August 2013

Grand Finale at Ailsa

August 31, 2013
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LINKS75 takes the 151 steps down from the hotel to the 1st tee. Number 75. The Grand Finale. A light breeze in the air but what we feel is fulfilment. Our friend Arran is on the horizon and our new friend Ailsa out the corner of our eye. We have with us as we wander […]

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Tam Arte Quam Marte at Troon

August 29, 2013
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LINKS75 makes itself comfortable in the clubhouse’s inner sanctum – light-brown, leather armchairs, and enjoys a quiet coffee before it’s time to tee off. Outside awaits the 8-times host of the British Open – Royal Troon, which will once again have that honour in 2016. Through the panoramic window we see Ailsa Craig on the […]

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Alone on Machrie

August 28, 2013
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After major links75 problems we try once again to fly to Islay. The first time the flight ended in Glasgow because of fog as dense as at a West Cornwall graveyard. Number 73. After toasting our successful arrival at the world’s best-stocked Islay whisky bar we order a full Scottish breakfast before the day’s upcoming […]

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Sheep on the 14th green

August 27, 2013
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One hundred and twenty years ago, at the time of the development of rail travel, Old Tom designed links courses one after the other all along the Scottish coast. Nature itself was permitted to form the game’s challenges and enjoyment. Over the years these links courses have become what they are today – wind, sand, […]

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Haematopus Ostralegus in Focus

August 27, 2013
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We travel from England – the Isle of Man – back to Scotland. We take the car to Kintyre on Scotland’s answer to State Highway 1 before stopping at Campbeltown. Once the capital of the whisky world, now the gateway to links heaven – Machrihanish. With an oyster catcher as its emblem, the course has […]

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Cliff-hanger on the Isle of Man

August 24, 2013
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LINKS75 heads to England and begins its countdown. Number 71. The Isle of Man, perhaps best known for its mighty, classic TT-race – which is being held at the weekend. On the island there are 8 golf courses but only one LINKS75-course, Castletown. The course has had new owners for only a year but they […]

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Close to Birdie at Crow’s Nest

August 23, 2013
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LINKS75 catches Calmac’s flagship to Brodick. We cross Arran’s high country to the west coast – Blackwaterfoot. Twelve legendary golf holes have been laid out at Shiskine. Since 1896 people have been enchanted by the weather and landscape that exists between the high country and the sea. We report to the pro-shop and make ourselves […]

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Isle of Arran – Marker post

August 21, 2013
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LINKS75 gets up before we have gone to bed and takes us towards Arran’s constraining coastline – The Firth of Clyde. Still half asleep we are systematically interrogated in the bar before we head out onto the course. It lies alongside the sea with the Isle of Arran as backdrop. One of the course committee’s […]

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