Turnberry Kintyre Golf Course

The Turnberry Kintyre Golf Course is the perfect complement and companion to the Ailsa Course at Turnberry. It has been rebuilt twice and commands one of the most spectacular views. The original Arran course was laid in 1909 and was severely damaged during the Second World War. It was rebuilt after the war by Philip Mackenzie who also redid the Ailsa Course. Turnberry Kintyre was recently remodeled and expanded from the Arran course by Donald Steel. It has 11 entirely new holes and now includes Bains Hill in its topography.

Kintyre reopened in 2001 and is today a Championship standard links course. The Final Qualifiers for the 2004 Open Championship at Royal Troon were played here. Kintyre will always be compared to its big brother, the outstanding course at Ailsa but it is a gem in its own right. Both courses have plenty to recommend themselves and as Kintyre matures over the years it will prove to be the perfect partner for Ailsa. The Westin Turnberry Hotel and Golf Resort is now all the more attractive with these two outstanding links courses.

Kintyre pitches and rolls along the amazing Ayrshire coastline and is an exhilarating course to play. Its excellent fairways and undulating greens are perfectly maintained. The uphill addition to the course of Bains Hill has brought in a further challenge and the unforgettable panorama offered during the latter holes can distract even the most dedicated golfer from his game. One can see the Arran Mountain, sparkling ocean and famous Turnberry Lighthouse from here.

The 6953 yards par 72 Kintyre course is expensive but offers plenty in return. The signature eighth hole is a short par four and calls for a drive from the elevated green towards the sea. This is followed by a blind second shot to the green hidden by a narrow ridge. Created in a rocky dell it seems to merge with the craggy beach and needs a delicate pitch. The par-five ninth hole along the shore is a cunning one followed by the highest point on the course, the tenth hole. The 18th is considered by many to be better than the closing hole at Ailsa!

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