RYDER CUP SPIN-OFF COULD SEE MORE AMERICANS GOLFING IN HIGHLANDS

The iconic 1960s Golspie clubhouse below the Duke's monument on Ben Bhraggie

Picture by Robin Wilson

Brora and Golspie in Top 100 Best Value Golf 

Courses listed by National magazine

 By ROBIN WILSON

The months are counting down to one of the world's most spectacular sporting occasions, the Ryder Cup returning to the home of golf for the first time since Muirfield in 1973.

This year's venue, Gleneagles, from September 

26 to 28  is expected to bring a quarter of a million golfing visitors to Scotland.

First Minister Alex Salmond has said that the spin-off will benefit the whole of Scotland and golf clubs in the North will be looking to be among the beneficiaries if a recent poll by the National Club Golfer Magazine entices the supporting American visitors our way with what dollars they have left.

Scotland's Open Championship venues, St. Andrews, Carnoustie,  Muirfied and Royal Troon will be the “must play” choice of many but at what cost? 

All three are in the three-figure price range so National Club Golfer went searching for and rated  the best value golf courses in the UK having a visitor's green fee under £100 and found six in the Highlands including two in Sutherland, Brora and Golspie.

In the magazine's countdown to the national number one they rated North Berwick at a fee of £90 the best. They gave Golspie the position of number 6 at a green fee of £45, saying of it

“Beautifully presented and with as much variety as you could ever wish with the special feature of   

“a warm and genuine welcome as anywhere in the land”

Brora golf course is listed at No. 71 with its £48 green fee. 

“An achingly romantic place to be, especially during the endless summer days. The greens roped off to keep the sheep at bay, and the holes blending seamlessly into the landscape. This James Braid links is as natural as they come,” said the panel of adjudicators

Curtis Cup venue, The Nairn, and just under the £100 requisite at £95 gets the runner up place by the Magazine and voted in at number 49 is Lossiemouth's Moray Old. 

On the main artery into the North can be found the little gem of the Cairngorms, Boat of Garten, rated No. 34 at £41green fee  and number 60, Spey Valley at £60.  

.