Golf North » Dumfries and Galloway

Johnston spurred on by Syme success fires brilliant first round 61 at Portugal Masters

Andrew Griffin — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 20:00:40 +0000

Liam Johnston, who shot a superb 61 to lead the Portugal Masters after the first round, at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf course. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

SCOTLAND’S Liam Johnston produced the lowest round of his European Tour career at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf course.

The 26-year-old from Dumfries fired a sparkling round of 61 to lead by one shot at the end of the opening day of the 2020 Portugal Masters.

At nine-under par through 16 holes, the Scot was in contention to match the historic 59 Oliver Fisher shot on the same Algarve course two years ago.

He narrowly cleared the water with his approach into the par-five 17th, but could not hole his eagle putt from range.

A par on the last took the two-time European Challenge Tour winner to 10-under, one shot ahead of Frenchman Julien Guerrier.

Johnston, who won the Kazakhstan Open two years ago to earn his European Tour card, said: “With the rough out there, it’s nice to keep the bogeys off the card.

“I saved well when I needed to and holed a lot of putts out there. Delighted with the 10 birdies.

“I told my coach back home I was swinging it as good as I ever have, and my game feels like it’s trending in the right direction.

“More importantly, I’m in a really good place mentally. I didn’t see a round like this coming. But I felt like I was playing well,” said Liam, who won the African and Scottish Amateur strokeplay titles in 2017.

Johnston: I didn’t know course par

INEVITABLY, much of post-round talk was how aware was he that he had a real chance to equal Oliver Fisher’s record-breaking 59 at the Victoria Course in 2018.

Johnston said: “I had no idea. I was just talking to Kristoffer Broberg and just noticed it was a par 71.

He added: “I thought it was a par 72. Obviously, I was trying to hole that putt on 17 to make eagle, and just left it a little bit short. Nice par on the last.”

Johnston has been friends since childhood with Grant Forrest and Connor Syme . The latter had a very successful UK Swing, finishing third in the Celtic Classic at Celtic Manor.

Liam freely admits their successes – and that of Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Bob MacIntyre – are spurring each other on as they seek to match last year’s European Tour win Down Under by David Law, who is slightly older.

“We’ve all known each other for ages and feed off the success each other has,” said Johnston in 2018.

Frenchman Guerrier has struggled to match his victory in The Amateur Championship in 2006, when he beat Surrey’s Adam Gee, at Royal St George’s.

Guerrier said: “I really enjoyed how I played the course. The conditions were great. The weather was perfect. I played great. I hit a lot of fairways and I think that is the key here.

“As soon as I hit my ball into the rough it was a different hole. You fight for the par and when you put your ball on the fairway it’s like a birdie chance.

“You try to make it the best you can,” said the 36-year-old, who shot a 60 during the 2009 European Tour School, where he earned his first card.

Laurie in second place at a Canter

MEANWHILE ex-Somerset county player Laurie Canter was at seven-under after a round of 64, with all of the leading three players going bogey-free in Vilamoura.

The 2010 South African Amateur and South African Strokeplay winner said: “I don’t think I’ve done that for a while to be fair, bogey-free, I’ve had my fair share of bogeys so it’s nice to keep them off the card for a day.

“There’s a couple of new things I’ve been working,” the 30-year-old revealed.

“Nothing radical really. Just some good, smart advice from some good coaches and my other half, Anna, is now my manager. So I’ve got to put it down to her really.”

Canter won six times in 2010, including victory in the Hampshire Hog, breaking Justin Rose’s scoring record at North Hants GC.

But the Bath-based golfer is still looking for his maiden European Tour win having turned pro in 2011.

Rory’s ex-Walker Cup partner’s good start

NORTHERN Ireland’s Jonathan Caldwell, who partnered Rory McIlroy at the Walker Cup, in 2007, is another Great Britain and Ireland player at six-under.

