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Robin_Hiseman

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Visit Dornoch and stay in Donald Ross's birthplace
« on: September 05, 2017, 06:51:11 AM »
This may be of interest to anyone with an interest in Donald Ross.

The cottage where he was born is available to rent on Airbnb.

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/11015645?location=Dornoch
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Carl Johnson

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Re: Visit Dornoch and stay in Donald Ross's birthplace
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2017, 10:11:19 AM »
From the Airbnb listing " . . . The world famous [Royal Dornoch] golf course, designed by Donald Ross . . . ."

From the Club's website: "Donald Ross was born on November 23rd 1872 in St Gilbert Street, Dornoch. There on rumpled dunesland, he grew up playing the game of golf on one of the world's purest links - Royal Dornoch. Ross was educated in Dornoch and as a young man was the “Keeper of the Greens”. He became the first golf Professional at Dornoch . . . ."

Also from the Club's website: "Old Tom Morris was the architect responsible for extending the original 9 holes layout to 18 holes in 1886. He introduced the plateau greens which are the soul of the course, their uniqueness lies in their size and their inverted saucer shapes.  he course as it now stands is a final remodelling largely the work of George Duncan with influence from Robbie Grant the then Head Greenkeeper, the new holes are in keeping with and incorporate the features Old Tom Morris introduced to Dornoch."

All of this, many, probably most, of us already know.

Would I want to stay there?  Absolutely, although it's unlikely I'll ever make it to Dornoch again.  Robin, thanks for the heads up.
« Last Edit: September 05, 2017, 01:19:13 PM by Carl Johnson »

Niall C

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Re: Visit Dornoch and stay in Donald Ross's birthplace
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2017, 10:20:13 AM »
Carl


I can’t say I was aware that Dornoch was designed by Donald Ross or indeed some of the other claims being made ;D


I’m sure Rich could help clarify quite a few of the claims.


Niall

David_Tepper

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Re: Visit Dornoch and stay in Donald Ross's birthplace
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2017, 10:36:47 AM »
The Donald Ross cottage on St. Gilbert Street has been available for weekly rental at many times over the past 10-20 years. I believe Stan Dodd has stayed there on at least one occasion.

P.S. Claims of all types made on an airbnb listing should be treated with skepticism. ;)
« Last Edit: September 05, 2017, 10:49:18 AM by David_Tepper »

Stan Dodd

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Re: Visit Dornoch and stay in Donald Ross's birthplace
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2017, 12:07:01 PM »
Good memory David.  I did rent it a couple of times.  Good location to town.  The downside was it had no shower, soaking in a tepid pool of my own filth is not how I want to end a day of golf.  Other than that it was a nice place.

Carl Johnson

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Re: Visit Dornoch and stay in Donald Ross's birthplace
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2017, 01:31:17 PM »
Carl


I can’t say I was aware that Dornoch was designed by Donald Ross or indeed some of the other claims being made ;D


I’m sure Rich could help clarify quite a few of the claims.


Niall


All I know is what I read online.  The Donald Ross Society website credits shepherds with being the first architects of the Royal Dornoch golf course.  That's who I'm going with, shepherds:

"The course first laid out by shepherds certainly evolved over time and by the late 19th Century, even Tom Morris had come to Dornoch to make recommendations for modifications. It was during one of these visits in 1892 that young Donald Ross met Old Tom and followed him back to St. Andrews to serve as an apprentice club maker and green keeper."

In fact, why don't we ever recognize shepherds when we're discussing the "best," the "most successful," etc. golf architects?  That is a huge gap in GCA discussions.  I don't suppose that they left any drawings, at least that we know of now, but I'm sure that someone, going through an old trunk in the attic (or under the bed), will find some, someday.
« Last Edit: September 05, 2017, 01:39:07 PM by Carl Johnson »

Rich Goodale

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Re: Visit Dornoch and stay in Donald Ross's birthplace
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2017, 03:02:46 PM »
Ross was too young to have "designed" Dornoch.  Tom Morris laid out 2/3 of what is now the Championship course in the late 1870's. John Sutherland (the club secretary) made many changes the 1880-1921 period, including changes to the 1st and 2nd (DR came back from America to do the 1st and JS the 2nd).  The final 1/3 of today's course was laid out in 1946 (holes 6 through 11) by locals, with some help from George Duncan.
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Carl Johnson

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Re: Visit Dornoch and stay in Donald Ross's birthplace
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2017, 08:10:43 PM »
Ross was too young to have "designed" Dornoch.  Tom Morris laid out 2/3 of what is now the Championship course in the late 1870's. John Sutherland (the club secretary) made many changes the 1880-1921 period, including changes to the 1st and 2nd (DR came back from America to do the 1st and JS the 2nd).  The final 1/3 of today's course was laid out in 1946 (holes 6 through 11) by locals, with some help from George Duncan.


Rich, thanks for the details, but what about the shepherds?

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