9OZB-6BxU-Paqk9u5ER/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJRl4UU0dvI-p7t6lVH7s-7a4iOrgQu4SR__DkluAEKjyrWePuZsPG_S6seS_VkNb30DqFTJ5DY5H0ogBSOuGFwS-x_1qDqt9gjmW8PlRq1dNk_fOza4_gqWUR9OZB-6BxU-Paqk9u5ER/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9 - North East fishing village and a really testing links course. <span style="color: red;"><b>Fraserburgh GC</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoI2oi1vCFzoeDuSwFoZSyEeoDzey0qkkEk_thzLyXctZgn0mnJc9sljKbw_5bGkqq4YeWhqLNnpxRXwLigdt5dagEKm1jEP3IlgueCc1OL4GGu3_zNLq6xhCozOjzdc2PXeEjXvyQk6EI/s1600/DSC06141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoI2oi1vCFzoeDuSwFoZSyEeoDzey0qkkEk_thzLyXctZgn0mnJc9sljKbw_5bGkqq4YeWhqLNnpxRXwLigdt5dagEKm1jEP3IlgueCc1OL4GGu3_zNLq6xhCozOjzdc2PXeEjXvyQk6EI/s320/DSC06141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10 - venue when my friend Tom Coyne tried to qualify for the Open Championship. One of my favourite caddying experiences. <b><span style="color: red;">Bruntsfield Links GC</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOw2CpPzyMW1qh_XW-86AR3qnncwRCLhqzMwuXjezjfRALqnoO75zFslzIWdCbazveYyA5lQj8WrYiAbN1u7eTM9SAIpQNnV2CyZ1EZw0-rRX9tFuoQxvQEGXM-27dJMQDLAp6nVMnYIj/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOw2CpPzyMW1qh_XW-86AR3qnncwRCLhqzMwuXjezjfRALqnoO75zFslzIWdCbazveYyA5lQj8WrYiAbN1u7eTM9SAIpQNnV2CyZ1EZw0-rRX9tFuoQxvQEGXM-27dJMQDLAp6nVMnYIj/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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11 - <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">village course at the head of a sea loch.<span style="color: red;"><b> Lochgilphead GC</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgAtoqU12QoVwdm6wPR0xnalEv176IUMVgnPCrD2RlQ6auLeoEJy9y31IVmUxef6PFIZC1V66VmEkmh4ON7faFy5gCc4__neG_0sOJiMahL6Sk5SgI6N4FlzYUJhzVNREHAOXRBMDN9pc/s1600/Lundin+Ladies+and+Crail+GCs+2+March+2010+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgAtoqU12QoVwdm6wPR0xnalEv176IUMVgnPCrD2RlQ6auLeoEJy9y31IVmUxef6PFIZC1V66VmEkmh4ON7faFy5gCc4__neG_0sOJiMahL6Sk5SgI6N4FlzYUJhzVNREHAOXRBMDN9pc/s320/Lundin+Ladies+and+Crail+GCs+2+March+2010+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">12- ladies only members' club.<span style="color: red;"><b> Lundin Ladies GC</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9H7PjzrIICstFs5oWzJytdsoDFKMypTCKUchSW57VGB5L8SJ1ioHp16FCw5Oz6Qzj59qS8e4JAJx2PfKTCOtOvkUS9Hh4c0lA2CDW3zATx2Yeo7Gvma-lkEahVJHMVVdYRyisTEbpZkq/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9H7PjzrIICstFs5oWzJytdsoDFKMypTCKUchSW57VGB5L8SJ1ioHp16FCw5Oz6Qzj59qS8e4JAJx2PfKTCOtOvkUS9Hh4c0lA2CDW3zATx2Yeo7Gvma-lkEahVJHMVVdYRyisTEbpZkq/s320/029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">13 - guests-only hotel course. <span style="color: red;"><b>Cally Palace Hotel Golf Course</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">14 - Glen GC v Rhodes GC before a County Cup match played at a world famous neutral venue. <b><span style="color: red;">Muirfield, home of the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To explain, the Rhodes GC is a separate club that plays over the East Links, North Berwick, home of the Glen GC. Some years ago I played in an open competition at a rather prestigious club just outside Glasgow. One of their members noticed my Rhodes GC bag tag and clearly thought that my club was on the island of Rhodes in Greece. His comment at the time was along the lines of "ye'll no' huv played yer course for a guid wee while, pal, since ye've no much i' a tan!" I didn't have the heart to explain that the club is North Berwick-based.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">15 - a parkland course in Ayrshire, with a 19th hole just in case your match would otherwise finish tied. <span style="color: red;"><b>Rowallan Castle Golf Course</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_fT50MO4YRfxdVy5y15aK0Ai1CGsQYvV1Z_qkI63BbCxmRARNAyjplo36o52ooDUHrf_b3U4xIoLeKrav5hkWt9NGnMllmf12NN8qIUnbOPjn4TSz6TiB8JWudtYgdd73XPVvd4g8lSB/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_fT50MO4YRfxdVy5y15aK0Ai1CGsQYvV1Z_qkI63BbCxmRARNAyjplo36o52ooDUHrf_b3U4xIoLeKrav5hkWt9NGnMllmf12NN8qIUnbOPjn4TSz6TiB8JWudtYgdd73XPVvd4g8lSB/s320/044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">16 - Scotland's most northerly clubhouse. <b><span style="color: red;">Whalsay GC, Shetland Islands</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">17 - Try not to miss it on the way to Mallaig. <b><span style="color: red;">Traigh GC, pronounced "try"</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXie_dJH6H7fEx2dyghBloz8MQoxcFDOYaBOV3QoM5_6ctOY-hDqwXFyk2EfGtCcnGketiJC-yMxF0Ketkufas9xBsimpVItoX6LwLr7lcwm-nv1piEdlRblV3gcs3hu0iGsoYUX9HMYM/s1600/Orkney+GC+-+29+July+2010+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXie_dJH6H7fEx2dyghBloz8MQoxcFDOYaBOV3QoM5_6ctOY-hDqwXFyk2EfGtCcnGketiJC-yMxF0Ketkufas9xBsimpVItoX6LwLr7lcwm-nv1piEdlRblV3gcs3hu0iGsoYUX9HMYM/s320/Orkney+GC+-+29+July+2010+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">18 - Take a ferry from Aberdeen or Scrabster to get here ..... <b><span style="color: red;">Kirkwall GC, Orkney Islands</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC7tPnsZrxGOCLBSYWqD0z3M1f-vh5h3wKg4glaw64CntWq8Vnm3zYFgE_zFt01sCYWX85-Om_rMSBxNGc-DWF3QXz-LJqdTpWAA8uYqlr-JZqOP5PmyewVbyC9s8MyCxY447Qc3GLWfp/s1600/IMG_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC7tPnsZrxGOCLBSYWqD0z3M1f-vh5h3wKg4glaw64CntWq8Vnm3zYFgE_zFt01sCYWX85-Om_rMSBxNGc-DWF3QXz-LJqdTpWAA8uYqlr-JZqOP5PmyewVbyC9s8MyCxY447Qc3GLWfp/s320/IMG_0166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">19 - Strathclyde University course, south of Loch Lomond <b><span style="color: red;">Ross Priory Golf Course</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">20 - East Lothian course, chimneys in the background are now gone! <span style="color: red;"><b>Port Seton Golf Club, part of the local caravan park</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">21 - iconic former Open Championship venue. <span style="color: red;"><b>Prestwick GC</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And finally, this was me and Craig Watson after our round at <b><span style="color: red;">North Ronaldsay Golf Course</span></b>, one of the more bizarre and remote stops on my travels. The course is now abandoned, lost to the ravages of the harsh weather that can batter that remote island. We played it in 2010 but this was the 1997 price list. We left our £3 green fees in the honesty box, alongside some petty cash that had clearly been there for some time.</span></div>
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Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-30182689773053737732020-03-24T13:21:00.000+00:002020-03-29T11:54:05.439+01:00A New Quiz - 24 March 2020<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now that the UK Government has imposed a national lock down and all Scottish golf courses are closed indefinitely, I'm pretty much housebound and like millions of others I'm trying to keep myself occupied as best I can. I've been lucky over the years to have been able to play every Scottish course registered with Scottish Golf, our national governing body for the amateur game, as well as many more courses that are private or otherwise obscure. I'm the first to admit that playing every Scottish course requires a certain eccentricity, a heck of a lot of time and money on green fees, overnight accommodation, petrol, ferry and air fares, golf balls and shoes! I had the odd day when rain, wind and midges etc were a real challenge but there were so many more days when the sun shone, the golf was good(ish) and I had some great golfing experiences that come back to mind so very readily, now that golfing is not possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I still have a few courses to play such as GWest near Gleneagles if it ever opens, the new Dumbarnie Links course in Fife, a private one which to date doesn't allow any public access and a handful of small and remote unregistered pitch and putt courses. I'd been planning to play Dumbarnie Links in June 2020 but that'll maybe have to wait until the coronavirus crisis is over. Meantime, I'm stuck on 672 courses played and my fellow golfers are unable to access their own courses. So, to amuse myself and hopefully keep readers of this golfing blog from going stir crazy, I have set the following picture quiz. Quite simply, name the course. No prizes, jus</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t time</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> that you'll never get back but that I hope will entertain and in some cases trigger personal memories of when </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">you</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> played a particular Scottish course that you recognise. All of the courses are covered somewhere in this blog, but I've tried wherever possible to use different photos from those published in blog entries. Some of the courses will be well known, but there are others that I suspect most readers will never have heard of before. Double click on a photo to enlarge it if necessary. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First, some clubhouses -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 - this one is in Perthshire and has 2 courses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 - Craig, Watson, Stu Fleming and me on our travels. This time, at a famous former European Tour venue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 - one of our best links courses, which also has a 9 hole second course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 - Aberdeenshire - good parkland course, also has a 9 hole second course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5 - oddly named course (after the mountain in the background), which for some reason also does segway rides for tourists.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6 - remote, but well worth the effort to find, close to a couple of more famous neighbours.</span><br />
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7 - <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">same name as one of our former new towns. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8 - spectacular sea views, with a great Par 3 and a 656 yard P</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ar 5!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9 - North East fishing village and a really testing links course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10 - venue when my friend Tom Coyne tried to qualify for the Open Championship. One of my favourite caddying experiences.</span><br />
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11 - <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">village course at the head of a sea loch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">12- ladies only members' club.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9H7PjzrIICstFs5oWzJytdsoDFKMypTCKUchSW57VGB5L8SJ1ioHp16FCw5Oz6Qzj59qS8e4JAJx2PfKTCOtOvkUS9Hh4c0lA2CDW3zATx2Yeo7Gvma-lkEahVJHMVVdYRyisTEbpZkq/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9H7PjzrIICstFs5oWzJytdsoDFKMypTCKUchSW57VGB5L8SJ1ioHp16FCw5Oz6Qzj59qS8e4JAJx2PfKTCOtOvkUS9Hh4c0lA2CDW3zATx2Yeo7Gvma-lkEahVJHMVVdYRyisTEbpZkq/s320/029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">13 - guests-only hotel course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">14 - Glen GC v Rhodes GC before a County Cup match played at a world famous neutral venue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">15 - a parkland course in Ayrshire, with a 19th hole just in case your match would otherwise finish tied.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">16 - Scotland's most northerly clubhouse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">17 - Try not to miss it on the way to Mallaig.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXie_dJH6H7fEx2dyghBloz8MQoxcFDOYaBOV3QoM5_6ctOY-hDqwXFyk2EfGtCcnGketiJC-yMxF0Ketkufas9xBsimpVItoX6LwLr7lcwm-nv1piEdlRblV3gcs3hu0iGsoYUX9HMYM/s1600/Orkney+GC+-+29+July+2010+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXie_dJH6H7fEx2dyghBloz8MQoxcFDOYaBOV3QoM5_6ctOY-hDqwXFyk2EfGtCcnGketiJC-yMxF0Ketkufas9xBsimpVItoX6LwLr7lcwm-nv1piEdlRblV3gcs3hu0iGsoYUX9HMYM/s320/Orkney+GC+-+29+July+2010+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">18 - Take a ferry from Aberdeen or Scrabster to get here .....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC7tPnsZrxGOCLBSYWqD0z3M1f-vh5h3wKg4glaw64CntWq8Vnm3zYFgE_zFt01sCYWX85-Om_rMSBxNGc-DWF3QXz-LJqdTpWAA8uYqlr-JZqOP5PmyewVbyC9s8MyCxY447Qc3GLWfp/s1600/IMG_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC7tPnsZrxGOCLBSYWqD0z3M1f-vh5h3wKg4glaw64CntWq8Vnm3zYFgE_zFt01sCYWX85-Om_rMSBxNGc-DWF3QXz-LJqdTpWAA8uYqlr-JZqOP5PmyewVbyC9s8MyCxY447Qc3GLWfp/s320/IMG_0166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">19 - Strathclyde University course, south of Loch Lomond</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78Yh8kkhpDYz3PR1hXr7zGTMFdupf7UYwuTvVUZXHNPx3dGICFtcp742GOn1wvTsqX3FCIpPXNkFwadrMPvBVvyliSOxSeZ5Sc6IGcitFRDmcRntP8jgdupImW10qBJJBa8uPHK7xy0Fn/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78Yh8kkhpDYz3PR1hXr7zGTMFdupf7UYwuTvVUZXHNPx3dGICFtcp742GOn1wvTsqX3FCIpPXNkFwadrMPvBVvyliSOxSeZ5Sc6IGcitFRDmcRntP8jgdupImW10qBJJBa8uPHK7xy0Fn/s320/DSC_0130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">20 - East Lothian course, chimneys in the background are now gone!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu8qYWLrAP9LsVNvgcnIF6W4PXehByKgQlnz0cvei6Tg-8ttHqO5iaIR_ioPerTdqgIsnGc_thV3QfQ5vvPKVkETu8Gvu7fhGT7bD1M4KCfFc5XiYMqJHyEpwydPOkFwaFRoJ8Of7776F/s1600/Prestwick+Golf+Club+-+3+June+2010+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu8qYWLrAP9LsVNvgcnIF6W4PXehByKgQlnz0cvei6Tg-8ttHqO5iaIR_ioPerTdqgIsnGc_thV3QfQ5vvPKVkETu8Gvu7fhGT7bD1M4KCfFc5XiYMqJHyEpwydPOkFwaFRoJ8Of7776F/s320/Prestwick+Golf+Club+-+3+June+2010+024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">21 - iconic former Open Championship venue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That'll do for now, folks. It's 24 March 2020 today. Answers in around 2 weeks' time, so keep coming back to check. Anyone who gets well into double figures has really done some travelling round Scottish courses or has been peeking at earlier blog entries. I'll maybe do another quiz of Scottish golf views in a couple of weeks, depending on reactions to this one and assuming I've not gone completely bonkers looking out the house windows or sitting out in the garden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyone who gets close to 20/21 and who played here before this very remote island clubhouse needed radical surgery has really got the all-courses bug!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDud7t_kXpL4Dj6KiIQmEFV2Y5WZkTdkKQTkb0BvhTKNakQMuXXmItvXIC2kw9JelNs_lGN-5m75jiTjIpHvaA5ca1qYJIyM6Db2b3yCjEKcpjz0cVo07DFxj5xlBqOWhNAVVeb0Lx2T-M/s1600/North+Ronaldsay+GC+-+28+July+2010+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDud7t_kXpL4Dj6KiIQmEFV2Y5WZkTdkKQTkb0BvhTKNakQMuXXmItvXIC2kw9JelNs_lGN-5m75jiTjIpHvaA5ca1qYJIyM6Db2b3yCjEKcpjz0cVo07DFxj5xlBqOWhNAVVeb0Lx2T-M/s320/North+Ronaldsay+GC+-+28+July+2010+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And finally, there are some really odd signs on courses out there. This is my all-time favourite, from Spey Bay GC.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0Qu43t2wRpANDuxyOYQrFUd7H7Pnaibw4whG3DnD910znSfK5OWokiRxcgT4wW6DNfY-H52LijP8Z5vK4wyuRLu-DuQxbbwv2V4gTX1ZvYyrDEWSnyyh-1wQeOEzANa4XbWD6HbF9rjm/s1600/Spey+Bay+notice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="432" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0Qu43t2wRpANDuxyOYQrFUd7H7Pnaibw4whG3DnD910znSfK5OWokiRxcgT4wW6DNfY-H52LijP8Z5vK4wyuRLu-DuQxbbwv2V4gTX1ZvYyrDEWSnyyh-1wQeOEzANa4XbWD6HbF9rjm/s320/Spey+Bay+notice.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY</b></span></div>
