Steve Salmen
Jr. Member
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« Reply #35 on: October 27, 2009, 11:26:32 AM » |
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James,
Congratulations on your wonderful post. Your pics were far sharper than mine and you steered clear of controversy. It was a privilege for me to learn history of the course from Ralph. Just being there was a special golf experience. I believe it is just a matter of time for Askernish to increase it's visitor play from 500-600 to over 2000. Askernish's best days lie ahead. I'm happy you got to play it and share your experiences and pictures with the world. Thank you.
Steve Salmen
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Jud Tigerman
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« Reply #36 on: October 27, 2009, 11:47:28 AM » |
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James,
Thanx for the great pix! It only peaks my interest to get over there sooner!
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"The greatest courses create chances for players to show what they can do, instead of punishing them for what they cannot." - Tom Doak
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Michael_Hendren
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« Reply #37 on: October 30, 2009, 07:36:13 AM » |
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I think there is merit to comparing the work of the Askernish rabbits to those at Gweedore. Askernish:  Gweedore:  Bogey |
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Jud Tigerman
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« Reply #38 on: October 30, 2009, 08:39:21 AM » |
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Michael- must be windier at Askernish! Either that or the rabbits are much larger!  |
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"The greatest courses create chances for players to show what they can do, instead of punishing them for what they cannot." - Tom Doak
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Chris DeNigris
Jr. Member
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« Reply #39 on: October 30, 2009, 07:44:11 PM » |
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Unquestionably a fascinating "new" course...remote, original, natural and definitely a handful of terrific looking holes. I would definitely love to experience it. However, after recently playing several more well known Scottish links, I'm not sure how many rounds I would trade for Askernish, even if travel weren't an issue. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't swap either round at Dornoch...9-1, maybe.
Machrihanish Dunes is almost as remote, raw and rugged...and in very close proximity to Old Tom's actual work. As interesting as Askernish looks in the photos, absent the novelty, from a playability perpective I can't imagine it stacking up, asthetically or architechturally.
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Niall Carlton
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« Reply #40 on: October 31, 2009, 05:45:14 AM » |
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Chris
I think you would find that there is much actual Old Tom at Askernish as Machrihanish. Machrihanish has had several significant alterations over the years.
Niall
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Melvyn Hunter Morrow
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« Reply #41 on: October 31, 2009, 06:37:26 AM » |
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Chris Interesting point of view “I'm pretty sure I wouldn't swap either round at Dornoch...9-1, maybe”. I would happily swap more than a round or two at Dornoch for Askernish, if nothing more than to understand how the course plays and have the opportunity to play golf in a similar manner as the 19th Century Victorians. Dornoch is a good course but is more loved by Americans that home players. Don’t listen to me, just read the reports of the guys that have recently played Askernish to get an open and honest review of the course. As for getting to South Uist, it’s far more fun that getting from Edinburgh/Glasgow to Dornoch, yet you are happy to undertake that journey. I do not believe that you would chose the easy option, the let’s ride than walk, lets use aids than think for ourselves options. Scared that Askernish might not just match Dornoch but beat it when it comes down to playing golf. Of course we all make up our own minds and have our own options and opinions and quite rightly so. I bet you a bottle of 25-year-old Single Malt that you would have a big smile on your face in the hotel bar after your round that will last into the next day. Would I swap, Hell; to bloody right I would, just reread James independent view with his great series of photos. Unless you are just looking for the easy life both on and off the course.  Melvyn |
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Jud Tigerman
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« Reply #42 on: October 31, 2009, 09:10:01 AM » |
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Melvyn,
Is it easy to arrange for caddies at Askernish?
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"The greatest courses create chances for players to show what they can do, instead of punishing them for what they cannot." - Tom Doak
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Melvyn Hunter Morrow
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« Reply #43 on: October 31, 2009, 11:12:22 AM » |
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Jud
Why would you want one?
If you are wealthy, bring your own. If you feel you need help, ask Ralph or any of the clubs members.
Melvyn
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Gordon Irvine
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« Reply #44 on: October 31, 2009, 12:42:31 PM » |
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Hi everyone it has been great to read all your comments on Askernish. I will happily share the story of the project with you all.
It has been a three year labour of love to get all 18 holes back in play.
