Machrihanish. Tuesday 2 September 2014.

The primary reason for our visit to the Mull of Kintyre was to play this course.  Originally crafted as 10 holes in 1876, Old Tom Morris extended the course to 18 holes in 1879. It is ranked at 92 in the world top 100.

Tom Morris also created this. Well not the beach, but the hole that wraps around it. The first hole here at Machrihanish is widely regarded as the best opening hole in world golf, requiring a drive across the beach to a fairway angled across, and generally into the prevailing wind.  Fortunately for us, today was dead calm, so we had no external forces making the tee shot more difficult than it already is.

John Hay and Michael Merrett took the opportunity to loosen up on the driving range before starting their rounds.

It was Alan Pritchard who stepped up to the challenge first, and nailed his drive beautifully across the  Machrihanish Bay to the fairway waiting beyond.  This set the scene for all who followed.

The winner of the black sheep cup yesterday, Sharon 'Bo Peep' Marks, ready for her opening drive.

Sharon did not quite get the member's bounce off the beach that Kim Hay received, but was able to play her shot from the sand (a hazard not OOB) successfully back into play.

The pressure was on for the opening drive, in particular for Patrick Carlisle. Patrick had fallen victim to some less than ideal opening tee shots previously, generating the nicknames 'burnie', 'ditch' and the 'conservationist' based upon areas where the drive had finished not so far from the tee.

Michael 'chairman of match' Merrett had been running a book on the success of Patrick's first drive, adding plenty of pressure to his first swing.  A big crowd formed around the tee and Patrick swung.  Not only did he strike it perfectly, but he also imparted a gentle draw which shaped the ball brilliantly down the angled fairway.  A huge cheer erupted, and Patrick departed the tee to a succession of high fives. It was very impressive.

The course works it's way through the sand dunes, and unlike the views from it's newer sibling, it is very rare to catch a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean.

The course has quite a lot of quirky blind shots, like your second shot into the par four 2nd.  Your drive must finish short of the burn, and then you approach over a dune into the blind green.

Whilst not overly long, it would play very differently with a strong breeze from the ocean.

The outward nine possesses the majority of the interesting holes, with the only really memorable inward nine hole being 13 with it's green that has a big false front and then slopes away to the back.

It was a very enjoyable day, although everybody struggled on the putting surfaces.

John 'the scud' Hay performed brilliantly, scoring a 42 point round that with some luck on the greens, could have been quite a bit better.  He was able to take possession of the 'seagull' prize, which we were informed is actually an 'Oyster Catcher'.  Well done John!

The afternoon was free time for everyone to do as they please, with some taking the opportunity to visit the thriving metropolis that is Campbeltown.  Once that 5 minutes was filled in, we all made our way to the local pub for dinner.

We were in luck because it was quiz night in the pub!  Local Harry was the quizmaster, and was nothing like Tony Barber or Eddie McGuire.  He fumbled through the questions (with many requests to repeat in English) and then completely messed up everybody's scores.  The answers were re checked with a magnifying glass, and I think all tables in the bar had the scores adjusted.

After that string of questions were informed that we were only through round one, with a few more to go.  That was enough for our group, although Alan Pritchard was disappointed at missing out on the chance to win last prize, a round at Mach Dunes.

Prior to leaving, Patrick decided to stir up the locals by asking about the upcoming referendum.  A  very very heated discussion erupted, laden with many expletives, resulting in the poor young barmaid laying down the law.  A very strange and entertaining evening to the end our time in Machrihanish.

Tomorrow is a travel day as we make our way around to Turnberry Resort.

Machrihanish Dunes. Monday 1 September 2014.

Today we made our way down the 'Mull of Kintyre' to Machrihanish Dunes.  Machrihanish Dunes is quite a new course, created on land near to the highly rated Machrihanish Golf Club, and also near the airport.

This course was always going to be a bit of a 'filler', and gave some an opportunity to have a rest day.

Certainly after the highs of Loch Lomond, we were back on earth at Mach Dunes.

Whilst the layout was quite good, and the staff friendly, it was far from the group favourite.

Conditioning let the course down, with the greens being rather long.

The course runs alongside the beach, and does have some stunning outlooks.

