At the weekend the Scottish Amateur Championship had been decided at Southerness. Garrick Porteous of England took home the trophy this year and in 1990 it was won by Mathias Grönberg. The Scottish summer arrives with us. As we stand on the putting green a Rolls Royce Corniche III swerves into the parking area and a stressed individual climbs out changing clothes as he makes his way to the first tee – a company tournament is in progress. LINKS75 goes in the first ball after the tournament players. Already on the second hole we end up in a queue. Behind us the first members’ group comes at breakneck speed.
Second hole, Southerness
On the 4th hole – a par 5 – we are waved through. LINKS75 lands its balls in a row and impress by making safe pars. On the 6th – a par 3 – we are again waved through and soon are in the middle of the tournament. ”Where are you from?” “Swedes, you have those fancy handicaps, don’t you?” The man we go past has competed against a Dane – handicap 24 – 32 shots including slope. Again we make pars and move on. The course forms a ring around a wide open flat landscape with holes 9 to 13 adjacent to the sea. The greens still have championship feel. The course has clear competition characteristics – hard fairways, thick rough, and expectant heather. A couple of new back tees far behind us remind us of our youth and long shots. The 10th – a par 3 – is surrounded by bunkers with the sea on the horizon – links75 class. The 12th – par 4 – is a signature hole, dogleg right with the sea to finish, a masterpiece. We are again waved through and fire our heavy artillery - par.
12th green, Southerness
The 13th – a par 4 – runs away from the sea and to the right has one of the few high dunes, which today have the honour of being the viewing platform for a labrador and his master. We place our approach chip dead and make birdie. Suddenly we begin to gain on the tournament’s first half of the field. We get stressed and hit straight shots far out among the heather and gorse – defeated. The 15th and 17th are long par 3s. We practise and succed – the 17th is vanquished. At the 18th – a par 5 – we are full of self-confidence and hit long drives towards the green but only half of the white gold makes it. At the weekend masses of eagles were scored on this finishing hole. LINKS75 goes with a bloody nose towards the waiting clubhouse. Tomorrow it is England’s turn.
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