Golf Ireland Bushmill Dunes

The decision by the National Trust to seek a review to overturn a planning decision regarding the new course close to the Giants Causeway reminds me of Scotland's recent Travails with the New Trump course at Aberdeen.
It is for some in the " know " a big mistake for the Mennie course to have been approved. In this case the scientific argument was the loss of unique sand dunes and the system within that area.
It would seem that a similar argument is on the agenda again.
In the case of Mennie, one question that has been seldom asked was did we really need another course. It is a welcome addition but perhaps not a pressing requirement.
It is by all accounts a stunning course, but its entire legacy has been somewhat tarnished by the behaviour of the man who paid for it. Donal Trump. To announce it is the best golf course in the world would seem to most simple arrogance and a lack of real knowledge of links courses, however for Golfers it could become a great course in a given period of time.

The Bushmill Dunes on the other hand I believe would seriously enhance the existing golf infrastructure, and provide the extra ingredient that would be required to keep Golfers in that area for more than one or two days. That would provide a significant increase in revenue to the area. It seems that the area is of course a very sensitive one, and the step of a judicial revue must mean that it may be jeopardised in the near future. I would support its development, as I do believe integrity can be maintained.
I am not however as keen on the course designer, as some of his other new builds do not meet with my approval.
The castle course at St Andrews, has greens with too many silly pin positions due to too many slopes on the greens, and fairways with designer rough on and around the middle of the fairways. I good layout spoilt by silly tricking of the course. It does have some spectacular holes.
The Dunes at Machrahanish has received poor reviews and does not compliment the old course.
The changes at Gleneagles were not well received and some have been changed.
Banding Dunes is excellent on the flip side.
The designers of Kingsbarns and Castle Stuart should get the call.
I await the revue with interest.

Ryder cup captain

I rather agree with Darren Clarke that the introduction of Tom Watson is an inspired choice by the USA. He is a true golfing icon to my mind, and one who commands total respect.
The question is, who will be his opponent. I am not sure that Monty would want the job, but agree that perhaps Darren may be on the right track in regards to that option.
The next time I see Monty at Gleneagles I will be sure to ask him for his view!!. He so often around so I will keep my eyes peeled.
It would be unkind to think that Paul McGinley was not up to the task, bearing in mind his vast experience both playing and as part of the team behind the scenes.
It also begs the question how important is the captain. I think it is important that the players have respect for their captain. I think the order of play and partners can sometimes be over analysed with the players themselves truly in charge of their destinies.The most mercurial Captain of them all was Seve, but frankly he not only inspired the team but also nearly drove some of them to distraction. In particular Monty nearly collapsed at the end with the barrage of advice!!.
Here's one for the pot... If he is not playing in the team... Thomas Bjorn. I think he has the respect of the players, as a man who has been heavily involved in the Tour Players board.
Interested if any one might rate Mark James as a possible, but finally but not least, if they are prepared to look at second chance captain...How about our own Sam Torrance.. At home.. Got to be worth a shout surely?

No golf for me today as I organise two tours for next year over the weekend..will try to play next week if I can
Weather horrible today so no golf at
Gleneagles but may try to practice

Ryder Cup Golf Groups for Gleneagles...it's starting to kick off!

Haven't even published the options for the Ryder Cup yet and have so many clients keen to sign up to one of our self catering properties that we will use as a fully catered golfing venue for that week.

It'll be great to see so many of our clients coming in to town at one time for this event!

The website is currently under construction but we'll post the Ryder Cup options as soon as we can. 

Last Sunday at Gleneagles

Played the last medal of the season at Gleneagles and stopped to take this photo of the Starter's box at the first tee of the PGA Centenary course.  Nothing like playing on a day like this.

You've Been Trumped! What a shocker...

Watched the BBC programme called "You've BeenTrumped" last night and was totally shocked by what I saw and heard.

Whilst perhaps one-sided, it was, in the least, an embarrassment for the local government, central government ( Scottish Government) and, as equally and if not more so, for Grampian Police.  The treatment of the local people was simply outrageous and the total disregard for propriety was hideous.

I will watch with interest if the Grampian police choose to comment on what seems to have been an assault by their officers on the director of the programme.  Perhaps there is another side to the story and some compelling evidence to prove the case of assault on the Trump employee.

The section on the SSSI is also deeply depressing, and I am incredulous that our government called it in and then granted permission but again perhaps there is another side to that story as well.

