Gleneagles

Gleneagles and Turnberry are, without question, Scotland's most luxurious golf resorts-elegant rivals for the attention of the well-heeled traveller. Some would even say they are without peer in the world. Both were conceived and constructed by British railroad companies as a means to lure wealthy English and European travellers to the northlands. And, it was the early success of Turnberry that inspired Donald Matheson, general manager of the Caledonian Railway Company, to commence construction of Gleneagles on the eve of World War I. Further, both hotels were used as hospitals during the Wars. Yet here their similarities end. Turnberry isdistinctly Edwardian in architectural style; Gleneagles decidedly French Empire. Turnberry is hard by the sea with spectacular views of the Firth of Clyde; Gleneagles is considerably inland amid the beauty of the central Highlands. Turnberry Ailsa is one of the most attractive links courses anywhere; Gleneagles Kings is one of the world's most beautiful parkland courses. Rivals to this day, but hardly duplicates.

Kings Course

Matheson gave five times Open champion, James Braid, the commission to build the golf courses for his resort. Nature gave Braid some 700 acres of splendid Perthshire moorland plateau with which to work. Beginning work on both the King's and Queen's courses in 1914, Braid was interrupted by the war and did not complete his work until 1919. (The hotel did not open to guests until 1924.) Matheson is reputed to have instructed Braid, "Make it spectacular, make it look difficult, but make it easy to get round." In this, Braid succeeded famously. So well, in fact, that he considered the King's course his finest achievement in design. His entire plan of the course is built around a single ridge that runs its length. On some holes, play is up hill as the green sets atop the ridge. On others, the tee is on the ridge and the hole plays down hill. Still other holes require a blind shot (perfectly acceptable in early course design) over the ridge. This pattern is readily evident from the differing character of the first three holes. The course begins with a drive to a wide fairway that narrows as it slopes up hill to a green atop the ridge. The second hole reads 405 yards on the card but plays considerably shorter owing to a drive from a ridge-top tee to a fairway and green set below even the level of the first tee. The third is longer and far more difficult than its 374 yards would appear in that one drives into the ridge then strikes a blind approach over it to the green. When one rings the bell after finishing the third, it may be to signal completion or, perhaps, to celebrate survival.

Other memorable holes include the seventh which Trevino labeled as one of the most difficult 4 pars anywhere; Braid's favourite, the 13th; and, the 18th which features no less than 14 bunkers. With such stunning scenery and clever design, however, it is reasonable to contend that all the holes are quite memorable and most enjoyable. Little wonder that the King's, an inland course in a country dominated by links golf, has established itself as one of Scotland's greatest courses and formerly hosted the Scottish Open in the week that preceded the Open Championship. It also hosted, in1921, the first competition between American and British golf professionals (won by the home team 9-3). Pity that my fellow Brits must now enlist Spaniards-and even Swedes and Italians-to give the Yanks aspirited contest. Golf and the Empire have indeed changed!

Independent travellers: Report to the Dormy House where you will also find locker rooms, a professional's shopand a restaurant. The driving range is down the lane near the first tee of the PGA Course.