Gleneagles - PGA Centenary Course

Gleneagles, amongst all other things, is the home of the PGA in Scotland.  The course that hosted the Ryder Cup, and that we played today is called the PGA Centenary Course.  It was built on the site of the old Prince's and Glendevon Courses.

The first hole at the PGA is a par four, with plenty of long grass waiting to catch a shot that drifts right.

Still no sign of blue in the sky as we look back down the first hole.

The approach into the par five 2nd hole.

And a shot from behind the 2nd.  The PGA course opened in 1993 as the Monarch's course.  It was renamed in 2001 to mark the centenary of the PGA.  I still think that they missed an opportunity in not calling it Jack's course.  Not only was Jack Nicklaus the designer, but there would then be a Jack's, Queen's and King's course here.

After a long walk under a road and then uphill, you reach the par four 3rd.  A nice dogleg right hole.

The long par three 4th hole.  This hole can play up to 240 yards.

The 5th hole is a great, strong par four.  A very tight drive into a blind driving area, leaves a long shot over a pond short right of the green.

Looking back down the 5th fairway from behind the green.

We then head to the stunning par three 6th hole.  All carry across the pond, with a green that slopes off very steeply on the left.

The par four 7th hole is a slight dogleg right, with bunkers protecting the run out area through the dog leg.

Looking down to the fairway of the par four 8th, from the 7th green. Plenty of bunkers to avoid with your drive here.

As we passed the 2nd hole on our way to the 9th, Peter Lucas noticed a buggy rolling off the edge of the second green.  This photo shown the gentleman retrieving his bag from the lake in front of the 2nd green.  I know we shouldn't laugh, but it was pretty funny.

This is a shot down the par five 9th from the ruin behind the 2nd green.  During the Ryder Cup, this housed a Johnnie Walker bar.  The bar was constructed in, and around this listed ruin without disturbing it, and was a great spot to watch the action.

Another shot down the 9th.

Looking back to the scene of the "buggy incident" from the 9th.

Playing partners Peter Lucas, Jenny Lucas and Pam MacKenzie.  Jenny slipped on one of the wet slopes yesterday, and her subsequent sore back made her a doubtful starter for today.  Jenny did play however, and had to swing gently.  The gentle swing worked, and she scored 41 points!!  Maybe there is something in that for all of us.

Looking back down the 9th fairway.

The short par four 11th.

Behind the 11th green.

Looking down the hill on the par four 13th.  It started pouring with rain on this hole, and thought that there would be no further photos.  The rain only lasted for a couple of holes before easing to a few showers.

The approach into the par four 15th.  This was the hole that Jamie Donaldson sealed the Ryder Cup victory for the Europeans, after hitting his wedge to a foot.

Looking across the pond in front of the par five 16th hole.

No that is not a problem with the lens, it is actually steam coming out of the Sub-air system on the 16th green.  The subair system allows the removal of standing water very quickly.

Looking up the fairway of the par five 18th.

The approach into the 18th green.  Reg Hanson recorded a victory in the men's event today, and Jenny Brown claimed the ladies prize.

This marks the end of our tour.  It has been a wonderful 2 weeks, with great golf courses, great accommodation and more importantly great company.  Thanks to all participants for making it so enjoyable.

Gleneagles - King's Course

I know you are all going to be shocked, but the skies were grey, it was cold and there were showers today as we made our way onto the King's Course.

Widely regarded as the best of the 3 Gleneagles Courses, the King's, like the Queen's, was a James Braid creation, in 1919.  This is a shot of the par four opening hole.

From behind the 1st green, looking back down to the clubhouse, and I mean down.  The green is elevated some 20 feet above fairway level.

We immediately go back downhill at the par four 2nd.  The green is not visible from the tee.

On the tee on the par four 3rd hole.  The countryside here lends itself to a lot of undulations, which on many occasions leads to blind driving zones, and blind approach shots.  Braid seems to be quite fond of the blind driving zone.

This is the rise in elevation heading up to the 3rd green.  So on this hole we have both.  A blind driving zone, and then a blind shot into the green.  It is a little reminiscent of Prestwick with these features.

This is what you are greeted with as you appear over the hill.

Looking back down the fairway of the par four 4th hole

The par three 5th hole.  The par threes in particular feature these pushed up greens requiring an accurate approach.  Anything just off the edge either gets gobbled up by one of the deep bunkers, or kicks hard down the slope.

Another blind driving zone here on the dogleg left par four 7th hole.  There is plenty of room in the driving area, but does not look like it from the tee.

The view from the tee on the par three 8th hole.

The 8th green as you get closer.

Again the driving zone is not visible from the tee on the par four 9th.  There is quite a lot of room on the left that you cannot see from the tee.  Apart from the blind zones, one of the key features of the King's Course, is that it is an inward looking course.  What I mean by this is that the design and surroundings make you focus on the hole you are on, looking inward.

Michael Merrett chipping onto the front of the 9th green.  This inward feel to the course is the direct opposite to what you feel on the Queen's.  The Queen's is quite outward, you notice the surrounding countryside more, and are very aware of other holes and the views across to them.  It is a very interesting comparison.

The par four 10th hole.  The 10th runs along the border of the property, but even then does not make you feel the need to look outward.  It is very clever.

The 12th hole features another blind tee shot, to a relatively wide driving area. This is a view looking back over the green down the fairway.  It is the start of a very good stretch of holes.

The long par four 13th is a signature hole of the course.  The driving line is over the bunker, yet again blind, to where the fairway opens up.

Looking back down the fairway, over the 13th green.

The par four 14th is a brilliant short par four.  It played only 250 yards today.  Plenty of bunkers await an errant tee shot.

A closer view of the 14th green.

A look at some of those bunkers from behind the 14th green.

From the tee on the long par four 15th, you see plenty of grass bunkers.  The tee shot is again blind.  A strong drive is required.  It was a good Driver and five iron in here for me today.  A great hole, and a great stretch of holes.

The approach to the 15th green.  Oh and the green slopes hard from front to back as well!!

The short par three 16th hole.

From every other set of tees, the 18th plays as a par five.  But the tees we were on today meant it was long par 4.  The monument on the right (also known as a crail) was constructed for those who served in the first world war.  The 18th has the largest green on the course.  Oh by the way, the driving zone is blind.

Another playoff was required for the men's trophy today.  And again it involved Reg Hanson.  Unfortunately for Reg, he 3 putted three of the four playoff holes, allowing David Brown to cruise to victory.  Sharon Marks claimed the ladies prize in regular time.  Congratulations David and Sharon.

Today Peter Lucas decided that he would wear his Gleneagles staff shirt, and he was promptly presented an apron by Paula.  Peter could not be Jarrod (as he was working) so became David for the evening.

Tomorrow is the final day of the tour.  Wow that has gone fast.  We will be playing the PGA Centenary course, known to most as the Ryder Cup course.  Maybe some sunshine????  Not according to the forecast.