John_Findlay
Tour Winner
A couple of weeks ago I organized my local pub's annual golf trip to Nairn. I've just about recovered enough to put pen to paper. A little over-indulgence goes a long way. The bar bill on the final night alone was £500 so that gives a hint at the golf/drink ratio.
12 of us played Spey Valley, Fortrose & Rosemarkie and Nairn. 3 lovely courses.
Spey Valley was new to us and it's an absolute peach. I have to say it's now in my top 5 or 10 courses ever played quite easily. So thanks to Dodger, IM02 and all who recommended it. We've already firmly pencilled it in for the rota again next year. The buggies were a good call. I seriously don't know how you could finish a round without one. Some serious distances between green and tee, but worth the haul. You step onto every tee and think "wow, his looks a goody". So that one gets a seal of approval and I'd recommend it to everyone who can make it to Aviemore. Unfortunately, I forgot the battery for my camera that day so I've no photos, but it's spectacular. £59 for the round, food before and after and the buggies. How can you beat that?
Fortrose was a new course to me, too, and I really enjoyed it. Short but tight and great views over the Moray Firth. I got 3 birdies that day and still only managed 26 points. It also has the hardest par 4 I've ever played. 4th hole, 455 yards but the longest club you can take off the tee in a 5 iron otherwise you're hitting over a blind ridge with gorse and a fairway that's impossible to hold with a driver. Here's another strange hole. I played 7 iron, 7 iron onto the green. Fun golf and very different.
The short par 3 5th hole. Only 120 yards but only 3 of us hit the green.
As usual, Nairn GC was a dream day for the course and the weather. A few hangovers led to results like this unfortunately. Just as well the tide was out for Bonto on this one. And yes, you're not supposed to lay your clubs down in a hazard.
Anyway, the whole thing including accommodation for 3 nights only cost £200 each and that included £200 for prizes. I commissioned a lovely engraved pewter quaich for the winner, a mini one for the runner up and lots more. Here's the winner with his haul. MikeH and a couple more forumers here might remember Clarky from the Craigielaw outing. He humped us all by 15 points this time and will no doubt be playing off scratch for next year.
Golf holidays with your pals. Priceless. Already looking forward to the next one. Now where's the paracetamol?
12 of us played Spey Valley, Fortrose & Rosemarkie and Nairn. 3 lovely courses.
Spey Valley was new to us and it's an absolute peach. I have to say it's now in my top 5 or 10 courses ever played quite easily. So thanks to Dodger, IM02 and all who recommended it. We've already firmly pencilled it in for the rota again next year. The buggies were a good call. I seriously don't know how you could finish a round without one. Some serious distances between green and tee, but worth the haul. You step onto every tee and think "wow, his looks a goody". So that one gets a seal of approval and I'd recommend it to everyone who can make it to Aviemore. Unfortunately, I forgot the battery for my camera that day so I've no photos, but it's spectacular. £59 for the round, food before and after and the buggies. How can you beat that?
Fortrose was a new course to me, too, and I really enjoyed it. Short but tight and great views over the Moray Firth. I got 3 birdies that day and still only managed 26 points. It also has the hardest par 4 I've ever played. 4th hole, 455 yards but the longest club you can take off the tee in a 5 iron otherwise you're hitting over a blind ridge with gorse and a fairway that's impossible to hold with a driver. Here's another strange hole. I played 7 iron, 7 iron onto the green. Fun golf and very different.
The short par 3 5th hole. Only 120 yards but only 3 of us hit the green.
As usual, Nairn GC was a dream day for the course and the weather. A few hangovers led to results like this unfortunately. Just as well the tide was out for Bonto on this one. And yes, you're not supposed to lay your clubs down in a hazard.
Anyway, the whole thing including accommodation for 3 nights only cost £200 each and that included £200 for prizes. I commissioned a lovely engraved pewter quaich for the winner, a mini one for the runner up and lots more. Here's the winner with his haul. MikeH and a couple more forumers here might remember Clarky from the Craigielaw outing. He humped us all by 15 points this time and will no doubt be playing off scratch for next year.
Golf holidays with your pals. Priceless. Already looking forward to the next one. Now where's the paracetamol?
