Scottish Golf Weeks celebrates success with hundreds from across the world competing on stunning courses
The organisers of the Scottish Mixed Pairs Golf Competition in July and the Scottish Pairs Golf Challenge in September have grown from having a handful of competitors in 2004 to now welcoming hundreds to Scotland from as far afield as the US, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ireland and the rest of the UK.
But it is not all about the golf, as good as that is on five of Scotland’s finest courses, spread across Angus and East Perthshire. The social side of the events is just as important with quiz and casino nights, and the centre piece – a huge ceilidh at the Red House Hotel in Coupar Angus.
Norman Dyce, chairman of Scottish Golf Weeks – which organises the events, said: “It started off in 2004 as a small event but has grown and grown since then.”
This year, the mixed pairs competition has 560 players registered, with 340 marked down for the pairs tournament, with a waiting list on both competitions for this year.
But for Norman the five-day events are about more than golf. He added: “People come because they enjoy golf but also because they like the social side – meeting up with old friends year after year. The big social event is the ceilidh – they love to see people in tartan and they fling themselves about the dance floor for a few hours, having a rare old time.”
Gill Murray, secretary of the organising committee, said the local economy gets a boost from the huge influx of visitors. She added: “Restaurants, accommodation and shops are all full. And because it is spread over five courses, each of them unique, they get to enjoy a wide area. And, people come back outside the competitions – it is a real golf destination.”
The courses
In each tournament players compete on five courses. They are:
The Blairgowrie Golf Club
Blairgowrie Golf Club boasts 3 fine golf courses. The Lansdowne Course, designed by Peter Allis and Dave Thomas in the 1970’s, provides a tough challenge with its tree lined fairways. The much older Rosemount Course was an original James Braid design, and was the venue of Greig Norman’s first European Tour victory. Rosemount famously hosted the 2014 Junior Ryder Cup, and The Wee Course is one of the most delightful 9-hole courses you will find in Scotland.
Alyth Golf Club
Established in 1895, Alyth was originally a 9-hole Old Tom Morris design, with James Braid completing the 18-hole layout in 1934. The course is a combination of tree lined fairways and rolling terrain where the emphasis is on precision rather than length, making it a much-loved favourite for visiting golfers. The facilities also include the challenging Glenisla 9 hole course and a driving range.
Strathmore Golf Course
A warm welcome awaits at Strathmore Golf Course which occupies an elevated position overlooking the Strathmore Valley and Sidlaw Hills, making it a popular spot for golfing visitors. Set amongst rolling parkland, the open fairways and undulating greens are a test for handicap and scratch golfers alike. The facilities include a driving range and the 9-hole Leitfie Links course.
Forfar
This was the very first 18-hole course built from inception anywhere in the world. Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris and later redesigned by James Braid the Cunninghill course at Forfar is set on beautiful wooded heathland. The fairways are generous and have the rig and furrow remaining from the time when the land was used to cultivate flax. This gives the course its uniqueness where the fairways quite often present up or downhill lies making the challenge of the course even more interesting. The undulating fairways are lined with Scots Pines with panoramic views towards the Angus Glens.
Kirriemuir Golf Club
James Braid created this superb course on a hillside overlooking the Angus Glens. Although short by modern standards, the course has its fair share of obstacles which will test the abilities of even the strongest players, notably the 17th and 18th holes. From start to finish visitors are spoiled with breath-taking views.
To find out more about Scottish Golf Weeks go to www.golfweeksscotland.co.uk