Latest news with #OldCourse
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lydia Ko will play alongside Lottie Woad at Women's British, hopes to learn from her swing
Lydia Ko still finds it "weird" to hear that she's defending champion of the AIG Women's British Open. The LPGA Hall of Famer always thought of all the majors, she had the slimmest chance of winning this one. Yet there she was last year, hoisting the trophy at the Old Course, ending a major championship drought that dated back to 2016. Standing next to Ko in front of the R&A Clubhouse as the sun broke through was Lottie Woad, winner of the Smyth Salver for low amateur honors. Ko won the Salver the last time the women played the Old Course in 2013. This week, Ko and Woad will be back together for the opening round of the 49th Women's British Open at Royal Porthcawl, playing alongside 2023 champion Lilia Vu at 12:54 p.m. local time. Last year Ko, fresh off her gold medal performance at the Paris Olympics, was the darling of the championship. This year it's Woad, who after a share of 10th at the Old Course, comes into this year's AIG the betting favorite in only her second start as a professional. Now a 23-time winner on the LPGA, Ko said she's looking forward to seeing what she can learn from the young Englishwoman, who vaulted to 24th in the Rolex Rankings after her win last week in Scotland. "I don't think the ranking you are doesn't – just because you're a higher-ranked player doesn't mean that there's something that I can't learn from somebody else," said Ko. "She's obviously playing great golf. I've seen her swing, and my coach has sent me a video of her swing as well because there's aspects that I'm kind of going for that she has. "Yeah, it will be really cool to just be inside the ropes, pick her brain a little bit." Holton Freeman, Ko's coach since the spring of 2024, told Golfweek that since they started working together, there's been a constant theme of trying to get Ko's hand path more in front of her in the downswing, something Woad does really well. "Lydia is always trying to learn and tweak and get a little better, so I sent her a video of Lottie just as a visual," Freeman said in a text message. "Never trying to be someone else but can always learn from others." This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Lydia Ko's instructor sent her video to learn from Lottie Woad's swing
Times
23-07-2025
- Times
‘My favourite round of golf of all time'
'I could take out of my life everything except my experiences at St Andrews and I would still have a rich, full life,' Bobby Jones, the legendary American golfer once said. Standing in the window of Rusacks Hotel with the 18th green and first tee of the Old Course to my right and, below, waves crashing in on West Sands beach under the spring sunshine, it's not hard to see where Jones was coming from. I'm at the home of golf, the place where it all began, on the first day of my Marine & Lawn Grand Tour — a customisable experience that allows golfers to combine fine hotels and food with the most iconic courses across Scotland and Northern Ireland. On this there's no need to consider logistics — everything is arranged, from tee times to dinner reservations and transfers to caddies. The only thing I need to worry about is getting the ball around 18 challenging holes of links golf without being distracted by the natural beauty. The company offers six hotels and resorts to choose from, including Dornoch Station, Marine North Berwick and Slieve Donard. My playing partner and I visit three: Rusacks St Andrews and Marine Troon in Scotland and the newly opened Portrush Adelphi in Northern Ireland, a short stroll away from Royal Portrush Golf Club, the venue for July's Open Championship. Having never visited the Old Course on which the sport was born more than 600 years ago, St Andrews seemed like the perfect place to start our four-night adventure. Just an hour's drive from Edinburgh airport, the little coastal town is a delightful mix of traditional windswept stone buildings and natural beauty. It's also a temple to golf, with endless parades of golf shops, statues, pubs and plaques commemorating Tom Morris, the godfather of modern golf. At the heart of the town, a few feet from the final green of the Old Course, is our first stop-off: the outstanding Rusacks. First opened in 1887, the original towering townhouse mansion has been sympathetically extended to create a luxurious yet relaxed country-style boutique hotel. Interiors are rich with wood panelling and bookshelves, framed pictures of golfing adventures, chandeliers, intricate wooden floors and heavy-piled patterned rugs. Our room, at the front of the hotel, has views over the beach on which the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire were filmed, and is a wonderful place to rest and relax after a round of golf, with a big bathtub and walk-in shower. The staff, who genuinely seem to love the town, the hotel and its history, recommend lunch at One Under Bar, which feels like a cross between a traditional brick-walled pub and smart clubhouse — and serves a delicious Scottish charcuterie board. We're keen to get playing, though, so having picked up our Titleist rental clubs (we wanted to travel light — but you can take your own) and got instructions on where to pick up our caddies, we were off in our hire car. The Grand Tour organisers have matched our golfing abilities (an 18-20ish