Top 100 Golf Courses in Scotland

TOp 100 ScOTLANd 2015
FANTASY GOLF
My perfect day
By Sky Sports commentator Ewen Murray.
My perfect day in the
beautiful land situated
just north of Hadrian’s
Wall would begin by
opening the curtains in a
bedroom at Skibo Castle
in Sutherland-shire.
After a breakfast that only Skibo
serves, my partners for the last three
holes of this majestic course would be
the club professional David Thomson,
Sandy Lyle and the club’s tournament
pro Paul Lawrie.
The view from the clubhouse up
through the pass is unrivalled.
Following a morning cofee with
them, I would make the three-mile
journey to Royal Dornoch, where nearly
40 years ago I won my first professional
event, The Northern Open. The prize
was £1,000. I thought I’d won the
lottery! I would play and walk some
holes with my beloved Labrador, Annie.
On a clear day, Dornoch is idyllic.
The helicopter would then fly south
east to Edzell. This is a fabulous course
below the Grampians and I’d have a few
holes with Alistair Webster, who took
over as pro from his father Jim. As an
inland course, Edzell has few equals.
A short trip then to Royal Montrose,
one of Scotland’s most underrated links
courses. Up the 1st and down the last.
Annie would enjoy the fresh sea air.
Montrose is a must for seaside lovers.
Sixteen miles to the south lies
Arbroath. It was here in 1962, I had my
first lesson from the club’s professional
Jack Stewart. My father was born here
and my uncle was the captain. In his
memory, a bridge was built over a burn
at the 4th hole. I would want to play
that one with my wife, Nicky.
Back in the air, this time landing at
Crail. A few holes at Balcomie before
taking the short journey to Elie, where
I played as a 10-year-old. Designed by
James Braid, this is one of Scotland’s
most polished gems.
I’d play 10 and 11 which are by the
shore, then head to Anstruther, home
of Scotland’s finest restaurant, ‘The
Anstruther fish bar’. I’d be joined by lifelong
friend, Howard Clark.
Many times we have enjoyed;
breaded Halibut as a starter, followed
by haddock and chips and a cup of tea.
Perhaps not Haute Cuisine, but I
promise you, it’s the holy grail of fish
suppers.
With it being light until late in the
summer, I would cross the Firth of Forth
and pay a visit to my first club,
Baberton, five miles west of Edinburgh.
My father was professional there for
over three decades and it’s where I
spent my formative years. I would play
into the darkness before heading back
to Skibo. On arrival there, a large
Lagavulin........and if the Spa is still
open......a bloody good massage!
n Ewen Murray won the World Boys title
and played on the European Tour before
joining Sky Sports. He is regarded as the
modern voice of golf.
The links of Skibo
Castle at the
Carnegie Club.
38 Golf World TOP 100 SCOTLAND 2015