The flatter opening holes are on land that was flatened in 1940,s to allow planes to land I felt that as this was part of the history of Askernish that keeping the flatter contour was in keeping with the development of golf there.The 1st and 6th fairways are in fact old runways.
The bunker named Gods was in fact and still is a cattle shellter in winter. All we did was to tidy it up and pack the sand into the exposed faces.The bunkers the students were working in were at the 8th green.
The 16th green is a mix of my thoughts and Martin Eberts I felt the upper area was the old green he felt it was the area behind so I brought both areas into play as putting surfaces.
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Melvyn Hunter Morrow
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« Reply #45 on: October 31, 2009, 12:57:44 PM » |
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Hi Gordon and welcome to GCA.com
I hope you got that e-mail with all the attachment I sent some weeks ago on OTM. If not, can resend if you wish.
It is good to have you and Ralph on here
Thanks for all your hard work at Askernish.
Melvyn
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Gordon Irvine
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« Reply #46 on: October 31, 2009, 01:11:03 PM » |
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Hi Melvyn sorry I did not get email my system was down please resend.
Can you help me how do I attach pics on this site so I can post pics from Askernish work
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Melvyn Hunter Morrow
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« Reply #47 on: October 31, 2009, 01:21:42 PM » |
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Gordon
Check your e-mail for uplifting photos
Melvyn
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Jud Tigerman
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« Reply #48 on: October 31, 2009, 01:37:38 PM » |
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Melvyn,
I only ask because my knees aren't what they used to be. I love walking, but shouldering a bag, or even pulling a trolley at this point can cause what little cartilage I have left to shout for help. I would think that some of the local kids could use a loop.....
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"The greatest courses create chances for players to show what they can do, instead of punishing them for what they cannot." - Tom Doak
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Gordon Irvine
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« Reply #49 on: October 31, 2009, 02:30:10 PM » |
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My first view of Askernish before work began.
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Gordon Irvine
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« Reply #50 on: October 31, 2009, 02:57:19 PM » |
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Trying to decide if this was an old Askernish green
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Gordon Irvine
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« Reply #51 on: October 31, 2009, 03:13:57 PM » |
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This is now the 8th green plus bunkers at Askernish
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Gordon Irvine
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« Reply #52 on: October 31, 2009, 03:23:28 PM » |
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The 12th greenside bunker before any work was carried out. At this time this was a shelter for the cattle and sheep. All I did was fill in erosion areas with Marram grass and sand.
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Gordon Irvine
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« Reply #53 on: October 31, 2009, 03:37:52 PM » |
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The 16th Green after the first topdressing fenced off from the sheep.
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Gordon Irvine
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« Reply #54 on: October 31, 2009, 04:08:15 PM » |
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This area is now the 8th fairway, approach to 8th green
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Gordon Irvine
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« Reply #55 on: October 31, 2009, 04:33:47 PM » |
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This is the 7th green that was buried under the sand. We removed the minimum surface material shaped some pin placement areas and re-turfed the green using local machair turf.
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Ryan Admussen
Jr. Member
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Posts: 195
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« Reply #56 on: October 31, 2009, 05:03:17 PM » |
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great pictures! very interesting story
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Mark Pearce
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« Reply #57 on: November 01, 2009, 02:56:13 AM » |
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Gordon,
Great to have you posting. Thanks for these pictures. Belated thanks, also, for your presentation at BUDA. It was fascinating to hear not only about the work at Askernish but also the work you have been doing at Deal.
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So far this year: 2 rounds: Swinley Forest
In the pipeline for 2010: Goswick, Crail, Royal Dornoch, Elie, Pennard, Royal Porthcawl, Kington, Berkshire Red, Berkshire Blue, Silloth
I'd like to fit in this year: Muirfield, Alwoodley, Ganton, Hoylake, Leven Links
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James Boon
Full Member
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Posts: 577
JB, World Champion initials...
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« Reply #58 on: November 01, 2009, 01:21:40 PM » |
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Glad you have all liked the pictures of Askernish. And special thanks to Gordon for the pictures of the course before work was carried out, interesting to see those!
Cheers,
James
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James Boon
Full Member
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Posts: 577
JB, World Champion initials...
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« Reply #59 on: November 07, 2009, 07:29:28 AM » |
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