At Kingsbarns

Kingsbarns a great great course, we played today off the green tees so a little short for the skipper and I but we were giving away 13 shots which meant there was a good chance of us losing.
Here is the skipper playing over the sea at the par 3 15th in a very strong wind. We both got our 3's but it was tough.

Match at Kingsbarns

Back to blogging. Played the last golf club match for our club, Dun Ochill at Gleneagles, against Kingsbarns, at Kingsbarns.  Below is the first group out, myself and then captain standing on then first tee.

Portugal Annual Golf Trip

Dinner with the guys and antics to follow!

Trip to South Africa

I am off to South Africa tomorrow with a group of golfers who gather every year in remembrance of a good friend who passed away.  We play a Northern Hemisphere vs. Southern Hemisphere golf match over four days.

This year the tour returns to South Africa and the games will be at Fancourt, all three courses and at Oubaai, an Ernie Els design which is not far from George.

This will be my first time at Fancourt and I am really excited. Our hosts have houses there so I expect we will be well looked after.  Anybody played the links at Fancourt? I am told it is an excellent golf venue and all the golfers are low single golfers so I think it will be competitive.

New clubs in my bag - Mizuno MP 59's and a razor driver.  Here's hoping I can hit them like they feel.  Will keep you posted with photos.

A day at Turnberry

Dusk at Turnberry, two four balls coming down the 18th in the Ailsa Course.  This was the hole renamed after the Open in which Tom Watson beat Jack Nicklaus on the 18th.  Just as the group were putting out, there was a short 45 second downpour and with the sun setting out to sea, this rainbow formed perfectly over the hotel.  It was the only rain that the golfers saw for the whole round and three of them asked to play the course with me the following day which we duly did.  Because of the amount of rain this year in Scotland, all the links courses have really green fairways which is unusual for these courses making them play a little longer....oops! if you are short off the tee!

Golf and sport over the weekend

Well...with a group of South Africans here for their golf tour they were able to celebrate twice in the last two days and what a couple of days for the South Africans. The victory by Ernie Els at Lytham St Anne's was a remarkable turn around in fortunes for both the golfers. It only goes to show that the match or competition is never over until the last putt is in the hole.  Poor Adam Scott but it was also a great finish from Ernie who knew that it was easy to have consecutive bogeys on the way home and avoided that and even advanced while Adam lost his way and eventually the Open.

The McWilliam party were at Castle Stuart and watched the event live and were gifted a bottle of single malt to celebrate Ernie's victory. Very nice touch by Castle Stuart! Just to make the week better for the South Africans, England lost by an innings and lost their no. 1 status....oops!

Here at the Links Club we are preparing for the arrival of the Fraser group on Thursday. They will be staying at Newholme House for the majority of the time here in Scotland and they will be finishing their golf tour at Turnberry for the last two days. Let's hope we can follow any good weather around.  I think the McWilliam group have been lucky although they had a strong wind to contend with at Castle Stuart.

On Friday of last week I had a very kind invitation to play at the Rennaisance Club with three good friends, courtesy of my fourball partner at Gleneagles in order to celebrate his daughter's wedding. We had great weather and played on a course that was in great condition. Nice for once to play on greens that are running true. Gleneagles has had problems this year that have meant that we have not had good and consistent running greens. Let's hope we can get some for the end of the season. The Renaissance is a good course but we all had a close look at the new holes, of which one is spectacular, however the other two are great holes but the greens for each hole are separated by a wall - what happens when you get on the wrong green?  Not sure but lift and drop is probably the only rule available so not really the full payment for going long...interesting.  Fore caddies are not normal in the UK...they should be considered by some of the bigger courses...it works and can, if the individual is good, really speed up play.  The reading of putts by the fore caddy can slow the pace of play, but I really enjoyed the input from our fore caddie Todd.

McWilliam golf tour

Late at night just finishing preparation for the group arriving at Glasgow airport tomorrow...early start and then down to Turnberry..update tomorrow So the McWilliam party arrived at Turnberry with pretty good weather around. Not much wind and no rain, and the course looking in good condition. The stands were starting to appear fro the senior open, and so there was a great buzz around the course.

