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It is quite remarkable how many of Scotland's most enjoyable links courses reflect the hand of James Braid. Fortrose and Rosemarkie is one of the less well known in his portfolio but it is one of the most charming and enjoyable to play.
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James Braid's challenge
Fortrose lies out on the Chanonry Point, a thin strip of links land twelve miles or so north-east of Inverness jutting out into Rosemarkie Bay and guarding the entrance to the Moray Firth.
The club was founded in 1888 but it took all of James Braid's ingenuity in the 1930's to design a full fledged eighteen-hole course on this sliver of links land.
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A wee gem
Fortrose and Rosemarkie is a tough golf course with a unique character. It is surrounded on three sides by beach and water. The course only measures 5890 yards, but what it lacks in distance is more than made up for by the small, deceptive, greens, tight fairways and strategically placed bunkers throughout the course.
The first eight holes of this links course are directly along the seashore. The 4th hole is considered to be the signature hole of the course. It measures 455 yards and does not, on first sight, appear to be worthy of a par 5 rating. But taking the wind factor into consideration, this hole is considered to be one of the most challenging in the North of Scotland. |
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Putting on a show
Modern-day golf writers enthuse over the course layout and condition, with accolades such as 'a gem of a course by the sea' - 'the smallest but perhaps the brightest jewel in the Highlands' golfing crown' - 'one of the most pleasant rounds of golf in the north' - 'a unique course with a special character to be found nowhere else'.
The Moray Firth is well known for the blue-nosed Dolphins that reside here, and one of the best viewing points is around the lighthouse on the 4th. The locals say that they often put on a special performance just for the visiting golfers!
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Course details: 5890 yards, S.S.S. 71
Address: Ness Road East, Fortrose, Scotland IV10 8SE
Nearby courses: Nairn, Nairn Dunbar, Tain, Royal Dornoch
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