The Carrick

At first, I had thought of writing an article on both Cameron House and The Carrick. But to not single out each individual element would be unfair such is their quality. Opened in 2007, The Carrick is De Vere's flagship golf course, and a reputed £7M was invested to make sure it delivered on all fronts. That it does.

What you can't design or create though is the view. The Carrick is blessed with one of the most inspiring panoramic vistas you are ever likely to encounter. Views of Ben Lomond and The Trossachs gracefully merge with the romantic waters of Loch Lomond.

But building a fun little scenic course wasn't in architect Doug Carrick's thoughts, he wanted to construct a genuine championship golf course. Ideally you would like to see an extra couple of hundred yards added to the 7086 listed on the scorecard. However, when you take into consideration the par of 71 and the changes in elevation - it certainly isn't lacking in the length department.

The course examines your management skills right from the off. The opening hole urges you to hit driver and cut a little off the dogleg, but there is no distinct advantage in doing so. It's these little temptations put in place by the designer that make the battle between you and the course so challenging.

The 3rd and 4th holes are both bordered by water off the tee, and again the test is to resist hitting driver. The 4th in particular is a beautiful hole, and those who have played the Palmer Course at The K Club will immediately recognise the similarities with it's 17th.

The signature hole or stretch of holes is probably the loop at 14 and 15. The 14th plays 199yards, and 6o feet downhill. The views of Ben Lomond are breathtaking, but the challenge this time is club selection. Such a sharp drop in elevation makes it tough to anticipate the playing yardage. The green is also heavily bunkered, and should you miss the target by any further, it has run-off areas short and right. Walk off here with a three and you have either been very precise or very lucky. The 15th is down at the lochside, and the scenery begins to blend into the course. If you can get something turning over right-to-left here you may have a chance at going for the green in two. Hit a decent shot in and you may even impress Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who owns a property overlooking the Loch here.

A decent drive at the doglegging 18th leaves a mid-iron into a smallish green protected by water short and left. The clubhouse looks on, as do the inhabitants of the roof top infinity pool, so be sure to please the galleries with a decent approach.

All that's left to do is enjoy a cold pint and a bite to eat from The Claret Jug - The Carrick's trendy but comfortable 19th hole. The surroundings are spacious, and perfect for an upmarket corporate event. Situated less than 30 minutes from Glasgow Airport, it's also extremely convenient.

Without the landscape and views, I would rate The Carrick as a tough, but enjoyable golf course. But set where it is on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, it simply can't be missed.

Cameron House

Many of our clients treat their accommodation as seriously as their golf. Everyone knows all about Gleneagles, Turnberry and The Old Course Hotel, but perhaps one of the finest 5* hotels in Scotland often goes under the radar - Cameron House on Loch Lomond.

It dates back to the mid 18th century, and was once home to one of Glasgow's affluent ship-building families. It now houses a cosmopolitan collection of travellers, executive businessmen, and not forgetting the world's top golfers each July - when it acts as the official accommodation for The Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.

The interior themes and finishings provide an aura of heritage and sophistication. Dark, tartan-clad hallways are illuminated with antler chandeliers. The rooms are 'baronial mansion meets bachelor pad'. Egyptian cotton linen, fluffy robes and L'Occitane products are balanced with a wall-mounted plasma screen and I-Pod dock. There is no finer opportunity to experience true Scottish culture for those that don't want to let go of their modern luxuries.

I was also seriously impressed with the main bar. Too many hotels forget to apply the necessary inspiration and investment to this department as they do on the rest of the hotel. But Cameron House have got it spot on. 'The Great Scots Bar' is a celebration of the nation's sporting idols. It's Scottish baronial theme accompanies a plethora of tastefully framed photographs depicting individuals such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Stephen Hendry and Gavin Hastings during their finest moments. The panoramic view of Loch Lomond is sensational. In fact, it could well be my favourite bar, and that's saying something because I have sampled quite a few...

One of Scotland's most famous chefs - Martin Wishart, has now opened a fine dining room at Cameron House but remember to book before you arrive as it is proving to be one of the most sought after restaurants in the country. There is also the sumptuous Cameron Grill featuring it's own walk-in wine cellar, and for lighter meals you can enjoy the views from the Boathouse.

However, what turned this really good hotel into a magnificent 5* resort was the addition of The Carrick - a championship golf course, and The Spa. The Carrick, which is only a couple of years old has already hosted a Ladies European Tour Event - The Ladies Scottish Open (see my adjacent article on The Carrick to read more about this fantastic layout). I would fear to guess how much investment was required to create The Spa, but whatever the sum it was worth it. I am of no doubt it will become recognised as a venue in it's own right. The rooftop infinity pool that looks over the 18th hole is a real eye-opener, and provides the ideal finishing touch to a spa that has it all.

With Cameron House, De Vere have made a serious challenge to the big hitters in the Scottish resort market and I am of the opinion it could well be a successful one.

