Destination Golf - August 2017 * | Page 53

Although Panmure is a links course , it has some unusual features . The course is a mile or more from the sea , and many holes have beautiful trees which rarely come into play but create an unusual backdrop to the rolling links holes . The first and last three holes are fairly flat although still interesting , but the middle twelve holes are classic links holes . This is because the clubhouse had to be built near to a railway station , and the first and last three holes were needed to get to the land where the course was originally going to be built . It is also not a very long course at 6511 yards from the championship tees , but it proved to be the hardest final qualifying course for the 1999 Open Championship at Carnoustie . This is due to the well-known Barry rough that surrounds every fairway , making accuracy from the tee essential . Visitors should not be deceived by its length of 6,360 yards . The course occupies only 115 acres , most of which is rough , whins or trees . There are 83 bunkers , 81 of them being spread between 15 holes .
Ben Hogan spent two weeks on the links prior to the Open at Carnoustie in 1953 , getting used to the terrain and tight lies and the 1.62 inch ball . It is even reported he cut the 17th green to his specification and returned the cleaned mower to the head greenkeeper ! He went on to win the Open by four shots , creating a course record with a 68 in the final round .
Panmure combines the best elements of links and heath , with tight fairways , challenging carries and compact , undulating greens . Old Scots pines and sandhills forged by nature give the terrain an enduring quality in keeping with the Club ’ s long history . Hallmarks such as the ‘ Hogan ’ hole ( the sixth ) and the Buddon Burn ( the twelfth ) combine to give you a round of golf to remember . There are many fine holes on this course with the 12th being another memorable challenge , a twisting burn guarding the green ’ s approach .
As you would expect , Panmure has hosted innumerable important events including
Volume 3 • Issue 40 53