THE CARNOUSTIE GOLF LINKS

Carnoustie Links is at the centre of a world-renowned piece of golfing territory and is within easy reach of many fabulous courses that every visiting golfer should have on their itinerary. St Andrews, the Home of Golf, is only 25 miles away by car, Gleneagles 50 miles, Muirfield, Royal Troon, Prestwick, Turnberry and Royal Dornoch are all within easy driving distance. Even closer, are the splendid layouts of Downfield, Rosemount, Scotscraig and Ladybank.

A public course, Carnoustie is delighted to welcome amateur golfers, and many thousands from all over the world pit their skills against the Links every year.

In 2002 as well as hosting the British Boys Championship in August, Carnoustie along with St Andrews and Kingsbarns is co-hosting the Dunhill Links Championship. Played during the first week of October and being the week after the Ryder Cup at the Belfry this event should include most if not all of the players from both Ryder Cup teams.

Golf has been played at Carnoustie for at least 400 years. During that time the course has changed many times, being altered in the last century by some of the greats of the golfing world, Alan Robertson, Old Tom Morris and James Braid.

Carnoustie first held the Open in 1931 and American-based Scot Tommy Armour picked up the famous trophy. In 1937 Henry Cotton triumphed over a strong field and appalling weather conditions. In 1953 the peerless Ben Hogan won the only Open he ever contested.

1968 saw Gary Player overcome Jack Nicklaus after a titanic final day struggle and in 1975 Tom Watson won the first of his five Opens after an 18-hole play-off with Jack Newton.

In 1999, after a gap of nearly a quarter of a century, the Open returned to Carnoustie and produced a stirring and memorable Championship. Paul Lawrie posted a brilliant final round of 67 and hoped it would be good enough to earn a play-off place.

This seemed a forlorn hope when flamboyant Frenchman Jean Van de Velde stood on the last tee needing only a 6 to win. As the world looked on in horrified fascination, the likeable Van de Velde contrived to take a 7 and his paddle in the Barry Burn will guarantee his own little piece of golfing immortality. The 4-hole play-off between Lawrie, Texan Justin Leonard and Van de Velde began in seemingly anti-climactic fashion, before the Scot took command with a birdie on the 17th. He then provided a real champion's finish with a terrific long iron shot to the home hole.

When he rolled in the winning birdie putt, Aberdonian Lawrie received a rapturous welcome from the delighted home supporters. With such a dramatic return to the Open rota, Carnoustie has surely cemented its position as one of the greatest golf courses in the world.

Course fees per round for 2002 are £80 for the Championship Course, £25 for the Burnside and £20 for the Buddon. There are normally cut price deals for the Championship Course in April (£40 per round for 2002) and occasional deals for May.

Arranging a game at Carnoustie is very simple. Booking can be done on our website at www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk or by telephone at 01241 853789 or fax 01241 852720.

 

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