handicap) with courses that are both challenging and enjoyable. First stop, Dumbarnie Links, about 20 minutes away — a beautifully designed modern golf course that occupies 375 pretty acres overlooking the Firth of Forth. After a wee dram on the first tee with our caddies, we enjoy a testing but exhilarating 18 holes under the spring sun: a glorious introduction to links golf (please don't ask my score). Then it's time for a delicious seafood dinner at Rusacks, with sunset views over the Old Course. The next day it's time to play the famous St Andrews links. The New Course, designed by Tom Morris in 1895, is the oldest 'new' course in the world, and runs parallel to the hallowed turf where golf began. With the wind behind me I manage a birdie on the par-five 3rd. I'm Tiger Woods, I think, or Rory McIlroy. Alas no. I finish with 91, but will never forget that birdie. Things get even better at our next stop, Room 116 at Rusacks, an intimate lounge and bar that celebrates two of Scotland's greatest gifts to the world — golf and whisky. After a tasting experience of the Glendronach Highland Single Malt amid pictures of golfing legends, and seafood and steak at 18 Rooftop Restaurant, set high up above the golf links, we drive two and a half hours to Marine Troon. The light and airy hotel on the Ayrshire coast, with views over the Isle of Arran, is just feet away from the 18th fairway of the Royal Troon Golf Club, nine-time host of the Open. The building, originally a manor house from 1894, has plenty of period charm, with rich woods and chandeliers, floral wallpapers and deep carpets — and views from every window of the coast and the course. After a delicious lunch at the Seal Bar (named after the first hole at Troon), it's time to try Dunbonald Links, which has hosted the Scottish Women's Open and the final qualifying for the Open Championship. Here we are kept on our toes by water, cauldron bunkers and some spectacularly undulating greens, then soothed by Marine Troon's comfortable and relaxed restaurant, the Rabbit, where we feast on delicious fresh trout and pork belly. Sadly there's little time to visit the hotel's large pool and spa, because the next morning we have a half-hour flight to take from Glasgow to Belfast and an hour's road trip to the charming seaside town of Portrush. As we drive past Royal Portrush Golf Course, the stands have already been put up for this summer's Open Championships and the area is buzzing with activity. Our hotel, the Adelphi, converted from a grand townhouse, is a block away from the beach and, like the others, has dark polished woods and leather furniture to sink into and a plethora of golfing and nautical touches to remind you where you are. Although the room is spacious and comfortable, the sunshine and nearby seashore lure us out — as does more golf. Our final 18 holes are 15 minutes' away, along the coast road, at Portstewart Golf Club, host of the Irish Open and rated one of the top 100 golf courses by Golf Digest. We've been told the views are impressive, but nothing can prepare us for the majesty of the opening nine holes. Framed by the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the moody sky, rolling dunes and tricky manicured greens, this is a course that assaults the senses (in a very good way). It is also extremely challenging. Without our incredibly patient caddies, we might still be on the course. But after Guinness on tap at the halfway house, and a back nine offering us a few more chances for par, we make the final hole before dark. Afterwards, on the clubhouse balcony overlooking the beach, we agree: this is our favourite round of golf — not just on the tour, but of all time. Hosted by the Adelphi's friendly, chatty staff, we celebrate with more excellent seafood (ranging from cured sea bass and crab linguine to risotto di mare) and a cocktail in the bar. I did get around Portstewart in double digits — and that has to be worth celebrating. As we drive back to Belfast the following morning, I reflect on the lessons I've learnt. I probably need to have some golf lessons in a bunker. Apparently it's not always 25C and sunny on these links courses. But, most of all, the Grand Tour is most worthy of its name. A four-night golf trip with Marine & Lawn costs from £5,000 per person, including accommodation, golf and transfers (but not flights and food),
BBC News
09-07-2025
- BBC News
Golf express bus launches from Edinburgh airport to St Andrews
A new bus service linking Edinburgh Airport and St Andrews, dubbed "the golf express", has been said the service, which takes golfers to the Old Course, has a special compartment for golf JET787 will travel between St Andrews, Guardbridge, Cupar, Auchtermuchty, Kinross Park and Ride, Halbeath Park and Ride and Edinburgh has been launched in time for the Scottish Open and Women's Scottish Open. Every two hours Ticket prices start from £11.70 for an adult single with services running every two hours, taking about 90 22s, over 60s and people with a disability can travel for free with a valid concession Elliott, commercial director for Stagecoach East Scotland, said: "There's an exciting summer golf season ahead, and we're ensuring visitors can enjoy convenient, hassle-free travel direct to the home of the sport from Edinburgh Airport."St Andrews is recognised as the oldest golf course in the world, where the game has been played for over 600 Old Course is a pilgrimage site for golfers worldwide.
