Turnberry Golf Course - Open Championship Venues

For many attending the Turnberry Golf Club and Resort ranks higher than St Andrews amongst the best golfing venues in the world. In many ways it is the perfect British Open venue. The dramatic setting that greets players and spectators alike is nothing short of breathtaking, with the rocky outcrop known as Ailsa Craig sitting out in the Irish Sea dominating the view which is simply stunning. The club itself has two championship course's, the Ailsa course is the Open Championship course while the much younger par 70 Kintyre course is a serious test in itself. In addition to the Ailsa championship course, the club also accommodates the Colin Montgomerie Golfing Academy, with its 9 hole academy golf course. It has a Hotel with all facilities, Restaurants, swimming pools, horse riding, quad biking, there is even pro-active falconry for those with an interest.

The venue which has now been officially reinstated on the Open rotation programme will be eager to impress the many thousands who will make their annual pilgrimage to the worlds greatest gold tournament. All possible facilities will be laid on, including bookmakers facilities for those taking advantage of the Open golf odds and tips on their favourite players. For online punters there will be an excellent free bet offer during the entire championship

The famous Turnberry Golf Glub is the course that will host the Open Championship 2009. It was founded just after the war in 1946 and the Ailsa course was designed by one of the foremost golf course designers of that time, Mackenzie Ross. The course is named after the obvious landmark "Ailsa Craig". These famous links have so far hosted three British Opens. The Turnberry course is 6,976 yards long and plays to a par of 72 and is certainly one of the best manicured links course's in the world. The coastal stretch of the course that accommodates holes four through to eleven is set amongst the sand dunes and rocky crags and is one of the most dramatic sections. The ninth (known as Bruce's Castle) is Turnberry's signature hole, it is one of the most photographed holes in world golf. The remote tee is set on a high rocky outcrop jutting out over the sea. From the tee you drive across the corner of the bay on to a narrow fairway when the wind is gusting you will need to be at your very best to find the fairway. Our British Open golf tip will be a player that we believe can successfully negotiate this part of the course with consistency. A major landmark in this stretch is the Turnberry lighthouse that stands stoically looking out to the very often rough sea. The closing holes of the course whilst more inland are just as testy, holes fifteen to eighteen are a huge test and wil either make you or break you.

The famous 'duel in the sun' battle took place on this course in 1977 between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. Watson won by one stroke, but it was Hubert Green, who had finished third who made the best comment. He said that he had won the Open as Nicklaus and Watson were playing a different game. The two other winners at Turnberry were Greg Norman in 1986 and Nick Price in 1994.

For logistic reasons, Turnberry was removed from the Open rotation list after it last staged the Open in 1994, however with all problems solved the great course is back to stay.