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Monifieth
Medal Course
1999 saw the return of the Open Championship to
the magnificent Championship Course at Carnoustie.
This meant for the third time the Medal Course at
Monifieth would be used as a Final Qualifying course.
The course had undergone a 3 year recovery programme
and was in excellent condition with well grassed
narrow running fairways, lush semi-rough, penal
heavy rough and fast consistent greens not to mention
the deep revetted bunkers to test any standard of
golfer.
The two days of competition proved to be a great
success with warm sunshine and a moderate breeze
which helped attract many hundreds of local members
and visitors to the course as spectators. Much good
golf was in evidence , especially from the likeable
and ultimately unfortunate Frenchman, Jean Van de
Velde who led the qualifiers with 2 rounds of 67,
and whose subsequent efforts at Carnoustie are now
well documented, since he would have won the Open
but for a disaster at the final hole. Second equal
on 135 were Christopher Hanell (Sweden) and Len
Mattiace (USA).
The 5 man playoff for the last 3 qualifying spots
proved to be an electrifying experience for players
and officials alike. A family of swans encamped
on the first green, and the playoff had to start
at the 2nd hole to avoid conflict between golfers
and wildlife.
The competition was eventually concluded with 12
successful golfers advancing to the difficulties
of Carnoustie. It was gratifying to hear the great
amount of praise the course at Monifieth received
for its layout and condition, none more so than
from two true golfing gentlemen from Zimbabwe, Mark
McNulty and Tony Johnstone. Tony Johnstone called
the course 'a real gem, an absolutely true links'.
Ashludie Course
The Ashludie
Golf Course offers the most compact, but challenging
test of golf where an accurate short game is essential.
Just over 5000 yards in length the course offers any
golfer immense enjoyment played on its own or as a second
round in a days outing.
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