Archive for the Scottish Courses Category


Open Rota A Study In Fairness Or Yet Another English Plot?

The clubhouses at Royal St George’s and Royal Lytham have no doubt been deafening dens of clinking sherry glasses and stiff upper lipped “here, here’s” this week. But amid the madcap celebrations of their confirmation on the Open rota in 2011 and 2012 the good members of those to esteemed golfing institutions may well have […]

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Summer of Golf Provides Sunshine in the Gloom

Sports and marketing. The curse of the modern era. The English Premiership is the “Greatest Show on Earth!” Lewis Hamilton is the “British Tiger Woods.” So it was inevitable that the last month would be Scotland’s “Summer of Golf!” No matter that any use of the word “summer” is somewhat ironic with the weather pretty […]

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Watson Turns Back Muirfield Clock

The names were big enough for a Major tournament. Tom Watson, Mark O’Meara and Nick Faldo were among the star elements who took on Muirfield in the Senior Open Championship. Faldo, at 50, was making his debut and was the co-leader after the first round. In the end, it was American links ace Watson who […]

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St Andrews Opens Its Doors To Ladies

History will be made next week when professional female golfers are allowed into the clubhouse of the Home of Golf, St Andrews, for the first time as competitors. It has been a long time in coming, but as golf gradually sheds its image as a stuffy pastime for elite gentlemen, yet another male bastion is […]

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Harrington Rides Emotional Roller Coaster to Make Open History

The emotions stirred by Major tournaments in golf can be intense to the extreme. How a pro performs under pressure can not only change his life but also his character. Such was the weight of a three-foot bogey putt in the British Open play-off that Irishman Padraig Harrington faced on the 18th at Carnoustie, a […]

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Havret Wins at Loch Lomond as Super Seve Calls It a Day

Frenchman Gregory Havret emerged triumphant at Loch Lomond, the final tune-up before the British Open, by defeating Phil Mickelson in a sudden-death play-off and winning the Scottish Open. With Ernie Els and Luke Donald finishing strongly but unable to challenge, world number three Mickelson and Havret took up the mantle. Havret eventually drained the par […]

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Veteran Golf Journalist Looks Forward to Open

Spencer Robinson is managing editor of Asian Golf Monthly. Every year, the Singapore-based journalist travels to Britain to cover the British Open. Here is a Q&A with Spencer on some of his experiences at past Opens and his hopes for the future. You can read his daily reports from the 2007 Open Championship on the […]

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Leith Rules With Plans To Fill Missing Links

We’re a competitive lot us Scots. Proud as well. On the course wagers to “liven” things up lead to feuds, gamesmanship and, in extreme cases, divorce. Off the course we fall over each other as we claim “firsts” and “oldests.” Oldest course, first links course, oldest club, oldest tea lady. It’s all up for grabs. […]

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Edinburgh’s Civic Delights Provide Hidden Treats for All

It always happens, doesn’t it? Things keep getting in the way of starting the spring golf season.  Food needs to be bought, deadlines need to be made, golf on the TV has to be watched. The list stacks up and actually getting out on the course always seems to find itself at the bottom. Until […]

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Old Course Lands New Greenkeeper

Do greenkeepers dream of anything other than divots and bad weather? If they do then Gordon Mckie is surely living the greenkeeper’s equivalent of winning the Masters and the Open on the same day. Because Gordon has just been appointed head greenkeeper at the Old Course in St. Andrews – giving him control of the […]

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Scotland and Ireland Golf Holidays

A golf trip to the British Isles can be something of a puzzle. Which courses accept visitor play and when? What options are available for playing the Old Course? Where should you stay? What can you do when you’re not playing? How much will it cost? Thus if you are serious about such a holiday […]

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Muirfield Hosts The Senior Open Championship, Presented by Aberdeen Asset Management on July 26-29 2007

I’m excited to hear that 2007 European Seniors Tour Schedule includes a visit to Muirfield for The Senior Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management on July 26-29. Muirfield is a firm favourite of mind and I have fond memories of watching Ernies Els win the Open Championship there in 2002. Though I can’t lie […]

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Scottish Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship 2007

It is always a real treat to watch really good golfers play some of the best links courses in Scotland. One such course that springs to mind is Royal Dornoch, orginally designed by Old Tom Morris. In 1877 the first nine holes were laid out, with another nine created three years later. Interestingly you can […]

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Blogging The 2007 Open Championship At The Carnoustie Golf Links

One of the advantages of moving a few miles north west of St Andrews just over a year ago, was the fact that come July 2007 I will only be a 20 minute drive from Carnoustie for the Open Championship. The Open Championship has a special place in my heart. The first one I ever […]

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