We are back at a classic lowland and gorse public links course. Just what our over-excited souls need – a little authentic links peacefulness. Last night we went to sleep with a view over the 1st and 18th holes. We have vivid dreams of the fear of driving into the awaiting fairways and the town. Up on the 1st tee we hear the language of home and exchange Highland experiences. Moray Old Links is spread out alongside Moray Firth, imbedded together with a more recent alternative – The New Course.
Already on the 2nd the course shows its true colours – a mammoth par 4 – that without pardon requires bravery of the highest class. The 4th – a par 3 – ends just before the road where the 5th tee lies adjacent to an RAF airfield. We are warned about the after-burners size large.
RAF base next to Moray Golf Club!
After another two gigantic par 4s – 7 & 8 – we stride yet again over the road, this time dodging runners in the annual Lossiemouth fun-run. The course changes character and we suddenly find two parallel short par 4s – 270 and 250 yards respectively – easy par and birdie. The 11th and 12th meander between The New Course and an incredible never-ending burn running down to the sea, which is completely enclosed in trees – really pretty. The 14th runs between classic sand dunes and lies in front of the RAF runway. On the horizon can be seen Lossiemouth lighthouse in one direction and the clubhouse on a rise towards another. With pleasure we hit our 2nd stone dead.
14th green & Lossiemouth lighthouse, Moray
The 15th – a classic par 3 – has elephant grass and an actual forest of runway lights. We go for the cup and hear from a man in front when we reach the green, “that was close. You nearly had to buy your buddy a drink.” The 16th is a par-4 dogleg over elephant grass. We go for gold and land on the green fringe. The man in front shots out encouragingly, “Birdie!” The 17th is the last hole among the sand dunes and with a tailwind is within reach, but unfortunately we leave the elephant grass with a souvenir. The 18th, with the town to the right, the 1st fairway to the left, and clubhouse with ale-drinking members in all the windows to finish, is witness to a second shot towards the elevated green that creates a divot from outer links-space. Curtain please. Mr J wins 2 and 0.
Well taken care of by understanding members we feel at peace for the first time for several days.
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