Alan Dunbar wins Links Trophy

Back in 2000, when Graeme McDowell was winning every amateur tournament in sight, a ten-year-old fellow Rathmore member - Alan Dunbar, was just starting out in the game. Every day after school he would be seen around the clubhouse or out on the Valley links. But through watching Graeme's successes he had instilled the belief that with enough practice and dedication he could perhaps one day make a name for himself also.

He gradually worked his handicap down and made his way through the provincial and national coaching systems. In 2008 he captured the Ulster Youths (under 21) title, and helped Ireland win the Home Internationals at Muirfield.

But it wasn't until his stunning display of links golf at St Andrews last week until he really hit the headlines. The Links Trophy is one of the most prestigious tournaments in amateur golf. It is rated second only behind The Amateur Championship in terms of importance, and consistently attracts some of the top golfers from around the world. This is highlighted by the handicap prerequisite, with the cut off point this year falling at +2.4.

This meant Dunbar was only placed on the reserve list, but because of withdrawals he was called up to the main field a few days before the tournament. It shows just how much faith the Rathmore members have in Dunbar that a local bank manager - Keith Elliott, took time off work to bring him over to the event and caddie.

With nine holes to play, Dunbar was sitting at -1 and four shots back of Welsh golfer Rhys Enoch at -5. However a combination of the wind, the length of the course (played off Open Championship tees) and the pressure of being in contention saw a few of the leaders finish the tournament outside red numbers.

On 16, Dunbar set up on a line right of the Principal's Nose bunkers and hit one of the longest, straightest drives I was ever witnessed on that hole to leave a sand wedge approach. This was no mean feat considering the bulk of the field were hitting 3-wood, 5-iron. A beautifully nipped shot from the fairway left him 10 feet right of the hole, and a putt which looked short just about trickled into the cup for birdie.

Another colossal drive on perhaps the most dangerous driving hole in championship golf left him a short iron into the Road Hole. With maturity beyond his years he took the infamous bunker out of play and aimed 15 yards right of the pin. An excellent long putt rolled up to three feet of the hole, and all of a sudden with the leaderboard perched over the back of the green he saw he had an opportunity to win. However on a devilish green, his putt horseshoed around the cup and he had to settle for a five.

This would have been enough to knock many more seasoned campaigners out of sync, but he stepped up the tee and again struck an enormous drive down the final fairway. Because of the opposing wind, he was left with 109 yards to the hole and so pulled out his 52 degree wedge for the biggest shot of his career to date. He kept his nerve and played a beautiful approach to ten feet. He wasn't to know at this stage, but this putt was for the tournament, and he nervelessly rolled it in centre-cup. With his closest pursuers continuing to struggle, he found out ten minutes later that he was to be the first ever Irish winner of The St Andrews Links Trophy.

With Walker Cup captain Colin Dalgleish in attendance throughout, he may need to clear his diary for the biennial contest against the USA which is this year being held at Merrion in September. And based on the success of his new found bagman, Keith Elliott may also need to clear his...

After the presentation, Alan joined my father and I for a celebratory beer in The New Golf Club which overlooks the 18th fairway. Something he said will stick in my mind for a long time to come. He asked his caddie Keith if they could drive past the R&A Clubhouse to have a look at the course just one more time before they left for home. This is a boy who had just won one the biggest amateur competitions in world golf, and he was still in awe of his surroundings and the turf on which he had just played golf. Humble to the core, and not only a prodigious talent on the fairways - but a gentleman to boot.

Sam Torrance Golf Day

On Monday, Connoisseur Golf were invited to take part in The Sam Torrance Golf Day at The Fairmont St Andrews. A fun and memorable day seemed to be had by all 72 competitors. This was the first tournament to be staged on the new and improved Torrance Course - which is next year hosting final qualifying for the 2010 Open Championship.

I always felt that the old Torrance was an under-rated golf course. But the new changes, most notably the addition of 59 new bunkers, have transformed this layout into one of the premier venues in the St Andrews area. They have also re-routed the course, and the modifications have been a huge success. We played from the whites, and it felt demanding to say the least. But when the pro's tee it up next July in an attempt to qualify for The Old Course, the back tees will provide an even more severe examination of their skills. Unlike many of the other championship courses in St Andrews, The Torrance puts a premium on hitting fairways. If you're not driving the ball well then you better hope your golf bag is packed full of Titleists. After a few wayward drives, I realised mine was not, and I became very thankful for the sleeve of balls which came in the welcome pack earlier that day.

The course is tough, but exciting at the same time. The par fives are definitely open to birdies, and there are a couple of really good short par fours that give risk-reward options from the tee. These are joined by a series of long demanding par fours and a great set of short holes.

On the seventh, a 168 yard par three, we were greeted on the tee by former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance. He offered us a cold beer and we had a chat about the changes to his new course. Perhaps this little refreshment was just what the doctor ordered, because in a closest-to-the-hole challenge my seven-iron never left the pin and for a brief heart-stopping moment I thought it was about to drop in the hole. Sam hit a nice high fade with a six-iron to 20 feet, but it wasn't enough and I walked away from the day with a signed ball and a rather tasty bottle of Laurent-Perrier. I'm still convinced I could've been a multiple major winner if the governing bodies allowed alcohol on the course!

