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Downfield Golf Club - One of the finest inland courses in the U.K

Posted by admin under Buyers Guide, Features, General, Golf Courses, Golf Travel, Latest Golf News, Scotland

Downfield Golf Club in Dundee is recognised as one of the finest inland course in the United Kingdom. It has played host to many events over its long history and is within travelling distance of St Andrews (20-30 minutes), Muirfield (1-1 1/2 hours) and Carnoustie (20-30 minutes).

In the past tournaments like the S.P.G.A. Masters, Scottish Boys Stroke Play, P.G.A. Scottish Open, Scottish Amateur, British Girls Home Internationals, but it was the great honour of being a Final Qualifying venue for the Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1999, that has put Downfield Golf Club rightly, near the top of the tree as a golfing destination. Downfield also hosted Final Open Qualifying in July 2007.

Set in beautiful parkland, Dundee’s premier course is a challenge to every golfer teeing off at the wonderful 1st hole and moving round the rolling contours of the course. The wildlife on the course is breathtaking with foxes, squirrels, deer, water fowl, ducks and buzzards, as well as many other interesting species scampering around. With over 100 species of tree within the perimeter it is no wonder people remember their visit long after they have gone way.

There are a wide variety of challenges at Downfield with some water in play on no fewer than 7 holes. There are 5 par fives, from the championship tees and the 11th is one of the finest you will ever see. It is the hole which Pierre Fulke birdied in an 8 man play-off at the Open Qualifying in 1999 to successfully make the Open at Carnoustie, and record a top ten finish. Since then this very talented, and very amiable Swedish golfer has gone from strength to strength.

The original Downfield course was designed by the one and only James Braid but the course was altered in 1964 to make way for local housing. Some of the original holes are still in play and on those holes very few bunkers have been altered. The alterations that were done, were mainly the work of two members, the late Jack Scrimgeour and Les Wright (the long serving Greens Convenor), and between them they did an incredible job. The Downfield Golf Club is forever in-debt to both of them for their tremendous ideas and hard work.

Although it has been described by many as one of Britain’s premier inland course it has never been fully recognised and is still a hidden gem.

This is one course not to be missed.