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Conference 7.286::golf

Title:Welcome to the Golf Notes Conference!
Notice:FOR SALE notes in Note 69 please! Intros in note 863 or 61.
Moderator:FUNYET::ANDERSON
Created:Tue Feb 15 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2129
Total number of notes:21499

1561.0. "Anybody played in Caithness?" by ODDONE::LOGAN_M () Wed Aug 05 1992 11:54

    
    
    Has anybody got any info on course's in Caithness? (Scotland)
    
    Unfortunately, I have to accompany my wife to Wick (Ackergill Tower to
    be exact) for a week in September and while she works, I guess there is
    nothing else for me to do but have a few rounds. Shame isn't it?
    
    I understand there is a course at Wick, but just wondered if anyone
    knew of any locations that shouldn't be missed!
    
    There will probably be a couple of other's wanting to play and from
    what I can remember the handicap's will range from about 18-28.
    
    Thanks for any info.
    
    Mark
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1561.1Royal Dornoch - 3rd oldest golf club in the worldWOTVAX::MORRISONWed Aug 05 1992 12:4741
Mark,

My knowledge of the far North of Scotland is not that great, 
geography-wise.  But there is one course up there which shouldn't 
be missed.

Royal Dornoch looks to be about 30-40 miles south of Wick, or 
about 1/2 inch on an AVIS map.  It is one of the best courses in 
Europe.  Peter Allis rates it as one of his top five, along with 
St Andrews, Ballybunion, Portmarnock and Wentworth(?).  Only its 
geography makes its less well know than the others.  It first 
came to prominence in the 1920's, when the local champion beat 
Harold Hilton in the then UK Championships.  You may recall that 
Harold Hilton was the first person to win The (British) Open at 
Muirfield.  Offended by this defeat,  Harold challenged him to a 
return match at Dornoch, and was very impressed by what he saw.  
Word quickly spread that Dornoch was on a par with the best 
courses around. It was originally laid out by Old Tom Morris, 
ex-greenkeeper at St Andrews.  The story goes that Dornoch now 
has a membership of 2000+, of which 200ish are local, and the 
rest are international members, who only play once a year.  I fly 
there with a friend every Spring.  We had hoped to go again in 
September, but can't quite fit it in - foolish person had a baby 
only last week.

I've played Dornoch about 8 times now, and it is stunning.  See 
note 8.137 for an interesting story.  True Links course, few 
blind holes, with the best greens you'll ever wish to play on.  
Be careful though, they are starting their Winter preparations on 
Monday 14th September.  This means they will be hollowtining the 
greens and scarifying the fairways.  Still a great location, but 
the greens will be poor for a week or two after that.

Travel a bit further south, and you can play Nairn.  Again an 
excellent Scottish links course, full of bumps and hollows.  
However, this may be a bit too far to travel.  It must be 60-70 
miles from Wick.  

I'll call a friend in Dornoch, and ask him to recommend other 
courses in the Wick area.
1561.2A golf course too far.WOTVAX::MORRISONMon Aug 10 1992 08:2315
Mark,

Dornoch is about 80 miles south of Wick.  Still worth the trip, 
though.  But I think travelling to other courses like Nairn and 
Forres is a bit too far.

There are 3 courses in and around Wick; Wick itself, Thurso and 
Brora.  All of them are good links courses.  They are prone to be 
a bit windy.  Take your one-iron.

Hope you have a great time.

Randall

1561.3To Dornoch or not to Dornoch..UBOHUB::LOGAN_MFri Aug 14 1992 10:5511
    Randall
    
    Thanks for the information. I'm not sure the itinery of the week will
    allow me to get to Dornoch, although by the sound of it I would love to
    lose a few balls there!
    
    I'll certainly be trying the local courses though.
    
    Thanks again for the info and I'll let you know how badly I fair!
    
    Mark
1561.4NotODDONE::LOGAN_MTue Sep 15 1992 13:0019
    Randall
    
    I never got anywhere near Dornoch!!
    
    Ackergill Tower is an amazing place. It offers fishing, shooting,
    archery, walking as well as all the other outdoor sports you would
    imagine. In addition the hospitality is brilliant. Wanting to leave a
    lunch table of the magnitude they offer and walk round a wet, windy
    golf course takes tremendous willpower.
    
    However, I did manage a couple of rounds at the course next door called
    Reiss Sands. My first experience of a links course was very
    enlightening, however I really enjoyed the scond game. Amazing what
    difference it makes when a force 7 wind reduces to nil! 
    
    Looking forward to my next visit to Scotland courses.
    
    regards
    Mark