Fort Augustus

[Jim_Kennedy]

Built by Colt, this Moorland course has been described as the hardest 9 holer in Scotland. At a twice 'round par of 67 and a wee 5,400 total yds., can it be so?

Anyone here know this place?

The club's website. What a bargain.

http://www.conifers.fslife.co.uk/golfhome.htm

[Rich Goodale (Guest)]

Jim

We had a thread on this a month or so ago --WITH PICTURES! courtesy of #1 Colt-head Paul Turner.  I think that Darren Kilfara has volunteered to drop by and play it on his next trip from Kintyre to Inverness and report back to us.

As for the "hardest" 9-holer in Scotland, that's like being the greatest "links" in America--not much (if any) real competition.  Comrie's not bad, and so is (reportedly) Killin.  Bonar Bridge and Anstruther are beautiful.  But, none are in any way "hard."

[Jim_Kennedy]

Thanks Rich, I must have missed it.  

[Paul_Turner]

Yeah, the course actually made it into the hiddens gems of Scotland book published by Golf Monthly, which you might have seen in the shops.  It has an aerial of the course and each fairway is fringed by thick heather, some of the holes might be a bit featureless, but the rolling 1st looks fun.

[D. Kilfara]

How can a "twice 'round par" for a nine-hole course be an odd number? (Don't answer that...)

Yes, I'll endeavor to make the stop-off in Fort Augustus during my next trip north. Possibly on my way up to Dornoch in May, Ricardo...

Cheers,
Darren

[David_Tepper]

Rich Goodale-
I have played 9-holers at Bonar Bridge (which is indeed a beautiful spot) and Tarbat (Portmohamock). One of these days I would like to get to Durness and Traigh, both of which are supposed to have stunning scenery. Have you been to either?
DT

[Rich Goodale (Guest)]

David

Never played either, but I think either would be worth playing, from what I have heard.  Durness, in particular, may be a potential "cult classic."

[B. Mogg]

I played Fort Auguestus back in '95 and had a ball. I don't think there were any bunkers on the course (there might have been one or 2) and the main hazard was the heather. There was plenty of action to a few of the greens as I can recall.

My main memory of the place is blading a shot from off the green and stopping it near the hole by virtue of the sheep sleeping there!

The course sits at the end of one of the big loch's and is surrounded by wonderful scenery. We played in the late evening as the mist was rolling in. Fantastic.