Russ and Ian visited St. Andrews and played a number of courses in the area including the New Course adjacent to the Old Course (as for 2018, they stayed at the Premier Inn, Largo Road, St Andrews, Fife. KY16 8NH).
Though the Non-ITL Invitation was not held this year due to the weather conditions on the 19th May (Thursday), Russ won more golf rounds on aggregate to hang onto the trophy in 2022.
Leven Links Golf Club – 15/05/2022
Leven Links has a rich history dating back over 150 years. One of the very oldest pieces of golfing land anywhere in the world. Their links has stood the test of time and continues to host leading amateur and professional tournaments to this day.
When commencing play over Leven Links the committed golfer should recognise that he or she will be playing, in part, over one of the oldest pieces of golfing ground in the world. There is no doubt the old Leven G.C. began to play as early as 1846 amongst the “bents, sandhills and windlestraie”, west of the Mile Dyke.
For a time only 9 holes were in being all maintained by the golfers and their families (a paid Keeper of the Green did not appear at Leven until 1876). They were joined in 1867 by members of Innerleven G.C. who, in the guise of a component in the merger with Leven G.C. to form Leven Golfing Society, lays claim to the title of the world’s eleventh oldest club. It had been holding competitions on the now defunct Dubbieside links, across the river Leven, since 1820. Formed in the same year (1867) was Leven Thistle G.C. which has played over the links continuously since that time and is rightly recognised as one of the strongest playing clubs in Scotland today.
https://www.leven-links.com/
Leven Links Golf Course, The Promenade, Leven, Fife. KY8 4HS
St Michaels Golf Club – 16/05/2022
St. Michaels is an 18 hole Par 70 Parkland course within sight of the historic town of St. Andrews, the home of golf. The front nine holes overlook the Eden Estuary and the spired churches of St. Andrews can be seen on the horizon during play.
When the club was formed in 1903 the services of the keepers of the green at St. Andrews were employed to lay out the course. Both Old Tom Morris and Hugh Hamilton had a hand in creating the course, their long term vision of a full 18 hole course was realised in 1996 when we were able to extend the course.
http://www.stmichaelsgolfclub.com
Gallowhill, Leuchars, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 0DX
Drumoig Golf Club – 17/05/2022
The 18 hole championship style, Par 73 golf course offers many challenging features. The course is set on 250 acres of spectacular Fife countryside, which weaves through a natural bird and wildlife haven.
On the outskirts of St. Andrews lies one of the best inland venues in the region. Drumoig is a hugely underrated golf course that’s full of interesting holes not to mention quite possibly the best turn in Scottish golf. Holes nine, ten and eleven are exceptional and play around water. Also the new 18th hole par 4 surrounded with water with the Hotel above you on the hill. Stray offline here and your in trouble.
A brilliant course par 73, marvel at the views across St. Andrews Bay and over the River Tay and Carnoustie set in an area that offers travelling golfers much to do.
From the back tees, the course provides an excellent challenge for the more advanced golfer and from the front tees the amateur golfer can enjoy their game.
The course is prepared to the highest standard. During its history, Drumoig has continued to strengthen in maturity and reputation.
https://drumoiggolfhotel.com/
Drumoig Hotel and Golf Course, Drumoig, St. Andrews, Scotland. KY16 0DS
Strathtyrum Golf Club – 17/05/2022
Designed to complement the tougher championship layouts at the Home of Golf, the Strathtyrum was opened in 1993.
Although few in number (15), the bunkers are cunningly placed and there is considerable emphasis on iron play accuracy. The greens themselves are large and have slopes and borrows which can test even the most confident putters.
https://www.standrews.com/Play/Courses/Strathtyrum-Course
St Andrews Links Trust, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9SF
New Course Golf Club – 18/05/2022
The oldest ‘new’ course in the world, the second course at the Home of Golf was built by the Keeper of the Green, Tom Morris in 1895 and it was imaginatively named to differentiate from its famous neighbour.
The New Course, St Andrews, Scotland – Designed by Old Tom Morris in 1895, The New Course at St Andrews is a classic test of links golf. Adjacent to the same sacred ground as the Old Course at St Andrews, The New Course plays clockwise which many find to be the more natural routing. This means all the trouble is on the left, and since there is only one double green, it makes for a more traditional links design.
The New Course boasts undulating fairways carved through blankets of gorse bushes, along with challenging-but-normal-sized greens, which naturally are defended by normally obnoxious bunkers. This great links is simply one of Scotland’s most hidden of hidden gems, even as it sparkles in such plain sight – The New Course, St Andrews.
Boasting undulating fairways and challenging greens, the New Course is a classic test of links golf.
https://www.standrews.com/play/courses/new-course
St Andrews Links Trust, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9SF
Some Photos from the Trip :
Mark Whitfield 