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Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-14218681337970549682019-09-01T12:57:00.000+01:002019-09-03T10:48:05.238+01:00Maverston Golf Course - 9 Hole Par 3 Course - Course No 672<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Craig, Stu and I played the then new Maverston 18 hole course in 2014, a 9 Hole Par 3 course was under construction inside the full course layout. We'd obviously need to play that sometime so my trip to play the new Kings course in Inverness provided an ideal opportunity. I'd played at Hopeman on the morning of 30 August 2019 and it's only </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">short drive from Hopeman to Maverston, near the village of Urquhart in Moray. The wind had really increased dramatically in that time and I was soon chasing my golf shoes and other golf gear blowing away across the car park. Whatever I was going to play next, it would be a real test. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 9 Hole course is only 1250 Yards long, Par 27 but one look at the card suggested that even without the gale that was now sweeping across the exposed site, this little course would have some teeth. The holes range form 101 to 187 Yards, but the wind and the elevated nature of most of the very small greens meant that my choice of clubs would be critical. I'd put my putter, 58 degree lob wedge, 9 iron, 7 iron and 20 Degree Rescue into a light carry bag and enough balls to survive the evil looking heavy rough that looked ready to swallow anything hit or blown offline. I'll not detail every hole, since this is one of the small courses that have to be visited if every course is to be played, rather than a significant course in its own right. Truth be told, it's probably just for beginners and short game practice but with that gale blowing it was still pretty formidable. I went round in 31, with a birdie 2 at the 135 Yard 5th and 5 bogeys on some of the longer holes. Here are some photos of the course</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">31 shots, including 14 putts in a little under an hour. No food in the clubhouse unfortunately and my drive home took well over 5 hours. A long day, but I'd finally got back to Maverston. I don't think I'll go there again, though, either to play the 9 or the 18 hole layout. There are many other and to me at least, more enjoyable courses in the Moray area. </span></div>
<br />Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-61641363738450611492019-09-01T12:54:00.002+01:002019-09-15T11:01:14.994+01:00Hopeman Golf Club<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I was planning my trip to play the new Kings GC course in Inverness, I knew I'd need an overnight stay, since it's a good 4 hour drive from home. I'd also been wanting to play the 9 hole Par 3 course in Maverston GC, so I factored in playing one of the other local courses on the morning of 30 August 2019. Hopeman was the choice, a course I was very familiar with. Way back around 1985 my group of golfing buddies started what would become an annual golf trip to Elgin, staying for a week and playing twice a day at local courses, from Nairn to Cullen. There are some really good courses up there, such as Nairn, Nairn Dunbar, Old and New Moray, Buckpool, Strathlene, Forres, Cullen, Spey Bay, Garmouth & Kingston and Elgin itself. My favourite, though, was always Hopeman, a small unheralded village links course but for those in the know, a real gem. I guess I'd played it about 20 times before my visit last week. I'd kept a duplicate scorecard from my round there on 30 August 1998, when I played in Hopeman's Gents' Open, for their Andromeda II Trophy, in memory of a local fishing boat disaster. I shot gross 77 back then, net 65 on a course that in some places was very tight, with perils aplenty, bouncy narrow fairways and more gorse than you'd ever see in a golfing nightmare. I don't think I actually won but I do remember getting a substantial prize voucher and getting my handicap cut! Maybe 2nd place, I don't really remember.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, and by sheer coincidence, I was back at Hopeman exactly 21 years after that epic round. I'd previously played Hopeman with the same group of golfing buddies, so it was really strange to be fronting up, early morning, to an almost empty car park, without Graham, Donald, Brian M (still missed terribly by all of us, one of life's unique characters. RIP my friend), Martin, JD, Chris, Brian B and other regulars. Guys, it just wasn't the same this time round. No banter, "stewards' enquiries," jokes, silly and heroic shots. Just fond memories on every hole. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hopeman is a short 5368 Yard Par 68 links course off the yellow tees (5265 back in 1998). The 1st is a 342 Yard 4 with a semi blind tee shot played slightly uphill to a heather and gorse lined fairway. Avoid the bunker and you'll have an easy short iron to the green. Except, the green is super slick and unless you're very precise you may just be paying it a fleeting visit with your approach. Bogey here is entirely predictable and that's how I started this emotional return round. The next is where the fun really starts. 301 Yards, Par 4. Sounds easy enough? Factor in gorse both sides and behind a ditch in front of the small elevated green with gorse behind and it's far from easy. I'd hit a good straight drive (an essential element if you're to play well here) a short 9 iron pitch and a couple of putts, for a first par. Next comes the first of the five Par 3s. 153 Yards, blind, to a green shared with the 6th Hole. Hook it here and you might still be on the green, but 80 or so feet away. A bunker protects the front right of the green so fly that and hold on tight and you'll be OK. I got away with another par after 2 good putts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 4th is a very flat 506 Yard Par 5, dog leg left. Aim at the right side bunker and get past the trees on the dog leg corner to set up a long approach shot. I missed the green on the left, leaving an awkward pitch over a greenside mound, but a bogey there was acceptable. It was a long Par 4 back in 1998 and lengthening it by almost 50 yards has put further pressure on the tee shot. Overall, an improvement I think. The 5th is an awkward little hole, at 328 Yards, dog leg right. The temptation is to try to cut across the dog leg but heather and gorse await anything short on that side. I'd gone straight up the middle, forgetting that the bouncy links fairways here can deflect even the best shots into trouble. An outrageous bounce left me with a totally blind wedge shot over gorse to a hidden green. I'd had that shot before, so knew it only too well. Easy 4 after a good wedge and a missed birdie putt from 10 feet! The tee shot for the 6th never really appealed to me. The fairway looks wide enough, but the little bunker on the left caught me out, again! Bogey there was actually a good result. The 7th is called "Ditches" so be warned. This is a flat Par 3 of 178 Yards. Go over the green at the back or miss it left or right and you may find a deep water-filled ditch, which is just lost ball territory. I hit 20 Degree Rescue, 58 Degree lob wedge from just off the right side of the green and a 2 putts for another bogey. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the 8th, a 337 Yard par 4 that narrows considerably towards the green. Just avoid the heather and gorse! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hopeman's 9th is an uphill 281 Yard Par 4 that plays a bit longer than you'd think. Find the fairway and it should be a short pitch to the green. This is one of the easier holes and par is important, given what faces you next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Back 9 is simply great fun if you've got enough golf balls on board. Think narrow, gorse, trouble, straight and don't panic. The 10th is only 294 Yards, but is gorse lined and bumps in the fairway will deflect your tee shot one way or the other. Get lucky here and you'll have a totally blind shot downhill to a sloping green, as shown here. Get unlucky and you could easily run up a big score. I fluked a par after finding heavy rough from my straight drive, 6 iron to 15 feet and 2 putts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next, comes the 11th, another narrow gorse lined fairway and more humps than a herd of camels. 350 Yards this time. Driver, 6 iron, pitch from just off the green and 2 putts. I've had far worse over the years here, believe me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is there a better Par 3 in Scotland than the 12th at Hopeman? Indeed, I guess I've played around 900 courses in Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, Sweden, Cyprus, USA, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, and Turkey. At 4/5 Par 3s each, that's around 4000 Par 3s. This is in my Top 3. If you've played a better hole than this, you're a lucky and probably well-travelled golfer. The 12th is called "Priesach" and is a 137 Yard hole, downhill, to a small green surrounded by gorse and/or sea. Hit the green and don't 3 putt is all you have to do. Factor in the exposed tee, high above the sea, the likelihood of a strong wind in your face and the sheer drama of the hole and you might be starting with an old ball! A view from the medal tee and below, and below that, a view back to the green from what is now the 15th tee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just a terrific hole that I wanted to play all day. There was no-one behind so the temptation was definitely there. I managed bogey with both balls! Back in 1998, the course routing followed a very long and steep path behind the 12th green, so it was quite a walk to the 13th tee. I gathered from talking to the greenkeepers repairing a nearby path that the layout changed around 15 years ago, with the 13th tee being relocated to the left of the 12th tee, meaning that the 13th was rerouted and the 12th now sits on its own. Once you've finished the 12th, you now have to walk back up the same path you went down, leaving your clubs at the top. Personally, I preferred the original layout, but it's still a truly great hole, well worth visiting Hopeman to enjoy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsjyclKLfvzY5EedOS0861XWcsGP235i9jFc9LEwN7R4BD-bzMxp9yTWARk1hKnRInvtk1efRCOU0AG4HOwYVgMGOQOcZ876MUSJQotaTcz0c99v0qR-HzRnDt9YUx4CP_eoLLGK_Igpw/s1600/P8300334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsjyclKLfvzY5EedOS0861XWcsGP235i9jFc9LEwN7R4BD-bzMxp9yTWARk1hKnRInvtk1efRCOU0AG4HOwYVgMGOQOcZ876MUSJQotaTcz0c99v0qR-HzRnDt9YUx4CP_eoLLGK_Igpw/s320/P8300334.JPG" width="320" /></a>The 13th is now a 382 Yard almost flat Par 4, rather than a 339 Yard partially uphill hole. I think I prefer the old layout. However, I'm splitting hairs there as this is still a strong hole, played into the prevailing wind. The 14th as shown here, remains much the same and is a 370 Yard downhill Par 4, with a generously wide fairway, played downwind. I like this hole, and if you play it sensibly, there's no difficulty in getting par.If like me you miss the green with your approach, bogey will probably be your best bet. I'd 4 holes left to scramble a score, but I'd need 4 pars to equal the 1998 score of 77 gross.</span></div>
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The 15th is a delightful little Par 3 of only 122 Yards as seen here from the tee. With the wind helping, it was only a flick with a wedge to clear the bunker in front of the green and let the ball carry down the slope to the green. Most times your ball will land on a downslope so holding the green is actually quite difficult. My tee shot just ran through, but 2 easy putts from there and another par on the card. The 16th remains a beast of a hole, uphill into the prevailing wind, its 367 Yard plays more like 430. I played Driver, 3 Wood and 6 iron to reach the green in 3, but a good 15 foot putt rescued the par. 77 still on.</div>
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The 17th is the last of the Par 3's and is an uphill 191 Yards, gorse on both sides and at the back, a wall and more trouble. Only the top of the flag is visible from the tee and i needed a solid Driver to reach the side of the green. A great little 9 iron pitch and run to a few inches and 77 was STILL on! The last at Hopeman is a really testing hole. Your drive will be blind, through a chute of gorse and over a rise in the fairway and there's really nothing to aim at, as shown below. 388 Yards of trouble, with water in front of the green. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKRK5ysTCYjyRLfTdnDE3LiTdAshMQpK5_bP9SrhHVal09MOmH_mZvqyMbh_UgCDlVWV7GtwHTozTOOPPKOiAXb9BdKCAM1Qu11pNlAMtiGGBT4asHPeKnaTVrepNevvtVT3YXljSMeNR/s1600/P8300341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKRK5ysTCYjyRLfTdnDE3LiTdAshMQpK5_bP9SrhHVal09MOmH_mZvqyMbh_UgCDlVWV7GtwHTozTOOPPKOiAXb9BdKCAM1Qu11pNlAMtiGGBT4asHPeKnaTVrepNevvtVT3YXljSMeNR/s320/P8300341.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I hit a good straight drive but I was mindful of the watery ditch in front of the green so a 27 Degree Rescue to 70 Yards was my choice, leaving a short pitch to the green as shown below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLRlHPaXdgt_3fVGn-P77YcMw_eJEK9p_T94JzTlvspbRRY10nld19ONVa0X5Qk_t_B6cY7QAPusPff0sIFzMgc1jaKXfVQvFpkdWSv4YpteHrhAH6LTs547J4mkINl3iIw-HtgM5yYoL/s1600/P8300342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLRlHPaXdgt_3fVGn-P77YcMw_eJEK9p_T94JzTlvspbRRY10nld19ONVa0X5Qk_t_B6cY7QAPusPff0sIFzMgc1jaKXfVQvFpkdWSv4YpteHrhAH6LTs547J4mkINl3iIw-HtgM5yYoL/s320/P8300342.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The green is tiered and my pitch didn't quite make it to the top tier. I'd an awkward 15 foot putt, double breaking uphill. I could probably try 10 times and hole it once but first time was good enough! 32 putts on those excellent greens was good. A closing par 4 is a Hopeman rarity for me and over the years I've had 6-8 at least. 77 on my return last week matched what I scored in 1998. 40 out and 37 back this time, 37 and 40 back then. My handicap then was 12 and it's now 11 so I guess I'm not doing badly, 21 years later. I'd really enjoyed playing Hopeman again, despite the ghosts of past memories intruding on every hole. We all had great times there over the years and overall, the course is as good as ever. To any readers who haven't played there, please give it a try if you can.<br />
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Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-77188252257542818742019-08-31T10:42:00.002+01:002019-09-01T12:46:10.925+01:00Kings Golf Club - Course No 671<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In post No 266 about my round at Torvean Golf Course in March 2010, I mentioned the disjointed nature of that course and how it was split into 3 distinct sections by the main road from Inverness to Fort William and a very busy local road (General Booth Road). I also said that some of the holes weren't particularly memorable. Looking back, the layout really wasn't great and the road crossings involved were difficult and disruptive. I also wondered about the safety aspects, particularly for young (and older!) golfers crossing those busy roads. The course wasn't in great condition back then and the clubhouse was tired, so when I heard the Highland Council were going to change the local road layout and would need much of the Torvean land, I was pleased to hear that they would be building a replacement course as part of the overall development. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Kings GC website (<cite style="font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word;">www.kingsgolfclubinverness.co.uk</cite><cite style="color: #006d21; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word;">) </cite><cite style="font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word;">advises</cite><a aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="true" aria-label="Actions for this site" href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=kings+gc+inverness&form=WNSGPH&qs=HS&cvid=03cabf327b344d33b7415f260ab8cce4&pq=KIngs+gc&cc=GB&setlang=en-GB&nclid=C151965D940AC1560D30B7CEB4C8BF94&ts=1567246447991&wsso=Moderate#" role="button" style="font-size: 14px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: none;"></a> that "The Kings Golf Club was established in 2019 and designed by Stuart Rennie. Originally the Torvean Golf Club, due to Highland Council investment in the Inverness West Link and redevelopment of the area, a new clubhouse was built, and an 18 hole Championship golf course, driving and practice area." The website is pretty informative and attractive but I really didn't know what to expect when I visited the new course on 29 August 2019.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUCJXuH0z_gOxlHkKwNi0C3JSDPm9qCa5kOFjgCasNtAHezCGFOiEoI9idpE2B8yyazFHv1cTVkc2KpD_uEiEpjSc_nZcUYSv79sO5z_2HspPpXjZvewEyYonVSYO64G-VnF3pD95XB2e/s1600/P8290309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUCJXuH0z_gOxlHkKwNi0C3JSDPm9qCa5kOFjgCasNtAHezCGFOiEoI9idpE2B8yyazFHv1cTVkc2KpD_uEiEpjSc_nZcUYSv79sO5z_2HspPpXjZvewEyYonVSYO64G-VnF3pD95XB2e/s320/P8290309.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The course is easy enough to find, even if my car's sat nav had never heard of it, or the new road the clubhouse sits on. First impressions were hugely positive. I would be playing the course on a weekday in very dodgy weather, but the large car park was almost full, the club house impressively busy and lots of golfers out there, despite occasional heavy showers. The club pro was very welcoming and told me that club membership was expanding and that, despite the course only being opened a for a few weeks, it was settling down well and the club was delighted with early progress on the new site. This is a view of the clubhouse from the first tee, and a look across to the 18th green (and more about that excellent hole later!