Carnoustie practise green Carnoustie indoor simulator
beside the 18th green and I was reminded
instantly why it possesses that reputation.
There, below, was the Barry Burn that Jean
Van de Velde visited in 1999 to shatter his
dreams of an Open Championship: there
was the same burn that almost cost Padraig
Harrington his first Major in 2007. Yes, it is a
fearsome finish but from the hotel window
the sunlight and shadows spilled across the
flag almost serenely… like butter wouldn’t
melt. When our fourball played it hours
later only one of us avoided the water. It
can humble the best… and the average. not confined to the course alone, however:
the Links House is an imposing new
clubhouse alongside the 1st tee. It opened in
April. Bells, whistles, technology… they’re all
here and the new high-tech indoor driving
facility is something to behold. Six bays
allow golfers to play 14 different courses,
including Carnoustie. If you want, you can
replicate the exact conditions outside so,
even in the wind and the rain, you’ll know
exactly what to hit on every hole. If you
prefer, you can also battle zombies! Yes,
you read that correctly. Anyone can use the
facilities and while green fee paying guests
will have complimentary access, just £10 gets
everybody else an hour to hone their swing…
or kill zombies. It’s your choice.
The course is looking pristine and the
greens staff have been working around the
clock to get it ‘Major’ ready. On the course,
83 of the 112 bunkers have been rebuilt –
it took 3.5 days to finish just one of the
Spectacle bunkers – and new mounding
has been added at the 8th/12th green area
to offer improved spectator viewing. The
efforts to make Carnoustie ‘Major’ ready are
Perhaps one of the most obvious places to
start is with the annual Carnoustie Country
Classic. You won’t get in this year – it’s sold
out – but for roughly £700 you’ll play a 72-
hole stableford competition over Montrose,
Volume 4 • Issue 44
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