The many blind shots, and heavily contoured and swaled greens made for a long round.

There are many areas deemed areas of special scientific importance, where little creatures like the one above are protected.

A few people found the course to their liking, with Robyn Hanson scoring 46 points, James Angus 40 and our winner Sharon 'bo peep' Marks 35.

Tomorrow we are at the Old Machrihanish Golf Club, to take on one of the best opening tee shots in world golf.

Loch Lomond. Sunday 31 August 2014.

Loch Lomond is one of the most exclusive clubs in Scotland, and all participants were eager for the experience.  The 5 hour drive from Dornoch meant an early start (6am departure).

I have received requests for plenty of Loch Lomond photos, so this post will be very photo heavy.

The Dornoch Champion, Jim Mitchell gets his round underway at the first.

The green at the first hole.

Looking across to the sixth green from the first.

The view down the par four 2nd.

You can see a ball lodged in the stone wall on the right side.  Nobody in our group fessed up, but I have my suspicions.

Looking at the approach to the par five 3rd.

The view from the tee on the par four 4th.

The par three 5th from the left side.  This area is all protected heathland, a free drop is to be taken should you end up in there.  There was a massive grouse sitting just in on the right.

The green at the 5th.

The view down the par five 6th.

Another look down 6.

Approaching the 6th green.

Looking toward the 7th green.

The majestic Rossdhu House (the clubhouse).

On approach to the 7th.

The par three 8th with Rossdhu House.

The tough par four 10th.

A shot from behind the long par three 11th.

Down the hill on the par four 12th.

The approach to the green on the long par four 16th.

The view from the tee on the par three 17th.

Looking up the fairway of the 18th.

Just a couple of the little yachts the members may cruise the loch with.

The ruins of Rossdhu Castle behind the 18th green.

Our dinner this evening was in the private library. A very impressive room.

Tour participants enjoying dinner.

Clearly not wanting any more photos taken.

Loch Lomond was everything we could have hoped for and more.  A truly amazing experience, not only for the golf, but even more so for the hospitality, the amazing accommodation, and day spa.

It is a place we will never forget.

The rooms certainly met with Wendy Pullar's approval, she had been wanting to soak in a bath all trip, her room here was massive, had a four poster bed and had a bath in the bathroom.  Wendy made the most of it having three baths in the space of 12 hours.

The group standing on the steps of Rossdhu House, prospective member Michael Merrett overlooking the group.

Jeff Faure was the victor today after a fine 36 points.  It was another double header today, with the number 2 place going to perennial bridesmaid on the tour Michael Merrett on 35.

Next stop is the Mull of Kintyre, and Machrihanish Dunes.

Royal Dornoch. Saturday 30 August 2014.

Golf has been played at this site since 1616, yes that is right nearly 400 years, with the club being formed in 1877.  It is consistently ranked in the top 15 courses in the world, and was ranked number 6 in the recent Golf Digest world rankings.

Much like Castle Stuart, it is a very playable links, however is quite different in the undulations and bunkering. The rough allowed balls to be played rather than lost, and stunning to think that a version of the course has been here for so long.

Not our mode of transport, but was for another golfing group playing today. It was parked just off to the right side of the first tee, so there were a few don't go right swings!

Kim Hay, our winner from yesterday, gets her round underway from the first tee.

The course has associations with some of the world of golf's most recognisable names. Old Tom Morris was responsible for extending the original nine hole layout to 18 holes in the 1860's, and Donald Ross is considered Dornoch's most famous son.  Ross was the green keeper and club professional, and many of his course designs (most notably Pinehurst No. 2) feature the hallmarks of the greens at Royal Dornoch.

Jim Mitchell lines up a drive on the 13th.

The stunning view looking back over the second nine, from the 7th tee.

Helen Angus preparing to drive from the 11th tee.

A lovely view as the sun starts to set.

Jim Mitchell and his caddy Ian admiring the sunset on the 15th tee.  Jim played beautiful golf today, firing a 75 to record 43 points.  We had a double header for prizes today with both a men's and women's prize.  Jim claimed the men's victory, whilst Karen 'snickers' Pritchard won the women's prize with a very solid 35 points. Well done Karen and Jim.

Our next stop is Loch Lomond, which means an early start!