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsLj-wOOeBfbbmw4frfVSWUGHhEFle9DRL9qWH8Flq0cXmhxHOLY6zbX-Y5laYxiMcDmoaxL0Ud9ILMIG0ltKFKZ57qEFHmexNP0ZpmSB3YQRDfIjjoHkZusGpTiCqu4Hw_W95F0FKiMM/s1600/P8290311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsLj-wOOeBfbbmw4frfVSWUGHhEFle9DRL9qWH8Flq0cXmhxHOLY6zbX-Y5laYxiMcDmoaxL0Ud9ILMIG0ltKFKZ57qEFHmexNP0ZpmSB3YQRDfIjjoHkZusGpTiCqu4Hw_W95F0FKiMM/s320/P8290311.JPG" width="320" /></a>The "yellow tees" course starts with a 364 Yard Par 4. My tee shot was blind, over a ridge in the fairway, or would have been, had I actually hit it far enough. I blame the 4 hour drive to get there! Thankfully, I'd been cautious enough to take a walk forward to see what was hidden beyond the ridge. There's a small burn on front of the green, enough to persuade me to lay up short, as shown here. An easy chip and a couple of putts and a first new hole completed. The 2nd hole is a short slightly downhill 303 Yard Par 4. A reasonable drive, a punched 7 iron into the strong wind and the first of many heavy showers, and my first missed birdie, but an easy par. The next couple of holes are just over the 390 mark, but played much longer in the wind and rain, so double bogey, bogey wasn't too surprising. Much of the 4th is uphill, with another burn to cross and a blind shot to the green so it's Stroke Index 1 status wasn't a surprise. The 5th, a "short" but uphill dog leg left 493 Yard Par 5 is a really good hole. Played downwind, it was still a good test. I laid up short of the dog leg to give way to one of the greenkeepers working on the fairway. They're doing a great job! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5wFCkW2UzEZPscnw_XrlBxROru9BgXIjKkHb4L8R6dwOU_3nHSA7ZuuVIxh6KJAIr8bxpjZUse1bWJxWlr9sdN5Pgiucytd6A82Ut6C4IIEMjOZP36s4QCKknSOKvih1PhfKd_6X7aGQ/s1600/P8290313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5wFCkW2UzEZPscnw_XrlBxROru9BgXIjKkHb4L8R6dwOU_3nHSA7ZuuVIxh6KJAIr8bxpjZUse1bWJxWlr9sdN5Pgiucytd6A82Ut6C4IIEMjOZP36s4QCKknSOKvih1PhfKd_6X7aGQ/s320/P8290313.JPG" width="320" /></a>This is the approach to 5th green, slightly uphill and depth perception is limited. I'd caught up with a couple of members by then, who invited me to join them from the 6th, and were clearly enjoying their new home course. The 6th is a meaty 406 Yard Par 4, played across a side sloping fairway. The bold line is over a fairway bunker, leaving a longish shot to a plateau green. I played a 23 Degree Rescue just short of the green, but a good chip and another missed short putt added another bogey to the card.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 7th is the first of three Par 3's and at 159 Yards, downhill and downwind, played much shorter than it looked. My easy 7 iron looked very close but turned out to be all of 10 feet. The green surfaces were outstanding throughout the course. Medium paced but very true and smooth as you'd ever like to see, just a delight to putt on. That said, I misread the swing and a good birdie chance. One of the guys had to walk in to go to his work, so Willie, a recently retired police officer and now school janitor (a safer task, methinks), set out to play the rest of the course. Willie had only played the course a few times since it opened but it was clear that he and other members were delighted with their new surroundings. The 8th hole is an awkward uphill Par 4 of 397 Yards that plays longer than it looks. It's also side on to the prevailing westerly wind so it was no surprise that our tee shots found light rough to the right of the fairway. A hillock of gorse bushes makes the approach shot from there totally blind and I really didn't have the energy to walk up the hill to get a feel for the shot. Predictably, I missed the green with my 6 iron shot and a bogey followed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT7PWcSg5XERlo7Fq4h9TfqS7cMw_f6ceh2CwFoNJIEJN81KcV7iWF8J2cuvBptZeeLBgyxXXPpPCZJ0lS4mUaLLgyY942UV0u4Xnnr43MU0I5masmHJCwqd0vxW9ROJrDmIRhIeHG6hY/s1600/P8290316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT7PWcSg5XERlo7Fq4h9TfqS7cMw_f6ceh2CwFoNJIEJN81KcV7iWF8J2cuvBptZeeLBgyxXXPpPCZJ0lS4mUaLLgyY942UV0u4Xnnr43MU0I5masmHJCwqd0vxW9ROJrDmIRhIeHG6hY/s320/P8290316.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 9th is called "Rest in Peace" presumably because it is a potential score killer of a Par 4, played slightly uphill but for us, directly into the prevailing wind and a heavy rain shower. I'd hit a decent drive followed by a 3 Wood but was still 20 yards short of the green. A great 9 iron pitch to 2 inches (yes, really!) led to an unlikely par. I was out in 43, or 7 over par, so not great, but I was already loving the course and having fun. Buffer zone would be the target! The 10th is "Rennie's Legacy" in tribute to the course designer and a 142 Yard Par 3 that's deceptively tricky. A burn cuts across 20 yards in front of the green and shouldn't really come into play, unless like me, you sky a 7 iron into the strong wind that was by then howling across the course. A meek bogey, before the course turns sharply uphill. The 11th is "Cemetery Hill" a 337 Yard Par 4 that played more like 390. Driver, 3 Wood, 58 degree lob wedge and another missed putt added yet another bogey. Par there might be a rare beast though. The 12th takes you up to the top of the course, with great views over to the city and surrounding hills. Your tee shot needs to avoid a cleverly placed fairway bunker (which I missed by at least a yard!) to set up a slightly downhill short iron to the green, as shown above. Yes, another bogey after just missing the green. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESe1lT_K_OykAmlMj6bZRKxrUXq0Xpf4U_giFaCXHqlqsw46Aw0WcuMl5JUu0ZH_bwK9an3a9DBu0xMI48UTY1xdrJAR_g5Wkc6D5XY-6gM-D8U2TwSOcbjtUnBpHKdJAvIfxp8rGReD_/s1600/P8290317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESe1lT_K_OykAmlMj6bZRKxrUXq0Xpf4U_giFaCXHqlqsw46Aw0WcuMl5JUu0ZH_bwK9an3a9DBu0xMI48UTY1xdrJAR_g5Wkc6D5XY-6gM-D8U2TwSOcbjtUnBpHKdJAvIfxp8rGReD_/s320/P8290317.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the 13th, a really good 171 Yard Par 3, played directly into the wind. Driver, would you believe? 9 iron pitch from just short of the green and a tap in putt for par. The 14th is a really good downhill dog leg right 433 Yard Par 4 that plays shorter than it looks. After the climb up the 11th and 12th, this hole comes as welcome relief. Ground preparation works are currently underway for a housing development that in due course will lie mainly between the 14th and 2nd fairways, so maybe those folks will have good views over the course! The 15th is the Kings' longest hole at a meaty 570 Yards off the White tee and a more manageable 524 off our yellow tee. The fairway is generously wide, for now at least, and I managed an unlikely par after a good putt - the excellent greens again!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjb0wpthZkrQibsN13K6OzVC-DubSovQdj6omAtZ_pVnXABpMC0NgKlGJoacK8xA4brtlOpE9_bRd97Di2_FipJX_kYloD68duw6We60eUev_JsXl4cdWe2EdQjRCxx5b_um0Klugu9sW8/s1600/P8290318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjb0wpthZkrQibsN13K6OzVC-DubSovQdj6omAtZ_pVnXABpMC0NgKlGJoacK8xA4brtlOpE9_bRd97Di2_FipJX_kYloD68duw6We60eUev_JsXl4cdWe2EdQjRCxx5b_um0Klugu9sW8/s320/P8290318.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">16 is the last of the Par 3s and a stiff test in that wind. This is a view from the tee. Another slightly missed green and a saving single putt meant I was 1 over for the four Par 3s. Not too shabby, Alan! The penultimate hole is another really strong hole, at 452 Yards, uphill, with a penalty area water hazard to the right of the fairway. a left side bunker comes into play, narrowing the tee shot landing zone and I needed a really good Driver and 3 Wood to leave a short pitch to the flag. I missed the 4 foot putt for par but I just needed bogey up the last to make my buffer zone (gross 83).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlBJybar2CJICW9XRzb8_CerOb86_BaCQHk2yLFKafaLHtnTn0dvGn9C2NzxGZfS_y6Hyi2BoJRGC5u-RFaWXqHm0pWY0S2yxx0wRbUMfDTy19FoQFBf97-rIlhNcWW4FMaIh1logqjTO/s1600/P8290319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlBJybar2CJICW9XRzb8_CerOb86_BaCQHk2yLFKafaLHtnTn0dvGn9C2NzxGZfS_y6Hyi2BoJRGC5u-RFaWXqHm0pWY0S2yxx0wRbUMfDTy19FoQFBf97-rIlhNcWW4FMaIh1logqjTO/s320/P8290319.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The course designer had used some of the original land on the previous course for the new 1st and 18th holes. The busy local road runs alongside the right of the 18th but isn't too intrusive. Indeed, I'd forgotten how close the course is to roads and housing, since holes 2-17 are played in a peaceful countryside setting. Maybe that'll lessen once the housing development is built. I hope not, because Kings is </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">already </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a really impressive course and it's last hole is probably my favourite, a 355 Yard Par 4. Your tee shot will be blind and slightly uphill over a hump in the fairway, ideally avoiding trees to right and left. I'd hit a decent drive but was left with a downhill sloping lie for my 145 Yard approach shot to the green. Normally no great problem, but the design had made clever use of an existing pond, by locating the green immediately behind it and in front of the clubhouse windows, as shown here. Rather than go for the green, and doubtless risk a lost ball, I opted to aim short of the bunker to the right of the green and take my chances from there. The wind was gusting strongly across the hole so my approach shot ended up 20 yards wide of the green in light rough. An easy pitch with my 9 iron, 2 putts and I'd gone round in 83, less 11, for a net 72. Buffer zone with 31 putts, so not bad really, in difficult playing conditions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd really enjoyed the course, which was in amazing condition, considering it had only opened for play a few weeks previously. The greens were simply outstanding. There are lots of really good courses in the Inverness area already and this is another. I really liked the set up and with club membership already increasing markedly, I suspect that Kings will quickly establish itself as one of the best courses in the area. £40 a round for a Scottish Golf member and £27 a head for outings are great deals, so what are you waiting for? Get along to Kings and see for yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A final word for my playing partner, Willie, who's wife is currently battling cancer. My best wishes for her future health, Willie. I really hope that it's good news next week. Cancer hits most of us sooner or later, directly or indirectly and I'm just glad that Craig, Stu and I have done a tiny bit to raise funds towards research efforts.</span></div>
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Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-71739278302146925262019-08-25T10:39:00.001+01:002019-08-28T10:52:02.087+01:00New Courses<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regular readers of the blog will know that I've previously recognised that playing every course is an evolving process, as new courses open and others close. So, I'm excited by the challenge of playing a couple of new courses next week and returning to play an old favourite.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I played the Torvean golf course in Inverness in 2010 (Blog entry 266) a municipal course that was operated by the Highland Council. Since then, the Council has changed the road layout in the area, using land from the Torvean course. Part of the deal was that the Council would replace the Torvean course and the new King's GC opened earlier this year on land adjacent to the original layout. Early reports are that it is a great improvement on the original so I'm looking forward to playing the King's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I played the 18 holer at Maverston in 2014, a 9 hole Par 3 course on the site was still under construction. It opened a while later so after I've played at the King's, I'll drive over and play that 9 hole course. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'll also be playing the terrific course at Hopeman GC, for around the 20th time. This is a real gem and a truly great test as well as one of the most enjoyable courses I've played in my travels around Scotland's golf courses. The first time I played it was around 1982, long before I started my blog, so entry No 1 simply lists it as a course I'd played before the blog was created. I'm looking forward to seeing how the course plays these days and to try to complete the round without losing a ball, something that is very easy to do on the Back 9! Narrow gorse lined undulating links fairways and treacherous rough abound, but some of the holes are simply outstanding, none more so than the epic Par 3 12th, one of the most photographed and spectacular holes I've played on my travels.I just hope the weather is as good as it was when this photo of that hole was taken!</span></div>
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Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-91074299527736406332018-07-03T10:33:00.000+01:002019-01-23T11:46:12.471+00:00Musselburgh GC<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also known as Monktonhall, this is an excellent 18 hole parkland course on the edge of Musselburgh, a small coastal town to the east of Edinburgh and is another of the 200+ courses that I'd already played when I started writing this blog. I played it again on 27June 2018 as part of my current work for a golf magazine, to identify and rank Scotland's Top 100 courses.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Monktonhall course owes its origins to the Open Championship's long association with the town, which hosted the Open on what is now the Musselburgh Old Course 6 times in the 1870's and 1880's. Musselburgh as a town has had 5 Open Champions, winning a remarkable 11 titles between them, so Musselburgh has a uniquely important place in the history of golf. When the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers moved from their home at what is now Musselburgh Old to their current location at Muirfield in 1891, they took with them the local venue for the Open. In an attempt to re-establish the town's link to the Open, the Musselburgh Town Council decided to build a new championship standard 18 hole course. Unfortunately, land only became available in the 1930's and the 5 times open Champion, James Braid, who had become a renowned golf course architect by then, was commissioned to design the new course at Monktonhall, on the outskirts of the town. The course officially opened in 1938 and has remained largely unchanged ever since, apart from some newer teeing grounds. Braid had commented at the time that "if you want a championship course, you need length." That's the key word that still comes to mind, and as the Course Guide says, "to have any hope of conquering this course you have to be able to keep the ball in play while still being long off the tee."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The course can certainly be long, at 6842 Yards from the very back tees, but I played it again from the "more manageable" Yellow tees, at 6241 Yards, Par 69. Interestingly, the course scorecard also provides a men's par and SSS from the Ladies' Red tees, recognising that for some (dare I say more mature?) </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">members</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">, even the Yellow tees provide an extremely difficult challenge. This is a good idea that I wish more clubs would follow.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Lx-e-MWUaTm-P1efvehIKtmfQVBCBLanuE_mprmr6QDc85rvMEN4xjMKvo3MfD9_QWBs63dr6L8GCai1qeg2axQRZgoiA1wqaO_HsfvW85c9L4RjmdP4GwrU8LfcEPbCBTxHPMsSfXiJ/s1600/IMG_0587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Lx-e-MWUaTm-P1efvehIKtmfQVBCBLanuE_mprmr6QDc85rvMEN4xjMKvo3MfD9_QWBs63dr6L8GCai1qeg2axQRZgoiA1wqaO_HsfvW85c9L4RjmdP4GwrU8LfcEPbCBTxHPMsSfXiJ/s320/IMG_0587.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">The course starts with a downhill tee shot on a 346 Yard Par 4, with OOB to the left of the fairway. I'd not had time to warm up so it was no surprise that my tee shot, as overseen by watchful eyes from the clubhouse windows etc I suspected, headed hard left towards the OOB. Missing that by a yard, I was happy enough to scramble an opening bogey on what was by far the shortest of the 13 Par 4s. The weather had been hot and sunny for what seemed like weeks on end, so the fairways were really dry and running a lot faster than might be expected of a parkland course. Indeed, high spots on the fairways were clearly turning brown and crusty, with the course playing more like a links. This is a side view of the front of the 2nd green with a ridge running at an angle to the green. In typical parkland conditions, the front would be receptive to most shots but being so hard and dry, it was more difficult to judge how short game shots would play. Indeed, my approach to the left side green had run 30 yards, almost finding the bunker on the right. This was an early warning that although the course was playing shorter than normal, scoring well might still be very difficult.