Ian’s Top 5 of Everything
Golf Courses
NUMBER ONE: TURNBERRY – Ailsa Course, Scotland
Turnberry, Ailsa Course on the west coast of Scotland will host the 2009 Open. The course was originally laid out by Willy Fernie in 1902. During the war, the course was used for military training and destroyed. In 1951 the golf course architect Philip MacKenzie Ross rebuilt the course as it is today. The 9th Hole “Bruce’s Castle” is the best known tee shot, set on the cliff edge with views across the Clyde to Ailsa Craig, the Isle of Arran and the Mull of Kintyre. The Lighthouse is situated on the remains of the Castle of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland 1302 till 1329 . Best memories of the course are the “Duel in the Sun” in 1977 when Tom Watson beat Jack Nicklaus by one stroke after playing the final 2 rounds in 65. Another highlight was the final round 63 of Greg Norman in 1986 to take the title.
