Fairway To Heaven

Play golf in the historic heartland of the game.

The Carnoustie Country courses in Angus and round about offer links, heathland and parkland courses and provide many different challenges to the visiting golfer.oustie Country

Choose from no fewer than 22 superb tests of golf, including 6 Open Qualifiers and the peerless Carnoustie Championship Links itself. Here is a selection of some of the courses you could be playing, around Angus.

 

Day 1 - Monifieth

Arrive in Monifieth in time for a bite of lunch - check into your preferred accommodation in Monifieth or surrounding area, and pursue a bit of sustenance.

• Search for listings in and around Monifieth

 

Recommended:

• www.forbesofkingennie.com

 

For non-golfing family/friends:

• The House Of Memories provides a glimpse into Monifieth's past. Come and see what it was like to live and work in this burgh.
  55 High Street, Monifieth, DD5 4AA.
  
• Carlungie Earth House gives us a glimpse of the lives of our ancient Angus ancestors. Situated 2.5 miles (4 km) northeast of Monifieth, the Carlungie Earth House is a complex series of underground structures that date from the Iron Age. Stretching for 150ft (45.5m) in length, it has been uncovered, and is under the stewardship of Historic Scotland.
  
• Monikie Country Park is near the village of Monikie to the north of Monifieth in Angus. Occupying an area of 56.7 ha (140 acres) of open water that was formerly a reservoir, it also incorporates wildflower banks and woodlands. Its Island Pond is an important breeding site for Great Crested Grebes and rare wading birds canbe spotted on the Denfind Bird Sanctuary. Fly fishing is available and the Rangers Service operates watersports courses.
  Monikie, DD5 3QN, Tel: 01382 370202

 

To the course:

Monifieth Medal

Monifieth's Medal Course is a qualifying venue when The Open Championship is held at nearby Carnoustie. The course is a combination of parkland and links, undulating ground flanked on many holes by rows of pine trees. Deep revetted bunkers are another feature.

The main East Coast railway passes close to the opening holes and balls that cross the fence are never to be retrieved. Two good challenges come at the 4th, a long par four with a prominent mound defending the right of the green, followed by a nerve-rattling par three at the 5th with the intimidating railway line to the right.

The 6th is the course's signature hole with a snaking burn to be carried off the tee usually into the wind. Generally, Monifieth's Medal Course is an excellent test especially during the summer months when its links-like nature comes fore. During the Open qualifying rounds much praise was given to the course's condition and overall challenge

Address	Medal Starter's Box, Princes Street, Monifieth, DD5 4AW
Email	monifiethgolf@freeuk.com
Telephone	01382 532767
Fax	01382 535553
Website	www.monifiethgolf.co.uk
How to Get There	From High Street, Monifieth turn at sign for Panmure Hotel

Day 2 - Edzell

On the A90 northward, turn off for Brechin, and follow signs for Edzell. Arrive in Edzell mid-morning, and brief the non-golfers as to the delights of the town.

For non-golfing family/friends:

• Edzell is a pretty Victorian village on the doorstep of the Glens, where red sandstone cottages and villas line the wide main street, approached through an archway. A large leisure/sports park, with parking areas, attractive landscaping and exercise facilities graces the North end of the town.
  
• The Blue Door Walk leads from a door in the wall to the North of the bridge over the North Esk as you leave Edzell heading for Fettercairn. The walk meanders along the tree-lined bank of the river North Esk from the roadside at the foot of Glen Esk, to the Rocks of Solitude. Care should be exercised alongside the river where there is some steep terrain, with sharp inclines and drops to the river below.
  
• Beautiful ruined Edzell Castle and its various ghostly residents, make a great visit. Don't miss the unique decorated walled garden.
  
  http://www.angusahead.com/VisitAngus/SightsLeisure/Castles.asp
  
  
• Search for listings in Edzell

Recommended:

• The Retreat, Glen Esk
• The Panmure Arms Hotel, Edzell

 

To the course:

Edzell

Edzell Golf Club is at the foothills of the Angus Glens and is easily accessible within an hour's drive from Monifieth or Montrose. The course plays over a varying parkland/heathland terrain with many mature trees lining the fairways. The opening hole ascends to a raised green and is not significant, but the 2nd is unusual in that it presents one of the course's most demanding par fours. At 446 yards, a long, straight drive is necessary to glimpse the flag with the green tucked out of sight in a hollow.

The outstanding hole of the back nine is the 14th hole known as Majuba. This is a steep uphill par three, heavily guarded with forward bunkers and out of bounds to the rear and to the right.

Edzell is renowned for the quality of turf on its fairways and greens but it is the serenity and tremendous views north to the Grampian Hills that make it such a memorable escape.

 

 

Address	High Street, Edzell, Angus, DD9 7TF
Email	secretary@edzellgolfclub.demon.co.uk
Telephone	01356 648462
Fax	01356 648094
Website	www.edzellgolfclub.net
How to Get There	On A90 between Dundee & Aberdeen, Take B966 North of Brechin

Day 3 - Montrose

Travel to Montrose on the A92 from the north or south, on the A935 from Brechin or the B9113 and A934 from Forfar. Arrive in Montrose mid-morning, and make sure the non-golfers know about the wealth of things to do:

For non-golfing family/friends:

• The Seafront Splash and adventure playground by the long sandy beach offer an opportunity for young visitors to stretch, swing and whoop to their hearts content.
  
• The delightful Victorian Montrose Museum tells the story of Montrose and its prosperous maritime trading history, and has a collection of intriguing artefacts and some vivid interpretation.
  
• Visit the historic aviation museum at Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre for tales of daring, courage and sacrifice by the young pilots of two World Wars, and the impact their lives (and deaths) had on Montrose.
  
• The William Lamb Memorial Studio is a gem tucked away in the closes of the town, and is a beautifully preserved working sculptor's studio, with an excellent collection of this significant artist's work. Follow the Sculpture Trail around the town, to see further examples of his work, and some fine Victorian statuary.
  
• Montrose Basin Wildlife Centre is on Rossie Braes just south of Montrose on the A92, perched above the tidal Basin area, and provides a fascinating insight into the wildlife of the area.
  
• In town, the Royal Burgh's High Street has a plethora of shops and services, with plenty to keep the visitor occupied.
  
• Search for listings in Montrose
  

Lunch:

• The Koffiehuis at the Links Hotel
• Pucci's
• Roo's Leap

 

To the course:

Montrose Medal

'A magnificent stretch of marvellously natural ground, which depicts how the game was born' was how Ben Crenshaw described the Montrose Medal, the fifth oldest golf course in the world. If you are looking for classic Scottish links courses to play, this is a must.

Montrose Medal is a traditional links layout requiring good shot-making skills, particularly in the sea breezes, which can alter the character of the course on a daily basis. The 16th is one of the finest par threes in Scotland, particularly admired by Ben Crenshaw. At 233 yards, it is a wood for all but the longest hitters and, should you reach it in one, the contours of the green will make you work hard to make a three.

The 17th looks easy enough from the tee with no bunkers in evidence but requires two excellent shots to cover the distance and surmount the typical crosswind. The green is cut into a gorse bank on the left.

Address	Traill Drive, Montrose, Angus, DD10 8SW
Email	secretary@montroselinks.co.uk
Telephone	01674 672932
Fax	01674 671800
Website	www.montroselinks.co.uk
How to Get There	30 Miles from Dundee & 40 Miles from Aberdeen on A935

 

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