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmDern6WE2rdhCTgeLcOOHQroOvH8rnCjQD-Y9QR3stMwIa1SO6Lukr7WKf96v7zFvMYjMoa5Vxbzyn7mR9M85yp9rNkV5GkNpTjHGdjc70PxLPTQK0tYQLr1obUsA3II5yREhD6iQaXd/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmDern6WE2rdhCTgeLcOOHQroOvH8rnCjQD-Y9QR3stMwIa1SO6Lukr7WKf96v7zFvMYjMoa5Vxbzyn7mR9M85yp9rNkV5GkNpTjHGdjc70PxLPTQK0tYQLr1obUsA3II5yREhD6iQaXd/s320/IMG_0588.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">The shortest hole is the 3rd, at a mere 124 Yards, but the target looked small from the tee, with bunkers aplenty to contend with. Note the overhanging steep faces to the biggest bunker here. I hit the green OK but my ball ran off a side slope, leaving an awkward pitch from bone hard fairway over a bunker. Thankfully I managed a bogey. The 4th is a good and partially uphill Par 5 and by then I was noticing that the fairways were generously wide, such that a moderately mis-hit tee shot escaped real punishment. However, length was still an issue and my trusty 3 wood was needed to get anywhere near to the green. An easy enough par, but I bogeyed the next couple of holes after finding bunkers. Next came the formidable 7th, a 441 Yard Par 4, requiring a really long drive if you're to have any chance of reaching the green in regulation. If, like me, you don't clear the ridge in the middle of the fairway and don't bother to consult the Course Guide, you risk finding the large bunker some 60 Yards out from the green. Some of the bunkers had extremely steep faces, and unusually, balls would hold on them, rather than run down to the bottom of bunkers. I'd an awful lie in this particular bunker, with my ball at knee height, so another bogey on the card. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">I was out in an unremarkable 42, or 7 over par. However, this wasn't too bad taking into account the length of the Par 4s. From work that I do for our amateur golf governing body in reviewing the Standard Scratch Scores of courses for handicapping purposes, I know that a bogey golfer is considered likely to be able to hit a drive of 200 yards and a second shot of 170 Yards, including roll. Of the 6 Par 4s on the Front 9 here, only the 1st hole is shorter than 370 Yards i.e. within range in 2 shots by a bogey golfer. In other words, someone at my handicap level is likely to drop a shot at those holes unless they either hit longer than usual or can somehow scramble a par from short of the green. For example, the 7th at Musselburgh is a meaty 441 Yard Par 4, so a bogey golfer might be expected to need 3 shots to reach the green. Factor in the fairway bunker I'd found and this is a really difficult hole. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPXQN7pxGTtBeNgOTeIunY2tAhvNU59MvHFzW-MgJ7ywbpWRgaxA9dPeCqQ8pIGjmAZBRM7L762ZCKxb2hCP2lJaPwurq9x2cDK-7HTLs3uLkHFjJ2m38RsjLx0nYLL-mdjiQ9If3NSeA/s1600/IMG_0594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPXQN7pxGTtBeNgOTeIunY2tAhvNU59MvHFzW-MgJ7ywbpWRgaxA9dPeCqQ8pIGjmAZBRM7L762ZCKxb2hCP2lJaPwurq9x2cDK-7HTLs3uLkHFjJ2m38RsjLx0nYLL-mdjiQ9If3NSeA/s320/IMG_0594.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">The Back 9 has 7 Par 4s, ranging from 367 (close to the limit of the distance a bogey golfer could expect to hit in 2 shots) to a formidable 463 Yards. Musselburgh is a good course, but by the time I'd finished I was wishing there had been a little risk and reward Par 4, driveable for the big boys and giving us shorter hitters some much needed variety in second shots. There's nothing wrong with the occasional 300 Yard Par 4, well defended by bunkers etc. as necessary, giving players the chance to hit an accurate wedge, but I seemed to be reaching for my 3 woods or rescue clubs after drives on the majority of the Par 4s. For example, the 12th was a 463 Yard Par 4. I'd hit a good drive and 3 Wood but still needed a pitch over a greenside bunker to reach the green. Note the crow in this photo of that bunker. I landed within a yard of it and it never so much as turned its head as if to ask if that was the best I could do! The only time I'd get close to a birdie, I thought. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7Be-2Tf4OKUjeusSZV3xzCL4IsgMTByXrIfSVyknmdGuuLdi-sTk7ukJY6v2KwoKunIMARRUrOSZzsfJAgleu-Wn_6AZy-a-Ujk6eOIjcQxs5QFBB2B2VN6wWEGLR25gXT5_y_n0363z/s1600/IMG_0599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7Be-2Tf4OKUjeusSZV3xzCL4IsgMTByXrIfSVyknmdGuuLdi-sTk7ukJY6v2KwoKunIMARRUrOSZzsfJAgleu-Wn_6AZy-a-Ujk6eOIjcQxs5QFBB2B2VN6wWEGLR25gXT5_y_n0363z/s320/IMG_0599.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">Oddly enough, I also thought one of the best holes at Musselburgh was the last, a 424 Yard Par 4 that climbs up to finish in front of the clubhouse, as shown here. Once again, It's important to hit your longest drive, but this hole usually plays into the prevailing wind so good luck if you're a short hitter. There's also a ridge across the fairway so your second shot might be blind. This hole is also a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">Par 4</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"> (at </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">474 Yards) off the White medal tee and I wonder how many members can regularly reach in 2. I'd gone round in 84, net 74, with 31 putts, so not too bad, I suppose. The course had been in really good condition, with the greens in particular being excellent and I'd enjoyed the experience, in hot sunny weather. Musselburgh is well worth playing but be prepared for some long holes and a really stern test. As Mr Braid said, if you want a championship course, you need length. The same can be said if you want to play this course really well.</span><br />
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Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-84401304547084013102018-06-09T13:48:00.002+01:002018-06-09T13:48:35.698+01:00West Linton GC<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an excellent 18 hole moorland course south of Edinburgh in the Scottish Borders and is another of the 200+ courses that I'd already played when I started writing this blog. I played it again on 8 June 2018 as part of my current work for a golf magazine, to identify and rank Scotland's Top 100 courses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hesitate to use the old "Hidden Gem" cliche, but this is a course that's well worth seeking out. If you get it on the kind of windless, warm and sunny day that I had, you'll be in for a treat. But take your A game too. West Linton starts quietly, with a short Par 4 of only 277 Yards, but the 1st green, like so many here, is quite small and well defended by bunkers, so take care. I didn't have time for a warm up, so my hooked drive into the trees to the left of the fairway wasn't the best of starts. Time to manage a bogey and that done, the next was the shortest of the 5 Par 3s. An easy looking hole but I found one of the bunkers, so another bogey.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoI-F-nUJociVjLlgsGW3s4LC2tWvAQBA9YT8ULadW8WZHf4SaUTn-8vyHwUbmmeIAl2Nb7jbCbJNheFflvJE7j_Vijk5twofqXNKVmgw5T3xQLqye77xBTZN4Y8_r3WT-XGcn6qbuW4xE/s1600/West+Linton+GC+8+June+2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoI-F-nUJociVjLlgsGW3s4LC2tWvAQBA9YT8ULadW8WZHf4SaUTn-8vyHwUbmmeIAl2Nb7jbCbJNheFflvJE7j_Vijk5twofqXNKVmgw5T3xQLqye77xBTZN4Y8_r3WT-XGcn6qbuW4xE/s320/West+Linton+GC+8+June+2018.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the view from the 3rd tee. The 3rd is a modest 334 Yard Par 4, with the green partially hidden behind mounding to either side of the fairway. What you won't see is that the left of the green is raised above some fearsome rough so miss the green at your peril. I'd an easy par but I knew from past experience of playing here that West Linton was about to show it's teeth. The 4th is a 509 Yard Par 5 and the green slopes steeply down to rough and bunkers on its left side. The pin was on the left so muggins here tries to get cute with his 3rd shot, only to hook it into deep rough. A bogey was actually not too bad from there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 5th is a huge 465 Yard Par 4. Moorland courses can be quite damp at times, but the fairways were pretty dry, given our recent lack of rain. Even so, a good Driver and 3 Wood meant I was still well short of the green. Another bogey, I'm afraid. The 6th was an easy enough short Par 4 and next came what I thought was one of the best holes on the course. The 7th is only 319 Yards, but your second shot will be steeply uphill, as shown here. Factor in the pin position I faced at the front of the green, 6 yards on, just beyond the start of a slope that, if you find it, might take your ball back down the hill. I hit a really good drive and had a short pitch to the green, for an easy 4, but this is a seriously interesting hole.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, the formidable 8th, a 436 Yard Par 4 and the Stroke Index 1 hole. Your drive will be blind over a hill. Don't get suckered into playing too far to the right of the marker pole, since rough awaits there - as I found to my cost. A dodgy double bogey was the best I could do, but I at least I parred the 147 Yard 9th, to go out in 41. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Back 9 starts with an easy looking 324 Yard Par 4, played slightly downhill. However, the green is small (again) and I could only manage a bogey. The 11th is another long Par 4, at 459 Yards, but if you struggle on that, the 12th is a downhill 191 Yard Par 3 that plays a lot shorter than it looks. I missed my birdie putt, but got my revenge on the 13th, a 283 Yard Par 4. The line off the tee is the small copse of trees to the right of the fairway, which slopes from right to left. I really liked the variety of pin positions on the course, from easy to really testing. The pin here was tucked away on the back right side of the green, with an evil looking pot bunker dead in line. I could play safe or hit a Mickelson-type lob wedge. Golf Truism No 1 is that most great shots go unwitnessed, while bad shots are often visible by crowds. Suffice to say that my birdie was a tap in. Go me!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMFGRlrBXvR2pcgVRTIW6kHe6LBATLpwXMKfijlRXGKt2cpwY_xhiQjtxIBTi9Q6oLnm8jc3Raqc721Bjwzv1dkBNAdpCVIp0UN4I_tdfEwA8uStDbmQN7_bTvRUl9qIfaimtAYqIumew/s1600/P6080283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMFGRlrBXvR2pcgVRTIW6kHe6LBATLpwXMKfijlRXGKt2cpwY_xhiQjtxIBTi9Q6oLnm8jc3Raqc721Bjwzv1dkBNAdpCVIp0UN4I_tdfEwA8uStDbmQN7_bTvRUl9qIfaimtAYqIumew/s320/P6080283.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14 and 15 were, by comparison, poorly played. The 15th is another of West Linton's long Par 4s, at a formidable 453 Yards from the yellow tee. I guess I could play that hole quite a few times before getting a par! Anyway, on to the 16th, a really good Par 4 at "only" 429 Yards. The tee shot is blind over a hill that straddles the fairway, leaving a long second shot to a plateau green, as shown here. You also won't see the dip at the front of the green when playing your second. You might get lucky with the pin position, but when I played it on 8 June, the pin was right at the front of the green. Bump and run was the logical shot but after my great lob wedge on the 13th, I tried again. Remarkably, I managed to get that 3rd shot to within 3 feet, even with the 4ball in front of me watching from the adjacent 17th tee! Sadly, my par putt missed, but hey, who's this Mickelson guy anyway?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3GcJPvXSP8WoB-KyU5ueXJG0heYeYyrL9PJgDsxzxlepD9tWH90x-62dCv1lFQ-zhRgkcelq28jdl2n-QYXvZrsJgj4tmxJ3voJRTea0KkYRdYevt-MrEsm6oi2iF4L86AT9wEJDtY7I/s1600/P6080284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3GcJPvXSP8WoB-KyU5ueXJG0heYeYyrL9PJgDsxzxlepD9tWH90x-62dCv1lFQ-zhRgkcelq28jdl2n-QYXvZrsJgj4tmxJ3voJRTea0KkYRdYevt-MrEsm6oi2iF4L86AT9wEJDtY7I/s320/P6080284.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 2 closing holes at West Linton are unusual, both being Par 3s. This is the 17th, a 189 Yarder played over a water hazard. Distance perception is difficult too, since the hole is slightly uphill. I managed an easy Par 3, so I'd got as far as the 18th tee in 76 blows. Not too bad, considering my difficulties with some of the longer Par 4s. The 18th, as shown below, is a really tough closing hole, at 222 Yards, slightly uphill, with OOB to the right and the car park behind (not really as close to the green as you might think). I'd been watching a couple of 4balls play this hole, with nobody getting close to the green in regulation. Not encouraging but I managed to hit a really good Driver (!) to within a foot of the front of the green. However, I'd failed to notice that the green sloped uphill from front to middle, so a 3 putt from there was a weak end to a pretty reasonable round. 80 shots, with 33 putts wasn't too shabby, given that I'd a really bad cold and wasn't feeling too great. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">West Linton is a really good course, well worth a visit! There's a good variety of holes here, and great views of the surrounding farmland and hills. Every aspect of your game will be tested and be accurate in your approach shots to the greens if you can!</span></div>
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Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-16138078150621288362018-05-13T11:43:00.000+01:002018-05-14T16:42:34.655+01:00Eyemouth GC<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I started this blog in 2009, I listed all of the 200+ courses that I'd already played, with the intention of writing only about those that I had yet to play Nine years, too many lost golf balls, thousands of miles and a huge number of shots on 400+ golf courses later, and I've actually finished playing all of the 587 courses recognised by Scottish Golf plus many more unofficial courses. A few folk have asked whether I have any plans to revisit and write about the "missing" 200+. The short answer to that is no. However, as I'm now doing some work for a prominent golf magazine that involves playing our best courses (yes, I know, but someone's got to do it!), I will be revisiting some of those courses again. Accordingly, I'll be adding to the blog as and when I'm playing these courses again (not forgetting the few unofficial courses that I've still got on my "to play" list.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewR2b7UagQnGY9ATyPjTSIBVjQMgBD9GLLqZVL8li38dT7fWswNy3jOwjCJu9VL8-DhyphenhyphenB6hBecO2gPxwSr47YbFmzl3R-dV2pcUJifdr2u72mnDvLyYkfBb45-q4WPX2XmUx_cdQ837DD/s1600/course-overview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="617" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewR2b7UagQnGY9ATyPjTSIBVjQMgBD9GLLqZVL8li38dT7fWswNy3jOwjCJu9VL8-DhyphenhyphenB6hBecO2gPxwSr47YbFmzl3R-dV2pcUJifdr2u72mnDvLyYkfBb45-q4WPX2XmUx_cdQ837DD/s320/course-overview.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first course that I've visited again is Eyemouth GC, an 18 hole gem sited on cliff tops on the east coast of Scotland, just 10 miles north of the border with England. Eyemouth was founded in 1894 as a 9 hole course but the construction of a new road to Eyemouth Harbour in 1997 created the opportunity for the course to be extended to 18 holes. Eyemouth has 3 main claims to fame. It's the first course you'll pass on the way up the A1 road from England, it's 6th hole is recognised as the most extraordinary hole in Great Britain and its 13th is, at 656 Yards, the longest hole in Scotland. But it also has another claim to fame, namely that it's as welcoming a club as you'll find. At most clubs, the back tees are reserved for competition play, but here, visitors are invited to challenge themselves against the very back tees on these two special holes. A refreshing change!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, I fronted up on 9 May 2018, on a cool, dry but increasingly windy day, when this little course was clearly ready to bare its teeth. The 1st hole is a straight 506 Yard Par 5, with a couple of blind shots over small hills. Just take the mobile phone mast in the distance as your line and avoid hitting the guys on the 2nd tee, Alan! That done, an easy par start. The 424 Yard 2nd (as shown here) was the Stroke Index 2 hole but I was playing it downwind so that was another easy par.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW31jRLGm4kO73m3C50oCPvTdQrFsnKD2K5mrsIi6Ch2Y3hrnGVDrKSEjMWi2kMTVMVjzEaGet4uFxSPlSYhx4czOFu8BedxPNyuTjPoMFmcA5Y0gk5ryRzJqWKxmEh5epskGGF4EKqwU/s1600/DSC06193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpOxbcb75d9fVjuFmLG7tBdbtTCrwQg-sz_enDVOsgEQczyjmvh2pbdvEtmzCiEO1cz2_aij3kn8TN4tMBkxmiWIhykJuIno4V0v2ZEcDFTzYrkwNjQuBmdkdmCV4JZsbZNJT98jCJReE/s1600/DSC06194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpOxbcb75d9fVjuFmLG7tBdbtTCrwQg-sz_enDVOsgEQczyjmvh2pbdvEtmzCiEO1cz2_aij3kn8TN4tMBkxmiWIhykJuIno4V0v2ZEcDFTzYrkwNjQuBmdkdmCV4JZsbZNJT98jCJReE/s320/DSC06194.