Irish Times
03-07-2025
- Irish Times
Best golf courses in Co Clare: Bucket list courses and hidden gems from Lahinch to Dromoland Castle
Bucket Lists As an old Alister Mackenzie masterpiece, the Old Course at Lahinch has evolved magnificently over time. Here there are not just Mackenzie's influences, but also those of Old Tom Morris and, more recently, Martin Hawtree. And all of those designers owe a depth of gratitude to Mother Nature, for the utterly natural links with its rolling fairways and towering dunelands is a thing of beauty hard on the Atlantic coastline. Lahinch may have its quirks – with blind tee and approach shots – but the traditional out-and-back layout with its small, undulating greens provides one of golf's greatest pleasures. And, as we've seen in an Irish Open won by Jon Rahm, as well as its hosting of the annual South of Ireland Amateur Championship, this is a links that provides the ultimate test of players' shot-making. [ Fairways to Heaven - Ireland's Ultimate Golf Guide Opens in new window ] For many, an abiding memory of any visit to the Old Course will likely involve recounting the back-to-back holes on the front nine – the Par 5 known as The Klondyke and the Par 3 known as Dell – which involve hitting blind shots over sand hills. The advice is to aim over the V on Klondyke Hill and over the white stone on the mound protecting the Dell. There is a wonderful run of holes by the Atlantic and into the towering dunes, while the 14th and 15th holes, which run parallel and are separated by mounds which have blended in superbly, typify all that is great about the links. Just over 30 kilometres down the coast is the much newer links of Trump International Doonbeg which was originally designed in 1992 by the Great White Shark himself, Greg Norman, but which subsequently underwent a substantial renovation by Hawtree, the designer also responsible for Lahinch's more modern changes. Doonbeg: The rebuilt 138 yards par 3, 14th hole designed by Martin Hawtree. Photograph:Doonbeg is set on a special area of conservation and, like Lahinch, has battled coastal erosion, and has an unusual shaping which somehow works with a number of spectacular holes. The Par 5 1st hole wonderfully sets out the journey ahead, with dunes in play from the off and the green nestled into sandhills. There are a number of captivating holes, but none more so than the Par 3 14th which has a dramatic setting, played from an elevated tee to a green hard by the Atlantic. When Norman – who helicoptered in for his first site visit – initially set eyes on the landscape, he declared: 'If I spend the rest of my life building courses, I don't think I would find a comparable site anywhere ... this is spectacular land, made by God.' Lahinch Golf Club, Lahinch, Co Clare; 065 7081003; Trump International Doonbeg, Doonbeg Co Clare; 065 9055600 Hidden Gem Let's be honest from the start here. Dromoland Castle is not exactly hidden – given it is a five-star hotel resort and has hosted the KPMG Irish Women's Open – and, in truth, it is more of a diamond than a gem. Dromoland Castle: KPMG Women's Irish Open. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho For all that, this is a course that is entitled to a greater appreciation. It is the design work of Ron Kirby and JB Carr which, in itself, should make it on any must-play list. There are some fine Par 3s, with the seventh – the elevated tee box set by mature trees and played to a green below that has the lake and castle as a backdrop – starts a tremendous stretch of holes that utilises the sylvan landscape. There are some tough holes, too. The Par 4 16th is fully deserving of its index one rating on the scorecard, a big hole that demands long and accurate tee shots and – for most – a fairway club in hand to get anywhere near the green in two. The 18th hole is a lovely Par 5 that has the lake in play down the right off the tee. Dromoland Castle Golf Club; Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus Co Clare; 061 368444; golf@ Honourable Mentions Shannon has the airport as a close neighbour so be prepared for aviation noise – you get used to it! – during your round on a tree-lined, mainly flat course that in variably is found in good condition. The starting holes with out-of-bounds on each of the 1st and 2nd immediately makes the case for strategic course management. There are a number of water hazards, including on the Par 5 eighth hole while the lovely Par 3 17th has the estuary in play. Shannon Golf Club, Shannon Co Clare; 061-471849 Ennis is a nicely conditioned parkland course that is relatively short but probably all the more enjoyable for that. The greens are relatively flat with some exceptions, among them the three-tier putting surface that awaits at the end of the Par 4 eighth hole. Ennis Golf Club, Drumbiggle, Ennis, Co Clare; 065-6824074; info@ East Clare – in Bodyke – is a treat. The course is set in rolling countryside and, designed by Dr Arthur Spring, offers a peaceful and tranquil setting at home with nature as well as a fine golfing examination. The use of water hazards, especially on the Par 3s, is clever. The index one is the Par 4 ninth hole (Par 5 for women), with a ditch short of the green and a lake to the right. East Clare Golf Club, Bodyke Co Clare; 061-921322; eastclaregolfcluboffice@
The National
09-05-2025
- Health
- The National
West Highland Way walkers warned not to drink river water
The National Trust for Scotland Ben Lomond Ranger Service issued the warning this week after nine walkers travelling through Rowardennan on the banks of Loch Lomond fell ill, suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea in the past month. Rangers said all nine hikers drank water from the rivers near Balmaha, adding that although all nine of them filtered the water, they still fell ill. Three of the hikers also told rangers they had drunk filtered water from The Burn of Mar, a river near Conic Hill. READ MORE: Scottish distiller wins first UK-wide supermarket deal with Old Course gin One of the rangers, Mick, has warned walkers not to drink water from the river, adding that it is always best to boil drinking water rather than relying on filtration systems. He said in a statement on social media: 'We have had a spate of hikers coming through here at Rowardennan over the past month that have been pretty ill, vomit and diarrhea, only lasts a day or two but it wrecks more than their guts.' The ranger added: 'Please be sure not to drink this river water as there is a lot of livestock upstream. 'And it's always better to boil your water as this is a safer method than relying on filters as it all depends on which filter you have and how clean it is.' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Around 120,000 people use the West Highland Way each year, with around 36,000 visitors walking the whole trail. Spanning from Milngavie to Fort William, the 96-mile-long trail was Scotland's first designated long-distance route when it came into official operation in 1980.
