![]() |
|
||
Preview round at The Castle Course at St. Andrews: Nothing like it in Fife
Friday June 6, 2008 | 11:00:29 348 words, 8397 views
Scotland—The sun is shining, the temperatures are balmy, and the wind is calm. And the Scots are looking around at one another quizzically, almost as if they expect a joke is being played on them. Of course two days ago, when I was treated to one of the first media rounds on the yet-to-open Castle Course at St. Andrews, it was cloudy and drizzly. Ah, it’s all about the atmosphere. Seriously, though, the first new course to be built by the St. Andrews Links Trust since 1914 was a treat to play, especially in this pre-open state. The official public opening is June 28, 2008, and I just received a press release for the rest of the media world offering some preview rounds a week before that. So I feel honored. The course, laid out by David Mclay Kidd and shaped by the St. Andrews Links Trust grounds crew, is truly something to behold. From nearly every single tee and green, there is a panoramic view of St. Andrews, and every hole boasts a view of the North Sea. The greens, however, are what many will remember: Massive, heaving beasties looking more like the coils of Nessie herself than putting surfaces. When they grow in and dry out, they will be monstrous indeed. All is not ideal, though. The multitude of blind landing areas (OK in themselves) are populated by dozens—hundreds—of grassy hummocks. Some perfect tee shots (even right over the aiming posts) end up nearly unplayable. In my humble opinion, many of these will need to be removed or at least shaved into playable but still difficult mounds. All in all, though, The Castle Course, is stunning. And the 17th hole, pictured below, is something the likes of which you will find no where else in Fife, perhaps not even in Scotland. (Tip: Play to the bunker far left of the pin, away from the sea.) Keep an eye open for a full-fledged review coming to these pages soon.
Comments:
Comment from: Ron Mon [Member]
I commend you for not gushing like a 11-year old having just seen his first naked body (I'm presuming that girls don't go quite as drooly as boys.) Kudos, too, for not anointing Saint David of the Back Hoe. Not every great course begins great. Maybe the weather will compress the mounds?
Comment from: Brandon Tucker [Member]
I hope the greens aren't as artificially sloping as Kingsbarns, which I liked from tee to front edge of greens, then...a little maddening.
BTuck--well, if you were frustrated by Kingsbarns, you'll be even more so at the Castle Course. Some greens looked wild but completely natural. One or two, perhaps, look just a wee bit contrived. However, they do match the contouring of the fairways, so they fit rather seemlessly into the overall landscape (which itself was built up by hand out of a flat farm field).
Comment from: backgammon tournaments [Visitor] · http://www.tournaments4backgammon.com
The official public opening is June 28, 2008, and I just received a press release for the rest of the media world offering some preview rounds a week before that.Some greens looked wild but completely natural. One or two, perhaps, look just a wee bit contrived
Leave a comment: |
My Latest posts
Check it out!Misc |
|||||||
![]() |
Add GolfPublisher.com articles/headlines to your web site |
| © Copyright 1997-2009, WorldGolf.com, LLC. For questions, comments or suggestions on any of our network publications, Contact Us! |
|