Prestwick shows that it is unique from the very first hole. A par four that runs adjacent to the railway line. Anything right is OOB.
The fairway narrows diagonally at the 170 metre mark from the tee, meaning your first shot of the day is a 5 or 6 iron, to a very undulating fairway.
The par five 3rd is one of the reasons I love this place so much. One of the original holes, it is a hole that would never get built today, and is a genuine 3 shot par five, but not as we are used to.
Keeping away from the Pow Burn on the right, a 3 iron from the tee leaves you short of the a hidden bunker and massive "cardinal" bunker here. A 6 iron for your second gets past the sleeper wall, leaving a wedge from a very undulating fairway for your third. Definitely not driver, 3 wood, pitch.
The par four 4th requires a tee shot to be kept left and away from the water on the right, with anything creeping down the right a strong chance of running into the Pow Burn.
The par three 5th hole, Himalayas, is blind. A shot of 175 yards over a large embankment to a green with 6 bunkers. Another signature hole, and also one that would not be built today.
A view looking back down the 7th hole.
The original layout here was only 12 holes. The 10th hole shown here (complete with Ryanair jet) is on the newer north section of the property, after it was extended to 18 holes in 1882. The original 12 holes were re routed, with the current course utilising 6 of the original greens (2, 3, 13, 15, 16, 17) and 3 of the original holes (3, 13, 17).
The green of the par three 11th hole.
Looking into Prestwick town from the tee of the par four 12th.
Jenny Lucas teeing off from the par four 13th hole. The 13th was the 5th hole in the original 1851 layout.
Pam MacKenzie also playing down the 13th hole.
The approach into the par four 14th hole.
This is the approach to the par four 16th. This was originally the approach to the par five 1st hole.
This is a shot of the "Sahara" bunker, This lies in front of the 17th green (originally the 2nd hole). The approach up this hole called "alps", is blind, therefore so is this massive bunker. The caddies generally do not mention the bunker, and like to see the look on the players faces when they get to the top of the rise and see what lies in front of them!
A side view of this approach.
From the tee of the 18th hole, heading home.
Another special thing about Prestwick is the opportunity to have lunch in the members' dining room. This requires a change into jacket and tie.
Current club professional (there have only been 7 in Prestwick's history), David Fleming, explained a bit of Prestwick history, and about the history of the Open Championship.
The girls dominated today with plenty of high scores. Robyn Hanson came out on top with a fine 42 points,
The men's event was a bit closer, with Rob Acquroff and Reg Hanson tied on 36 points. In keeping with the feel of the day, the winner was decided by playoff. An Open Championship inspired 4 hole putting competition, dressed in suit and tie. Matching left and right handed putters were provided by David Fleming, and after a few very average Ivor Robson impersonations we were away.
Each competitor recorded a 3 putt, and we were still tied after the 4 holes. It then came down to sudden death, A nearest the hole putt form one side of the green to the other. It was Rob Acquroff who fared best, claiming the Prestwick title.
Congratulations to you both for the good humour.
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