HISTORY tells us that many a man has died for his art but a golf architect for his course? Tom Weiskopf almost did in creating one of the world's greatest courses along the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, which he considers his 'lasting memorial to golf'. One night the former Open champion stepped out to savour his handiwork and sank up to his chin in quick-sand. Happily, he survived to complete, with partner Jay Morrish, 7,060 yards of an outstanding championship course that is ranked 44th in the top 100 courses of the world. When he first saw this tract of land, which was the ancestral home of the Clan Colquhoun, he admitted that it just 'blew me away' and if you had to pick a course that summed up the beauty of Scottish golf this could well be it. Framed by towering hills and bounded by the loch, the course winds through an abundance of trees and wild life without seemingly disturbing a blade of grass. 'This is the finest golf course in Europe,' was Nick Faldo's verdict. 'It simply cannot be faulted. This is the standard all other European courses have to strive to attain.' Lush fairways, large beautifully manicured greens, the restored Rossdhu House as a clubhouse, it reeks of exclusivity.Exclusive, it is. The closest many can come to appreciating its style is watching on TV the European Tour compete here before the Open Championship. Only a member can invite you to play and even the members are not encouraged to over golf, being reminded that it is 'intended as an international club for the occasional use of members and their guests and not meant as their primary club.'It starts gently enough to put you at your ease and soon you are marvelling at the difference of each hole. To pick out a favourite is difficult but there's the sixth, the longest hole in Scottish golf -- 625-yards, but as it runs alongside the loch it's not a step too long. Then the 10th (see below). The 14th sorts out the men from the boys. Go for the green, more than 250 yards carry over the bog that almost claimed Weiskopf or bale out to the fairway on the left. The 205-yard 17th , which is a classic par-3, or the 18th finishing in front of the old castle.From the championship tees, it is a severe test for the very best of players but from forward tees, and Weiskopf has offered a varied selection, the course is eminently playable for the less skilled. If you're lucky enough to play here, you won't be trying to recount the memorable holes you'll be struggling to forget any one of the 18.
18 holes, 7,060 yards. Par 71 (medal par 72, SSS 74). Course record: Retief Goosen, Sergio Garcia 62.
Signature hole:
TENTH (455 yards, par 4) - Weiskopf says: 'Hitting the fairway is a must. The pond on the left does
not really threaten the second shot as it is much further from the big receptive green, which will
accept long shots, than it looks.'
May only play as guests of members.
Full service. Bar.
Putting green, pro shop, practice ground.
Only 25 minutes from Glasgow city centre. Take Luss turn-off on A82.
