Marathon Golf in Ayrshire
BY ED HODGE
4 MINS READ
It’s the time of year for those energy-sapping charity challenges. When the light summer nights allow for early starts and late finishes; heavenly golf as the sun rises or sets. Many a golfer has signed up for a golfing marathon, 72 holes in a day, 99 holes in a day, or more! The legs may tire, the golf become more erratic, but with a group of pals the camaraderie endures. And that first pint after it’s all over tastes extra special!
But what about a different challenge along Ayrshire’s famous west coast? How about playing 11 links courses back-to-back, along 14 kilometres of coastline, without the need for a car! Yes, you can walk to each of your next venues, with the biggest gap around 500 metres between the green and the next tee.
Dundonald Links
Of course, it can’t all be played in one day but here lies an opportunity for a natural, unique flow of links golf, starting at Gailes Links and finishing at Prestwick St Nicholas. It’s almost poetic, which would please Ayrshire’s most famous son, Robert Burns.
It’s also arguably one of the most memorable links experiences anywhere in the world. Sample two Open venues, a Scottish Open host and much more! All are wonderfully welcoming old links layouts with pot bunkers, fast undulating greens and burns winding through them, new championship courses and great quality public courses on an almost continuous stretch of golfing coastline.
Gailes Links
Our journey starts at Gailes Links, part of Glasgow Golf Club, the 9th oldest golf club in the world. Scotland’s only final Open qualifying course between 2014 and 2017, it has hosted several amateur and professional championships and was designed by former Open winner Willie Park Jnr.
Neighbouring Western Gailes enjoys an excellent reputation and should be on any golfer’s wish-list. The club dates back to 1897 and offers a blend of the traditional and modern, using the natural contours of the land and its scenic setting. The great Harry Vardon arrived at Western Gailes in June 1903 celebrating his fourth Open victory and it has remained a venue for leading players and championships ever since.
Western Gailes
Next stop is Dundonald Links, a venue making headlines in 2021. New practice facilities and course changes, as part of multi-million pound investment, has also included the construction of a new clubhouse with rooms, plus luxury lodges. On the course, this modern classic – designed by Kyle Phillips for its 2005 opening – hosted the men’s Scottish Open in 2017 (won by Rafa Cabrera-Bello after a play-off) and offers a superb links challenge. The Ladies’ Scottish Open also graced the venue in 2015-16.
Fresh from hosting the Women’s Amateur Championship, notably won by local player Louise Duncan, Kilmarnock (Barassie) sits just outside the golf mecca of Troon. Another glorious links test, the club proudly boast a record four GB&I Walker Cup players – Jim Milligan, Gordon Sherry, Jack McDonald and Euan Walker. That fact says it all about the quality of the course.
Barassie Links
Onto Troon, where Royal Troon needs little introduction. Set to host The Open once more in 2024, it staged a thrilling Open duel between Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson in 2016 and welcomed the AIG Women’s Open last year. With appetite whetted after playing the iconic ‘Postage Stamp’ hole, why not stop at The Wee Hurrie, arguably serving the best fresh fish n’ chips in Ayrshire? It’s situated right on the harbour at Troon.
Royal Troon
St Andrews may take the attention for its golf options, but do you know Troon Links is also a collection of excellent courses? Darley, Lochgreen and Fullarton play alongside Royal Troon, Troon Portland and Barassie to form a group of six courses that encircles the famous town.
The Portland, sitting adjacent to the championship test of Royal Troon, was named after the Duke of Portland, whose coal mines and docks made Troon rich during the 1800s.
Prestwick Golf Club
After all this golf, how about a wee dram at The Red Lion in Prestwick, just down from Troon? Operating as a bar for almost two centuries, you can feel the golf buzz around you. Prestwick is steeped in golf history, host to the fist Open in 1860 when Willie Park Snr triumphed. It is special golfing land and shares its northern boundary with Royal Troon. It’s quirky, with many a blind shot, but simply fun!
Down the coast, we sink our final putts at Prestwick St Nicholas. Golf’s 26th oldest club, it is easy to fall in love with. What a stunning stretch of Ayrshire golf. A marathon to relish.