Here is Mark, Patric Simon Andy and Quinton ready for their first hole on the Ailsa Course.They played round in excellent weather and only just caught a small shower just as the sun was setting, however the shower and the sun firmed a great backdrop for a double rainbow over the hotel and the course, as the two groups played in to the 18th.Tom Watson would have bought at least three of the approach shots into the 18th back in 2009!!!!!!!

The next day i lead the whole group alongs to Girvan harbour where they boarded the kintyre express for their journey over the sea to Campbeltown and onto Machrahanish for their golf. Below are some of the pictures of the group boarding the boat...perhaps a little apprehensive?? not sure but they all returned safely and it was a great success. Save a four hour drive or a flight from glasgow airport.!

Day out at Gleneagles

Gleneagles

A day out for the Links Club boss, his wife Nikki and daughter Sophie.   Out at the Dormy House at Gleneagles for a Saturday lunch before Sophie travelled back home to London.

The food was great and we met up with some old clients from London and also some fellow members. When the sun shines we all come out to play. The weather was fabulous and we had a great view out on to the 18th of both the Kings and the Queens.

The sign showed the way to the courses but as we stood here we could see a sign of our own and that was the clouds gathering...literally....moving slowly up from the south east.

You can see in this picture the clouds gathering...about half an hour after we left, the course was flooded and also the very same Dormy house we were in was also struggling with a flood in the bag store, such was the ferocity of the down pour.

Day 4 The Old Course

The 4th day started early for four of the golfers as
they had a tee time on the Old Course...great effort rewarded with a wet but satisfying round on the mecca of golf courses. The boys can be seen here all finishing from the 'Valley of Sin' on the 18th, with varying results. The weather was wet and windy........typical Scottish weather!

The second group also manage a tee time at around 13.30 on the Old and set forth in strong winds and still persistent rain. Some of the first group arrived to give moral support and wished them well.  Both groups took caddies and most enjoyed that experience. This day's golf was finished off with a long night out on the town for some of the players getting to bed a little later than anticipated.

Here are the second group all lined up in front off the R&A Club House just before teeing off...an amazing experience for them.

Day 3 of the Tour

Day Three was the round at Glasgow Gailes and the pro managed to get the boys off earlier than booked which allowed us to get to St Andrews with time to check in and get to the Dunvegan for a very amusing dinner through the back, with the continuation of the dessert eating episodes, with a lesson in how to eat a sticky toffee pudding in less than two seconds excellently demonstrated by the king of desserts, Greg.

Day 2: Turnberry & The Whisky Experience

The gents at the Whisky Experience

On the morning of the second day, three of the group missed out on the practice to take part in the The Whisky Experience just up the road from Turnberry. They bought two special single cask bottles of whisky for friends and family back home and so popular was this little excursion, that the remainder of the group went back the next day. Back to the hotel for more lunch and more dessert!!!

The afternoon of day two was a windy but sunny one and the boys got ready for their round on the Ailsa Championship Course. The last photo shows one of the boys about to tee off on the open championship tee at the Lighthouse hole and what a shot over the bay which, on this occasion, was struck to perfection into the middle of the fairway!!!!!  You can just see the sea and the fairway in the distance in this last photograph.

Day 1 of the MacMillan Tour

The MacMillan party line up for their first round of golf with as much of their cold weather gear on as was humanly possible. A typical introduction for a windy round of golf on Royal Troon's second course.

For us Scotsman it was not terrible but for these plucky Canadians this was a cold start to the tour!  They all soon warmed up for their first strike of the ball in Scotland.

The afternoon brought the gang out on to the Championship course and with the sun beginning to make its first appearance later in the afternoon, it was time to see how the boys struck the ball off the tee...and they all performed well with the sea and the beach threatening on the right hand side....no one went for a swim! Nice swing!!  Great pose...who is that pro on the tee?

Putting mania on the 16th green with mixed results, however it was duly noted that the entire group took no time at all to speed through the hole and onto the tricky par 3 17th, into a still strong wind, with one of the golfers in the 2nd group getting a two after a magnificent shot to 3 feet.

The sun had eventually come out but it was still a little chilly.

The boys then took off with me to Troon marina to eat in Scotts restaurant and it was here that I first encountered the amazing dessert eating exploits of the team leader, Greg!!!!  The fastest dessert eater in Scotland and Canada, little did I know there was more to come on that issue.

A late return to Wilding's saw half of the gang stay up socialising until the small hours of the morning.!!!!!

Great stamina!!