Question for Tom Doak Re Bridge of Allan GC Scotland

[Melvyn Morrow]

Tom

Having now played Askernish, which is not a full blown copy of the original, its gives the modern Golfer the real opportunity to embrace the pleasure that was once Golf, albeit on the more raw and thrilling side.

So my question is, have you played The Bridge of Allan course (web site http://www.bofagc.com/)?

It’s another Old Tom course of 9 Holes that plays 18. Robert Kroeger when he researched this course for his book ’The Golf Courses of Old Tom Morris’, believed it much unchanged since Old Tom’s days. He reported that the course in 1995 measured 2466 yards compared to 2474 yards in 1895 (today the scorecard reads 2560 yards.

I like Robert feel that Hickory is the real way to enjoy this inland course, but the average golfer will also enjoy a round utilising his own modern clubs.

My question relates to your finding and feel for this course, however if you have not as yet played it, perhaps the next time in Scotland you may take the opportunity of dipping you toes into the early inland courses that seem to frustrate the Golden Age Designers.

I would enjoy reading your experience on this old course. If you decide to visit let me know and I will contact the club to see if I can get someone to take you round.

The following is a map of the course circa 1900


Location



Bridge Of Allan Golf Club
Sunnylaw
Bridge OF Allan
Stirlingshire
FK9 4LY
Phone (+44 / 0) 1786 832332

Hope you will want to experience this small inland course set up for the gentle folk of Scotland.

Melvyn

[Tom_Doak]

Melvyn:

I've not seen the course at Bridge of Allan.

I'll be in Scotland the end of this month (hopefully) to work on the new holes at The Renaissance Club.  Perhaps I can stop over there for a half day -- though it will be difficult, as my schedule is compressed between a family event at home and a site visit in Bordeaux.  I was hoping to have a few more days free to play some golf, but it appears not, since the green light at The Renaissance Club has been late in coming.

Do you think Old Tom had the same problems with scheduling multiple commitments as I do?

[Bill_McBride]

Melvyn:

I've not seen the course at Bridge of Allan.

I'll be in Scotland the end of this month (hopefully) to work on the new holes at The Renaissance Club.  Perhaps I can stop over there for a half day -- though it will be difficult, as my schedule is compressed between a family event at home and a site visit in Bordeaux.  I was hoping to have a few more days free to play some golf, but it appears not, since the green light at The Renaissance Club has been late in coming.

Do you think Old Tom had the same problems with scheduling multiple commitments as I do?

...and no airplanes!

[Melvyn Morrow]

Tom

Nothing new there, Old Tom suffered even more as the old pony and trap is much slower than the pony express and as Bill said the only thing that flew back then were birds.

To give you one or two examples of his problemsand lost work

Braid Hills Edinburgh was his but he was in Ireland when the council wanted the work to start so his assistant another Professional took over.

Kingussie was his commission but was unable to do the work to other commitments

There are other commissions that he was unable to accept, but which when possible passed on to others, but one thing he always found time for a round of Golf – you must be doing something wrong in this modern age of Jets and fast trains and cars.

Melvyn

PS Old Tom just asked what the XYZ is a Car