|
An Interview with Crail Golfing Society - Interview
Crail Golfing Society with David Roy
 Crail is the 7th oldest golf course in the world and with 2 fantastic links golf courses. The first is the Balcomie, a shortish 5861 yrds, Par 69 which is a brilliant test of links golf today. With 9 holes designed back in 1895 by Old Tom Morris, you can be sure for links at its best.
The second course the Craighead Links was opened in 1998 with "hungry bunkers" and measures 6728 yrds, with a Par 71. Do not be mislead, it has a SSS of 74!
We spoke to David Roy, the Managing Secretary about the courses, the golf, the club and its history.
|
- What’s the best hole on the course?
The 5th is one of the hardest par fours in golf; it has a 200 to 240 yard carry over the sea, which makes it one of a handful of golf holes in the world with this feature. The approach shot is generally 150 yards to a green that slopes towards the sea, front to back and is guarded by a bunker. The 14th has the sea as its backdrop and the drive is over the 2,000 year old ‘Dane’s Dyke’. The green is tucked behind the cliff edge of the foreshore and the approach shot can be up to 200 yards.
- And the worst? (or the hole the members would like to change most)
Possibly the 3rd Balcomie, simply because it is a blind par three and the 5th, Craighead because it has little ‘presence’
- What’s the most remarkable shot you’ve ever seen played here? (or heard about).
There was an eagle on the 5th Balcomie on the first day it was played after being extended. A 12 year old girl had a hole-in-one on the 13th Craighead during the World Junior Open in 2000.
- What’s the most remarkable round you’ve ever seen played here? (or heard about).
I’m afraid I don’t have any really good anecdotes but we have a great annual competition called ‘The Ranken Todd’. 12 local clubs are invited to send a team of four and the format is a shotgun start, which is ‘Foursomes’ or alternate shot medal scoring. From this, the competition becomes matchplay knock out, with four clubs playing semi finals and two clubs playing the final. The remarkable thing is that the entire competition is played in one day. Shotgun at 8.00 and matchplay final starting at 5.00.
- Which is the most deceptive hole? (looks benign but can trip you up)
The 2nd Craighead is almost driveable but is really tricky – This is a severe dogleg right to left. When Scotland played Spain, Jose Rivero determined that the Spanish players would cut the dog leg and drive to what is the left of the green. From there, he reckoned it was an easy chip and putt. However, the green is deliberately very narrow at this point and very few players from either side parred this hole.
- What’s the most important part of your game to bring here? (driving, irons, putting, recovery shots and so on).
Short game – Tight lies on the Links, and small greens on Craighead. Many of the greens are difficult to hit and putt on, so you have to get close with your approach.
- Is the course popular with women?
Both are.
- Which of your junior members shows most promise?
We have a crop of under 13’s who have been initiated to the game over the last two years. Calum Bawden is the pick of the bunch but as yet he hasn’t progressed beyond playing in club competitions.
- Is the CSS usually above par, matching par or below par?
Matching
- Which green can you least afford to miss?
2nd Craighead (for reasons above) 14th Balcomie. The 14th has the sea on the right as out of bounds and is surrounded by bunkers.
- Which green is the most difficult to putt?
13th Balcomie, 12th Craighead - Both have very severe undulations.
- Which one feature (tree, water hazard, bunker etc) would you most like to remove? (like Eisenhower’s tree on the 17th at Augusta National).
The hummock at 3rd Balcomie. Because it is a blind par three.
- Who’s the most famous person, not a Tour golfer, to have played here?
Neil Armstrong in 2007 and 2008
- Which member has achieved most in golf?
Nobody of any note.
- If money was no object, what would you change about the course?
Give the 5th at Craighead more visual impact. It is a little bland.
- Honestly, do members see visitors as a necessary source of income, or do they welcome them with warmth?
Welcome them with warmth because they bring income. We have approximatly 10,000 per year which is fantastic for the club.
- Do visitors usually walk off the 18th with a smile or a frown?
Manic grin. They have either had the best golf experience in their life (many say this), or they have experienced the elements in way that they have never known. The wind can be pretty fierce.
- Which run of holes is the most difficult to negotiate?
The most diffiult holes to negotiate must be the first five on Balcomie and the last two on Craighead. The first five on Balcomie has the sea and the OoB and the last 2 on Craighead are just very difficult.
- Where do you need to take advantage in order to score well?
Last nine Balcomie and first 5 on Craighead
- Which would you say are the strongest; the par threes, fours or fives?
Par threes on Balcomie and the par fours on Craighead.
If you are interested in playing Crail, please let us know and we will happily arrange your day with them. Contact Us
|
Useful Links
Crail Golf Society Website
Crail Golf Course Review on Mulligan+
Links with History - A unique Golfing Experience
Great Value Golf Pass for Crail, Lundin, Scotscraig and Ladybank.
Golf Holidays Scotland
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Golf Interviews
|
|
Newsletter Sign Up
|
|
Golf Holidays | Golf Trips
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
