From the category archives:
Treasure hunting links golfers will be pleased to find new loot in the Highlands at Castle Stuart
Castle Stuart, venue for 2011 Scottish Open
It was Golf Magazine’s “Best New International Course of the Year” in 2009. It was ranked World 56 and selected to host the Barclays Scottish Open in 2011. Better still, if you’re the type that likes to hit the ground playing, the first tee is but 2.9 miles from the airport!
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Castle Course, St. Andrews
Although opened to a flurry of some controversy, The Castle Course at St Andrews will begin its fourth year of play in 2012 with some well considered modifications. Several greens including 15’s enormous false front have been “tempered” for less slope plus the club plans to keep the surfaces softer than in the past. Secondly, there are fewer blind “hummocks” – those large, hay covered, well- struck-drive-eating mounds to avoid.
This is one of sixteen Scotland golf course videos we’re posting on a weekly basis to start the year. Each one provides a great sense of the respective experience which we hope will help you confirm your selections from the many available options.
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Championship Course at Carnoustie
The Championship Course at Carnoustie has been host to the British Open on seven occasions, most recently in 2007 when Padraig Harrington won in a playoff over a gallant and deeply disappointed Sergio Garcia. Ben Hogan won here in 1953; it was his only appearance in the Open but he left a unique legacy for his play on No. 6 named thereafter as “Hogan’s Alley”. Carnoustie is considered by many to be the most challenging layout in the rota due largely to its demanding finish: No. 16 – 248 yard par 3; No. 17 – 461 yard par 4; No. 18 – 499 yard par 4. Ironically it was club member and local accountant James Wright who in 1930 designed the famous finish. His improbable stamp on one of the world’s most respected golf courses is found in the company of James Braid’s major redesign of 1926; Old Tom Morris’ extension to eighteen holes in 1870; and the original layout by Alan Robertson in 1850. Carnoustie is presently ranked World 21 by Golf Magazine.
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The Turnberry Resort and the Ailsa Course are found on Scotland’s west coast in South Ayrshire. Designer Mackenzie Ross is credited with restoring the course to championship standards when it re opened in 1951 after World War II when the property was converted to an RAF airfield and hospital. Ailsa has staged The Open Championship on four occasions beginning in 1977 with the legendary showdown between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus remembered as the “Duel in the Sun”. Watson’s weekend of 65-65 clipped Nicklaus’ 65-66. They both birdied 18 on Sunday; Nicklaus from 40 feet… Watson from 3! The 2009 British Open was more of the same – remarkably including the same but 59 year old Tom Watson – who came within an eyelash of becoming the oldest major champion in golf history. A visit to Turnberry would include regional clubs like Royal Troon, Prestwick, Western Gailes, Machrihanish and impressive Machrihanish Dunes; plus very often St Andrews for a west coast / east coast combination.
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Royal Portrush Golf Club
The 2013 Irish Open will be held at Royal Portrush – the only club in Ireland to have hosted the Open Championship. With two fantastic links courses; the Dunluce Links and the Valley Links; avid golfers are always keen to include Royal Portrush in their Northern Irish golfing itineraries.
To read more about Ireland’s possible bid to host The Open again after Royal Portrush last held it in 1951, click here.
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