[Rich Goodale]

Adam Lawrence, editor of Golf Course Architecture magazine (www.golfcoursearchitecture.net)has asked me to mention that there are some great photos of the newly and lovingly restored Askernish Golf Club on their website (www.askernishgolfclub.com).  The photos are by oor own Aidan Bradley, so you know they will be tempting.  I know they are tempting me!

Enjoy!

Rich

[Melvyn Morrow]

Richard

Thanks for the information on the photo from Askernish.  See the beef is ready for the Barbecue afterwards, alas my wife keeps reminding me she likes her meat well hung. 

The pictures prove just what a brilliant job Ralph and his wonderful team have achieved not just for the other islanders but for the world of golf.

[David_Tepper]

Aidan B. is one fine photographer!

[Dan Kelly]

David Owen has written about the restoration of Askernish in the new New Yorker.

For an abstract of the article, and a link to the whole article ("registration required"), cf. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/04/20/090420fa_fact_owen

Because I live in the American Midwest, somewhere near the fabled little old lady from Dubuque, my copy of the magazine has not yet arrived, but it should be here any day now -- unless my Pony Express man absconds with it!

For a narrated slide show (not too impressive), go to http://www.newyorker.com/online/multimedia/2009/04/20/090420_audioslideshow_askernish

[Steve Salmen]

Has anyone here played Askernish?  Anyone know how to get there?

[Anthony Butler]

Has anyone here played Askernish?  Anyone know how to get there?

In the New Yorker article, Owen details how he got to the island on several different occasions. It's not exactly a boat schedule, but it gives you a basic idea of your travel options... If you have a private plane, the beach can be used as an airstrip, but no scheduled air services run to South Uist.

[Chris Ord]

great pics.  i hadn't heard of this course at all, and then i received the new yorker and saw your posting on the same day.  i'd love to hear if anyone has played it and what the experience was like.

[Adrian_Stiff]

Lovely as this may be it just makes no sense. How many rounds does this course do each day? You can get to half way round the world quicker than get to Askernish from 350 miles away. The price is about the same too.

[DMoriarty]

Thanks Rich. 

I was just about to post that there is an article about the rediscovery and development of Askernish in the April 20 New Yorker on the course called "The Ghost Course."   Looks amazing. 

Not sure if it will work for non-subscribers, but here is a link to a slideshow narrarated by David Owen, the author:

http://www.newyorker.com/online/multimedia/2009/04/20/090420_audioslideshow_askernish

Also, here is a link to the article abstract for non-subscribers:

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/04/20/090420fa_fact_owen

[BCrosby]

Thanks Rich.

I read the Owens article last night. I highly recommend it. He gets into some Scottish history and "crofters" issues. I found it all very interesting. A must read.

Bob

[Norbert P]

The place looks amazingly rugged. I want to golf Askernish in my bare feet.   Nice work Aidan.

[Adam Russell]

A few months ago an e-mail was forwarded to me from a professor of mine. It was from Askernish, offering a teaching course in greenkeeping practices of the Old World to students from leading U.S. landscape architecture colleges. There would be a few months study, and then application of the principles in the form of building a golf hole somewhere on the property. It didn't say if the hole would be put into play, but it certainly got my attention...

[Chuck Brown]

I just read my print copy of the New Yorker.  The best golf writing they've had since Herb Wind.  Thanks, David Owen.  Lovely essay.

[Dan Kelly]

Thanks Rich. 

I was just about to post that there is an article about the rediscovery and development of Askernish in the April 20 New Yorker on the course called "The Ghost Course."   Looks amazing. 

Not sure if it will work for non-subscribers, but here is a link to a slideshow narrarated by David Owen, the author:

http://www.newyorker.com/online/multimedia/2009/04/20/090420_audioslideshow_askernish

Also, here is a link to the article abstract for non-subscribers:

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/04/20/090420fa_fact_owen

Now, where did I read all of this before? Deja vu, man. Deja vu!

[Mark Chaplin]

With thanks to David Chidley chairman of greens at Royal Cinque Ports;

 "There are two ways to get to South Uist. We chose to drive from Glasgow to Isle of Skye ( 5 to 6 hours) and catch the ferry to North Uist (2.5 hours). We then had a drive of about 1 hour to the southern end of South Uist. There are 2 hotels I know of in Lochboisdale and the golf course (Askernish) is about 5 mins drive away. You can fly from Glasgow but this is more expensive and you miss the wonderful scenery of the highlands.

When you get to the course it seems fairly flat and the first few holes are played out towards the sea. When you reach the 7th hole the course changes character and you are into an amazing dune system which runs beside the Atlantic. The greens are small and undulating and difficult to find. However quickly you normally play allow 4 hours here as the terrain is tough going and you will need to carry your clubs. This is golf as it was 100 years ago, don't expect perfectly manicured turf although nature has ensured that the natural grasses are ideal for golf. When you come off the course there will be a warm welcome (maybe lobster sandwiches) waiting."
 

[Norbert P]

 When you come off the course there will be a warm welcome (maybe lobster sandwiches) waiting."

 Mark, you almost made me forget about the golf with that offer.

  In my ever-dreaming state of returning to Scotland, Askernish would be a must play.
It sounds like a remote outpost, but if one plans out the trip in a trail fashion, there is terrific golf to be had.  I'm not experienced enough to give the definitive list of what those golf choices would be but this map sort of gives me an idea.  And the trip up to Mallaig is a (white-knuckled) treat (ask Bob Huntley) with a fine niner at Traigh, (where some scenes were shot for the movie Local Hero).  And I've got to see Tobermory before I die.

  http://www.calmac.co.uk/calmac-route-map.html

The possibilities with the ferries and a car rental . . .
Shiskine
Carradale
Dunaverty
Machrihanish
Machrihanish Dunes
Machrie 
Traigh
Tobermory
Askernish
 . . .  where else?

And oh, the Scotch whiskys to be sampled.

**********************************

Dirty white caravans down our road, sailing.
Vivas, Cortinas, weaving in their wake.
With hot, red-faced drivers, horns flattened, fists whaling,
Putting trust in blind corners as they overtake.

And it's ``all come willing now,
Spend a shilling now,
Stack up the back of your new motor-car.''
There's home-dyed woolens, and wee plastic Cuillins
The day of the Broadford Bazaar.
       IA

[Aidan Bradley]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for the kind words. Just back from La Paz where I was shooting a new Arthur Hills course. Gary Player and Tom Doak are both in the process of creating two new courses in the area.

While shooting Askernish I stayed at the Borrodale Hotel which is about three minutes from the course. The people are wonderful, the food is excellent (ask for the Salar Salmon, image below), two bars on premises, and the accommodations are modest but more than fine.

Ralph Thompson who is one of the driving forces behind Askernish will make sure you have a memorable experience both on and off the course. Make sure he lets you retire before 2.30 am! The 45 minute flight from Glasgow is a visual delight (weather permitting). Anyone who makes the pilgrimage will be rewarded in many different levels.

Aidan.

[Norbert P]

    Those a rich photos Aidan.   Makin' me hungry, too. It's good imagery to show that travelers don't have to stay in a crofter's cottage.   (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

[Chuck Brown]

Wow, I had this very rustic image of South Uist!  Looks like they've been accustomed to taking care of the fishermen quite nicely, thank you very much!

[Aidan Bradley]

A few more teasers. Just spoke to Ralph who is siting outside enjoying a beautiful evening and a 21 year old  Glenturret.

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