Category: Dave Thomas (Page 2 of 2)

100. Roxburghe. 1st Feb 2020.

April 28, 2020 / Moly McMillan

Well worth a detour to play this very well designed course

Round £60. Par 72. Value (out of 5) – 4.5

Hotel Schloss Roxburghe, operated by the Berlin based 18.12 Group, is not far from Kelso in the Scottish Borders. It was formerly owned as a hotel by the Duke of Roxburghe, one of the wealthiest UK landowners. The golf course, on the hotel grounds, is called Schloss Roxburghe Golf and it was opened in 1997; at over 7100 yards from the championship blue tees, it was clearly designed by Dave Thomas (1934 – 2013) with the intention of hosting professional tournaments.

Moly driving at the signature “Viaduct” 14th hole at ‘The Roxburghe’

With top quality hotel facilities, this is a great short golfing break destination, but with limited high quality golf in the area, 1 or 2 nights is more than enough for just golf.

Playing in a strong wind on a chilly 1st February, the course was, not surprisingly, very quiet! Even from the yellow tees, it was well over 6500 yards, and I struggled to a 103 despite having been only 2 over after 5 holes! This poor display was not helped by me trying to carry my own clubs.

The aesthetic par 4 2nd tee, either a straight forward slight dog leg left, or the direct “tiger line” across the tree line. A typically good Dave Thomas hole.

Although not scoring well, it was very enjoyable due to the great design; Thomas’ philosophy states “I believe all golfers must be presented with a visual challenge and the opportunity to determine a strategy for playing the course depending upon individual ability.” There were indeed many holes very pleasing on the eye.

The magnificent 11th, with superbly placed bunkers for the stronger player.

Furthermore, with front and back nines each with two par 3s and two par 5s, this classic layout had great variety from hole to hole. Throw in the superb bunkering, nice use of water hazards, sculped with mature trees, all in all this was great golfing value. Indeed, with offers available on golfnow.com this represents some of the best golfing value around.

The 13th at The Roxburghe, the longest of the 4 par 3s, take 2 more clubs than you think to clear the water with a long green to receive it.

The course was in very good condition, especially for an early February day. The greens were fully playable with no winter greens in sight, a great testimony to the build quality and the greenkeeping.

The approach to the par 4 17th hole, with very reasonably priced houses overlooking the course.

The are many great holes at The Roxburgh. Although the 14th “viaduct” hole gains all the plaudits that’s only really for the view. The 10th, stoke index 1, is a magnificent dog leg right par 4, and the run of holes from 10th through 14th, encapsulate the variety and strength of Thomas’ design.

I would strongly recommend a short break at Schloss Roxburgh, but I would suggest to play it twice, it was just one of those courses that you need to play more than once to fully appreciate I guess. It was a nice way to bring up my 100th blog on my journey.

Facts:

Course Type: Parkland

Par 72 (4 par 5, 10 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance: 6546

Moly’s Gross score: 103

Moly’s scorecard, 103, which was a struggle in high winds.

33. Drumoig. 16th Sep 2015

September 20, 2015 / Moly McMillan

A Driver’s paradise with some prayers needed around the turn!

Round £25. Par 73. Value (out of 5) – 4

Drumoig golf course is a substantial par 73 golf course, designed by Dave Thomas, set in a resort style estate, with housing and a hotel, situated between Dundee and St Andrews. It is a parkland layout and sufficiently undulating to make for a tiring walk on this 7000 yard course.

The difficult 9th hole with water on both sides of the fairway.

It is well set within the surrounding arable land with some far reaching views, notable across to Broughty Ferry, Monifieth and Carnoustie, on the other side of the Tay Estuary.

Surrounded by the classic links on this north Fife coastline, Drumoig would make a nice contrast for touring golfers, who may be finding the local links fairways a bit tight.

The “cliff side” green at the 5th – the long signature hole at Dromoig

My main impression of Drumoig, was the width of the fairways, especially on the five par 5s; you can really open your shoulders whilst driving here, that is all bar the 9th, 10th and 11th, where all three holes are set around a large lake, making up its own Amen Corner. These holes at the turn were the highlight for me, particularly the 10th, where I took a bogie 5, having taken 3 from the tee!

The 11th green at Drumoig

There are other interesting features, with a 25-foot quarry wall sitting immediately behind the 5th hole, a long par 5, and the 13th. The 18th, is also a very nicely architected hole, with carefully laid water hazards, where the safe play is a medium iron or hybrid from the tee, leaving a short iron to the green.

13th at Drumoig with the quarry wall behind.

The course is a little unbalanced in my opinion with only 1 par 3 (the 2nd) and 2 par 5s on the front 9 of 37, but 3 par 3s, 3 par 4s and 3 par 5s on the back 9. The course was in nice condition when I played, although the bunkers were a little stony and greens much slower that the nearby links courses. That aside, its a good course which is well worth playing and good value.

The greenside bunker at the left of 14th, a natural target with OOB all down the right.

I had a fairly good day for me, shooting 96, with 46 on back 9.

Some Facts

Course Type: Parkland

Par 73 (5 par 5s, 9 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance (green!) 6472 yards

Moly’s Gross Score 96

Stableford 33

Moly’s Drumoig Scorecard – 96

10. Spey Valley; 7th July 2014

August 9, 2014 / Moly McMillan / 0 Comments

Breath-taking scenery, but your “A” game is required if you want to truly enjoy the views!

Summary: Cost £40 (midweek pm). Par 72. Score 102. Value (out of 5) – 4.5

Andy’s approach to the 18th with the Cairgorm mountains in view (note the rain on the right!)

Detail: Spey Valley, designed by the renowned architect Dave Thomas, is part of the McDonald Aviemore hotel resort. It is a magnificent golf course that feels much more mature than its actual age and is now an established part of the European Challenge Tour, hosting the Scottish Hydro Challenge (2009-2014). The scenery of the Cairngorm mountain range is breath-taking and Spey Valley, arguably, has the best golf views from any course in the UK.

The formidable approach shot to the 15th green

The course is a significant test at over 7000 yards from the white tees with a SS of 75, versus a par of 72. It’s a very traditional layout with 4 par 3s and 4 par 5s, with the 5th being Scotland’s longest hole at 635 yds (608 yds off Yellow!). The par 3s are particularly challenging and I needed a wood from the tee on them all. The heath and the heather are always close by to eat up your precious golf balls, so make sure you stock up well before starting.

Spey Valley’s version of the “spectacles” on the 7th – in range with a driver.

Andy Needham and Alvin Hopley of the Army GC

I played with Alvin Hopley (8 hcp) and Andy Needham (19 hcp), both of the Army GC; we played a three-ball match play game, using the 6 points/per hole format. Alvin and I halved, both narrowly beating Andy. In truth the golf course soundly beat all 3 of us and this on a day blessed with sunshine and only a light highland breeze. I scored 102, but the local assistant pro advised that many people never break 100 on this monster.

Take your A game or lots of balls – probably both!

At a £40 green fee, which also received 20% discount because I played free using a Golfcare voucher, this course is also incredible value. However, either ensure you take your A game, or just accept that the fee is worth it for the views alone whilst having a drink in the lovely little bar with its nice terrace area.

Key Facts

Course Type: Parkland/Heathland

Green Fees: Variable Summer PM (not twilight): £40

Par 72 (4 par 5s, 10 par 4s, 4 par 3s)

Distance(white): 7071 yards

Moly’s Gross score: 102

Moly’s scorecard – 102 with 3 lost balls