Breakfast at the Ugadale Hotel, then off to the Machrihanish Dunes course.
Machrihanish Dunes is a modern ‘links style course’ sitting on Machrihanish Bay (the Atlantic). The course was built to rigid environmental restrictions due to several endangered species of flora and fauna on the grounds and is the only course ever created on a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ in Scotland. The architect, David McLay Kidd, also designed Bandon Dunes and the Castle Course at St. Andrews.
The Dunes course is adjacent to the original Machrihanish Championship course across from our cottage but is a 15–20-minute drive. Our taxi driver was a few minutes late – he works the local school bus schedule. Who would’ve thought that was something to worry about? Anyway, he got us to the course in world class time on some sporty single-track roads. On the final mile or two to the course the road cuts through a working farm. Critters galore.
For one of the top courses in Scotland, this place has quite a plebian clubhouse. A pleasant gal behind the counter and ‘Willie’, our forecaddie, hanging out. That’s it. Golf in its simplest form, eh? Willie has an interesting background as greenskeeper at the Dunaverty GC for years and lives on the way into the course.
It’s a great track. Generous fairways compromised by incredibly penal rough (you’ll never get out – at least I couldn’t) and wild greens (they buried a few VW bugs under each). Our caddie, Willie, moved to the Mull some 15 years ago from England. Knew his stuff and good fun!
I almost forgot to mention the sheep! They’re featured on the club logo. Black guys! Hanging around the starter shack. Black sheep matter! Once you go black, you’ll never go back! Side note, they REALLY liked Bill.
We finished our round late with a booking for a whisky tour in Campbeltown looming. Same taxi driver. Got us to the distillery in record time – we likely broke the sound barrier on single track roads.
Springbank is one of the original distilleries in Campbeltown and has one of the few tours in Scotland that feature brewing processes from the malting floor through cask filling. Quite interesting. Our guide, Ali, didn’t fit the typical Scottish profile. Knew his stuff though.
Quick stop at the ‘Black Sheep Pub’ and dinner at the Harbourville Grill (haggis wedges!), part of the Royal Hotel, closed the deal. A good day.
Daily Team Stats:
- Lost Balls – 10
- Sand Traps – 8
- Low Gross – Bill @ 87
- Low Net – Tie – Bill & DIck @ 76
- Birdies – 2: Bill & Don
- Dram o’ Day – Springbank 15