Ailsa Course

Founded: 1903

Designer: Willie Fernie

Turnberry

Holes:
6,976 yards
Par:

The youngest of Scotland's Open Championship venues but by no means overshadowed by its rivals. The first 13 holes were laid out by Willie Fernie in 1903 and three years later it was the first hotel and golf complex in the world with the wealthy travelling down by train from Glasgow to visit. It staged its first Open in 1977. Locals have a saying that if you can't see Ailsa Craig, the 1,208-foot high granite rock off the Ayrshire coast, it's raining; if you can, it's about to rain. They do a disservice to an area of Scotland that is home to a glorious course, which is amongst the best. Often when the rest of Britain is shivering in a freezing winter, the sun is shining on Turnberry and the temperature mild.