The 36-year-old from Bangor, who has two wins on the PGA EuroPro Tour, was one shot ahead of South African George Coetzee – one of the pre-tournament favourites.

The pair were joined on that number by Cheshire’s Walker Cup player Matthew Jordan, Denmark’s Ryder Cup player Thorbjørn Olesen and Sweden’s Sebastian Soderberg, whose maiden win came a year ago at Crans, in Switzerland.

A group of 12 players are then at four-under, with World No, 16 Tommy Fleetwood, and the highest-placed Portuguese player – Tomás Bessa – among a further eight players at three-under.

Fleetwood happy with driving as US Open draws near

FLEETWOOD playing in the event for the first time in four years was pleased as he started his preparations for next week’s US Open in earnest.

“Overall I was happy,” said the five-time European Tour winner. “I had a dodgy spell through three, four, five, six and then started hitting it well and had chances.

“The course is a different test to what it’s always been. I drove it great – ignore the one on the last.

“I drove it really well and gave myself a lot of chances. It’s nice to be playing this course again.

“I felt like I was working hard, like every shot. But the more I felt myself strike the golf ball, look up and seeing it doing what I would like it to do, the more confidence you build.

“And that’s exactly why I’m playing this week. You’ve got to play golf really, in tournament conditions.

“And it’s always nice to see some work pay off in a tournament.”

Meanwhile, India’s Shubhankar Sharma recorded the first albatross on the 2020 Race to Dubai, holing out from 241 yards with his second shot on the 588-yard par-five 17th hole.

•Follow live scoring in the second round of the Portugal Masters by clicking here.

The post Johnston spurred on by Syme success fires brilliant first round 61 at Portugal Masters appeared first on Golf North.

Close House now Lee’s home so it’s natural for Westwood to host British Masters again

Andrew Griffin — Sat, 18 Jul 2020 05:00:26 +0000

Lee Westwood with his caddy and fiancé Helen Storey playing in last year’s Betfred British Masters at Hillside. Next week he will host the event for a second time at Close House.
Picture by GETTY IMAGES

LEE Westwood will become the first player to host the Betfred British Masters on two occasions when the tournament returns to Close House, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, next week.

The third European Tour event since a four-month absence because of the coronavirus pandemic, also marks the start of its new six-event UK Swing.

Play gets under way on Wednesday with a Saturday finish as the European Tour avoids clashing with Sky’s coverage of the final day of the Premiership football season, on Sunday afternoon.

The former World No. 1 was host the last time the Betfred British Masters was played at the North East venue in 2017.

And he’ll be joined in the field by the last three winners as he aims to clinch the British Masters title for the second time – following his victory at The Belfry, in 2007.

Westwood enjoyed an impressive start to 2020, before the season was suspended in March due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

The Worksop wonder won the season’s first Rolex Series event – the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, in January,

That was his 25^th European Tour title. Westwood currently sits second in the Race to Dubai Rankings.

The Betfred British Masters marks the full resumption of the European Tour’s 2020 season, following two dual-ranking events in Austria.

All tournaments in the reshaped 2020 season will be subject to stringent safety and testing protocols.

Westwood ‘delighted’ to be host

“I’m delighted to be hosting again,” said 10-time Ryder Cup player Westwood, who has relocated to Newcastle from his native Nottinghamshire.

Lee Westwood has been the touring pro attached to Close House, since 2011

“I did it in 2017 – three years ago here at Close House – and I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot about what goes in to running a golf tournament. So it was interesting to see things from a different perspective.

“It’s a tough job and a tiring one at that. It was tough to do it that week and play golf too.

“I sort of ran out of steam towards the end, but it is going to be different this year.

“No crowds, a little less media and things like that, which will allow me to focus more time on trying to win the golf tournament this time round.

“It’s great that the Betfred British Masters is the first event to kick off the UK Swing. Betfred have been an incredible sponsor.

“They have stuck with us all through it, and they are very excited to be involved again this year.

