Top 10 Golf Courses in Perth & Kinross 2015

Write a Review Competition Winners and Results 1st May 2010 More than 500 golf course reviews were posted in our first quarterly “write a review” competition and the quality was truly outstanding. The selection process seemed simple enough… to create a shortlist. However, we ended up with 46 golf course reviews on our rather lengthy shortlist. Whittling 46 down to the 5 winning reviews was no easy task. Before I share the winners with you, I’d like to say how much I appreciate almost every course review posted on the Top 100 website. It never ceases to amaze me how much effort golfers put in to create these thoughtful golf course reviews. Here are a couple of excerpts from reviews that on another occasion might have won: Gleneagles (PGA Centenary) – 9 Mar 2010 – “It is the attention to detail that creates the unique character of the King's and Queen's courses that makes them a must-play destination for golf-goers in Scotland, but in contrast it is attention to detail that leaves golfers begging for more on the PGA Centenary Course.” Swinley Forest – 11 Feb 2010 – “It’s often easy to forget you actually came here to play golf as you look around at the scenery in awe. Although I refer to the feminine beauty, many with an overload of testosterone will frown at the relative low yardage. But be warned! Many of the uphill 400-yard + par fours are only reachable in regulation by the lower handicapper.” Sperone – 21 Jan 2010 – “What a stunning setting, what a sensational course, what a shame it’s not looked after. We more or less planned our 2009 summer holiday around the chance to play Sperone (not sure our wives were aware of this) and whilst we were far from disappointed, there is still a sense that this place could be so much better.” Saunton (East) – 20 Jan 2010 – “The first thing that hits you is the view as you turn off the B3231 road to Croyde and into the car park. I’d defy any golf lover not to mutter at least Wow!! My buddy, who’d never played a links course before, blurted out a full blown PHWOAR!!” New Zealand – 18 Jan 2010 – “The New Zealand Golf Club is very much a world away from the trials and tribulations of the rush of modern life... The course starts with a gentle par 4 in front of the clubhouse – with just enough option to slice one through the secretary's window to keep you on your toes…” To read the full course reviews above (and below) simply click on the blue hyperlink which will take you through to the relevant page. Here are the winners: 5th Place – David Jones – won a round for four people at Finca Cortesin – Royal St George’s – 31 Mar 2010 – “Like any good relationship it was not love at first sight. When on the practice ground, I was struck by the sparseness of the land. The dunes which become your playground on the front 9, were a distant but tempting view as a handful of members got underway. They turned out to be the only people that we saw that day…” 4th Place – David McIntosh – won a round for four people at Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links – Gullane No.2 – 23 Mar 2010 – “With four days to go until Christmas and snow lying heavy all over Edinburgh and the East Lothian coast I made the short trip to Gullane wondering whether I would get out on the course at all. I needn't have worried as when I arrived the Gullane courses were open and in immaculate condition as usual…” 3rd Place – Colin Cotter – won a round for four people at Cruden Bay – Castle Stuart – 29 Mar 2010 – “One visit to the new Castle Stuart course was all it took to send it rocketing into the top couple of courses in Scotland that have disappointed me most. The philosophy behind the course is outlined in the course guide and I could spend hours writing a dissertation about why the course fails to live up to this philosophy, or why much of the philosophy is, in my view, flawed anyway. I am not saying this is a bad course, I'm still giving it 4 balls, but at this price it must be judged against the best, and I think it falls short.” 2nd Place – Matt Richardson – won golf & overnight stay for two people at Hanbury Manor – Kauri Cliffs – 19 Jan 2010 – “The course starts to show its full magnificence with the par-5 4th, a dog-leg right with a huge drop off down the right hand side, the final approach played to the backdrop of an amazing coastline to the south. Then the real intimidation begins. Standing on the 5th tee, with a 2-iron in my hand, I looked up to see what seemed like a postage-stamp patch of emerald green nestled on a steep hillside, with a huge chasm catching anything short or right, and tightly bunkered. My swing thought (unusually for me) was “can I manage to swing this club before the paralysis sets in?” Actually the green’s a little bigger than it looks, but still a tough target.” 