Thank you Tony "Kofi Annan" Muldoon but I think you'll find that Gib is indeed attacking me for the right reasons since I did indeed point out he was spouting drivel and in a round about way called him an idiot. Of course he's perfectly entitled to defend himself even though he's wrong.
Nick,
At least my comment re Gib's views on Troon has at least sparked a bit of debate on its relative merits. For what its worth, the first few holes and the last few holes are flatter (although not without contour) and I think most overseas visitors who are expecting wow or candy factor tend to be underwhelmed and miss the qualities that make links golf what it is. At Troon the turf is just perfect and the ground game is called for all the way round. That said, the holes at the furthest point out are amongst the best. Also for the record, I am biased, I know several members well and have played the course on quite a few occassions, however I played it as a visitor before I knew anyone who was a member, and loved it from the first.
The issue that Gib and others refer to re making visitors welcome has been mentioned before. Not everyone has experienced it but some have and the club have taken note. Whether it was down to an individual trying to do a Paddy Hammer or whether it was a corporate thing I don't know but attitudes have changed over the last few years. Members were frankly embarrassed getting that kind of feedback. With regards to Monty's old man, if the Duke of Edinburgh walked in the room Montgomery senior would still manage to give him a look although from what I've been told he's actually perfectly charming in person.
One thing Gib wasn't talking drivel on was the quality fo the Portland course which is one of the few MacKenzie layouts in Scotland although over the years its had its "refinements". The club are currently considering a proposal to restore it to what it was although I very much doubt it will be in play for your visit.
Niall