News / Furture Developments

Alterations to the Course

It is quite obvious that with the work going on at the 1st [new bunkers] 2nd [new tee] 13th [demolishing the old water tank] 14th [new tee on the hill] 16th [extension of the tee] and the 18th [new tee and bunkers] that changes are taking place on the course. I am unaware how long since changes of any significance were made to the course, but I am fairly certain that it must be at least 70 years, ie James Braid in the 1930's. During that time, golf has evolved, whereas Murcar has not. Technology has improved to such an extent, that all golf courses have had to adapt and evolve to keep pace.

The Murcar Council are all unanimous in their opinion that the Murcar Links can not be left to fall any further behind and it is with that thought in mind that the current work is taking place. Initially Derek [Club Captain] Brian [Course Manager] Mike [Assistant Course Manager] Gary [Club Professional] and I undertook a course walk on the 23rd of August. We noted alterations that we thought it would take to improve and bring the course up to date. These were discussed at Council and it was agreed that in accordance with the Club Course Policy Document, that a qualified Golf Course Architect be consulted. It was decided to approach Graeme Webster, of Team Niblick Ltd. Graeme’s company are to be constructing the new driving range and Graeme himself is a past member of Murcar and two times Junior Club Champion and as such has a great affinity with the course.

On 18th October, Graeme joined Derek, Brian and I on a course walk, to discuss the changes noted on the walk undertaken on the 23rd August. Graeme agreed entirely with Council's thinking and reasons for change and at the end of the walk his ideas and thoughts were in very close harmony to ours. The proposed changes involve the construction of eight new tees and thirty-five new bunkers with the possibility of filling in two. The reasoning behind the new tees is to increase the length of the full course by approximately 200 to 250 yards, thus bringing the total length up to a minimum of 6,500 yards. This by present day standards is not long and is still very much within the range of the ‘ordinary’ member. There will be an extensive gorse removal and management programme to compliment the new tees, create new landing areas and give a clear uninterrupted view to the fairways. The new tees will be used in tandem with the present medal tees and also for Inter Club matches [Pennant etc] Order Of Merit Medals, the Club Championship Competitions and any official SGU and PGA tournaments that we are hopeful of hosting in the future.

Many of the present bunkers on the course no longer come into play, especially for the longer hitters and it was felt that the course needed improved in that area to tighten it up and to ask for a bit more thought off the tees rather than just reaching for the driver and letting ‘rip’ [pleasant as it is]. All good courses are set up in such a way that what ever tee you play from, blue, white, red or yellow, a bunker or some other hazard comes into the equation when deciding how to play the hole. This was the area of course change that Graeme thought would benefit Murcar and its members most without resorting to merely length alone. Brian and his staff are them selves excited and enthusiastic about the changes. The maintenance and upkeep has been discussed and he is confident that it is within the capabilities of the current staff. We have added one staff member this year and have a schoolboy who has worked at Murcar during the summer lined up to start an apprenticeship next year.

The current Council comprises of a range of handicaps from sixteen down to three and as a result the views of all standards were taken into consideration when discussing the changes. I would hope that all members view the changes in a positive light. Many members have already expressed enthusiasm for the changes, however, a few have had some doubts. To those latter members, I would ask you to ‘come with us’ and support the changes. As always – I am open to comments or suggestions.

Campbell Adie

Courses Convenor.