Schedule
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL
We’ll meet at Edinburgh Airport and transfer to the historic city of Stirling – our home for the duration of this trip. Stirling’s central position makes it an ideal base for our adventure. The city’s chief landmark is its medieval castle, overlooking the city and the surrounding mountains from a rocky outcrop.
Our accommodation is the student halls of residence at the University of Stirling. Set in expansive grounds on the outskirts of the city, this campus accommodation offers comfortable rooms, all with private bathrooms, within walking distance of Stirilng’s historic centre. The University of Stirling is home to the Scottish Institute of Sport and boasts one of Europe’s most successful golf programs. Access to the campus facilities, including golf facilities, a swimming pool and gym, will be available throughout our stay.
After checking in and freshening up, the afternoon is yours to explore Stirling’s charming Old Town and the Castle itself.
DAY TWO: PANMURE
The stately links at Panmure is synonymous with the great Ben Hogan. In 1953, the nine-time major winner entered Open Championship for the first and only time. He took part in qualifying at Panmure and went on to win the Claret Jug at nearby Carnoustie in convincing fashion. Locals who witnessed Hogan’s display during Open week spoke in awe of his ball-striking ability. Hogan, in turn, was highly complementary of Panmure and rated the sixth as one of the best par fours he had ever played. The hole is now named in his honour.
DAY THREE: PRESTWICK
Today we will play Prestwick – the birthplace of the Open Championship. The first 12 Opens were played over this historic links. The course is too compact – and too quirky – to host a modern major championship nowadays but it is still tremendous fun to play. Cavernous bunkers, winding burns (streams), out of bounds, railway lines, gorse bushes . . . Prestwick is a unique experience!
DAY FOUR: MUSSELBURGH LINKS
The people of Edinburgh have been golfing over the Old Links at Musselburgh since 1672 and the course hosted six Opens in the 19th Century. Today this modest nine-hole course is fascinating historical treasure and best experienced using the hickory-shafted clubs used by the early champions – we’ll arrange this for you.
After golf, we’ll tour the spectacular Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city.
DAY FIVE: CARNOUSTIE
The Championship Course at Carnoustie has a reputation as the toughest test on the Open rota. Don’t let this put you off because the challenge is never less than enthralling. This is particularly true of the testing closing stretch from the 15th to 18th, where championships have been won and lost amid the daunting bunkers and burns.
DAY SIX: FAIRMONT ST ANDREWS – MATCH vs UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING
The spectacular Fairmont resort complex, on a cliff top site overlooking St Andrews, is the perfect setting for today’s match against the University of Stirling. After 18 holes of friendly competition, and lunch at the Fairmont’s spectacular clubhouse, we’ll take a tour of St Andrews, including a chance to inspect the Old Course and visit the British Golf Museum.
DAY SEVEN: TURNBERRY (AILSA)
The spectacular Ailsa Course at Turnberry is a fitting setting for the final round of our Scottish adventure. Boasting a unique run of shoreline holes from the 4th to 11th, this stunning layout is rightly regarded as one of the finest courses in the world.
DAY EIGHT: HOME
After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll transfer you to your preferred departure airport in readiness for your flight home.