by Gordon Dalgleish on February 14, 2010
A few years ago I travelled for the first time to Nebraska to play Sand Hills. Designed by the team of Ben Crenshaw & Bill Coore I had extremely high expectations….and they were surpassed The story of Sand Hills is worth reading in the above link. Quite simply, the topography in that part of the USA is remarkable for building golf courses. The recent article in the Omaha newspaper similarly caught my eye as another fine venue is built, even during these challenging economic times. I am not for one moment suggesting that Nebraska replicates the overall experience of golf in Scotland, however, based on my time at Sand Hills, for 4 hours, if you focus solely on the golf course at hand and ignore the surroundings, you could be a thousands of miles away. This region of Nebraska where sand hills were formed is very similar to the sand hills of North Carolina (home to Pinehurst amongst others) and the sand belt in Melbourne, Australia (home to Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, etc). Possibly golfers are one of the few groups who find value in sand hills!
by Mark Barnes on February 9, 2010
The Royal and Ancient Clubhouse overlooks the first tee and the eighteenth green of the Old Course, St Andrews. (Photo by Russell Kirk)
By George Fuller
Veteran golf writer and photographer George Fuller visited Scotland for twelve nights in July 2009 on assignment for Virtuoso Life Magazine. This story of his journey, which began in St Andrews and concluded in Turnberry by way of the Scottish Highlands, was published in the January / February 2010 issue.
by Gordon Dalgleish on February 8, 2010
The Machrie
I will never forget some of my trips to the Machrie, off the west coast of Scotland. Situated on the island of Islay, the Machrie is a classic links course in the truest sense of the word. I recall 10 blind shots to greens over towering sand dunes. The details on this golf experience can be enjoyed at LinksMagazine.com While the golf is memorable I will never forget the trip, in 1986 when my brother and I played 9 holes in fierce weather only to return to the clubhouse and an extended lunch break. Indeed, the lunch continued to dinner as were joined by the manager of one of the local distilleries with a new bottle of his product. Golf is a wonderful sport, but more often then not it is the people and life experiences which make it so special.
by Gordon Dalgleish on January 14, 2010
For the impartial observer, many would think Scotland, as the recognized “Home of Golf” and destination consistently ranked #1 for the aspirational golf trip would be overrun with visitors. The reality is quite different. True, Scotland enjoys a healthy demand at a few of the better known courses but it would be fair to say the marketing efforts and communications of many elements of the golf travel industry in Scotland have been disjointed for a number of years.
by Colin Dalgleish on November 19, 2009
The Captains; Royal County Down, Walker Cup, Portmarnock and Gullane conclude their round on the Old Course
Golf in late autumn is not something that many from overseas tend to travel to Scotland for, but for sure you may be missing a great experience! …. by necessity my personal 2009 golf season kicked off late, but threw up some great treats … let me tell you more;
by Gordon Dalgleish on November 17, 2009
I can recall quite clearly playing golf in the Highlands of Scotland in the early 1970’s at some of the smaller town courses which had wire fences around the greens to prevent the sheep damaging the putting surface. The following link to Times brought back many memories. Enjoy the article.
