Fake News – Trump wanted “The Carrick”

Value – 4 / 5

The King Robert the Bruce course at Trump Turnberry was to be named “The Carrick”, but dropped after a legal challenge. Perhaps fake news? “The Carrick” remains the name of Cameron House’s premier golf course, set on the banks of Loch Lomond. A just outcome, given the designer is Doug Carrick, one of Canada’s most prolific architects with a CV of 100 courses.

The halfway boat enhances the contrast between ‘lowland’ to ‘highland’ holes.

Cameron House is a 5 star resort, less than an hours drive from central Glasgow. However, a word of warning. This is not Gleneagles, so be prepared for the swimming pool filled with screaming children, plus the only quiet restaurant may be the fine dining one!

The Carrick’s ‘lowland’ could be called Wetlands, on display at the par 3 2nd

The Carrick is really 2 courses; the front 8 “Lowland” holes are flat parkland weaving around a pond which is in play on several holes, the 10 “Highland” holes could then be a homage to James Braid’s “East Ren“, an undulating piece of ground, with views of Loch Lomond.

The 8th, ‘Glen Fruin’, is a monstrous par 5, and the toughest hole on the outward nine.

The course had several mediocre holes, but complimented by a few brilliant ones, none less than the stroke index one 11th, played uphill – the mixture of fairway and greenside bunkering is superb, testimony to Carrick’s design experience. The conditioning was a touch tired in places, albeit the recent wet weather probably played a part. Nonetheless the bunkers were well presented.

The SI one 11th played “into the glen” needs three good shots to give a chance of par.

Combined with the scenery, this could be spectacular on a late summer day with the hills in bloom. One thing worth mentioning was the proximity to the A82 west highland arterial route so road noise will be a factor in the height of summer.

The ‘Signature” ‘Tappit Doon’ par three 14th, a 2 to 3 club drop.

In the very strong winds, gusting at 40mph, I played one of my rounds of the year to score 95. My par on the long par 4 third hole being the highlight.

Shades of ‘East Ren’ abound (here at the 13th) on the Highland part of The Carrick.

I paid £54.99 through GolfNow to play on a windswept day with the ground pretty saturated in places. The course was fully in play. It still represented decent value as this is an interesting course with great variety and picturesque surroundings. The Summer price of well over £100 is a little steep in my opinion.

My recommendation would be to seek out a twighlight or a Golfnow “Hot deal”, if you get one go and play this “tale of two halves” course.

Cameron House Apartments overlook the 17th green, a 400 yard par 4.

Facts:

Round List Price £120. Actual Paid £55 through Golfnow.

Course/Slope Rating (gold) 70.3/122.

Course Type: Parkland & Heathland

Par 71  (4 par 5s, 9 par 4s, 5 par 3s)

Distance (yellow): 6265 yards

Moly’s 95 was actually a good round in 40+mph winds on a wet course