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The redesign of the course has created some really good holes, this downhill 146 Yard Par 3 3rd being one of the best. This would be a tricky hole, in full view of the clubhouse windows, but the addition of a pond in front of the green makes it really challenging. Long is better than short but very long, when the Greenkeeper was passing by, was just embarrassing. A bogey 4 was OK. The 4th is why you need to buy a Course Guide before playing. This is a 289 Yard Par, and Stroke Index 18. First time I played it shortly after the course had been extended, I (naturally) pulled out the driver. I later found the ball when playing the 5th, on the other side of the road that now bisects the course. Please note - the 4th is a dog leg that requires a 7 iron at most to stay short of bunkers that line the edge of the fairway, before the road takes over! I played safe this time, but the increasing wind came into play, I was short with my second shot and another bogey was on the card.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 5th is an easy looking slightly uphill and downwind Par 4, but there's a blind dip in front of the green, just to get you thinking. By now you'll be anticipating the famous 6th, the most extraordinary hole in Great Britain. But you've not gone all that way just to play off the Yellow Tee, have you? No, you go out to the White tee and turn to look at the apparently massive gap in the cliff, with the sea a good hundred feet below, the wall of rock facing you, that sliver of grass and the top of the flag, just visible a formidably long way away. You're glad that you're at the far end of the course, with no-one watching, until a couple of walkers stop to take in the spectacle. You're maybe also wondering whether they've seen your first feeble effort with an old ball or whether you can brass it out, claiming you've done the impossible and are now going to play another ball from the easier yellow tee, just for the fun of it. Please do not wimp out. The 6th is one of those rare unforgettable holes that you just must play from the very back tee. Club selection is key, as you obviously need enough to fly the gap, but the green is considerably higher than the tee and there's the wind....! My 20 Degree Rescue did the job, just, but I was way left, over beside the next tee, so a bogey 4 was the best I could do. Here are a couple of photos that give a flavour of this terrific hole.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzCYAaWZZ_dhYu2xy0pFnJOZQhj1ZGBpHSI1IqXoR_2QVqThX9sXEA2eS60lgZc_uRiPJiXOKk6z5_wuixMV9OjxszwthTEZ5q_KWo6yJvLshmoYfUFjGOyKr4fqghCcU8GXxvZAxm-nD/s1600/DSC06199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzCYAaWZZ_dhYu2xy0pFnJOZQhj1ZGBpHSI1IqXoR_2QVqThX9sXEA2eS60lgZc_uRiPJiXOKk6z5_wuixMV9OjxszwthTEZ5q_KWo6yJvLshmoYfUFjGOyKr4fqghCcU8GXxvZAxm-nD/s320/DSC06199.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uBA9rXSdz71A48TK3ke02bQfU-zj199bwthwL07GlAg0MibVvu89RALqVrVEYbCgggPnNW_U17m4ulQDthU0kn1yo5Ndqro5i4nabjumVQYj-SE1fVKEUpU5DZK4LE8Olk9xRxV38cD9/s1600/DSC06201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uBA9rXSdz71A48TK3ke02bQfU-zj199bwthwL07GlAg0MibVvu89RALqVrVEYbCgggPnNW_U17m4ulQDthU0kn1yo5Ndqro5i4nabjumVQYj-SE1fVKEUpU5DZK4LE8Olk9xRxV38cD9/s320/DSC06201.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyshS5HtdNWR49JU9AqmEwSJEIHmdV30kLHLJbFfdlLJQm8V4a5tS02rucWngBBe95ZgM3OYEog_8NKFjmDdyWg9PWalrqRd3VvVGuTcyQnwHN6ch6uFEcegk2QqIur6dL_nPYlgeUazuA/s1600/DSC06204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyshS5HtdNWR49JU9AqmEwSJEIHmdV30kLHLJbFfdlLJQm8V4a5tS02rucWngBBe95ZgM3OYEog_8NKFjmDdyWg9PWalrqRd3VvVGuTcyQnwHN6ch6uFEcegk2QqIur6dL_nPYlgeUazuA/s320/DSC06204.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 7th is a short 324 Yard Par 4, played slightly downhill into the prevailing wind, running along the side of the cliffs. Club selection is vital off the tee, as a good long drive runs the risk of running into a deep cleft in the cliff face or if slightly too far right, into a couple of nasty bunkers. I was happy with my bogey after flirting with a sheer drop to the sea, far below, after a wayward drive. This was my view for the 2nd shot and a landmark photo in my travels. I've been using a now battered and old Sony Cybershot 7.2 megapixel camera for just about all of my blog photos since 2009, but it's now jammed, with no signs of life, other than an invitation to turn it off and on again, which then repeats itself. Looks as though it wasn't indestructible after all! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next couple of holes start the trek inland and are short Par 4's, up then downhill. I was out in 39, playing not too badly, but I knew from past Eyemouth rounds that the Back 9 would be more challenging, being almost exactly 400 yards longer, considerably more hilly and with some quirky greens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The back 9 starts with a really good short Par 5, dog leg right. A good drive is essential, to leave a second shot that must finish between the burn that crosses the fairway and the pond in front of the 2-tiered green. It should be an easy enough hole with careful course management, but the wind caught my pitch to the green and blew it sideways left, so I had to settle for a bogey. The 11th was my least favourite hole at Eyemouth. At 279 Yards, this Par 4 might look innocuous in the Course Guide, but it's very steeply uphill into the prevailing wind, the green is only 21 yards deep and half of that is so steeply sloped from back down to front that a ball is very unlikely to hold unless it makes the top tier. I'd hit a decent drive but still needed a 23 Degree Rescue to reach the green, only to see my ball run back down into one of the 3 bunkers defending the green. This is a really tough hole, so be warned. The slope on the 12th green is a bit like the 11th, so although this is a short 165 Yard Par 3, you must find the back of the green with your tee shot, played over a deep gulley. The wind again came into play and I needed a my Driver to get there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 13th is Eyemouth's second signature hole an epic roller coaster Par 5, played downwind and downhill, with a water hazard running alongside the left of the fairway, culminating in a large pond in front of the green. It's pretty meaty off the Yellow tee, at 590 Yards, but there was ample land behind and above the Yellow and White tees when the course was remodelled, so there's now a tiger tee at the highest point of the course, turning this into a 656 Yard monster. The longest hole in Scotland? I think so and if you ever play Eyemouth, be sure to take the walk and play this hole from the tiger tee, just for fun. The panoramic view from the tee is stunning and if you can nail your drive and the wind is helping, you'll be hitting one of your longest ever drives! The second shot might be blind but the fairway was generously wide and left me with an unlikely chance of reaching the green in regulation, or laying up short of the pond. I took the conservative approach and was happy enough with a 6. A great hole! The 14th offers some relief and is an easy enough short Par 4, dog leg left, slightly uphill. Easy enough if you find the right level on the 2-tier green, that is! I just missed birdie after a good short iron approach. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEnBE5ofkJ9OE1XyAo1_uB2ZW9QH7Oj0sqaAjQpBJ0iEWZuKxEABYvjtMcIDZiepS0a7GRAPkTK29QJrixmlefY8z8md0aT0ZWH7LwkNAn83t2m3Q4s0WydEE8g8sNHZi4YztJrbjCB-4/s1600/Hole-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="555" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEnBE5ofkJ9OE1XyAo1_uB2ZW9QH7Oj0sqaAjQpBJ0iEWZuKxEABYvjtMcIDZiepS0a7GRAPkTK29QJrixmlefY8z8md0aT0ZWH7LwkNAn83t2m3Q4s0WydEE8g8sNHZi4YztJrbjCB-4/s320/Hole-18.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 15th is the Stroke Index 1 hole and at 441 Yards, is the longest Par 4 at Eyemouth. Another hole played uphill into the prevailing wind with a steeply sloping green and just to make it even trickier, a burn splitting the fairway that comes into play for your second shot. I managed a 5 but in truth, I could probably play this hole many many times without getting a par. The 16th should be relatively straightforward, but in the 6 or so times I've played this course, I don't remember ever getting a par. The key is to position the tee shot at or beyond the corner of the dog leg, leaving a short iron to a plateau green, well defended by 3 deep bunkers. I got the first bit right but found an awful lie in one of the bunkers with my second shot and trudged up the hill to the short 17th debating how I'd managed a double bogey! The 17th is an inviting short Par 3, played over a small gulley, with banking behind the green to catch anything overhit. An easy par and on to the last hole, a really good 530 Yard Par 5, played downwind. Keep your drive to the left side of the fairway and be careful not to over hit your approach to the green, as seen here (a photo "borrowed" from an internet source). I was nearer to the practice putting green after doing just that, hence my closing bogey!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd gone round in 84, net 74, with 32 putts. The composite course I played was around 6300 Yards, Par 72, so a pretty good round in the circumstances. I'd bogeyed both of the signature holes, but they'll both live long in the memory. It's a pity that Eyemouth doesn't get the huge visitor numbers it deserves, as it's great fun to play, even if your game isn't up to the challenge of some epic holes and sloping greens. Do yourself a favour and give it a try, with a spare ball or 3 for your shots from the 6th back tee! </span><br />
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Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-26634781137042774952017-09-18T17:38:00.001+01:002019-08-31T10:43:52.337+01:00Ardfin Golf Course - Course No 670<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, it's been a very long time since my last blog entry. One reader was concerned that I had either given up the quest to play every course, or that my health was somehow fading to the extent that I could no longer play. The simple truth is, I've been busy so other pressures on my time have made it very difficult to maintain my progress. Indeed, now that I've played all of the courses that the sports governing body (Scottish Golf) recognises, (see my blog entry from 8 March 2017) most of the smaller and unofficial courses still on my "to play" list are remote and/or difficult to access.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although the number of golf courses in Scotland is declining as a consequence of a general reduction in playing numbers, the good news is that the development of new courses is continuing, despite that trend. I'd read great things about the new course being constructed on the island of Jura, so I was delighted to be invited by the Director of Golf at Ardfin Golf Course to join a small party of guests to play the course on 15 September 2017, meet the Bob Harrison the course architect and offer some thoughts from a playing perspective about the design and lay out. I got that invite through occasional work that I do for the Top 100 Golf Courses website, so a great big thanks goes to them and to all at Ardfin for making that possible.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQydQ_QcCvxCQVLrXc4zV3z2WI2JKeWGUwlIjZLWPqx1U7N6omebpMoAe-wVEsPC7O2zkbgsHxW7KyeqCgt-IdKzrFhCfMjBDUVvoaM53ofj_b762U_-eVnj6Co-Ye-yVaoZiqTY2UA2BA/s1600/DSC06159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQydQ_QcCvxCQVLrXc4zV3z2WI2JKeWGUwlIjZLWPqx1U7N6omebpMoAe-wVEsPC7O2zkbgsHxW7KyeqCgt-IdKzrFhCfMjBDUVvoaM53ofj_b762U_-eVnj6Co-Ye-yVaoZiqTY2UA2BA/s320/DSC06159.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, is Ardfin really as good as recent publicity suggests? I'd not really known what to expect, aside from a rugged challenge on a great site, but I was simply blown away by the grandeur of the setting, the outstanding quality of the design and some really epic views (and the 30 mph NNW wind that swept across the course!) Time will tell whether Ardfin gets a mention in the world's top 100 one day, but even at this relatively early stage in its evolution it's clearly a contender for recognition as an outstanding new course. It's maybe unfair to rank it in comparison with other Scottish and UK courses before it's even completely finished and fully open for play, but recent publicity about the course has been right to highlight its quality and potential. I've played all of the famous Scottish courses that attract national and international praise, and given time, Ardfin will join them. This is a view from the practice ground, down to the 1st tee, looking north, up the Sound of Islay, with Islay in the background.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI8azy5VeWvt2t1yo65UyD6LhmFeyt6bq-fe7M5ICh8JvIMW6HrlOIK14cvRqVAtqMm6M5ACsnGPF_GNjet5uYxdPux4gs1MVFvGm0GA1Xw4mSatUiv4r-1klcEUNjiDkt1qz55nqlhGb/s1600/DSC06161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI8azy5VeWvt2t1yo65UyD6LhmFeyt6bq-fe7M5ICh8JvIMW6HrlOIK14cvRqVAtqMm6M5ACsnGPF_GNjet5uYxdPux4gs1MVFvGm0GA1Xw4mSatUiv4r-1klcEUNjiDkt1qz55nqlhGb/s320/DSC06161.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The back story is already well known. Australian multi-millionaire buys 15,000 acre Scottish estate and comes up with the idea of developing a championship-level golf course, despite the original site being hugely challenging.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Exposed peat-based moorland, where weather conditions can be hugely challenging (and that's sometimes in the summer too) is not the most obvious site for a new course, but hat's off to the owner's vision and determination to go ahead. When we met Bob Harrison, the architect engaged to turn the owner's dream into reality, Bob said he'd received a call one day, completely out of the blue, inviting him to "build me a Scottish golf course." It wasn't a wind-up by a friend, and several years later and 29 return trips from Australia, Bob is now putting the final touches to the project, including some possible new tee locations and reviewing other design details. This is me, with Ran from the USA, Dick from Holland, and Christian from Denmark with Bob (on the far right) before we set off on our Ardfin game. It's not very often that someone with my limited golfing ability (11 handicap now!) plays in front of an audience so, it was a new experience playing in front of the course architect, Chris the Director Golf, Willie the Estate Manager and Simon the Head Greenkeeper. Factor in that Christian is a former European Challenge Tour pro and that we were later joined by Fergal O'Leary (surely the only man to have played all of the World's Top 100 courses and a formidable player in his own right) and I was way out of my comfort zone! I needn't have worried, as this was a round which I'll recall as one of the great highlights of my personal journey around Scotland's courses.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSzlr_HWnSrt8FUWC63qDwZncOBksCWiwvEc86rVjwJWzVxboSWV7qVusxknOutHCZpdGXue1qyfPOzKmIUoJ0SnnUB2d0e1uEyp24amHjKkLI-LRHuSGL7HqeMCXTRedXZNSGslAIFyv/s1600/DSC06162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSzlr_HWnSrt8FUWC63qDwZncOBksCWiwvEc86rVjwJWzVxboSWV7qVusxknOutHCZpdGXue1qyfPOzKmIUoJ0SnnUB2d0e1uEyp24amHjKkLI-LRHuSGL7HqeMCXTRedXZNSGslAIFyv/s320/DSC06162.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ardfin is a 6800 Yard Par 72 off the Black tees and a "more manageable" 6445 Yarder off the Yellow Tees. Not overly long but it proved to be hugely difficult on the day. I played Ardfin off the Yellows on most holes, so it started with an uphill 398 Yard Par 4. Bob advised us to keep our drives to the left, opening up the best approach to the green. I missed the fairway by inches on the right and could only scramble a double bogey after 3-putting the green. As we were to discover, the greens were fast running and true, with surfaces that were just outstanding. Next came the glorious 2nd, a 195 Yard Par 3 over a clifftop ravine, as shown here. Bob's design approach was to keep the layout sympathetic to the surrounding landscape, keep bunkering to MacKenzie styling and allow bale out areas where possible. There was no such relief on the 2nd and although I managed to clear the ravine OK, another double bogey followed after a fluffed chip from the front of the green.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uJs5q7-m1LD4Yp_EiDgmk6utdD6gJJs2JLCOpi0PfWSfXkIPqPYpAr5fz5qixmWlqtMIPg-u50QC49xXfdhFmUkvNK6h6U90Raz7W0b5Vx8aMJLjqugbVT35JqrEfOXkeVEvx2D_chNA/s1600/DSC06164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uJs5q7-m1LD4Yp_EiDgmk6utdD6gJJs2JLCOpi0PfWSfXkIPqPYpAr5fz5qixmWlqtMIPg-u50QC49xXfdhFmUkvNK6h6U90Raz7W0b5Vx8aMJLjqugbVT35JqrEfOXkeVEvx2D_chNA/s320/DSC06164.