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Carnoustie
The
Championship Course
Golf has been played over the links at Carnoustie
since the 1500’s but the present course came into
being in 1850 when it was designed by Alan Robertson
of St Andrews. Some 20 years later the legendary
Old Tom Morris improved and extended the course
to 18 holes and in 1926 the famous architect James
Braid redesigned the Championship course extensively.
James Braid’s work was universally acclaimed, but
it was still felt that Carnoustie Championship course
had a weak finish. Prior to the 1937 Open Championship
the final 3 holes at Carnoustie were redesigned
by James Wright, a local man, and he produced what
has come to be regarded as the toughest finishing
stretch in golf.
The course as it was in 1937 is much as it is today
and the challenge the modern golfer takes on is
the one which confronted the player nearly 70 years
ago.
Carnoustie is a public links, and the opportunity
is there for everyone to play the Championship course.
Carnoustie’s contribution to golf has not just been
the Championship course, but also its people. In
the early 1900’s many young men from Carnoustie
emigrated to the United States of America and took
with them not only club making skills but golfing
talent in abundance. Many golf clubs in the United
States can trace a direct line to Carnoustie through
the contribution given by these immigrants from
Scotland. The most famous coach was Stewart Maiden
from Carnoustie who was the first and only teacher
of the incomparable Bobby Jones.
Carnoustie Championship course is now in the finest
condition it has ever been. Not only does it offer
the ultimate challenge to every golfer but it provides
a playing quality second to none. The Barry Burn
eases its way through the final 3 holes, quietly
awaiting the shot that is slightly less than perfect.
It was there in 1999 that Frenchman Jean Van de
Velde lost the chance of being Open Champion and
a place in history.
Carnoustie has hosted The Open Championship on six
occasions, most recently in 1999 and are honoured
to be chosen for the 2007 Championship.
Each Championship has provided remarkable drama
and excitement, with the 1953 victory by Ben Hogan
standing out as one of the greatest Opens of all
time.
1931 - Tommy Armour
1937 - Henry Cotton
1953 - Ben Hogan
1968 - Gary Player
1975 - Tom Watson
1999 - Paul Lawrie
Burnside Course
The
Burnside is often overshadowed by its illustrious neighbour
but it oozes character and from the back tees is a splendid
test of golf.
Many of the short holes would grace any links course
anywhere with the 5th and 14th in particular providing
dramatic challenges for the player who strives to gain
his par 3.
The finish is also strong with the 17th proving to be
one of the hardest par 4’s that can be found anywhere
in golf and many a score has been ruined by the out
of bounds fence at the 18th.
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