royal dornoch brochure
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GOLF SINCE 1616
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Scotland is the home of golf and Royal Dornoch is set in the Highlands of
Scotland, an area of unrivalled beauty. Against this backdrop, Dornoch hugs
the coast and the setting of the courses is wild, isolated and absolutely
beautiful. The pure white sandy beach divides our links courses from the
Dornoch Firth; a spellbinding sight to behold and be part of.
Nearly 400 years ago people started playing golf on these links. The Club,
formed in 1877, was granted Royal Status in 1906 and a Royal title means
exceptional standards and expectations. Not surprisingly golfers from all over
the world make the pilgrimage to this natural links at some point in their lives
and we would like to invite you to become part of this heritage.
From the moment you contact us till we say
“haste ye back” at the end of your visit, you
will be our personal guest and it will be our
pleasure to ensure you have an unrivalled
‘Royal Dornoch Experience’
WelcomeIt’s wild, isolated and at th e same tim e absolutely
beautiful; th ere’s th e blaze of colours in early summer
wh en th e whin is in flower; th e pure white sandy beach
divides th e links from th e Dornoch Firth and it all
feels very humbling.
A warm
awaits
Image on front page:Royal Dornoch Championship Course, 16th Hole
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The spectacular panoramic views of the Dornoch Firth and the Sutherland and
Ross-shire hills provide the backdrop for Royal Dornoch’s location.
The curving bay of the Dornoch Firth and its magnificent white broad beaches,
are backed by a narrow strip of softly contoured dune land rising in two
distinctive levels, providing just enough room for parallel fairways. The ridges,
hillocks, dunes and undulating links land have all the characteristics of the best
of links courses, and most of the difficulties.
Old Tom Morris was the architect responsible for extending the original 9 holes
layout to 18 holes in 1886. He introduced the plateau greens which are the soul of
the course, their uniqueness lying in their size and their inverted saucer shapes.
The par of 70 is evenly distributed over the
two halves, each having two par threes, a par
five and six par fours. If the wind blows, the
course will demand more from the player
especially the finishing hole where a par can be
considered as good as a birdie.
The first eight holes follow the ridge and the
remaining ten holes, played in the opposite
direction, are bounded on the left by the sandy
beaches of the firth, with the exception of the
17th and 18th.
Royal DornochChampionship In th e early 20th Century, a number of Scottish
golfers emigrated to th e United States of America to
become professionals at th e many clubs that were
appearing th ere. Among th ese were several from Dornoch.
Course
Royal Dornoch Championship course is
as wild and natural a links as you can
play. Every hole is unique, every tee shot
a decision contributing to a true links
experience on the 6700-yard 18-hole par
70 links course.
On the first tee you realise something
magical awaits you. The course is a
classic out and back links following an
“S” shape, letting you see the hazards
that lie before you, with the tantalizing
flags of the holes flapping in the breeze.
Painstaking design and care is placed on
maintaining the course ensuring the
rolling fairways lead on to undulating
plateau or inverted saucer greens. The
Championship course takes full
advantage of the gorse covered hillside
and white sands of the Dornoch Firth,
testing the best of golfers, with every
round offering a challenge.
You might need to play it twice, 4 hours
is not enough to fully enjoy the golf and
the views.
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DornochRoyal
Royal Dornoch Struie interprets th e incredible natural
landscape that defines golf in Dornoch and th e
tranquillity of this unspoilt scenery.
Struie
The present layout of the Struie Course has evolved over many decades from
the original course laid out in 1899 probably by the then Secretary of the
Club John Sutherland. The course was extended from 12 holes to a full 18 holes
in 1906.
During the years of the Great War a reduction in greenstaff, down to one
greenkeeper, resulted in the course being turned over to pasture for grazing
animals. In 1923 the course was lengthened and play resumed over the lower
links until in 1939 when the Government compulsorily acquired the links and
constructed two runways for the RAF. After the War, a course was laid out
reclaiming several of the holes which had survived resulting in a nine hole
course.
Through the 1990s nearly a full century from
when the course was originally laid out, course
architect Donald Steel’s suggestions for the
construction of new holes on the Struie were
accepted and implemented. In 2003 five new
holes were brought into play, the new holes
being designed by Robert Hiesman and
constructed on land West of the town along
the shores of the Dornoch Firth.
Course
Royal Dornoch Struie Course is a
beautiful course which incorporates the
existing landscape, creating a truly
natural golfing experience.
