Top 100 Golf Courses in Scotland

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Top 100 scoTland 2015 THE DAY JACK CAME TO PLAY Playing with Clinton & co was nervy. With Mr Nicklaus it was a dream, says skibo Castle’s david Thomson. It was the last day of the 1970 open at the old Course in st Andrews. I was sitting on my father’s shoulders behind the 18th tee, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the flamboyant American doug sanders, my favourite player. He walked onto the tee with his compatriot, Jack Nicklaus, who proceeded to drill a 3-wood through the back of the green of this iconic par 4. I had a new favourite player and turned, wide-eyed, to my father and said “I want to be a professional golfer like him.” My wish came true, and after playing on the European Tour and coaching several Tour players, I took the job of director of Golf at skibo Castle, part of the Carnegie Club. one day three years ago I was telling one of our members, an American lady, about my afection for Mr Nicklaus stretching back to that July day 42 years ago. she nonchalantly murmured “we’ll have to set something up then” as she threw her putter into her bag. I thought nothing more of it until I was in America the following year playing with her at lost Tree. As I was teeing it up on the 1st she suggested we play briskly as we had a lunchtime appointment... with Jack Nicklaus. I could barely hit a fairway after hearing that. And sure enough we spent an hour or so in his house, chatting, examining memorabilia and generally having the experience of a lifetime. or so I thought. Earlier this year, word reached me that Mr Nicklaus was coming to stay in the castle at skibo. on his second day we met and he wondered if I’d like to play with him the following morning. of course, I protested he mustn’t feel obliged to do so, but secretly I was absolutely thrilled. We arranged to play at 10.30am and when I returned to the clubhouse after hitting a few balls on the range to warm up and try to lose some of the nervous tension from my limbs, my staf wondered if I could swing a bit faster! I’ve been fortunate to play with Greg Norman, sandy lyle, Ernie Els in my career. I’ve played with Bill Clinton. I’ve teed it up in the PGA at Wentworth. I was nervous before on each occasion, but this was diferent. This was meeting a man and a golfer I had admired ever since I watched open-mouthed at him drilling that 3-wood in st Andrews. Mr Nicklaus told me to lead of. My swing was a blur but what I can distinctly recall is the sight of my ball disappearing so far right it must have landed on the 1st tee at dornoch. I apologised and revealed how nervous I was at playing with him. Mr Nicklaus told me to have a ‘breakfast ball’ and I got the second away. Then Mr Nicklaus stepped up... and hit the same block I had! I almost think he did it intentionally, to put me at ease. He turned to me and apologised, saying how nervous he was playing with me... His second was a drive into the wind that went 270 yards. Age 75. By the 4th I could feel the club in my hands and the conversation was flowing. Gloriously so. We talked course design, equipment technology, the future of the game. It was an education listening to his considered opinions and watching him manouevre himself around what he noted was a proper championship course. I was watching so closely I was fearful I’d start mimicking his mannerisms – crouching over the putter or rolling my ankles. I took great pride in Mr Nicklaus saying he enjoyed our course. He felt it was strategic, beautiful and in the best condition he had experienced in the UK; an accolade to cherish. He especially loved the short holes, notably the 6th, which he said reminded him of the Postage stamp, and of the longer holes the 12th and our signature, the 17th, took his eye. It was he who suggested photographs, autographs and signing memorabilia afterwards, which I would never have asked for but which I now absolutely treasure. Not that I need physical reminders of my four hours in the company of my hero; every drive, every opinion, every chip and every mannerism is etched in my mind. I got home that night exhausted. I poured myself a drink and reflected on how lucky that boy on his father’s shoulders had been to end up playing with his idol 44 years later. n David Thomson played on the European Tour before becoming Director of Golf at Skibo Castle, which he helped re-design.