“My preparation has gone well. The first few weeks we were in lockdown and we weren’t allowed to play golf,.

“So I had a big break from it then. But since golf courses have opened up again, and we are able to get back out on the golf course, I have played most days, probably three or four times a week.

“I have played a lot of golf of late and certainly no one will have played the golf course as much as I have.”

Kinhult would love to win Masters again

ONE man aiming to derail Westwood’s bid to lift the trophy again is defending champion Marcus Kinhult.

Marcus Kinhult interviewed on TV after his victory at Hillside in the British Betfred Masters a year ago

The Swede birdied the final two holes at Hillside Golf Club last season.

He finished one shot ahead of a group of players including 2018 champion Eddie Pepperell – who is also in the field.

Also bidding for a second British Masters title is Paul Dunne, who triumphed in style at Close House in 2017.

The Irishman produced a fantastic closing round of 61 to hold off a late charge from Rory McIlroy, and win his first European Tour title.

Close House will also witness a historic moment next week. The legendary Miguel Ángel Jiménez is set to make his 706^th European Tour appearance.

The 56-year-old Spaniard will equal Sam Torrance’s all-time record.

Wylie Foundation first to benefit from ‘Golf for Good’

THE Sir Graham Wylie Foundation has once again been appointed as the tournament’s official charity partner.

Sir Graham Wylie, the owner of Close House, will see the European Tour’s Golf for Good project support his own charitable foundation during the 2020 British Masters

Foundation patron Westwood will throw his support behind the work of founder Sir Graham Wylie, who also owns the venue.

He is one of the North East’s best-known entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

The European Tour launches its ‘Golf for Good’ initiative, which will run across the six-week UK Swing, at Close House.

A total of £500,000 will be distributed to local charities at each venue – including next week’s good cause.

The other charities will be chosen by the leading 10 players in a mini-Order of Merit, running across the UK Swing.

‘Golf for Good’ will underpin the rest of the European Tour season. It aims to give back in three key areas:–
Supporting communities where the European Tour plays
Rewarding true heroes, such as frontline workers
Promoting the many health benefits golf offers.

The 13th hole at Close House’s Westwood Colt Course, which will stage the Betfred British Masters for a second time from July 22-25.

•Westwood’s association with Close House came in 2011 when he opened the Colt Course, which will host the British Masters.

He also became the club’s touring pro.

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LPGA switches restart date from June until mid-July as Women’s PGA moves to Oct.

Andrew Griffin — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 17:00:46 +0000

Australia’s Hannah Green will now get to defend her KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in October after PGA of America’s announcement earlier this week.

AFTER the KPMG Women’s PGA was moved to the autumn, the LPGA has confirmed it is pushing back its planned date to restart tournaments in the USA

They will now resume in the middle of July, instead of mid-June as originally planned, because of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The LPGA stressed its plans to prepare to reschedule a number of events that were postponed in the spring – as the coronavirus pandemic gripped across America – were aiming for a “safe and responsible return to competition.”

Two events are being played in the UK – the Scottish Ladies Open, and the Women’s British Open at Royal Troon – are set for their original dates in August.

LPGA commissioner Mike Whan asid: “One thing that has become clear is there will be no ‘opening bell’ regarding a return to safe play in this new normal of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To be honest, being ‘first’ has never been the goal when it comes to returning to play in this new normal.

“We have built a schedule that we think is as safe as possible given what we know about travel bans, testing availability, and delivering events that our sponsors and our athletes will be excited to attend.

“While July seems like a long way away, we are certainly aware that restarting our season in Michigan, Ohio and New Jersey will require a continued improvement in the situation in each of those states.”

New LPGA events dates confirmed

The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G in Rogers, Arkansas – originally scheduled for June 19-21 – will now take place from August 28-30.

The Marathon Classic in Sylvania, Ohio, originally scheduled to be played from July 9-12, will now be held between July 23 and 26.

