Castle Course, St Andrews
The first new championship golf course to be opened by St Andrews Links since 1914 will be available to play from 28th June 2008. The Castle Course, which becomes the 7th course under the stewardship of St Andrews Links Trust, designed by Scotsman, David McLay Kidd, promises to be the piece-de-resistance of new courses available to the traveling golfer in 2008. With spectacular views across the St Andrews Bay all the way to Carnoustie and with the Old Town forming the backdrop to many of the riveting holes it seems destined to be on the must play list for lovers of the Scottish Links experience. The par 3, 17th hole will almost certainly become revered world-wide and take its place among the other nerve-racking cliff-topper par 3's that you would find on courses like Pebble Beach, Old Head or Cape Kidnappers. The Castle Course may be the new kid on block but it has all the hallmarks of classic seaside golf and will give you yet more food for thought when planning your next trip to Scotland.
Machrihanish Dunes
For anyone who has already visited the rugged original links at Machrihanish the addition of a second course on the Mull of Kintyre will be most welcomed. McLay Kidd's 7300 yrd Machrihanish Dunes, scheduled for play in September 2008, will be warmly received by its more esteemed neighbors on the west-coast of Scotland for it gives further reason to visit an enclave of Scotland jam packed with some of the most superlative links to be found anywhere in the world. This course will be 'legitimate links'; meaning it will be one of the estimated 1% golf courses world-wide that can lay claim to being true links. Golf travelers should not be put off by the apparent remoteness of Machrihanish. It can be accessed by ferry on a 40 min sail from sea-side town of Troon (where several magnificent West-coast Links are located); by car or plane on a 3hr or ½ journey respectively. There is no need to leave after your round as there are several very comfortable accommodations within easy reach of both Machrihanish cour ses. The newly refurbished Royal Hotel in Campbeltown will be joined by the Kintyre Hotel and Cottages overlooking the Machrihanish Links with 82 bedrooms, a classic Malt-Whisky bar and seafood restaurant. Both are due to debut in the summer of 2008.
If you would like to plan a golf trip taking in the British Open or be one of the first to play on the new additions to Scotland's golf course fraternity please contact pargolf@mcbridegolf.com or call our toll free number
1-866-586-4458
