T
thecraw
Guest
Friday 30th March saw the kick off of the Machrihanish March Madness 2012 trip. A sedate drive by the good Doctor Bunkers had us on the Mull of Kintyre in no time with only a welcome stop in Tarbert for excellent take away coffee and a breakfast roll momentarily halting steady progress.
Refuelled, the next stop was Dunaverty Golf Club at Southend.
Dunaverty is another one of these courses where that often over used term "hidden gem" applies. Hidden away like an ugly sister its often overlooked by the flock of golfers who head with blind determination to Machrihanish Golf Club and the newer Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course to tick off the more glamorous sisters. Dunaverty, a mere 10 miles away is holiday golf, but its a step above holiday golf. A straight forward opening hole gives no indication of the delights that await. I'll not spoil it for you but I will tell you its a must play. The nine GM Forumers who ventured onto the delights of Dunaverty raved about the quality and condition of the course and its safe to say that Dunaverty offered us the best greens of the three days golf.
Andy and Bunkers posing for the camera.
The 6th hole, a little gem.
Andy in full flow!
Thecraw trying to will it in!
A full handicap stableford saw forum member Valentino aka Martin Clarke waltz in with a staggering 44 points pipping Bunkers tally of 42 points to walk away with the money.
Golfing done for the day it was a quick drive round to Machrihanish Dunes village to the weekends accommodation. The accommodation did not disappoint, in fact it exceeded all expectations. The rooms were simply stunning.
the cottages from the outside.
An evenings entertainment was sought in the Machrihanish Dunes Clubhouse where beer and spirits flowed accompanied by fine music provided by Neil Gibson and Farneyman (Fabian Greenan) on guitars.
A gaggle of golfers!
A fat-tiger making chips disappear! Just like that!!!
Saturday morning saw us rise bright and early where we were treated not only to a wonderful breakfast in the newly refurbished Ugadale Hotel but also to a fantastic day, sun was splitting the sky and a light sea breeze. A short drive round to Machrihanish Dunes and we were soon teeing off. Blind pairs was the order of the day which saw Sam Smith (Sammmeebee) and Gavin Stewart triumph with 34 and 33 points respectively. Special mention has to go to Graeme Campbell who managed an impressive 41 points with a blob on the first hole. Seven birdies in the remaining 17 holes helped. Don't you hate bandits who play off of 1!!!!
The majority of us headed back out onto the links to take advantage of beautiful weather.
Another night in the Machrihanish Dunes Clubhouse followed suit accompanied by an excellent meal. A hardcore threesome even ventured into Campbeltown to sample the night life.
Sunday morning after breakfast and checkout we ventured across the road to the first tee at Machrihanish Golf Club. A special mention for AMcC (Alan McCaw) and JJF69 (Jon France) who made a 300+ mile round trip to join up on Sunday morning.
Anyway, to cut a long story boring Machrihanish was clearly no where near its best with rather poor greens the result of a very harsh winter. That said there is no doubting the quality of the golf course and the lay out. A testing wind also made the conditions tough. The less said about my golf at Machrihanish the better!!!!
A two way tie on 34 points saw Bunkers who signalled his intent at Dunaverty on Friday pip Sam Smith due to a better back nice. The prize for his efforts was a lovely new Mizuno wedge courtesy of Golf Monthly.
1. Raymond Oliphant
2. Sam Smith
2. Jon France
4. Stephen Renfrew
5. Jezz Ellwood
6. Scott Aikman
7. Martin McAteer
8. Graeme Campbell
Finally I'd just like to thank John Ruth of Clydeway Golf Centre for his very generous prices for prizes as well as donating lots of free goodies tfor the trip. Numerous items such as the TM Penta TP balls, the hand warmers, tees, ball markers, vouchers for free range balls were all donated free of charge. A wonderful gesture and we all thank you.
Sunset over Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course.
Sam Smith in action.
Refuelled, the next stop was Dunaverty Golf Club at Southend.
Dunaverty is another one of these courses where that often over used term "hidden gem" applies. Hidden away like an ugly sister its often overlooked by the flock of golfers who head with blind determination to Machrihanish Golf Club and the newer Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course to tick off the more glamorous sisters. Dunaverty, a mere 10 miles away is holiday golf, but its a step above holiday golf. A straight forward opening hole gives no indication of the delights that await. I'll not spoil it for you but I will tell you its a must play. The nine GM Forumers who ventured onto the delights of Dunaverty raved about the quality and condition of the course and its safe to say that Dunaverty offered us the best greens of the three days golf.
Andy and Bunkers posing for the camera.
The 6th hole, a little gem.
Andy in full flow!
Thecraw trying to will it in!
A full handicap stableford saw forum member Valentino aka Martin Clarke waltz in with a staggering 44 points pipping Bunkers tally of 42 points to walk away with the money.
Golfing done for the day it was a quick drive round to Machrihanish Dunes village to the weekends accommodation. The accommodation did not disappoint, in fact it exceeded all expectations. The rooms were simply stunning.
the cottages from the outside.
An evenings entertainment was sought in the Machrihanish Dunes Clubhouse where beer and spirits flowed accompanied by fine music provided by Neil Gibson and Farneyman (Fabian Greenan) on guitars.
A gaggle of golfers!
A fat-tiger making chips disappear! Just like that!!!
Saturday morning saw us rise bright and early where we were treated not only to a wonderful breakfast in the newly refurbished Ugadale Hotel but also to a fantastic day, sun was splitting the sky and a light sea breeze. A short drive round to Machrihanish Dunes and we were soon teeing off. Blind pairs was the order of the day which saw Sam Smith (Sammmeebee) and Gavin Stewart triumph with 34 and 33 points respectively. Special mention has to go to Graeme Campbell who managed an impressive 41 points with a blob on the first hole. Seven birdies in the remaining 17 holes helped. Don't you hate bandits who play off of 1!!!!
The majority of us headed back out onto the links to take advantage of beautiful weather.
Another night in the Machrihanish Dunes Clubhouse followed suit accompanied by an excellent meal. A hardcore threesome even ventured into Campbeltown to sample the night life.
Sunday morning after breakfast and checkout we ventured across the road to the first tee at Machrihanish Golf Club. A special mention for AMcC (Alan McCaw) and JJF69 (Jon France) who made a 300+ mile round trip to join up on Sunday morning.
Anyway, to cut a long story boring Machrihanish was clearly no where near its best with rather poor greens the result of a very harsh winter. That said there is no doubting the quality of the golf course and the lay out. A testing wind also made the conditions tough. The less said about my golf at Machrihanish the better!!!!
A two way tie on 34 points saw Bunkers who signalled his intent at Dunaverty on Friday pip Sam Smith due to a better back nice. The prize for his efforts was a lovely new Mizuno wedge courtesy of Golf Monthly.
1. Raymond Oliphant
2. Sam Smith
2. Jon France
4. Stephen Renfrew
5. Jezz Ellwood
6. Scott Aikman
7. Martin McAteer
8. Graeme Campbell
Finally I'd just like to thank John Ruth of Clydeway Golf Centre for his very generous prices for prizes as well as donating lots of free goodies tfor the trip. Numerous items such as the TM Penta TP balls, the hand warmers, tees, ball markers, vouchers for free range balls were all donated free of charge. A wonderful gesture and we all thank you.
Sunset over Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course.
Sam Smith in action.
