LINKS75 relocates 3km away and suddenly everything is once again under control – great. The sun has returned. In the shop the order of play is being re-shuffled, “If you go out just before 10am you’ll avoid the queue.” We are grateful and earn at least another 60 minutes together with Uncle Belvenie. Panmure has been the Final Qualification for all British Opens at Carnoustie. It is the shortest course but has delivered the highest winning scores. The clubhouse is magnificent – a replica of Calcutta GC – where bookings have been made for one of the members’ two classic Sunday lunches – honouring the day accompanied by live jazz. LINKS75 gets a guided tour of the holiest of holies but are kindly, yet firmly directed towards the spike bar.
Hogans´s bunker
We head off on the 1st – a short par 4. The accompanying pine and spruce trees re-create the feeling from Formby and Southport & Ainsdale again. The fairway is full of cresting waves of grass and our white gold is transported long. The 6th – Hogan – is a devilish par 4 of high LINKS75 standard, which causes problems as well as delight. We send up a second shot to a seemingly impregnable green and then sink the putt for birdie! It was here in 1953 that Hogan while playing with the club secretary mentioned in passing that, “the hole would be even better with a greenside bunker to the right”. Today it is still there – Hogan’s bunker. The 8th is a par 4 with half-blind tee shot from below causes more confusion than pleasure, but on the 9th – par 3 – we restore our composure.
no10, Panmure
The 13th – a par 4 – has a wonderful links finish with untended mounds and a burn. We smile and get back links inner glow. On the 14th – a par 5 “Daddy’s Luck” – the train to Aberdeen passes just as we lay up for birdie – brilliant. On the 15th – a long par 3 – the balls roll forever in the tailwind and on the 16th the hole tapers and the rough bares its teeth. From the green we can once again admire the grand clubhouse on our way in. The 18th – a par 4 – offers a classic links trail ahead through the gorse. With restored confidence and big smiles on our lips we head in for our waiting lunch together with a boisterous crowd of members and summer jazz.
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