Golf Monthly magazine released their latest list of the Top 100 Courses of the UK and Ireland last week, and many of our host courses featured well in the rankings. Retaining the No. 1 spot, just ahead of the Old Course and Muirfield, was the Ailsa course at Turnberry – a venue that we look forward to visiting twice for Hybrid Golf events next year.
The Golf Monthly panel commented “When you already have one of the finest and most attractive courses in the UK&I, one that has staged four successful and dramatic Open Championships, it is a bold move indeed to undertake substantial changes in a quest to make it even better.” Clearly impressed by Martin Ebert’s improvements, they went on to add the Ailsa was now “as good as it gets”.
We first visit this iconic Ayrshire venue for our 36 hole Links Golf Salver in May, before returning in early October for the Mixed Pairs Cup – an event that also features Western Gailes and Dundonald Links alongside the two Turnberry layouts.
It was great to see so many of our other host courses among Golf Monthly’s Top 100 too. Our two Links Cup Pairs final round venues – Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart – were in the top 20, while North Berwick, Hillside, Nairn and Western Gailes were inside the top 50.
The former Ryder Cup venue Southport & Ainsdale, were we also visit twice annually for the Lancashire Salver and the Mixed Pairs Cup, were one of the highest climbers – moving up 6 places to 60th. Gullane and West Lancashire also made the 100 – in 61st and 79th respectively.
Of our remaining host venues, both Archerfield courses, Brora, Dundonald Links, Glasgow Gailes, Gullane No. 2, Kilmarnock Barassie and Turnberry’s King Robert The Bruce were all listed on the ‘Next 100’ – a list of highly regarded courses closest to challenging the Top 100.
With our event entry fees always lower than standard green fees, we provide amateur golfers with a value for money way to tick these great links off their ‘must play list’. As well as this, we do all of the organisation so there is nothing for you to plan – just turn up on the tee and enjoy!
What do you think of the Top 100 rankings? Do you agree or do you think your favourite course should be higher? Let us know by commenting on the blog or via our social media pages below: