Nairn Golf Club

Were the Nairn championship course athoroughbred, one would proclaim its bloodline splendid indeed. First laidout by Carnoustie's Robert Simpson in 1887, it was stretched to itspresent boundaries by St. Andrews' legendary Old Tom Morris in 1890. Fivetimes Open champion James Braid subsequently made successively beneficialalterations in 1909, 1921 and 1926. The result is one of the golfingjewels of the Highlands. Only slightly behind Royal Dornoch and CrudenBay, in my view, and more than worthy of being awarded the British AmateurChampionship in 1994 and the Walker Cup matches in 1999.

In its early days, the Club was a bastionof male chauvinism. An early member suggestion, for example, was thatladies should not be allowed in the clubhouse when the temperature wasabove freezing. Fortunately, times and attitudes change. Ladies membersand visitors are now most welcome in the attractive clubhouse. And, theClub has hosted numerous Scottish Ladies Championships.

The first seven holes run straight outwith the waters of the Moray Firth lapping at one's right and serving as alateral hazard. The course then turns inward at the brutish uphillthirteenth (best hole on the course) winding amid a plethora of heatherand gorse. Then it returns to the sea once again at the green of theshort, but devilish fifteenth. This routing may seem hauntingly familiarto golfers who have had the distinct pleasure of playing America's CypressPoint. Mackenzie is reputed to have used the Nairn links as an inspirationfor his Cypress design. Frankly, I don't see it but I am usually tooenthralled at Cypress to notice much at all.

The greens, usually among the fastest inScotland, reveal the influence of the different designers in that no twoare the same in size, shape or contour. Small burns bisect severalfairways and come into play quite nicely. On the second, the burn isreachable with a long tee shot, especially downwind or from the forwardtees. Burns catch approaches of inadequate length on both sixteen andseventeen. In fact, these are part of a six-hole finish as interesting asthe seaside opening. Fourteen is a difficult, downhill 200 yard 3 par witha radically tiered green that is made even more difficult by the changingwinds. I have played it successfully with everything from six iron tothree wood from the tee. Eighteen is a shortish 5 par that invites amassive drive to reach the green in two but threatens with yawningbunkers. Most intriguing course, I should say.

Independent travellers: As you enterNairn from the west on the A 96, turn left on Seabank Road (look for GolfView Hotel sign). It will lead you to the club. Report to the pro shopadjacent to the car park and then see the caddie master and starter on thefirst tee. The modern clubhouse offers a visitor changing room for men.Golf shoes are not permitted in the clubhouse. Lady visitors are welcomein the ladies' changing room. The club has a driving range that requirestokens purchased in the pro shop. The clubhouse food is of excellentvariety and quality for a luncheon. For a Scottish experience, sample thesausage rolls and chips.