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Stroke Indexing hasn't been done yet, but I suspect that the 341 Yard Par 4 3rd hole will be one of the easier holes. I'd hit a reasonably good drive but the fairway slopes down towards the green and I'd not noticed the sucker pin position just before a slope which took 3 of our balls down banking at the back of the green. Another double for an increasingly nervous Alan. The tee shot on 4 is the only fully blind shot on Ardfin and we played this short but uphill Par 5 in a sudden downpour that blew up from seemingly nowhere. Uphill Par 5s in pouring rain often herald personal disaster but 3 good long shots, a chip to 4 feet and a dodgy putt later, and I'd got my first (and only, as it turned out!) par. Next came Holes 5 and 6, which run parallel to each other. With an OOB wall on the right and most of Jura on the left, the uphill 5th looked easy enough but factor in the NNW wind and this short Par 4 was a real challenge. The 6th is steeply downhill, as shown here, with another OOB wall intruding from the right. Left off the tee is safe but leaves a tricky approach to a plateau green. I decided on a brave line off the tee but pulled my approach way left, for my first lost ball of the round (and there would be many more!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95B2BcGDAOLKi7EuLdNRuCliuf3Yer5_w7MHmufsHunlGw4p4liaWQFaqYOq_WqnwptFmNt8UWG_iSuNZEn3wpYLiXtAiyYHhinrDT1WxtsLeA11hivTt2ZG41KZeK4-dA19KAPiVqoBp/s1600/DSC06169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95B2BcGDAOLKi7EuLdNRuCliuf3Yer5_w7MHmufsHunlGw4p4liaWQFaqYOq_WqnwptFmNt8UWG_iSuNZEn3wpYLiXtAiyYHhinrDT1WxtsLeA11hivTt2ZG41KZeK4-dA19KAPiVqoBp/s320/DSC06169.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I lost another ball on the 7th, the last hole on the south section of the course. The rest of the course lies to the north and dips down to the shore before climbing gradually higher, finishing close to the new hotel being built within the estate, with superb views out to sea. The transition between those sections of the course was a little awkward, and a good example of the finishing works still to be done before the course can be fully open for play. This is the 8th, a lovely little Par 4 of only 309 Yards. I'd only a short upwind iron to the green but I didn't have enough club, so another lost ball. As we were all finding to our cost, any misjudgment of line or length could be heavily punished. I dropped another ball and saw my ball land in the fringe grass beyond the ravine but again, another lost ball. My score by this time had already assumed catastrophic proportions but I wasn't really caring. Just as well! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Earlier in the day the boss of the construction company building the course was telling me that Ardfin would not be revealing its secrets on a first play and that if we thought that we'd just seen the best looking hole on the course, another would be even better and that this was particularly true of the Par 3s. I'd really liked the 2nd, but the 10th was just incredible. The card said 177 yards off the Black tee and 174 off the Yellow, so as a short hitter (its a long story but illness last year has taken its toll) I was already wary. The Black tee sits on a narrow strip of land around 15 by 15 </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">feet</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> wide, with a precipitous 100 foot+ drop on 3 sides. The green is the shallow slither just visible below the boathouse roof in the far distance. There is a bale out area but this is hidden from view so it looked as though our only shot was to take on the 170 Yard carry, directly into the 30 mph wind. I don't think any of us completed the hole without losing a ball.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirbcMAAHl1kOl-ECogJNNDc7GmMuDVM_FxVRJ5G33Lr5GLEkBFeXHNb-dxM_n9PrTo4Q79oSgxIAYw_xHeHs1C6ev7GFLtoDFbLMdK1VRU7c8vuPNtE2JXVJK6hk071TCK1kUSfE2nvsp/s1600/DSC06174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirbcMAAHl1kOl-ECogJNNDc7GmMuDVM_FxVRJ5G33Lr5GLEkBFeXHNb-dxM_n9PrTo4Q79oSgxIAYw_xHeHs1C6ev7GFLtoDFbLMdK1VRU7c8vuPNtE2JXVJK6hk071TCK1kUSfE2nvsp/s320/DSC06174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd wimped out by playing from the yellow tee but even with this marginally shorter approach, my view from the tee (as below) didn't look any easier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so to the magnificent 11th, which I thought was one of the best and most inviting tee shots on the course. This is a sweeping right to left dogleg that hugs the shore, with green lying just above seas level, by the boathouse that now forms the luxurious half way house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The tee shot is pretty demanding. I'd hit a decent drive but the carry required for the second shot looked impossible, given the wind we faced. The course is built on an exposed site so if you're lucky enough to play here some day, you might have a different wind to face. NNW is far removed from the prevailing SW wind so maybe the 11th will be kinder to you. Then again, chances are you'll be battered from another direction!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chances are you'll also enjoy lunch before tackling the Par 3 12th as seen here from the heights of the 16th fairway. From the tee, this hole looked relatively simple and at 145 Yards looked well within my range. However, the NNW wind cut across the hole from left to right. Christian's ball sailed off right so it was no surprise that my feeble attempt at holding a draw against the wind ended up on the beach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAAiBNF3hbezrPHf9H5Htp0-xxEgdhjpKF9Iw_sQouYka5HrJAAgKv5AMHSX0d3YSFKYdYpBdTZpn6eAR4iYr11cNmhWTtt8ihR11XTJgeNcDaYFdsnBrgfWy-VeZDv88QcZCy3oOYFTY/s1600/DSC06180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAAiBNF3hbezrPHf9H5Htp0-xxEgdhjpKF9Iw_sQouYka5HrJAAgKv5AMHSX0d3YSFKYdYpBdTZpn6eAR4iYr11cNmhWTtt8ihR11XTJgeNcDaYFdsnBrgfWy-VeZDv88QcZCy3oOYFTY/s320/DSC06180.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A double bogey without a lost ball via the beach was actually a decent result. A terrific hole!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next couple of holes follow the shoreline before the course turns for home. As before, accuracy off the tee is essential but for me at least, forced layups came into play, since were were still heading into the aforementioned wind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjht_Wt6mc1Z74WNfIdzoaGbmqko4S7913m7LYe8c3xhYc5Fz7qDZp_L9UTzMBJtwmItpdJucAGC5bJ0FgFv4xyAP_PKSpc6RE3FJIeyj9fbBilHch6audSC_XRTMdElg_eDcvPKdHrYbpE/s1600/DSC06183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjht_Wt6mc1Z74WNfIdzoaGbmqko4S7913m7LYe8c3xhYc5Fz7qDZp_L9UTzMBJtwmItpdJucAGC5bJ0FgFv4xyAP_PKSpc6RE3FJIeyj9fbBilHch6audSC_XRTMdElg_eDcvPKdHrYbpE/s320/DSC06183.JPG" width="320" /></a>The homeward and largely downwind holes offered some relief but by then any semblance of rhythm and tempo in my swing had been replaced by an anxious thrash at the ball aimed at finishing a hole without further loss of golf balls. Sadly, the harder I tried the worse I got, but I didn't really care. On lesser courses I'd have a big black cloud overhead and grow increasingly frustrated. At Ardfin, I was too busy enjoying the company, the views and the golf course itself. This is the 16th, an excellent 492 Yard Par 5 that played short enough to suggest it would be another of the easier holes - must be, since I didn't lose a ball!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0trRsfGxxJdl1sChmbn3tIF7iT-rPhmOy7bWoQNUe-oZl4lb4eOuKLlTvzRjDuMsj_jolAeh5GV0znidp9xcB6IewBCuf7wBwx23Srt_Ec2nBH5H3R77gKIusu20JFkBk8tKt7Qvfn8c/s1600/DSC06188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0trRsfGxxJdl1sChmbn3tIF7iT-rPhmOy7bWoQNUe-oZl4lb4eOuKLlTvzRjDuMsj_jolAeh5GV0znidp9xcB6IewBCuf7wBwx23Srt_Ec2nBH5H3R77gKIusu20JFkBk8tKt7Qvfn8c/s320/DSC06188.JPG" width="320" /></a>The course finishes with another Par 5, this time a 523 Yarder that's steeply uphill. Ran managed a great birdie here, which he would later talk us through with great relish! Me? I resisted the temptation to talk our party through my lamentable "umpteen" with 2 lost balls. I'd suffered enough. The 18th finished with this excellent view out to sea, from what felt like almost the highest point of the course. It had been a truly epic round, with great company and for me, a sympathetic audience. I've played better, in fact I can't remember playing much worse. However, I can't remember enjoying playing badly so much in all of my travels. That's maybe a curious measure to judge a course by, but that'll do for me. Ardfin was just a joy from hesitant start to ignominious finish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We'd time after our round to have a look at the hotel under construction and a new design departure for Bob, the 9 hole pitch and putt course taking shape in front of the hotel. As regular readers of this blog will know by now, Craig, Stu and I include pitch and putt courses in our list of courses to play in pursuit of our quest. So, having played the Ardfin course, I'll want to get back to Jura some time to play this little course. That's one for the future and by then the future usage and accessibility of the new Ardfin course will no doubt be clearer. As matters stand, it's not clear whether the course will be open to the public. I hope so, since Bob's design deserves wider praise and the owner deserves wider recognition for his determination to build such a high quality course in such a wild and challenging landscape. Jura's unchanging remoteness means that even if the course is opened for visitors to enjoy, it would never be overrun, so maybe other fellow golfing travellers will get the chance to experience Ardfin at its very best, wind and all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you again to all who helped make my visit to Ardfin so enjoyable. And Ran, remind me about that closing birdie again sometime!!</span></div>
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Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-32083284295579876352017-03-19T12:08:00.001+00:002017-03-19T12:08:11.917+00:00Readers!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the great pleasures I've had in writing this blog over the years has been the many contacts I've had from blog readers, either commenting on the courses I've played, the experiences they've had in playing golf in Scotland, or just saying hello and encouraging me to keep going in the quest to play every course. I hope in a small way I've opened eyes to the possibilities of coming to Scotland and playing the remoter "hidden gem" courses, alongside our more famous courses. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EUbHjp4X4SkaNKvEbpcJtqDFJMCw0jHH46HK4zWw1rVaLYIVSRmfaozq038DyNZMxzte5rrxLqQrJc7kmw2fcCHJncGuVh4MmRcF5NnCVtOlY2oXJf6smb1piZKfTAyp1I0BVraSVinh/s1600/John+Claxton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EUbHjp4X4SkaNKvEbpcJtqDFJMCw0jHH46HK4zWw1rVaLYIVSRmfaozq038DyNZMxzte5rrxLqQrJc7kmw2fcCHJncGuVh4MmRcF5NnCVtOlY2oXJf6smb1piZKfTAyp1I0BVraSVinh/s320/John+Claxton.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just recently John and his family from Vancouver in Canada contacted me about his family's forthcoming visit. They'd already played dozens of courses including the likes of Scarista on Harris and Covesea, two of the finest 9 hole courses you'll find in Scotland, far off the beaten track. This time they were tackling a pilgrimage to the Old Course, the Castle and some other established premier courses in the area. This is John and his family on the iconic bridge on the 18th on the Old Course. I'd managed to fix them up with Garry, another long-time blog reader and Facebook friend who works as a caddy on the Old Course and I'm glad they had a great time. They even managed to play the Castle in 50 mph winds, which is real dedication to the game and a sample of what true links golf can be like. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Playing into a 4 club wind when you already have a 3-wood in your hands and the green is only 150 yards away, double bogies can be a very good score. Brutal in one sense but hugely enjoyable in another, if you don't take the scores seriously! I played on the same day in a seniors competition at Dunbar GC, a top quality links course that's just as exposed to the elements as the Castle and got blown away, losing 3 balls and a ton of energy in the process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope John and his family return to Scotland sometime soon, as there's still a huge number of challenging courses out there. Meanwhile, back at the Glen GC in North Berwick, (see www.glengolfclub.co.uk), we're still working on a new ultra HD flyover that we hope will stimulate further interest in playing our own hidden gem. Next time John, the Glen's green fees are on me!</span></div>
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<br />Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-69756286114818084192017-03-08T10:26:00.000+00:002017-03-08T10:28:38.110+00:00Nearly Finished!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As regular readers will know by now, there is no fully comprehensive list of golf courses in Scotland using our definition of "a golf course." However, Scottish Golf, the body that administers the amateur game in Scotland, lists 587 affiliated clubs, many of which have more than one course. Put it another way, there are 587 "official" clubs in Scotland registered with the sport's governing body, so that's a pretty decent target for any course bagger to aim at. Last autumn I was in touch with Scottish Golf about something completely different so I asked them to check their records against what I'd already played, including recent courses such as Royal Troon's Championship course. Scottish Golf confirmed that I had played every course that they recognised within their list of affiliated clubs. It was a relief to know that I'd not missed any on the "official" listing of 18 and 9 hole lay outs, but the journey continues. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've now done 669 courses in total and I've a very short list of "other" courses still to play. These are mainly pitch and putt courses, academy courses attached to recognised golf clubs or small private courses on private land scattered across the country. I hope to get round these courses eventually and although courses are still closing in Scotland due to lack of members and funding problems, there are encouraging signs that some new courses will be opening in the years ahead. So, the journey may never be completely finished. The best I can hope for is to have played every course open at the time and to add new courses as and when they are opened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, this is what Scottish Golf published on their website (www.scottishgolf.org) in November 2016 about my progress so far. This is me, Craig and Stu about to board the plane to Fair Isle - a great trip!</span></div>
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Avid Golfer ‘Bags’ Every Course in Scotland</h1>
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An East Lothian golfer has defied heart surgery to fulfil his dream of playing every affiliated golf course in Scotland and raise valuable funds for charity.</div>
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Alan McPherson, 66, has spent the last six years spending his retirement travelling up and down the country to play at all of Scottish Golf’s 587 affiliated clubs, as well as a host of par-3, pitch & putt and private lay-outs.</div>
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It’s been like ‘Munro bagging’ for the golf nut, who has now played 669 courses in total.</div>
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However, the East Linton local, who is in his last few weeks as Match Secretary at The Glen GC, saw his ambitious plans suffer a setback in January when he had triple heart bypass surgery.</div>
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<a href="https://www.scottishgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/Corrie-GC.jpg" rel="lightbox" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0079c2; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", Cabin, Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Corrie GC" class="wp-image-39642 size-medium" height="225" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.scottishgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/Corrie-GC-300x225.jpg" srcset="https://www.scottishgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/Corrie-GC-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.scottishgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/Corrie-GC-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.scottishgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/Corrie-GC-312x234.jpg 312w, https://www.scottishgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/Corrie-GC.jpg 1000w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" /></a></div>
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Alan at Corrie GC on the Isle of Arran</div>
