Scottish Trip Course Rotation
Peterhead
Here’s a quick overview of the courses my wife and I will be playing in Scotland with links to their websites. I’ve included a bit of an overview of each. You’ll note some conflicts in how old the courses are. Many of these were among the first courses ever played in the world, some claiming roots to the middle 1500′s. One of the problems in determining age is when exactly did they ‘officially’ become courses. Was it when they secured the land or formed a club or what. Often it’s impossible to name the original course designer when it started with a bunch of guys 300 years ago laying out a few holes. Somewhere along the line most of these courses were touched by the classic Scottish designers like Old Tom Morris, Archie Simpson, James Braid and Donald Ross. Check out the links, there are some gorgeous pictures and wonderful description of the holes.
Royal Dornoch - 1877. Records indicate golfing there since 1616. 3rd oldest in the world. Designer; Old Tom Morris. Later changes were made by Donald Ross (The Donald Ross) who was greenkeeper and club professional. Tom Watson, 5 times Open champion said of the course ‘It’s the most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course’. It’s also on my partner Doug’s list of the ‘must play’ courses in the world.
Moray Old & New- 1889. Designer; Old Tom Morris. The ‘New’ course was designed by Henry Cotton. Many distillers were among the founding members. The club traditionally lays in a cask of scotch whiskey every year for members. From 1894 until 1992 is was Glen Grant. Since then it’s been Macallan.
Nairn – 1887. In 2008/2009 it was number 25 in the top courses in Britain and Ireland. Designer; Archie Simpson. Revised by Old Tom Morris and later James Braid.
Cruden Bay - 1899. Designer; Old Tom Morris. Ranked number 52 in the world by Golf Magazine in 2008.
Fraserburgh – 1777. British Golf Museum claims it is the 5th oldest course in Scotland and 7th oldest in the world. Records show golf being played there since 1613. Course redesigned by James Braid in 1922.
Peterhead - 1841. 18th oldest course. Designer, Willie Park Jr.
Royal Aberdeen - 1780. 6th oldest course. Site of 2011 Walker Cup. The ’5 minute limit on looking for a lost ball’ rule was invented there. Archie Simpson, the course’s 1st professional made many design changes. Tom Simpson made more changes and James Braid made cosmetic improvements in 1925.
Montrose - 1810. Records show play as far back as the 1500′s. Also claims to be the 5th oldest course. In 1866 the course’s championship was played on 25 holes, the most ever. Parts of the existing course have had golf played on them for over 350 years. Much of the course design has been credited to Willie Parks Jr.
Monifieth – Final qualifying course for the 2007 British Open. Tom Watson once qualified for here for a British Open being held at St. Andrews.
Panmure – 1845. Original layout by Allan Robertson and Alexander Pirie. Ben Hogan spent 2 weeks there in 1953 warming up for his only Open appearance. It was here that he learned how to ‘pick’ the golfball off links grass. He went on to win across the street at Carnoustie by 4 strokes. He set the course record of 68 during the final round. His favorite hole at Panmure was the 6th where a pot bunker was added to the right of the green on his suggestion. Guess what they named it?
Related posts:
- Scottish Trip Wrap-up
- Scottish Links Golf Not For Everyone
- Review Of Scottish Links Courses
- Scottish Course Design
- Scotland Golf Trip Is On!
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Comments
Wonderful photos and interesting backgrounds. Great job, John!
Are you golfing at all these places? Looks like beautiful fodder for painting, Michelangela!……………
When are you back?
Baci!
looks great guys. here in england and have been rained out 3 days in a row. trying tomorrow at castle combe. we’ll see. look forward to hearing all the news about the trip.
Great Pic!