The Kintyre Course - Turnberry Hotel, Scotland
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  • Turnberry now has a second course to match the Ailsa
  • A prestigious commission from Starwood Hotel
  
Another exciting chapter was added to Turnberry's fairy story with a major redesign of the Arran. Changes were so extensive, in fact, that the course was renamed The Kintyre. For years, the Arran had been the close neighbour of the Ailsa, host of three Open championships. Not surprisingly, it suffered by comparison although it was a stout test of golf.


The 9th Green

It occupied flatter, more sheltered land. Away from the exposed reaches of the shore, it threaded its path largely through avenues of gorse. It was the intention of Turnberry's new owners, Starwood Hotels, to give it more of the spectacular look of the Ailsa. As a result, they sought proposals from five golf course architects including Greg Norman, Tom Watson, Gary Player and Colin Montgomerie to initiate a transformation before commissioning Donald Steel to implement theirs.
The key element in the puzzle was the inclusion of Bain's Hill, an elevated stretch of shoreline, bought by the previous owners, that outshines even the best of Ailsa. It gave rise to four holes, the 8th to the 11th, that will become as much photographed as any in the world of golf. An intriguing short par 4, the 8th, has a green in a rocky dell beside the shore. The par 5 9th borders the length of coast against a background of lighthouse and Ailsa Craig. The 10th is a challenging par 4 along the highest ground of all while the 11th offers an inviting drive and second shot with the thrill of the sea beyond.

The 18th plays right at the clubhouse

Altogether, there are seven new holes in the central section that give the course a fresh identity but the contrast of the start and finish lend a new balance that is quite stunning. Only two or three of the original holes remain absolutely untouched but work included construction of new greens, revetting of bunkers, vast areas of turfing, excavation of a new burn across the 1st fairway and the spreading of topsoil on old runway strips that were broken up. The material came from the enlargement of the lake,close to the field where topsoil was taken to rebuild the Ailsa after World War II.

Also included in the original proposal was the design of extensive practice facilities and academy that were officially opened in July 2000. Work on the course changes started in November 1999 and, in spite of a wet winter, was completed by May 2000. By then, some of the new, turfed greens were in play but the opening of the entire new course took place in the summer of 2001.


The stunning 8th green