[Mark Chaplin]

The season in Northern Scotland is short, Dornoch is a small town with some good hotels and restaurants as well as other quality courses in reasonable travel distance. I cannot see people fly to Askernish for 2 or 3 days and spending large sums within a limited infastructure. To average 20 visitors a day over a 200 day season would be some achievement.

I wish everyone behind the project all success.

[Forrest Richardson]

I am happy to see this post come back. This Thursday I will fly into Benbecula from Glasgow to (finally) see Askernish. It is a quick turn-around as I leave Friday. But, it hopefully will be springtime and the flowers will be blooming...iced tea served on the veranda, etc.

I am dreaming...but not about showing up. I am flying in ahead of a visit to Fife and area.

[Adrian_Stiff]

I suppose another big minus with this project is the bad weather in the Hebridies, wrap up warm Forest!

[Bill_McBride]

I am happy to see this post come back. This Thursday I will fly into Benbecula from Glasgow to (finally) see Askernish. It is a quick turn-around as I leave Friday. But, it hopefully will be springtime and the flowers will be blooming...iced tea served on the veranda, etc.

I am dreaming...but not about showing up. I am flying in ahead of a visit to Fife and area.

Forrest, looking forward to a full report on your trip to Scotland, sounds like fun!

[Melvyn Morrow]

Forest

Just had contact with Ralph Thompson of Askernish, on other golf related item. He mentioned that the Time’s had been on site about a week ago.

Iced tea, you may regret saying that, but I believe if the weather is fine you will have the time of your life. Playing a course as it was more or less originally designed, when golf was true to itself. Do enjoy yourself and look forward to seeing your post when you return.

Mark

I see many golfers visiting who love golf and want to experience the real thing. As for local facilities, I believe you will be more than satisfied by the warmth and hospitality of the islanders. However if it is arm chair golf with Hilton accommodation you are looking for, then you will be disappointed.

Adrian 

As for the weather, that’s applicable for most places in the north of Scotland. It adds to the overall experience and challenge.

It is still worth at least a couple of visits to savour the excitement of real golf.   

[Matthew Hunt]

Gary

I am at the early stages of trying to form The Old Tom Morris Golfing Association from the clubs that have a connection with Old Tom. The idea being to encourage club members to play at each others course, to take their families or partners with them. Whilst the golfer is enjoying his new experience, the non players would have sites and venues to keep them happily occupied. If this is successful then specific tours may be offered to other home clubs/golfers not associated to Old Tom. As for Askernish, I have already had discussions with members from various clubs regards visiting.  I have been advised that most of those clubs have groups of 4 to 6 plus partners that would like to travel to South Uist. The numbers suggested passed 50 rather quicklyfrom just a few clubs, so when Askernish formally opens, there will be some home grown interest. If the initial groups enjoy themselves I expect word to spread within each club persuading more to follow – but still very early days

I'd join a OTM assosiation aslong there isn't too high a fees. You think free golf on TOC and Muirfield would be possible by this summer OJ

[Melvyn Morrow]

Matthew

The Old Tom Morris Association is for Clubs that has a connection with Old Tom. No joining fee required for clubs and their members are not charged either. However currently Royal Portrush & Royal County Down do not want
to be part of the association, so I am afraid that NI is not covered.

The Association will hopefully build into a core of interesting clubs by next few years and it is our intention to have a facility for other not associated clubs and/or golfers to be able to take out a years membership for a few pounds, but still early days.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Ralph Thompson, Chairman of Askernish Golf Club,
has just read this topic and has sent me the following
e-mail regards the £1,000,000 figure mentioned earlier
in this post. His comments are as follows

Melvyn,

There seems to be some confusion about the mention of £1 million. The figure was in a newspaper article but nobody here mentioned it - I suspect a wee bit of journalistic licence!

Ralph

[Marty Bonnar]

Just to bring a touch of architectural levity, #12 so looks like my kind of golf hole:



Might become a GCA favourite? Maybe Forrest would be so kind as to post some pics/impressions later?

FBD.

[Peter Wagner]

I wonder if they're looking at it wrong.(?)

What if they let the crofters free and issued hickory shaft clubs on your arrival?  I mean if the intent is to sort of take you back to Old Tom days then why not just really go back?  Check your Pings at the door and your caddy will meet you on the tee with a correct set of hickory's.. 

Just a marketing thought.
Best,
Peter

[Melvyn Morrow]

Peter

Play the course then come up with some suggestions. Askernish will connect you to your inner spirit. You may also wonder why we need all these super multi million pound courses, when we have real courses like this to enjoy.

Also I am reminded of an e-mail conversation last Christmas I had with
Paul Daley (author of Links Golf  The Inside Story and his GCA Feature Interview March 2001) regards Old Tom’s proposed statue in St Andrews. I mentioned Askernish and he told me he was writing a 12 page article about it which would appear in a book this year, I can’t remember the name of the book something along the lines of Golf Archie Vol. Four, but I may be wrong. If anyone knows this book can you confirm the right name. I know Paul reads GCA.com from time to time, if you see this Paul,  e-mail me the name of the new book.

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