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But he returned fit and well in May and highlighted his first full round back with his first ever hole-in-one at Dunbar’s third hole, where he’s also a member, before recently completing all of Scottish Golf’s affiliated courses in style at this year’s Open Championship venue, Royal Troon.</div>
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A regular caddy at Archerfield Links and other East Lothian courses and a course assessor for the magazine Golf World, McPherson has been delighted to raise over £4,000 for Cancer Research UK through the generosity of friends, golf clubs and fellow golfers.</div>
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McPherson, who teamed up with friends Craig Watson and Stuart Fleming for his journey and fund-raising efforts, said: “I’ve played 669 courses and I reckon there are 682 in total, but that includes pitch & putt’s, par-3 courses and unofficial courses on people’s private land not normally accessible.</div>
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“It’s been easy enough to use the lists produced by Scottish Golf and tourist bodies, but it’s been really difficult to find the more obscure private courses and we’ve had to rely on word of mouth as we’ve travelled around. Anything that constitutes a golf hole is within our target range.”</div>
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McPherson lists the likes of Kingsbarns, Turnberry Ailsa and the Old Course at St Andrews as his favourite venues on his golfing odyssey.</div>
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But the 11-handicapper has also been delighted to enjoy the challenge of countless other venues far off the tourist track, notably Traigh in the West Highlands and Stroma, an uninhabited island in the middle of the Pentland Firth where sheep keep the grass cut.</div>
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McPherson continues: “There are umpteen lovely little courses at the most unlikely places. The romance of playing a lovely wee hole in a remote part of Scotland and meeting different people makes it such a rich experience. Our visit to Fair Isle to play the 6-hole Lighthouse Keeper’s Course was just epic and we sent some used balls, ladies clubs and Glen GC flags as a thank you.</div>
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<a href="https://www.scottishgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/Stroma-GC.jpg" rel="lightbox" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0079c2; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", Cabin, Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Stroma GC" class="wp-image-39643 size-medium" height="225" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://www.scottishgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/Stroma-GC-300x225.jpg" srcset="https://www.scottishgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/Stroma-GC-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.scottishgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/Stroma-GC-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.scottishgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/Stroma-GC-312x234.jpg 312w, https://www.scottishgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/Stroma-GC.jpg 1000w" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" /></a></div>
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Stroma GC, an island off the northern coast</div>
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“One of the best holes at Asta Golf Club on Shetland is 58 yards. That’s an officially recognised course with an official SSS so we decided that since holes on some pitch & putt and par-3 courses are far longer, we should include such places in our definition of a “golf course” in an effort to play absolutely every course.</div>
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“It’s been far from cheap going to places like Durness, Wick and the islands of Colonsay, Barra, Iona and Whalsay, but the journey highlighted the diversity of golf in Scotland, the beauty of our country and I had great fun on the way.”</div>
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McPherson, who has recently volunteered to become a course rater for Scottish Golf, added: “I still have a few unofficial courses to play and since there are other courses around Scotland currently in planning or under construction, my journey isn’t quite finished!</div>
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“A few people have done this challenge before, and I know of others doing the same thing just now. It’s great to do it if your leisure time allows. It’s an unforgettable experience and it’s amazing the diversity of the courses you’ll play and the friendliness of the people you’ll meet.”</div>
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I'm often asked what my favourite courses are out of the 669 played so far. It's difficult to pick out courses other than the obvious e.g. the Old Course, Turnberry, Kingsbarns etc. and perhaps a bit unfair to do so, since in many cases I've only played courses once (in all weathers!) during my travels. Maybe I'll get round to writing about favourite experiences and particular holes rather than favourite courses. But for now, my next course will probably be the 9 holer at Maverston GC, once it's a bit warmer!</div>
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Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-34704193745186792362017-02-21T17:20:00.000+00:002017-02-21T17:20:48.673+00:00Balmoral Golf Club<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I wrote my blog entry about Course No 410, which Craig Stu and I played on 6 June 2011, I was honouring a commitment to not mention the name or location of the course, given the owners' wishes for complete privacy. At that time, access to the course was restricted to the owners' family, estate workers and those few golfers who were able to gain access for corporate golf days. Those few aside, the course was strictly off limits and access was almost impossible. We were lucky that we knew someone who knew someone working for the estate's management, but even then, we were sworn to honour privacy, hence the rather cryptic blog entry. Since then, I've learnt that one of the guys at my own golf club works for the royal household, has access to the course and can invite guests!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, it seems that the former privacy has just been waived. The Scotsman newspaper of 20 February 2017 contained the following short article -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Queen's private golf course being opened to public</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Queen's private Balmoral golf course is being opened to the public. Normally only open to the royal family, staff and their guests, visiting golfers will now be allowed a round on the 9 hole course for £200 for four players. The course in Aberdeenshire had been available for hire by corporate clients. A shortage of bookings due to a downturn in the north-east's oil and gas industry has encouraged the royal household to open it up."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Given this development, I guess I'm no longer obliged to treat the existence of the course as confidential - despite the obvious presence of the course on Google Earth if anyone bothered to look. So, the secrets are out, there's a proper golf course on the Royal Estate at Balmoral and Craig, Stu and I have played it. Is it worth £50 a head? Yes! The course itself is pretty good and not the easiest we've encountered on our travels. And yes, the scorecard is pretty special! It really pays to keep the ball straight, hit the fairways and avoid the penal rough and water hazards. But apart form the golf, there's fun to be had just getting there. I'd a new black Honda CRV at the time, with black tinted rear windows, which really looked the part when I drove slowly into the estate, past the lines of gawping tourists. We were allowed to drive on the estate roads to the course, which is well away from the normal tourist routes around the estate. However, we could still be seen at various points on the course and we wondered whether anyone thought we were "important." A daft thought perhaps, but inescapable in the circumstances.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some more photos from our 2011 visit -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, well worth a visit, although I'm not sure exactly how anyone would make a booking and the official Balmoral website doesn't give any clues. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-70144797889778816382016-11-03T15:50:00.000+00:002019-08-31T10:43:33.082+01:00Royal Troon GC - Craigend Course - Course No 669<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We'd just about enough time after our round on 1 November 2016 over Royal Troon's Old Course (and a leisurely lunch) to play the club's 9-Hole Craigend Course. The Craigend measures 1539 Yards and is a par 29, with holes ranging from 67 to 290 Yards. It had been used during The Open as a site for TV lorries, studios and general storage and in places the ground was still recovering, but it was still very playable, despite the dying light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Graeme, Donald and I literally ran round the course in well under an hour, with our last hole being played as the sun set over the Old Course. Here are some random photos of the course that hopefully will give readers an idea of the course.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Craigend is normally only playable by members of Royal Troon so I'm grateful to Donald and indeed to the club, for the opportunity to play the course. As might be suspected, Craigend is a good practice course for members as well as an ideal course for beginners and seniors wanting a casual short round of golf. For the record, I went round in 34 shots, with 16 putts. We'd played the course just as the sun set but if we'd taken our time and lined up putts properly, etc. I suspect the score might have been no better, since we'd have finished the last 3 holes in the dark! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our Craigend 9th Hole marked the end of a perfect day's golf. The club couldn't have been more helpful and friendly, so a great big thanks goes to everyone we met and especially to Donald, for inviting us to play these courses.</span></div>
Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-82522176044877920542016-11-03T14:30:00.000+00:002019-08-31T10:43:03.904+01:00Royal Troon GC - Old Course - Course No 668<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I started my journey to play every golf course in Scotland, I didn't really know where it would end. I was hoping that I'd finish in a blaze of glory, holing out on the 18th of one of our great links courses. By the Autumn of 2016, I had 682 courses on my list, meaning I'd 15 to go, mainly small pitch and putt and Par 3 courses and only two 18 hole courses. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It looked as though the Old Course at Troon, scene of 9 Open Championships, might be the final course on my journey but when the opportunity arose to play the Old Course on 1 November 2016, I jumped at the chance. Royal Troon's 9-hole Craigend Course is normally only playable by members and their guests, so when Graeme, one of my buddies who is also playing every course said he knew a member who would get us on both courses, I had to go for it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regular readers of the blog will know that my progress was slowed down by a major heart operation in January 2016. I was back playing golf regularly by May and managed to knock off a few new courses, but in early August I was back at the Doc's, this time diagnosed with Shingles, a nasty viral condition that </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at it's</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> worst </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">unbearably painful. Three months later and I'm still taking powerful painkillers every few hours, but the pain is under control and at last I can play (badly). Polly and I played a few courses in Cyprus in October 2016 to help me recuperate. A great place and still pretty hot, but we didn't think the courses there were a patch on those in places like Turkey and Ireland, so we won't be going back there golfing any time soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, 1 November 2016 was one of those rare Autumn days when the weather was absolutely perfect for golf. Around 14 Degrees C, no </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cloud and only a very light </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">wind. We were due to play at 1000 hrs, but since Troon is 102 miles from our house, Polly and I decided to stay locally overnight rather than risk getting caught up in traffic en route. This is the early morning view from our B&B, with the course laid out invitingly, just beyond the railway line that borders much of the back 9 of the course. All seemed set, but we'd chosen to visit on the 2nd day of the Greenkeeper's main Autumn programme to hollow tine and sand the greens. So, a few of the holes had temporary greens, including the iconic 8th, the Postage Stamp. We'd been really looking forward to testing ourselves on the course where just a few months before, Stenson and Mickelson had played what will surely go down as one of the greatest final rounds in any of golf's Majors.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzqCOvFjcQMYQo4Cz05wqX91QRIV85zNMc02-kSQEDlyQbarB0U7sYaDyKo8n6TRwJz9Cygqppml4xWaOkPgKoL1oUxvAuwuJasfKpvbfJe-3k4pH6Ot16tNFUveuA84oLS3f3Z24rS8j/s1600/PB010110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzqCOvFjcQMYQo4Cz05wqX91QRIV85zNMc02-kSQEDlyQbarB0U7sYaDyKo8n6TRwJz9Cygqppml4xWaOkPgKoL1oUxvAuwuJasfKpvbfJe-3k4pH6Ot16tNFUveuA84oLS3f3Z24rS8j/s320/PB010110.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Graeme, Donald (the local member and Assistant Pro at one of Edinburgh's best clubs) </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and I opted for the Yellow tees, reducing the Old Course to 6170 Yards, Par 71 (with Polly as our photographer and sole spectator). A far cry from the Open crowds but there was another difference. Royal Troon sits on the flight path to Prestwick Airport and I don't recall seeing planes flying over the course every couple of minutes during the Open. This is me lining up a shot on the 3rd fairway, just after the latest Ryanair flight landing from goodness knows where had thundered over our heads! Quite entertaining in a way on the Front 9 but after the wind turned at the start of our Back 9, the planes were taking off rather than landing over our heads and the novelty soon wore off. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-51kuZuWS97c/WBsY5duVsQI/AAAAAAAAIkc/_xnLh2nr2cY6_C4sKVTqXdhGm9poMeMQQCPcB/s1600/PB010121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-51kuZuWS97c/WBsY5duVsQI/AAAAAAAAIkc/_xnLh2nr2cY6_C4sKVTqXdhGm9poMeMQQCPcB/s320/PB010121.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TV coverage of The Open had commented that the Front 9 was where to make your score, with the Back 9 where you held on as best you could. Our Front 9 was not as testing as we'd expected. The holes looked completely different from the Open coverage. The rough had been cut back, the fairways were running slower and our main course management requirement was to stay out of the bunkers. I 3-putted the 1st for a double bogey 6 but pars on the 5th, 6th and 7th meant I was 5 over after 7 holes. Not too bad after my recent health problems. In fact, I thought the first 6 holes were pretty straightforward from the Yellow Tees. The 6th played to a modest 518 Yards, but is a really meaty 618 yards from the back tee. We'd been looking forward to playing the Postage Stamp 8th, the legendary 114 Yard Par 3 that is surely The Old Course's signature hole. Sadly, we had to play to a temporary green, in the middle of the above photo, with the heavily sanded green to the right. The temporary green extended the hole by 40 yards and was a really small target, so we were grateful that it wasn't windy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 9th is a short Par 4 of only 375 Yards, wide as you like, requiring only a decent drive to set up an easy iron to a bunkerless green. There's a slight dog leg off the tee, but I misjudged the distance to the corner of the dog leg and had a poor lie in heavy rough. A double bogey 6 there was disappointing, but I was out in 44 (with the same new ball). Passable, I suppose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 12th is a 377 Yard Par 4. I'd hit a decently straight drive and opted for a 7 iron punch to a heavily contoured 2-tier green. You know how you scuttle a ball along the ground and it runs forever? Yes, dead straight towards the flag, finishing 4 feet away, as shown here! My big chance for a birdie at Royal Troon, duly holed. Go me!