On a recent trip I managed to stop off at Beau Desert on the recommendation of Mr Arble. I'm very glad I did because I was able to play a course with possibly the finest set of greens I've seen on any inland course. A WH Fowler heathland course that until recently had apparently suffered a bit with tree encroachment but due to strong winds and the judicious use of a chainsaw that now seems to be resolved. Certainly, the only hole they were really in play was the one off 12th.
Also a very friendly membership who I suspect don't appreciate quite how good their course is. I got into discussion with one low handicap member who I tagged along with for a few holes who was very familiar and very fond of the courses at Gleneagles of which he nominated the Queens as the best (I didn't disagree). I asked which he preferred, the Queens or Beau Desert. Much to my surprise he went for the Queens course.
It's been a few years since I've played the Queens (which I love) and maybe my memory is fading but I don't remember it being as good as Beau Desert. Indeed does Scotland have an inland course that can compete with BD ? Maybe I was caught off guard not expecting much of BD, and maybe I need to play it again to temper my judgement but it does strike me as being of the highest quality.
What do others think ?
Niall