29 Ballybunion (Old) County Kerry, Ireland Lionel Hewson, Fred Smith, Tom Simpson, 1906 The original layout of the links is thought to have been undertaken by officers of The Black Watch Regiment in 1893, but Lionel Hewson in 1906, Fred Smith in 1926 and Tom Simpson in 1936 all made significant contributions. Mike Hurdzan says: “Golf as it was meant to be played among giant dunes, with shifting winds and great elevations.” Joe Jemsek adds: “It’s been nearly 20 years since I played Ballybunion. It was my first experience of links golf and was akin to playing on the moon for someone who grew up in the middle of the US.” Turnberry (Ailsa) Ayrshire, Scotland Philip Mackenzie Ross, 1951 Where many courses on the Open Championship do not even offer a glimpse of the sea, Turnberry’s dramatic coastline, from beach to cliffside, sets it apart. Formal golf on this site began in 1906 with a design by Willie Fernie of Troon, but the land was required for both the First and Second World Wars, after which Mackenzie Ross created the current layout. Muirfield East Lothian, Scotland Tom Morris, Harry Colt, 1891 Tom Morris laid out the first 16 holes in 1891 and added two more for the following year’s Open. In 1923, with more land acquired, Harry Colt was consulted and his recommendations defined the current course. Dr Arthur Spring says: “Each and every hole is a strong one. I rate golf holes on the overall layout, the changes of direction and the avoidance of visual and auditory interference on each hole in normal playing conditions. Muirfield ticks all the boxes in every regard.” 16-11 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #13 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #12 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #11 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #12 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #13 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #11 Photo: Mark Alexander Photo: Mark Alexander Photo: Aidan Bradley
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