The first hole is one of the most
pleasurable tee shots on the course,
playing out towards Struie and the hills
in the far distance. Royal Dornoch
Struie lets you work on all your golf
shots, with contrasting holes, the presence
of mounds and undulations on several of
the fairways, the natural snaking of the
Struie Burn as it winds its way across
the course and the unusual presence of
trees offering opportunities of challenge
and shots of sheer delight.
The same care and attention to detail, as
the Championship course, is taken on
meticulously maintaining and ensuring
that all the greens remain in prime
condition, all the bunkers are well-
defined and the rough is all that you
expect from a Scottish links.
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Before and after a round, what better way to be part of our 400 hundred year
tradition than to join members and guests in our restaurant with stunning
views across the first tee to the firth and beyond. Whatever your needs – light
snacks or fine dining, it is our pleasure to serve you and what better way to
share your golfing stories!
Inspired by the local produce our Award Winning Executive Chef and his team
create food which is full of imagination and flavour.
Our menu is freshly prepared in house and we provide all day dining; from that
bacon roll that sets you up for the first tee shot to the Loin of Venison with
Brandied Cherries, Walnuts & Thyme which rounds off a perfect day (and can
of course be accompanied by fine wines and malt whiskies).
A sample from ourEvening Menu
Here in th e Highlands we are fortunate in that our
local produce is top quality, is much sought after and
exported around th e world. Th e vast majority of our
dish es are locally sourced and all our menu items are
fresh ly prepared.
Dining
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Pro ShopAs you would expect, th e Pro Shop at Royal Dornoch is
a hub of activity with golfers and shoppers all year
long. Our Head PGA Professional since 1998, Andrew
Skinner, is following in th e family business as his
fath er Willie was in charge for 25 years.
The
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You start your visit to Royal Dornoch with a warm welcome in the Pro Shop, a
true mixture of traditional and modern, where you can talk to staff about the
course, the weather or your round and look at the range of merchandise which
might just shave off that extra shot.
Our Head PGA Professional Andrew Skinner, followed his father Willie into
the business and is only the 9th professional since our first in 1893. Should you
feel the need to brush up on your technique, Andrew or his assistant Gary, will
be happy to give you a lesson which is guaranteed (almost!) to make your next
game on the links your best ever.
As well as a large selection of equipment, it is
the only place you can purchase exclusive Royal
Dornoch branded goods, allowing you to take
home that souvenir which shows you have
become part of the Royal Dornoch tradition.
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Royal Dornoch is more than two golf courses.
It is th e people, th e place and th e venue which we
love to share with everyone. We take great pleasure in
looking after our guests.
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FacilitiesClub
Golf and Dornoch is a long term love affair that continues to thrive. As part of
the town’s heritage and culture, Royal Dornoch Golf Club is as important
today as ever. The Club House is often host to community events and welcomes
golfing guests to enjoy the full facilities when they come to play.
Our stunning Halfway House is situated behind the ninth green, with views of
the Royal Dornoch Championship Course and the Dornoch Firth; it provides an
opportunity to value the setting and the natural beauty of the traditional links
course. A welcome stop along your round, it is an ideal place to take a breather
to appreciate your first 9 holes and take a moment to gather yourself for the
challenge of the back 9.
Back at the Clubhouse an opportunity to
change, make use of our drying room and a
warming drink in the bar, where enjoying the
panoramic views over the course, will make
your visit even more memorable.
Visiting Royal Dornoch is not about a round of
golf but, just having an opportunity to enjoy
all that the Club has to offer as well as taking
time to wander round our historic town.
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All our team are enthusiastic about golf and truly love
Royal Dornoch. Th ey look forward to welcoming you and
sharing th eir passion.
StaffOur
Our friendly staff are committed to providing guests with a genuine Royal
Dornoch Experience. It is our pleasure to work at Royal Dornoch, a unique Club in
a spectacular setting. We want our guests to feel that they are part of this, whether
it is for one day or as a returning visitor it will be our privilege to serve you.
From initial enquiry, the first round of golf, through welcoming you back year
after year, we love sharing our enthusiasm for the Club, the area, the sport and
your game. We work hard at making your visit as warm and as welcoming as
possible, even if it is blowing a gale on the course! We aim to provide
exceptional customer service, across every part of the Club, because we are
truly delighted to have you visit.
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Golf Road | Dornoch | Sutherland | IV25 3LW | Tel 01862 810219 | Fax 01862 810792Email: [email protected] | [email protected] | www.royaldornoch.com