gleneagles golf

[Ally Mcintosh]

with the ryder cup being held over the decidedly average k club course next week and then over the decidedly average celtic manor layout in 2010, what does everyone think of the 2014 venue, the nicklaus pga layout in gleneagles?... i played all three gleneagles layouts for the first time last year and was underwhelmed by the pga course... the kings and queens were absolute must plays and whilst i understand that they do not have the length to hold major competitions anymore, it is still disappointing the the 3rd best of 3 courses is the one that will be held in the public spotlight...

...was just interested in what others thought?

[David_Tepper]

Ally -

The Ryder Cup is a money grab for the PGA organizations that stage the event. The "quality" of the golf course is not the major consideration in selecting a venue. It is a minor factor at best.

The K Club is owned by Mr. Smurfit, who has been a big financial supporter of the European Tour over the years. Awarding the Ryder Cup to his K Club is a way for the Europoean Tour to reward and repay him for his years of support.

My guess is that the same is true of the Celtic Manor. I know the course there will be re-worked/altered before it hosts the Ryder Cup in 2008. My guess is that the Nicklaus course at Gleneagles will be nipped & tucked a good bit by the time 2010 rolls around.

In professional golf, as in all professional sports, the primary driver of all decisions is money.

DT  

[Ally Mcintosh]

thanks david... i do realise that...

i was really looking for a discussion about the merits or otherwise of the three gleneagles golf courses... the rest was preamble

[Tim Pitner]

Ally,

I recall reading that David McLay Kidd was working on some renovations to the PGA Centenary course.  I think ripping up some cart paths might have been part of his brief.  Do you know whether that work has been completed?  Did you play the revised version?  

[Tom Roewer]

The Nicklaus course @ Gleneagles is , to me, without a doubt the third best there.  Kings is wonderful, and a very good test even now, and Queens, though definitely short, is a joy to play.  I say this regardless of the fact that the Nicklaus course has cart paths, which alone would be a huge detraction.

[Glenn Spencer]

The Nicklaus course @ Gleneagles is , to me, without a doubt the third best there.  Kings is wonderful, and a very good test even now, and Queens, though definitely short, is a joy to play.  I say this regardless of the fact that the Nicklaus course has cart paths, which alone would be a huge detraction.

I am not so sure it is the third, based on TV anyway, I think I might like the Glen Devon or whatever it is called, the short course by the hotel. Just have it on the Kings. Who cares what they shoot?

[Ally Mcintosh]

tim, i did read similar but i'm guessing that the work hasn't been completed yet because when i played, there most certainly were still cart paths... it was another exhausting round (much like my recent game at the Dukes) and i wouldn't be in a rush to play the course again... some fairly bland holes in the middle of the back nine as well...

...whereas i would walk the kings or queens every day even without my golf clubs...