Montrose Golf Course in Angus
The opinion of those who have played at the Montrose Golf Course in Angus, Scotland is that it is unfortunately overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, Carnoustie. The Montrose Medal course is a natural links course that extends to 6506 yards and is a par 71 18-hole course. It ranks among the ten oldest golf clubs and courses in the world, the exact rank being in a bit of debate, depending on what is acknowledged as the date of formation of its golf association. One thing which makes the course unique is that at one time it had 25 holes! Although they were not played on regularly, they all came into play during a unique event in 1866.
The formal Montrose Golf Club was established in1810. It was awarded the title Royal in 1845 when His Royal Highness, Prince Albert, became the Club’s Patron and its name was changed to the Montrose Royal Albert Golf Club. Today, it is second oldest existing royal club in the world and its present Patron is His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew, and Duke of York.
In February 1986 The Montrose Royal Albert Golf Club merged with the Montrose Victoria Golf Club, founded in 1864, to form the Royal Montrose Golf Club. In June that year the North Links Ladies Golf Club established in 1927 merged with the Royal Montrose Golf Club. Even after three clubs were merged, the course is shared by three clubs, The Royal Montrose Golf Club, Mercantile Golf Club and the Caledonia Golf Club. The course was run by a Links Trust till 2004 when the Montrose Golf Links Limited took charge.
The typical Scottish Links boasts of springy turf and challenging dunes and gorse. The layout is a unique T shape with the first nine holes, played along the shore of the North Sea, having some impressive dunes. The 10th to 13th turn inland and one has to negotiate through some heavy gorse. It then turns towards the sea again and home. The 17th is a world class par three followed by a short par four to finish a round of most enjoyable golf. Montrose Links was a Final Qualifying Course for the Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1999 and again in 2007.