1st Place – Anthony Daniels – won a round for four people at Waterville – Burnham & Berrow – 22 Feb 2010 – “More variety awaits at the 16th as this short par 4 is driveable if the wind is at your back. The green is possibly the most eccentric I have ever seen with a 45-degree bank running right through the middle of it, and it just so happened that the pin was right at the bottom of it. Muggins here managed to hit his approach to the upper level and was very pleased to still be on the green for my second putt!” It’s amazing how things come full circle. We’re always looking for correspondents, especially those who live outside Britain & Ireland, who are keen golfers with a passion for course architecture, have attention to detail and have a flair for writing. I’d like to welcome Matt to the team who posted the fabulous prize winning Kauri Cliffs review. Matt has agreed to cover New Zealand for us, so keep your eye open for more Kiwi course reviews and perhaps an extended ranking list of top NZ courses in the future. If you live outside Britain & Ireland and would like to help us please let me know. Kind regards, Keith Baxter Editor

Westwood sees red over Gleneagles' greens Lee Westwood said the greens were unacceptably wet and that the 2014 Ryder Cup here would be a disaster "unless they rip them up and re-do them". By Lewine Mair at Gleneagles 28 Aug 2008 Daily Telegraph Lee Westwood, whose 72 left him four shots behind Gregory Havret on the first day of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, made it plain that the greens on this PGA Centenary course were not in the same five-star league as the hotel. When the question first arose as to what Westwood thought of the soggy surfaces, Westwood said a hazy "Mmmm" before quoting his grandfather. "He always told me that if you didn't have anything good to say, you did better to say nothing." Yet it was not too long before his grandfather's words had been forgotten and he was saying precisely what he thought. Predominantly, his greatest fear was that they might try to patch things up over the next few years instead of taking more extreme measures. "I've put a green down at home which is like concrete and we have had almost as much rain as they've had here," he said. "They really do need to dig them up and put in the right kind of construction underneath. If you are going to build a course in a Scottish valley you must expect rain, so rain is not an excuse for having bad greens I'm afraid." One way and another, he deplored a situation in which the best professionals in Europe – he in fact was one of them – were struggling to hit the hole from two feet. "This is no good for the sponsors, it's no good for the Tour and it's no good for Gleneagles, which is fabulous." Westwood's major putting mishap occurred at the fifth, where he was on the green in two before taking four putts, three of them from 18 inches. Oliver Wilson, one of his playing companions, did virtually the same thing – and it was for Wilson and others still trying to make this year's Ryder Cup side that Westwood felt the most strongly. "Getting in the Ryder Cup for the first time is a big deal. They are going to be feeling pressure as it is and you don't want to be standing over a three-footer with so much doubt in your mind." As he said, there were not just heel prints and spike marks to contend with, but ruts and extra imprints left by the hole-cutting implement. Martin Kaymer, the man best-placed to knock him from the top 10, did no better but Ross Fisher did. Fisher, who is lying 13th behind Kaymer and Ian Poulter, recorded a 72. Of those in the hunt for a Faldo wild card, Darren Clarke returned a 72 and Colin Montgomerie a 74. At a time when Gleneagles were busy compiling a statement about the record amount of rain and a strong agronomy plan, neither Clarke nor Montgomerie wanted to be drawn on the greens. Clarke backed up Westwood to the extent that he confirmed that it was possible to build surfaces which could shrug off any amount of water, but he said that he needed to stay positive. "I'm trying to love this place," he explained. As for Montgomerie, he has an official role with the Johnnie Walker people. "I'm chairman of the tournament committee, not a green-keeper," he advised.