The PGA of America announced on Wednesday the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania., set for June 25-28, will now move to October 8-11 at the same venue

Additional changes have also been made to deliver a full LPGA Tour season for 2020, Whan added.

June’s Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been rescheduled for October 1-4.

The Pelican Women’s Championship in Florida’s Belleair – which had been rescheduled to November – will now move back one week later to November 19-22, while the Volunteers of America Classic at The Colony, Texas, will move to December 3-6.

Finally, the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida (originally November 19-22), will move to December 17-20, making it the final event of the 2020 LPGA Tour season.

Due to the limited dates available for official full-field events on the LPGA calendar, the UL International Crown will not take place in 2020.

Additionally, the Volvik Founders Cup, the Lotte Championship, the Hugel-Air Premia LA Open and the LPGA Mediheal Championship, which had all previously been postponed, will return in the 2021 season.

Yorkshire’s Bronte Law, who won the Pure Silk Championship in May 2019.
Picture by GABE ROUX / LPGA

It was confirmed earlier this month that the Pure Silk Championship at Kingsmill Resort, in Virginia – originally scheduled for May 21-24 – will return on the 2021 LPGA Tour schedule.

Yorkshire’s Bronte Law was due to defend her maiden LPGA title at the Williamsburg course.

Prize funds raised to a total of $56m for 2020

THE LPGA also announced increases to the purses of numerous 2020 tournaments.

It brings the total available purse remaining for the year to more than $56million, with players competing for an average of nearly $2.7million per event.

Commissioner Whan said: “Many of our remaining events will feature higher purses in 2020 thanks in part to some of our sponsors, who could not reschedule their events, offering some of their prize funds to increase other purses.

“In what has been a very challenging year for everyone, we are so thankful to our partners for their creativity, collaboration and dedication to helping our athletes get the most out of the playing opportunities they will have in this unprecedented season.”

However, if necessary, further schedule adjustments will be shared when appropriate, an LPGA spokeswoman said.

•As well as a new date for the Women’s PGA, the USGA has moved the US Women’s Open will now be played in December, just before the CME Group Tour Championship.

LPGA Tour’s new 2020 schedule

July 15- 18	Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, Midland CC, Midland, Michigan	$2.3m
July 23- 26	Marathon LPGA Classic presented by Dana Highland Meadows G.C., Sylvania, Ohio	$2m
July 31 – Aug. 2	ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer Seaview, A Dolce Hotel, Galloway, New Jersey	$2m
Aug. 6-9	The Evian Championship, Evian Resort GC, Evian-les-Bains, France	$4.1m
Aug. 13-16	Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open, The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, Scotland	$1.5m
Aug. 20-23	AIG Women’s British Open Royal Troon, Scotland	$4.5m
Aug. 28-30	Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G Pinnacle CC, Rogers, Arkansas	$2m
Sept. 3-6	CP Women’s Open, Shaughnessy G&CC, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada	$2.3m
Sept. 10-13	ANA Inspiration Mission Hills CC, Rancho Mirage, California	$3.1m
Sept. 17-20	Cambia Portland Classic, Columbia Edgewater CC, Portland, Oregon	$1.7m
Sept. 24-27	Kia Classic Aviara GC, Carlsbad, California	$2m
Oct. 1-4	Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, Blythefield CC, Grand Rapids, Michigan	$2.3m
Oct. 8-11	KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Aronimink GC, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania	$4.3m
Oct. 15- 18	Buick LPGA, Shanghai Qizhong Garden G.C., Shanghai, China	$2.1m
Oct. 22- 25	BMW Ladies Championship LPGA International Busan, Busan, Republic of Korea	$2m
Oct. 29 – Nov. 1	Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA Mirama G&C, New Taipei City, Chinese Taipei	$2.2m
Nov. 6-8	TOTO Japan Classic Taiheyo Club (Minori Course), Ibaraki, Japan	$1.5m
Nov. 12-15	OFF
Nov. 19-22	Pelican Women’s Championship presented by DEX Imaging Pelican GC, Belleair, Florida	$2m
Nov. 26-29	OFF (Thanksgiving)
Dec. 3-6	Volunteers of America Classic Old American G.C., The Colony, Texas	$1.7m
Dec. 10-13	US Women’s Open, Champions GC, Houston, Texas	$5.5m
Dec. 17-20	CME Group Tour Championship, Tiburon GC, Naples, Florida	$5m

