Historic Scottish golf course to be restored to former glory

The historic golf course that hosted the first official match between a team of US and British professionals is to be restored back to it's original glory.

King's Course at Gleneagles. Picture: David Cannon/Allsport

The James Braid-designed King’s Course at Gleneagles, Perthshire, which celebrates its centenary in 2019, will see a range of work undertaken this year.

The golf course, which opened to the public in 1919, is widely regarded as a masterpiece in golf course design, and one of Braid’s finest in-land projects.

Scott Fenwick, Gleneagles golf courses and estate manager, said the aim of the new work was to return the course “closer” to Braid’s original vision.

The King’s Course has an illustrious history. In 1921, just two years after it opened, teams of US and British professionals competed in the first International Match, widely regarded as the precursor to the Ryder Cup.

Scores of celebrities including the late Bing Crosby, Sir Sean Connery and Sir Jackie Stewart have also graced its fairways, and the 100th Scottish PGA Championship will be played there in October.

Braid’s plan for the King’s Course was to test even the best players’ shot-making skills over the 18 holes.

Over nearly a century, some features have been modified to appeal to different playing styles.