The two-year countdown to the 2018 Ryder Cup is underway Andy previews the 2018 Ryder Cup venue and samples a pair of Gallic gems In a little under two years’ time, the 2018 Ryder Cup will be in full flow at Le Golf National close to Paris. Their L’Albatros course is an ideal venue with many similarities to previous European Ryder Cup layouts at Gleneagles, Celtic Manor and four-time host, The Belfry. I have just returned from a trip, hosted by Brittany Ferries, to showcase the 2018 Ryder Cup course and the wonderful city of Versailles, home to centuries of history and, of course, the famous Palace. The trip started with an overnight sailing from Portsmouth to Caen, which provided a refreshing way to arrive in France – no airport hassles, no extra baggage charges and you can take your own vehicle. Le Golf Parc Robert Hersant The first golf course we visited was the Robert Hersant at Le Golf Parc, in La Chaussée-d'Ivry. This is a strong layout that’s currently ranked #76 in our French Top 100. The biggest challenge facing golfers here is water – and there’s plenty of it – with only two holes (5th and 6th) that have no aquatic danger. My favourite three holes at the venue named after the late media magnate are all spectacular. The 4th is a big par four at around 450 yards with the last 120 yards all-carry over a massive lake. The par five 12th is, in my opinion, the best hole here bar none, a shortish par five arcing all the way around the lake, to an island green – you have got to be brave to take this green on in two! The 15th is another par five, which on paper does not have distance as protection. In a similar vein to the 12th hole, there’s water on the right, but there are also two lake tributaries to cross on the way to the hole – the term “risk and reward” could have been coined for this three-shotter. A few holes would benefit from a little attention in terms of presentation but I believe Le Golf Parc Robert Hersant has many memorable holes, a very smart clubhouse and is well worth a visit. We moved on towards Paris and stopped around 20 miles to the west of the romantic city at Versailles. Hotel Le Versailles then became our home for a couple of nights and it’s very well positioned to explore the wonderful city on foot. Golf de Rochefort The next experience was Golf de Rochefort, a course designed by Fred Hawtree and operated by the Exculsiv Golf group. Currently the layout is not featured in our French rankings, but I feel this is an error as it’s a good course in a Woburn-like style, with majestic tree-lined holes sweeping this way and that. The 9th could be the hardest par four I’ve played for many years, which doglegs to the left with a fairway sloping to the right. After the dogleg, there’s a long uphill shot to a well-protected green. It’s a brilliant hole. The Woburn feel is definitely in mind on the very next hole. The par three 10th is similar to the par three 9th on the Duke’s course – just a tee, a huge dip and then the green. The par five 11th ends a strong run of three holes. From an elevated tee, the hole turns a little left and it was just about reachable for me – although I did still manage to three putt! If you visit Golf de Rochefort I recommend spending spend some time off of the course, the property’s buildings are impressive. Surprisingly, Golf de Rochefort was the course highlight for me on this visit to France. Golf National (L’Albatros) Our final round was played on the 2018 Ryder Cup course at Le Golf National and it’s always a real privilege to play on any course that has staged golf’s greatest team spectacle. To have intimate first-hand experience when it all unfolds again in 2018 will be very special. L’ Albatros has hosted the French Open for the last quarter of a century and the tour pros love the layout. It’s a very technical course, where the yardage book needs to be close to hand for the whole round because knowing the exact distances is the key to attack the greens in the best possible way. The course is bound to evoke exciting Ryder Cup drama right from the start with water on the opening par four and then more water on the par three 2nd. I would not be surprised if some matches are either two up or two down after these two holes. Not too far away from these dramatic opening holes are the closing four. I sincerely hope that many matches reach this latter part of the course, as it promises much excitement. The 15th, 16th and 18th are among the best on offer at Golf National, all with greens cut close to lakes. This layout was fashioned for tournament golf and in two years’ time it will host the greatest golf show on earth. We then made the return journey from Caen to Portsmouth and overall it was a memorable trip. I thoroughly recommend the ferry crossing option and if you’re considering a French golf holiday, here are some headline points from our hosts at Brittany Ferries: Crowd free fairways in Brittany, Normandy and The Loire Pack all you need in your car Price match guarantee Sailings from Portsmouth, Plymouth and Poole Experts on the golf desk – making all your arrangements Andy Newmarch Top 100 Golf Courses