Key:Major championships in bold

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England Golf Statement Regarding Coronavirus

Jack Rayner — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 10:39:52 +0000

England Golf Statement Regarding Coronavirus

England Golf – in light of the developing situation with the COVID-19 outbreak – has today issued the following guidance to all our affiliated golf clubs and golfers.

We fully recognise the need to adhere to the expert advice available and as such we would point all our clubs in the direction of the guidelines set out in detail by Public Health England via their website.

Details on how best to cope with the virus can also be found via the World Health Organisation website which will provide rolling updates and the best ways to mitigate against the spread of the infection.

NHS England also provide updated and expert advice via their website.

All golf clubs should note, act upon and continually monitor the advice and guidance issued by these expert authorities in relation to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

It is important that we all work together, following the advice of qualified professionals, in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

This remains a very fluid situation and England Golf will continue to take their lead from the government and public health authorities when it comes to safeguarding our clubs and members and offering practical and necessary steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of golfers and golf club staff.

England Golf chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson said: “The expert practical advice that is available from the health authorities and national government should remain the first point of reference for all our golf clubs and golfers.

“This is clearly a fluid and developing situation and we will continue to monitor events as they progress and pass on the relevant information to our stakeholders.

“By working in alignment with those who are specialists in this field, we will be able to take the necessary precautions and provide the correct measures to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.”

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GOLF UNIONS

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Kent Golf Union

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Shropshire & Herefordshire Union of Golf Clubs

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Bedfordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

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Cornwall Ladies’ County Golf Association

Cumbria Ladies County Golf Association

Dorset Ladies’ County Golf Association

Durham County Ladies’ Golf Association

Essex Ladies’ County Association

Gloucestershire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Hampshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Kent County Ladies’ Golf Association

Lancashire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Leicestershire and Rutland Ladies’ County Golf Association

Lincolnshire Women’s Golf Association

Norfolk Ladies’ County Golf Association

Northumberland Ladies’ County Association

Nottinghamshire County Ladies’ Golf Association

Oxfordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Shropshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Somerset Ladies’ County Golf Association

Staffordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

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Surrey Ladies’ Golf

Sussex County Ladies’ Golf Association

Warwickshire Ladies County Golf Association

Worcestershire & Herefordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Yorkshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

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Fernhill Hotel

Jack Rayner — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 21:20:57 +0000

Fernhill Hotel

Set in private gardens above Portpatrick, Fernhill Hotel commands stunning open views over the village, harbour and Irish Sea.

This picture perfect panorama greets you as you check in to the hotel and is your backdrop while you dine or relax over a drink. Most of our 3 star hotel’s accommodation also benefits from this unspoilt coastal scene.

Once the main ferry port to Ireland, Portpatrick in Dumfries & Galloway is now the proud holder of the title “the Jewel in the Crown of Galloway” and is today a bustling yacht and fishing village with attractive craft shops and friendly harbourside pubs.

Offers

March Madness!

Enjoy a short break in Dumfries & Galloway during March!

3+ Night Break

Enjoy a 3 night break

3+ Night Stay & Play

Enjoy a 3+ night golf break

Spring Special Offer

Take a break this Spring!