</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2f5bYsooQ0Q/WBsZzY543eI/AAAAAAAAIk8/ByUOKx_YxQQwQM-2Q42su5EjUkwRpXGmQCPcB/s1600/PB010130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2f5bYsooQ0Q/WBsZzY543eI/AAAAAAAAIk8/ByUOKx_YxQQwQM-2Q42su5EjUkwRpXGmQCPcB/s320/PB010130.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last few holes at Royal Troon are more testing, even from the Yellows. The Par 5 16th is 50 Yards longer from the back tee, and looked easy enough at only 504 Yards, but I still managed to make double bogey without doing anything particularly daft, apart from finding a greenside bunker. This is me missing my first putt, with Graeme waiting his turn. And so to the 17th, a tricky 167 Yard Par 3, played to a plateau green, well guarded by bunkers on both sides. I missed the green, with my tee shot finishing in light rough. My rusty short game had held up reasonably well until now but I'd an awkward 20 yard chip over a steep slope to the elevated green. My treble bogey could have been even worse and I'll clearly need to get some short game practice in!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwm48yvaQ9pxcr_NptZOtKz0HtFG1uIhJhhL2tBabwBbd36UfLZyhYxc2z8P55jU1joneRDoyu_F1KZBCSaMCJEJdDkJWhEFYfOnWrgePTAZJpb0e6WjFE8sQ7uNlqXrf2nzKqibYtMSvo/s1600/PB010133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwm48yvaQ9pxcr_NptZOtKz0HtFG1uIhJhhL2tBabwBbd36UfLZyhYxc2z8P55jU1joneRDoyu_F1KZBCSaMCJEJdDkJWhEFYfOnWrgePTAZJpb0e6WjFE8sQ7uNlqXrf2nzKqibYtMSvo/s320/PB010133.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 18th was a tough 464 Yards during the Open, but was a modest 344 Yards for us mere mortals. I hooked a drive into heavy rough and could only move the ball to 60 Yards from the green, as shown here. The course hadn't been busy, despite the excellent weather. We'd seen a few guys teeing off in front of us before we teed off on the 1st but there was no sign of them looking out the clubhouse windows as we completed our round. My main thought at the time was "just don't hit a window with your approach shot to the green". I needn't have worried, as I hit a good pitch to within 10 feet. I was just disappointed that I missed the par putt. Still, a bogey on the last meant I'd stumbled around to a semi-respectable 90, net 79 (8 over net par) with 32 putts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd like to play the course again sometime, but it's £230 for a round in high season and although Royal Troon's Old Course is great fun to play and a good test, I suspect I'd opt for The Old Course at St Andrews, given the choice. This is me, finishing my 668th course in Scotland. Only a few out of the way Par 3 and pitch and putt courses left and one 18 Hole course at gWest near Gleneagles. I'm playing at Gleneagles on 7 November 2016, so maybe I'll find a way to access gWest - if not, the search continues. I suspect there are a few small Par 3 or pitch and putt courses I don't know about but I won't lose sleep over them. After open heart surgery you tend to put things into perspective. Playing every Scottish course I know about is fun, but if I miss any I can still rest, knowing that there are more important things in life, starting with life itself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A final comment on Royal Troon's Old Course. If you get the chance to play here, make the time to visit the 19th, grab a seat by the windows and watch the world go by. I guess I've eaten in hundreds of golf clubhouses across the world over the years but I'm sure I've never had the chance to order a cheese and haggis toastie. An unlikely combination, but absolutely delicious, washed down by a pint of cold lager. I could have stayed for another beer, but we'd another course to play and precious little time before sunset. If and when I play the Old Course again, I know what I'll be ordering when I get in.</span></div>
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Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-1059661393558462652016-06-10T12:15:00.002+01:002016-06-10T12:15:59.817+01:00Strathpeffer Spa GC - Junior Course - Course No 667<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'd found from internet research that there was a 5 Hole Junior Course at Strathpeffer Spa GC so my plan was to play this and another local course on my way back down from Dornoch. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I dropped into the clubhouse late in the afternoon of 8 June 2016, but there was no-one there other than the cleaner and no cars in the car park. I took a stroll up to the practice ground behind the clubhouse but there was no sign of a Junior Course and I wondered whether it had been closed. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Polly and I had played the main Strathpeffer course many years ago. It's very high on my personal list of "hilliest golf courses played" and I wasn't sure my current fitness level would make an evening round over this great village course an easy task. It was also perfect midgie weather! But don't let those comments put you off, because Strathpeffer Spa is well worth a visit, with stunning views to die for (and that's what I was a bit concerned about given my recent heart troubles). The course is simply stunning, no more so than the opening hole, a Par 4 of 330 Yards with the biggest drop from tee to green of any course in Scotland. Willie Park Jnr, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Old Tom Morris </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and Harry Vardon all played a part in the evolution of the course layout and the quality of their work and imagination is still clearly evident. A hidden gem, much as I dislike that cliche.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I fronted up early on 9 June (another perfect midgie day!) the friendly lady in the club shop told me that there was indeed a Junior Course, beyond the 17th green, and I could take my car up a rough track to the car park beside the 9th tee. Thankfully, there was a good course map. This is the scorecard I created, using measurements on stones beside the tees -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hole 1 93 Yards Par 3 Score 4 Putts 2</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Totals 342 Yards Par 15 Score 15 Putts 8</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an excellent facility for young and old alike and would be great for general practice, in addition to the more handily located practice ground. I escaped just as the first cloud of midgies noticed that food (i.e. my blood) had arrived! Here are a couple of views from the course - the 1st and 2nd holes (seriously downhill). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd also had the nearby Coul House Hotel's Pitch and Putt Course on my list of courses to play. This is a seriously upmarket country hotel, set in impressive grounds. There's a pitch and putt course in the gardens, but with no fixed tees and 9 flags enabling play from anywhere in any order, this course didn't meet our definition of a golf course. I played the layout as best I could and enjoyed viewing the gardens but at least I've been there and struck the name off our list. Here's a couple of random photos from the course.</span></div>
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Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-42087289312463732502016-06-10T10:59:00.001+01:002016-06-10T10:59:54.975+01:00Royal Dornoch GC Practice Course - Course No 666<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yIIfgjbJ17c/V1qAVeqlOiI/AAAAAAAAIeI/Ynikp8ecSEEltLsmF8LzDVAdQiAUlnUGQCKgB/s1600/IMG_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yIIfgjbJ17c/V1qAVeqlOiI/AAAAAAAAIeI/Ynikp8ecSEEltLsmF8LzDVAdQiAUlnUGQCKgB/s320/IMG_0494.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I've commented previously, one of our main difficulties in trying to play every golf course in Scotland is that there's no fully comprehensive list or even an agreed definition of what a golf course is and is not. For many, a course has to have at least 9 holes but we're going for anywhere that has fixed tees and greens, intended for playing the game in a set sequence of holes. That of course encompasses some pitch and putt courses, private courses and practice courses. It's easy enough to find the courses that are registered with Scottish Golf and have members, but the more quirky end of our search is difficult to put it mildly. On my occasional previous trips to Dornoch to play the Championship course, I'd noticed that there was a pitch and putt layout in front of the Dornoch Hotel and I had this is on my list of courses to play. I also wanted to check out another layout in the area so I drove up to Dornoch on 8 June 2016 (4 hours+). Sadly, the Dornoch Hotel "course" is no more. It had previously provided a reasonably attractive frontage to the hotel, but all of the greens and holes (and tees if there ever were any) have merged into a rather untidy looking front "lawn" as this picture shows. Bunkers have been left to weed infestation and the overall effect is rather unappealing. I've no idea what the hotel is like to stay in but I'm certainly not tempted to find out.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ptuo8ZtsMnA/V1qAk56kn-I/AAAAAAAAIeA/QYNJ6BFA2H0ZejiZEfcHTHrIoLej1zI8wCKgB/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ptuo8ZtsMnA/V1qAk56kn-I/AAAAAAAAIeA/QYNJ6BFA2H0ZejiZEfcHTHrIoLej1zI8wCKgB/s320/IMG_0497.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a previous trip to the area in 2012, Polly and I had played Dornoch GC's second course, "The Struie" - see my blog entry No 528. I'd noticed that there were a few white flags visible between the Struie Course and the Club's large practice ground, adjacent to Dornoch Airfield, but it hadn't occurred to me </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">at the time</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">that this might be a new course to add to our list. So, after my dismal inspection of the Dornoch Hotel frontage, I drove over to the Airfield, (at the end of Shore Road if you ever want to find it). Sure enough, there were some white flags and on closer inspection this turned out to be a short course of 3 Par 4s surrounding a double-flagged practice green, set aside for short game and bunker practice. However, there were holes and tees cut half way along each of the Par 4s, making this a 6-hole Par 3 course. I don't know if these were intended as a permanent feature, but there were certainly 6 fixed tees and 6 greens and the guy in front was certainly playing golf. Indeed, signs such as this one beside the 5th tee made it clear that general practice was not allowed, so the club has clearly intended that the 6 holes should be played as a golf course, rather than with a bag of practice balls from random positions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I measured the course layout to produce the following scorecard</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hole 1 161 Yards Par 3 Score 3 Putts 1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hole 2 173 Yards Par 3 Score 5 Putts 2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hole 3 188 Yards Par 3 Score 3 Putts 1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hole 4 96 Yards Par 3 Score 4 Putts 2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hole 5 175 Yards Par 3 Score 3 Putts 1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hole 6 102 Yards Par 3 Score 3 Putts 2</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Totals 734 Yards Par 18 Score 21 Putts 9 </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBeR4W8dVlM/V1qAestdgyI/AAAAAAAAId4/3NnmUD-2-XQs7yaQvjdsjEFRZPHamJcbACKgB/s1600/IMG_0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBeR4W8dVlM/V1qAestdgyI/AAAAAAAAId4/3NnmUD-2-XQs7yaQvjdsjEFRZPHamJcbACKgB/s320/IMG_0496.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This course was in excellent condition and looked to be ideal for juniors, seniors and newcomers to the game. This is a view of the 2nd hole, with the village in the background - the church spire being Dornoch Cathedral. If you're ever in Dornoch to play the outstanding Championship Course (and that's surely a bucket list course if you like links courses) the little course by the Airfield would be a good warm-up. </span><br />
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Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829056825418355178.post-35922877801897401702016-05-13T13:55:00.001+01:002016-05-13T15:02:07.746+01:00The Nestie Golf Course - Course no 665<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Nestie is a 6-hole short course operated by the Carnoustie Golf Links Trust and opened in May 2014 as part of a wider redevelopment of the Buddon Course at Carnoustie. The Buddon now has 2 new holes and the Nestie was built on what was formerly the Buddon's 1st fairway, immediately to the left of the 1st hole on Carnoustie's Championship Course. The Nestie is described by the Trust as a junior course, but it's also open to adult members and non-members alike and is only reserved for juniors at specific times. As such, it's a good practice facility for anyone playing one of Carnoustie's three main courses and being free, with clubs available for hire from the adjacent Pro Shop, it's ideally located for casual play by any visitors to the town and for complete beginners to learn the basics. See the Buddon Course 1st tee and Championship Course 1st tee webcams on www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk for aerial live streaming showing the Nestie Course. This is a photo I took from the 1st tee. Note the greenkeepers hard at work in the background.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd arranged to meet Craig at Noon on 11 May 2016, who as regular readers of the blog will know, is one of the 2 guys that I'm playing all of the Scottish courses with. Craig lives within a Par 5 of the 1st tee on the Championship Course and is a member of one of the 5 clubs that have playing rights over the Carnoustie Links. The 3rd and 4th Holes were closed for maintenance when we met up, so it initially looked as though my 210 mile round trip might have to be repeated at a later date. Craig and I played the 4 remaining holes that were open and I practiced for a while around the old 1st green of the Buddon Course, now used for general practice. Thankfully the Greenkeepers finished their work pretty quickly and the Nestie was fully open by 1330 hrs. This is a view of the 3rd Hole, looking back to the Championship Course 1st Tee and the iconic hotel that overlooks the Championship Course</span>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the photo above suggests, the Nestie wasn't in great condition. The fairways had been heavily scarified and the greens were pretty bumpy and slow. Scoring was generally difficult, as balls would take unexpected bounces and putting was really tricky. This was my score on the completed full round -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hole 1 - 65 Yards, Par 3 Score was 4, with 2 putts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hole 2 - 66 Yards, Par 3 Score was 3, with 2 putts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hole 3 - 64 Yards, Par 3 Score was 4, with 2 putts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hole 4 - 44 Yards, Par 3 Score was 4 with 2 putts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hole 5 - 55 Yards, Par 3 Score was 2 with 1 putt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hole 6 - 40 Yards, Par 3 Score was 3 with 2 putts</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Apg99BEJFNE/VzW8I8sIAYI/AAAAAAAAIco/1-rm1i3Do8M6BGr1XTnT29AP3vUGlnX2gCKgB/s1600/IMG_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Apg99BEJFNE/VzW8I8sIAYI/AAAAAAAAIco/1-rm1i3Do8M6BGr1XTnT29AP3vUGlnX2gCKgB/s320/IMG_0458.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, 20 strokes in total with 11 putts on a course measuring 334 Yards in total. Not the most demanding or interesting course I've played on my travels around Scotland, but good practice nevertheless and I'm glad that the Links Trust had the wisdom to add this little course to the excellent facilities at Carnoustie. This is me on the 1st tee. I don't know exactly when my next new course will be as I've got a golfing holiday to Turkey coming up later in the month. At least I'm back playing again and looking forward to more trips around some of the more remote parts of Scotland on my continuing quest to play every course. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For any readers who have not played the Carnoustie Courses before, the Championship Course can be an absolute beast and the Buddon and Burnside courses are also challenging in their own right, particularly on windy days! Even if you're not playing, a trip to the Pro Shop beside the Championship Course 1st Tee is quite an experience - particularly if you're not expecting to pass what I assume is an exact replica of the Claret Jug!</span><br />
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<br />Alan McPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659870614464489255noreply@blogger.com1