Top 100 Golf Courses in Scotland

43
Brora Sutherland ( )
Brora, Sutherland. Par 69, 6,156 yards. Designer: James Braid.
My design
JC Great experience due to its history and quirkiness.
philosophy
IM Do not be put of by the remoteness of the location. You will be glad
By Colin Montgomerie.
Why is Brora such a special experience?
Brora has a magic that
makes playing there a
special experience. It’s
difcult to describe, other
than to say Brora has a soul
common to few other
courses. It has wonderful
turf; tight but well grassed
links lies. It also has a very
you made the trip here. The electric fences around each green do not
detract from what is the most traditional of links. Golf as it was meant
to be. no pretensions, just links golf in the raw. Superb.
NS Typical links: a 7-iron one day and a full 3-wood the next. Lots of
bumps and hollows and strange bounces. Enjoy.
BS The best compliment I can pay Brora is that if you played it in the
afternoon after a round at nearby Royal Dornoch, you wouldn’t be
disappointed. Brora possesses that holy grail of being a fine test of golf
with varied and interesting holes, beautiful surroundings and, above all,
that charm that ignites the spark and makes you yearn to return.
MSt Brora is scenic, interesting and underrated.
GW VERDICT Braid devotees adore it here and while it shuns the
spectacular its personality gradually turns you into an enduring fan.
good variety of challenging
holes. The 3rd is a long
tough par 4, the 5th requires
thought and careful
placement, the 6th is a
cracking par 3 to a heavily
sloping well-defended
green, and the 9th one of
the most photographed par
3s in Scotland. Turning for
home, 10 and 11 are tough, 12
is strategic, 13 a super short
par 3, then 15 a long tough
par 4, and 17 presents a
unique driving vista and is a
great hole, 18 to finish a do
or die long par 3. Should be
in top 20. Brendan Blair.
EXclUsIVE
My upbringing on
the famous links
of Scotland and a
lifetime of playing
many of the
world’s greatest
courses at the highest level of
the game has given me a keen
eye and a perceptive insight into
what makes for a great golf
course design.
Colin Montgomerie Design
embraces these experiences and
is sharing my passion for a
thoughtful, beautiful and
enjoyable golfing experience
through a growing portfolio
around the globe.
I have a clear vision for the
basic ingredients we seek to
flavour each design with. First
and foremost, I like to work with
nature and will, wherever
possible, let the character of the
site lead the style of the design.
My routing plans are always
carefully considered and seek to
take best advantage of a site’s
natural features.
My designs are always highly
strategic. Bunkers are hazards to
be avoided and should inflict a
moderate penalty.
Fairways should be generous
and ‘fair’, but rough should be
rough, so that accuracy is
rewarded. Water hazards should
be both beautiful and
strategically relevant, whilst
greens should be full of
character and challenge, testing
the accuracy of approach play
and skills with the putter. These
concepts are contained within
beautifully-crafted courses that
strive to be enjoyable
recreational environments. An
emphasis on sustainable
maintenance practices ensures
my designs are always capable
of being presented to their best
advantage. Cutting edge
technical design is combined
with a highly creative, aesthetic
talent and a deep understanding
of the fundamental principles of
classic course design.
colinmontgomerie.com
n Colin Montgomerie won eight
Order of Merits in Europe and
his course design portfolio
includes respected work at
Carton House, The Dutch, Maxx
Royal and Rowallan Castle.
TOp 100 SCOTLAnD 2015 Golf World 19 5