Friendly staff, great views and excellent food.A Tripadvisor Review

Tel. 01776 810 220

info@fernhillhotel.co.uk

https://www.mcmillanhotels.co.uk/hotels/fernhill-hotel

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North West Castle Hotel

Jack Rayner — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 21:05:04 +0000

North West Castle Hotel

North West Castle offers all of it’s visitors and guests a comfortable, luxurious and convenient three star town centre hotel accommodation experience in Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway in the South West of Scotland. A family owned and run hotel for more than fifty years, ‘The Castle’ itself, was formerly the home of Sir John Ross, who was once a famous Arctic explorer, who was instrumental in the discovery of the ice bound trading route which is now known around the world as the ‘North West Passage’.

North West Castle is seen as an excellent base for exploring the beautiful local area of South West Dumfries and Galloway and the hotel itself offers an impressive 72 en-suite bedrooms, along with stunning dining experiences of ‘The Regency’ dining room, The Alpine Restaurant and Grill, leisure facilities including swimming pool, sauna, spa bath, gym and its very own indoor curling rink which hosts a multitude of world renowned Curling events throughout the year.

The hotel, along with its indoor curling rink has long been a hub for Scottish Curling and regularly hosts major national and international competitions, as well as open weekend competitions and tuition breaks like the ‘Try Curling’.

Offers

March Madness!

Enjoy a short break in Dumfries & Galloway during March!

March Madness Golf Break!

Take advantage of our special March Madness Golf Break offer!

3+ Night Break

Enjoy a 3 night break

3+ Night Stay & Play

Enjoy a 3+ night golf break

From the very beginning we were welcomed and we immediately loved the obvious care and personal touch the owners had maintained.A customer on the hotel site tripadvisor.com

Tel. 01776 704 413

hotel@northwestcastle.co.uk

https://www.mcmillanhotels.co.uk/hotels/north-west-castle

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Cally Palace Hotel And Golf Course

Jack Rayner — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 20:50:31 +0000

Cally Palace Hotel And Golf Course

Cally Palace

Cally Palace, on the outskirts of the pretty village of Gatehouse of Fleet on the Solway coast, is set in over 150 acres of grounds and was originally an 18th century country mansion just outside Gatehouse of Fleet but is now a wonderful hotel in south west Scotland.

Entering through the oak doors, the grandeur of the interior is immediately apparent as step back to a time of period style and elegance while enjoying all the modern comforts of a four star hotel. Two huge marble pillars frame the entrance hall which leads to the Bow Lounge with its magnificent gilt cuppola ceiling.

The hotels’ 56 bedrooms combine spacious accommodation with views of the estate grounds and the Dumfries & Galloway countryside beyond.

Cally Palace Golf Course

Cally Palace has its own exclusive golf course, as well as an indoor leisure complex with swimming pool, to allow you to make your stay with us as active or as relaxed as you choose.

The warmth of the Scottish welcome you receive will impress as much as the opulence of the surroundings.

Offers

March Madness!

Enjoy a short break in Dumfries & Galloway during March!

March Madness Golf Break!

Take advantage of our special March Madness Golf Break offer!

3+ Night Break

Enjoy a 3 night break

3+ Night Stay & Play

Enjoy a 3+ night golf break

We have really enjoyed our stays at this hotel. Everything was outstanding. Have no difficulty in thoroughly recommending this hotel. Staff were excellent but never ‘in your way’ so to speak. Food was first class and always a pleasant experience.A customer on the hotel site tripadvisor.com

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Stranraer Golf Club

Jack Rayner — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 11:56:46 +0000

Stranraer Golf Club

Stranraer 5th Hole from Golf in Scotland on Vimeo.

A warm welcome awaits for all visitors to Stranraer Golf Club With its beautiful location and excellent course, Stranraer offers an exceptional days golf for all golfers, regardless of handicap. From an early morning coffee with a bacon roll to an evening meal we can cater for all your needs.

Our modern two storey clubhouse, with panoramic views over the course and beyond to Loch Ryan, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy hospitality before, and after, your game.