73 Fairmont St A. Torrance (▼ 8) St Andrews, Fife. Par 72, 7,230 yards. Designer: Sam Torrance. DC A handful of holes really make this course. JC Tends to be overlooked but we found a course in excellent condition, with many splendid holes and stunning views. IM some spectacular holes and some of the most spectacular sea views in the world. AM An improving course as it matures. Fun. GW VERDICT Cliftop that’s made by location. 71 The Roxburghe (▼ 5) Kelso, Borders. Par 72, 7,111 yards. Designer: Dave Thomas. IM An inland course that matches some of its more famous brethren. But, a very long walk. NS A typical dave Thomas design with big greens and swales and run ofs. A long course with in places long walks green to next tee like spey Valley. GW VERDICT Best inland course in the south – worth calling in of the A1 to/from East lothian. 72 Gleneagles PGA (▼ 5) Auchterarder, Perthshire. Par 72, 7,262 yards. Designer: Jack Nicklaus. DC Great course to watch golf on but yet to enjoy a similar feeling for playing on. DD Has been unfairly disliked as it is so ‘un- Gleneagles like’ alongside the King’s & Queen’s. May be a little more loved now! GW VERDICT: It is clearly a strong challenge and although does not engender afection, is in exceptional condition and presentation. 70 Shiskine (▼ 7) Blackwaterfoot, Isle of Arran. Par 42, 2,996 yards. Designer: Willie Fernie. DD Could be much higher. Almost unique – fabulous, quirky holes, stunning setting and just so much fun. Just go round round times! NS Quirky and blind with a ‘railway signalling system’ to indicate when to play your second! BS In a positive way – the absolute definition of a good holiday course. stunning location. GW VERDICT Quirky and fun holes, a total joy. EXclUsIVE Secrets of the West By Andrew Cotter My early golf was played on the Ayrshire coast and one of my favourite courses is on the Isle of Arran, which you can see on a clear day from the region’s famous names. Corrie is only nine holes and couldn’t be described as a classic design, but the location – with views across the Firth of Clyde – is breathtaking. It’s been around since 1892 and is a wonderful natural experience. I went there with my BBC colleague Iain Carter, the 5 live golf correspondent, two years ago this month and he loved it (he also loved shiskine and lamlash on Arran too). on the mainland, Royal Troon was my home course but I also spent many days of my formative years at Kilmarnock Barassie. It was a great golf course, and although the new nine holes on a more exposed piece of land has lost that feeling of being so close to the sea yet with intimacy a little, it’s also still well worth a visit. As a junior member at Royal Troon, we couldn’t play the old Course, and were restricted to The Portland, a little-known Alister MacKenzie design. Along with Irvine Bogside, Glasgow Gailes, Western Gailes, Barassie, Troon (both Municipal and Royal) old Prestwick and, to the south, Turnberry’s pair and you have as fine a stretch of golf coast as anywhere in the world. n Andrew Cotter commentates on golf for the BBC and is a single-figure golfer. Corrie. 69 Newburgh-on-Ythan ( ) Newburgh, Aberdeenshire. Par 72, 6,423 yards. Designer: Mr McAndrew. IM Wonderful links golf on the first nine. AM Great condition and layout. superb views. loved the course and would join if closer. MSt Newburgh ofers a good links experience. It’s not in the same league as Murcar or Royal Aberdeen but it’s not a bad diversion either. GW VERDICT older nine clearly superior, but overall it’s well worthy of this top-70 slot. 68 Portpatrick Dunskey ( ▲ 3 ) Portpatrick, Galloway. Par 70, 5,913 yards. Designer: Charles Hunter. IJ Holiday golf at its best. Provides a fun day out with stunning scenery. It has enough of a challenge to excite, but is fun for all. DD Fun cliftop course. I have only ever played it in winter – and I thoroughly enjoyed it then! GW VERDICT Tremendous cliftop golf that was enjoyed by everyone who has been there. A poor man’s Kingsbarns? Hardly a sleight. ToP 100 ToP sCoTlANd 100 ENGlANd 2015 Golf World 511
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