Turnberry, one of Scotland's most popular golf courses, first hosted the Open
in 1977 and did it in some style, with Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, the
Golden Bear, involved in what become known as “the duel in the sun”.
Watson won by a single shot on the final green as the two finest golfers of
the time fought for the title for two rounds. It was quite possibly the most
gripping day of golf the world has ever seen - and it made Turnberry famous.
A round of golf at Turnberry is always an adventure. The breathtaking scenery,
terrifying bunkers, evil rough and howling wind straight off the Atlantic
make this one of the most fearsome links courses on the planet. But it is
still a pleasure to play, and a luxurious hotel and spa complete an idyllic
picture.
There are three courses at Turnberry, with the Ailsa being the best and most
famous - and it is on this track that next year's Open championship will be
held.
Ailsa Craig rock, after which the course is named, looms off the coast, the
famous lighthouse is close to the ninth and tenth holes, the sea crashes
into the coast just yards away, and your score rattles up to ludicrous
proportions in the blink of an eye. When the Open returns to Turnberry next
year, television viewers will get a visual treat way beyond Ian Poulter's
brightly coloured trousers.
The golf is good, mind-numbingly good. But, please, tell me this: why does it
have to cost £3.50 for a bottle of Diet Coke and a bar of chocolate at the
halfway hut?
Let's assume you've got over the shock of the prices for fizzy drinks and
sweets, you've got round the course, had a drink in the clubhouse (again
pricey), dragged yourself back to the Turnberry Hotel across the road and
slumped in your room for a rest. Peace reigns ... until the bagpipes start
just outside your window.
Yes, every evening a lone piper plays in front of the hotel just to remind you
that you are in Scotland. You can't help but think that this performance,
and the refreshment prices, are aimed at our friends from across the
Atlantic.
But the hotel in it's own way is almost as good as the golf. It is a little
dated but that will be fixed by a six-month refurbishment starting on
November 1 and the hotel restaurant alone is worth visiting for. The food is
magnificent and a perfect evening meal can be followed up by a dose of
purely medicinal hard stuff in the cosy whisky bar.
Staff at both the golf course and hotel could not have been more helpful and
there is a luxurious spa on site for golf widows or to revive tired limbs
after a day on the links.
For keen golfers, the on-site Colin Montgomerie academy offers superb practice
facilities. I had a lesson that was helpful and delivered in words of a few
syllables - not the case with many golf professionals elsewhere.
Turnberry is not far from Prestwick airport and other famous courses such as
Prestwick itself and Troon. Don't expect a budget break, but your trip will
live with you for a long, long time.
NEED TO KNOW
Westin Turnberry Resort (01655
331000) offers two nights with dinner, B&B and two rounds on the Ailsa
and Kintyre courses from £550pp until September 30. Next year's Open will be
played at the Aisla course. To hire a caddy costs £40pp. Club hire is £50 a
day. The hotel will close from November 1 until April 30 for refurbishments
to prepare for next year's Open
Why pay so much to be tortured on the course and at the hotel. There are better and more beuatifull courses in the world which cost less than half and have more courteous and co-operative staff.
tara chopra, new york, u.s.a.