Sample Menus for information:

2 Course Visitor Menu – £12.00

3 Course Visitor Menu – £15.00

Societies and companies are welcome seven days a week throughout the year at the following times:

Monday – Friday
9:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday
9:30 a.m. – 11:45 p.m. and
1:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

A handicap certificate may be required.

Stranraer Golf Club

TRIP ADVISOR

If you have visited Stranraer Golf Club and have played a round on this famous course then please help us by writing a review on TripAdvisor of your experience at Stranraer Golf Club.

Contact us:

Stranraer Golf Club
Creachmore
Leswalt
Stranraer
Wigtownshire
Dumfries & Galloway
Scotland
DG9 0LF

Telephone:
01776 870245

Email:
stranraergolf@btconnect.com

www.stranraergolfclub.net

TRAVELLING TO STRANRAER GOLF CLUB

From the North / Glasgow
If you are travelling from the North follow signs for Kilmarnock (M77) and then on to Ayr and Girvan (A77). At Girvan, continue south on the A77, along the coast, until you reach Stranraer where you will briefly join the A717. Follow signs for Leswalt (A718) and you will see Stranraer Golf Club on your right, approximately 2-3 miles out of Stranraer.

From the East / England
Stranraer is the last major town on the A75 Euroroute which begins at Gretna Green on the Scotland / England border. From the M6, take junction 22 (Gretna Green) and follow signs for Dumfries & Stranraer. Continue on the A75 heading West, for approximately 95 miles until you reach the town of Stranraer. Once you enter Stranraer, follow signs for the ferry port and then onwards to Leswalt (A718). You will see Stranraer Golf Club on your right, approximately 2-3 miles out of Stranraer.

STRANRAER, SOUTH WEST SCOTLAND

Stranraer Golf Club is situated on the outskirts of Stranraer in Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway, South West Scotland.

Nearby Cairnryan is the ferry port that runs regular sailings to Belfast and Larne in Northern Ireland. You can find information about sailings from the following ferry company websites:

Stena-Line: www.stenaline.co.uk
P&O Ferries: www.poferries.com

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Open will return to Royal Troon in 2023 – 100 years after Havers denied Hagen

Andrew Griffin — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 14:30:33 +0000

The Claret Jug sitting beside the green at Royal Troon’s famous par three eighth hole – The Postage Stamp. Picture by DAVID CANNON / R&A / GETTY IMAGES

THE 152nd Open will be played at Royal Troon in 2023 – seven years since Henrik Stenson produced a remarkable final round 63 to claim his first Major, and win the Claret Jug.

The occasion will mark the 100th anniversary of when The Open was first played at Royal Troon in 1923.

Then Arthur Havers, who was a club pro at Sandy Lodge. Moor Park in Hertfordshire and Surrey’s Coombe Hill, as well as Frinton, in Essex, defeated the legendary Walter Hagen by one stroke.

It will also be the 10th time that golf’s original championship has been played over the famous Ayrshire links.

Swede Stenson’s superb final round held off the challenge of Phil Mickelson in an unforgettable duel as he claimed the championship with a record 20-under par total of 264

Stenson joined a celebrated list of golfers who have lifted the famous Claret Jug and been crowned Champion Golfer of the Year at Royal Troon, including Havers, Bobby Locke, Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf, Tom Watson, Mark Calcavecchia, Justin Leonard in the 20th Century, and Todd Hamilton in 2004

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said, “Royal Troon is one of the world’s greatest championships links.

“It has produced many memorable moments throughout the history of The Open including the dramatic duel between Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson that captivated millions of fans around the world in 2016.

“We are very much looking forward to celebrating another milestone in the cherished history of The Open when we mark the 100th anniversary of the Championship first being played at Royal Troon.

“It will be fascinating to see who will emerge from the world-class field to lift the Claret Jug in 2023.”

This year’s 149th Open will return to Royal St George’s, while St Andrew’s will move back a year in rota from its normal five-year cycle so the Home of Golf can stage the 150th celebrations.

It will then return to Royal Liverpool in 2022, for the third time since 2006 – and where Rory McIlroy won his last Major in 2014 – before heading north over the border to Royal Troon.

Des Bancewicz, the club captain, said: “We are delighted to welcome the return of the world’s oldest major golf championship to Royal Troon, and regard this as confirmation of the wonderful condition to which our historic links are maintained.

“The 152nd Open will also provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate 100 years of the championship’s history at Royal Troon which commenced with Arthur Havers’ victory in 1923.”

Royal Troon is famous for The Postage Stamp – the par three eighth hole, the shortest hole on The Open rota.

Joe FitzPatrick, Scottish Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, said: “I am delighted The R&A has decided to hold the 152nd Open in Scotland, the Home of Golf, in 2023.

“The Open is important to Scotland economically, culturally and reputationally, and Royal Troon is one of our finest and most prestigious courses.

“The last time The Open was played there in 2016 proved highly successful with £110million worth of benefits to Scotland.

“Royal Troon will also play host to this year’s AIG Women’s British Open, further emphasising our strong relationship with The R&A and our collective support for women’s golf.”

The 152nd Open will be played from July 16-23, 2023.

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Hickory Dickory Dock As First Event Played ‘In Memory Of’ The Great James Braid

Jack Rayner — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:00:16 +0000

Hickory Dickory Dock As First Event Played ‘In Memory Of’ The Great James Braid

World’s best hickory players come together to compete in the first Scottish Hickory Tour since 1930

First event played ‘in memory of’ the great James Braid

The world’s best hickory players are coming together next month to compete in the first Scottish Hickory Tour since 1930. In a series of ten tournaments, starting with the James Braid’s 150^th Anniversary Hickory Open, the world’s top 20 professionals and top 40 amateurs will qualify to participate in the Final over Leven’s Links in October.

To celebrate the launch of the tour, the World’s Top Hickory Golfers will congregate on a special day in golfing history, the 6^th February 2020, at Braid Hills Golf Course for the ‘IceBreaker’ James Braid’s 150^th Anniversary Hickory Open event. It is being played on this day in celebration of the 150^th Anniversary of the birth of the famous golfer James Braid, five time Open Champion and Designer of over 400 Golf Courses in Scotland including: Brora, Bruntsfield, Dalmahoy, Gleneagles, Goodwood Downs, Lundin Links, Boat of Garten, Grantown on Spey, The Glen, Royal Musselburgh, Monktonhall, Walton Heath and many others.

The first match is being played over 9 holes at Braid Hills in memory of James Braid yet despite its name, this course was not designed by James Braid, rather, it is laid out over Braid Hill. The players then move on to the Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club in the afternoon for another 9 holes. The course was originally designed by Ben Sayers in 1907 and altered by James Braid in 1936. The course is challenging and fun, and will be a good test for players, including past World Hickory Open Winners Fraser Mann (Scotland) and Andrew Marshall (England).

To celebrate the commencement of the Tour, a first edition whisky, limited to 150 numbered bottles are being bottled by Hickory Forever and will be available to buy on February the 6th, 2020. To reserve one of the first 150 bottles, please get in touch via the Hickory Forever website.

Following on from the James Braid 150th Anniversary Hickory Open, next on the Tour calendar will be the Jack’s Open Pro Am played over Musselburgh Golf Club and Royal Musselburgh on the 8^th and 9^th April.

To find out more about where each event will take place click on The Scottish Hickory Tour 2020

6th February 2020 – James Braid 150th Anniversary Hickory Open

8 & 9th April 2020 – Jack’s Open Pro Am

24 & 25 June 2020 – First Icelandic Hickory Open 2020

7 July 2020 – John Still Memorial Trophy

18 & 19 August 2020 – Highland Hickory Open

6 – 8 October 2020 – The Scottish Hickory Final

Instagram: ScottishHickoryTour

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