Brora Cracks The Top GB&I 100!

[David_Tepper]

While I have not yet seen it in black & white, I have heard from a well informed source that Brora is ranked #98 in the Top 100 GB&I ratings to be published in the July issue of Golf World (UK).  As far as I know, this is the first time Brora has made the list.

Usually the Top 100 issue is published every other year in November, but word is it will be the July issue this time around.

If any of our GB&I-based correspondents can confirm this once the issue hits the news stands that would be appreciated.

This is great news for Brora and golf in the Highlands. It is also worth noting that Brora was fortunate enough to recently hire an very well known & experienced club professional (sorry, I have forgotten his name).  

[Sean Walsh]

David,

Due recognition although I hope it doesn't lead to:  

a) taking away the livestock and electric fences
b) changing one of the most natural and uncontrived courses I have experienced
c) ramping up the green fees (especially not before next summer   )

[SteveC]

Why would Brora not be in the top hundy? It is totally deserving. Period.

[ForkaB]

Steve

Nobody on this board loves or knows Brora better than I.

Nevertheless, Top-100 in the GB&I list is heady company.  There are 40-50 courses in Scotland, Ireland and Wales alone which are probably "better" than Brora in the opinion of most informed observers, and when you get to #s 50-60 in England you are dealing with places of serious quality.

Good on Brora, which deserves to be considered for this level of recognitiion.  However, it is by no way a slam dunk.

[ForkaB]

Sean

I had this niggling feeling that GW had gone to some sort of self-appointed panel recently, and this list confirms it.  North Berwick #30 and Littlestone #192?!  Downfield ahead of Murcar?!  Somebody (if not everybody) on the "panel" is smoking crack....

Rich

[Kevin Pallier]

Sean

I had this niggling feeling that GW had gone to some sort of self-appointed panel recently, and this list confirms it.  North Berwick #30 and Littlestone #192?!  Downfield ahead of Murcar?!  Somebody (if not everybody) on the "panel" is smoking crack....

Rich

Rich

I can assure you I don't smoke crack   but I must admit I am yet to have the fortune of playing Littlestone, Downfield and Castlerock.

I am happy to see Brora finally "in the mix" so to speak as it hasn't made their lists in at least the last 10 years or so.

KP

[Andy Levett]

This the Top 100:
1 Turnberry Ailsa, 2 Muirfield, 3 St Andrews Old, 4 Royal Birkdale, 5 Royal County Down, 6 Carnoustie Championship, 7 Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin), 8 Royal Portrush, 9 Sunningdale Old, 10 Royal Lytham & St Annes.

11 Ballybunion Old, 12 Wentworth West, 13 Loch Lomond, 14 Royal Dornoch, 15 Royal Liverpool (Hoylake), 16 Kingsbarns, 17 Royal St Georges, 18 Waterville, 19 Portmarnock Old.

20 Walton Heath Old, 21 Royal Troon, 22 West Sussex, 23 Saunton East, 24 Lahinch, 25 The European Club, 26 County Louth, 27 Gleneagles Kings, 28 Sunningdale New, 29 Formby.

30 North Berwick, 31 Nairn. 32 Ganton, 33 Alwoodley, 34 Prestwick, 35 Royal St David's, 36 Royal Porthcawl, 37 Western Gailes, 38 Hillside White, 39 Royal Aberdeen.

40 The Berkshire (Red), 41 Notts/Hollinwell, 42 Machrihanish, 43 Carne, 44 St Enodoc, 45 Royal Cinque Ports, 46 Swinley Forest, 47 Royal West Norfolk, 48 Silloth-on-Solway, 49 St George's Hill.

50 Cruden Bay, 51 Doonbeg, 52 Old Head of Kinsale, 53 Woburn Marquess, 54 The Berkshire (Blue), 55 Donegal, 56 Wentworth East, 57 Gullane No.1, 58 County Sligo, 59 Rye.

60 Woburn Dukes, 61 Blairgowrie Rosemount, 62 Little Aston, 63 Gleneagles Queen's, 64 Ballyliffin Glashedy, 65 The K Club Palmer, 66 The Island, 67 The Machrie, 68 Aldeburgh, 69 Carton House Monty.

70 St Andrews New, 71 Burnham & Berrow, 72 Mount Juliet, 73 Lindrick, 74 Chart Hills, 75 Hunstanton, 76 Ferndown, 77 Worplesdon, 78 Adare, 79 Gleneagles PGA Centenary.

80 Walton Heath New, 81 Tralee, 82 Hankley Common, 83 Southerness, 84 The Wisley, 85 Aberdovey, 86 West Hill, 87 Broadstone, 88 St Andrews Bay Torrance, 89 The Grove.

90 Castletown, 91 Druid's Glen, 92 Royal Ashdown Forest, 93 Nefyn, 94 Goodwood, 95 The Addington, 96 Woking, 97 The Belfry Brabazon, 98 Downfield, 99 Brora, 100 Castlerock.

Lots of fun to had dissecting this list: like Brora now higher than the course down the road that costs ten times as much to play, Skibo Castle.
And how about Cruden Bay? Supposedly the proposed changes discussed here in recent months were being driven by a poor performance in the 2004 list and the consequent threat to visitor income. Now they've rocketed up 38 places without doing a thing.
Wallasey won't be too thrilled - they've done quite a bit of  well-received work in recent years, partly in honour of Open final qualifying next month but also in hopes of cracking the top 100. Yes, there are a lot of good courses in GB & I but to not even make the second 100 is bizarre.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Whither Pennard?  I've stayed away from ranking courses on here in the past but any list without Pennard is no fun.  

Not 200 material?  "a pox on all raters".