Glenbervie Golf Club

Glenbervie Golf Club was home to the Scottish region of the PGA for a good number of years before the PGA moved in the late 1990s to Gleneagles. It is a testing parkland course which has hosted the British Boy’s Championship (won by Jose-Maria Olazábal in 1983 and David Howell in 1993), Scottish Professional Championship (1986 and 1987) and Scottish Youth’s Championship (2005). It has regularly been chosen by the R&A as a regional qualifying course for the Open.

Glenbervie was designed by the late, great James Braid and opened in 1932. Braid was a renowned course architect and this course has plenty of his trademark design features, in particular the positioning of bunkers specifically to create landing areas for tee shots. He was the first golfer to win the Open five times and was one of the original members of the R&A Golf Club. He was also a founder member of the PGA and eventually became its President.

Another great name in Scottish golf is synonymous with Glenbervie – John Panton. He became professional here in 1964 and served the club until he retired in 1984. Four years later he was honoured with the title Honorary Professional to the R&A in St Andrews. John played in three Ryder Cup matches – 1951, 1953 and 1961 – and played in the World Cup 13 times for Scotland. He won eight Scottish PGA titles, the British Matchplay in 1956 and the World Seniors in 1967, defeating Sam Snead 3 and 2 in the final at Wallasey.

There are many strong holes at Glenbervie and the toughest two are located in each half of the course. The first is the 9th a 435-yard dog-legged par four named “Bluebell Wood” where a demanding (uphill) drive is required off the tee, avoiding out of bounds in the trees down the right. A good shot will be needed to reach a position where the well-protected green is in sight (down the other side of the hill) to receive the approach shot .

The second is the 14th a 409-yard par four titled “Braid’s” which is played slightly uphill and against the wind, usually. If the drive is not caught flush then par is a forlorn hope. A good second shot is required to get anywhere close to the flag on this green, especially when positioned on the top tier.