royal dornoch brochure

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.


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.

11www.royaldornochproshop.co.uk

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.

royal dornoch brochure

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