The day was capped off with a wonderful buffet and barbecue at the clubhouse. The resort GM, Charles Head, was at our table and it was very refreshing to hear a hotel boss talking with a genuine love for golf. He sees the Fairmont St Andrews as one of the premier golfing destinations in Scotland, and after my round on the new course I had no reason to disagree. Not only is The Fairmont a perfect base for playing the top major championship courses in the east of Scotland, but now it also has a layout on-site that merits a place in this most esteemed of categories.

Head of Golf & Leisure Sales, Graeme Dawson, can be congratulated for organising an extremely impressive day of hospitality (even if it was a little depressing to hear he had come out of golfing retirement to post a one-under par 71...). The Fairmont is the ideal venue to host a large corporate golf outing. Logistically and financially, it is definitely the most impressive product in Scotland, and I for one look forward to promoting it amongst my clients for many years to come.

Kings Course - Gleneagles

Gleneagles boasts 63 holes on it's 850 acre estate, including three championship courses. It's PGA Centenary Course is hosting The Ryder Cup in 2014, but perhaps the layout with the most character is The Kings - one of Scotland's golfing treasures.

This James Braid design has hosted many professional tournaments down through the years including The Scottish Open, one of the more popular stops on The European Tour. It's a thinking player's golf course and tests shot-making from start to finish.

The opening hole, a 362 yard par four, plays deceptively long due to it's elevated green complex. Nothing is worse than coming up short here, as most poorly struck shots finish in a cavernous bunker some 20 yards short of the green. Not exactly what you want to be facing five minutes into your round. Club selection is at a premium on this hole, and even the pro's find it hard to gauge how much to allow for the steep incline on the approach.

The course meanders through the beautiful estate, and contains a wonderful set of par threes. They are not overly long, but excellent golf holes, and require a certain degree of course management in addition to a sound technique. It is extremely important not to short-side yourself on these short holes, with the 5th being a great example (as shown in the above image). Only 178 yards from the back tee, but miss the green at your peril. A series of bunkers and run-offs will leave you with an immense struggle to make par should you not find the putting surface.

There are certainly holes that you can pick up shots on, including the par fives at 6 and 10, but the secret to nailing down a good score here is to attack the finishing stretch. The 14th is a driveable par four, and if the contours are used correctly you can find yourself putting for eagle. The 16th is a flick with a nine-iron, but you must allow for a little spin on the receptive and heavily sloping green.

The course comes to a finish with the par five 18th. There is somewhat of a risk-reward element to the tee-shot, because if you want to open your shoulders, a 260 yard carry can result in a long forward kick from the last fairway mound, and leave an iron for your second shot. However this is the tightest part of the fairway, and unless you are feeling extremely confident about the way you're hitting driver, a 3-wood may be the best play. A downhill second shot sits against the backdrop of the surrounding peaks and countryside, and if you can ignore the panoramic views, a birdie is definitely on the cards.

The Kings is many people's favourite course on the Gleneagles estate, and it's easy to see why. It's also one of the most testing 6,700 yard tracks I've ever played. It mixes great course design with some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery. If you are stopping by to play the Ryder Cup course, don't leave without experiencing this classic layout.

Open Championship Packages - Turnberry 2009

Connoisseur Golf are offering luxury packages to The Open Championship at Turnberry in July. In addition to the basic itinerary listed below you may extend the trip to add tee-times at a selection of championship courses across Scotland, reserve seats at the 18th grandstand, access to The Club Marquee, dinner reservations or upgrade your room requirements. All itineraries include a full-time chauffeured Mercedes MPV with complimentary refreshments. For further details and to check availability, contact me direct at jim@connoisseurgolf.com.

On Booking:

Receive your Final Itinerary and Tour Info in Leather Portfolios

Wed July 15:

Arrive into the Scottish Airport of your choice

Meet your private Chauffeur/Concierge

Entry to the Final Practice Day

Check in to your 4* Accommodation

Welcome Gifts and an Informal Tour Briefing

Overnight at your 4* Accommodation

Thu July 16 :

Full Cooked Scottish Breakfast

Entry to Day 1 of The Open Championship

Overnight at your 4* Accommodation

Fri July 17:

Full Cooked Scottish Breakfast

Entry to Day 2 of The Open Championship
Overnight at your 4* Accommodation

Sat July 18:

Full Cooked Scottish Breakfast
Entry to Day 3 of The Open Championship
Overnight at your 4* Accommodation

Sun July 19:

Full Cooked Scottish Breakfast
Entry to Day 4 of The Open Championship
Overnight at your 4* Accommodation

Mon July 20:

Full Cooked Scottish Breakfast
Depart from the Scottish Airport of your choice

PRICE:

From £1095 per person based on a group of 4