Although it's course that divides opinion, The Castle Course is more than worthy of its place within the fabric of golf in Fife and around St Andrews.

It can be seen as a sharp contrast to the classic links of the the Auld Grey Toun but, for me, that's the point. It's there to provide variety (and, admittedly, capacity too!) in an area very well served by classic links courses; e.g. The Old Course, The New Course, Crail Balcomie, Elie, etc.

That's not to say that The Castle Course is an oddity. Some of the more severe aspects of the bunkering and green complexes that were derided when it first opened have been softened but others - for instance the shared 9th and 18th green - are still unapologetically replete with hollows and tricky run-offs.

It can be a monster in a strong wind but it's a course that I, almost always, walk off the last green smiling about.