Gleneagles Mixed Pairs

For our final Summer UK event of the year, where else could we finish but the No.1 ranked golf resort in Great Britain & Ireland, The Gleneagles Hotel. Set amidst 850 acres of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery surrounded by mature Perthshire countryside, it is one of the most famous luxury resorts in the world.

Day 1 The Queen’s Course

The rain that was forecast gladly did not materialise as the group began play on the Queen’s Course. The beautiful layout is quite short by modern standards, but many experts believe this to be the best course under 6000 yards in the British Isles. Scoring was proving tricky, and it wasn’t until mid-way through the field when the Goodwood duo of John & Alison Moss returned that the magic “40” mark was broken, after they signed for a fabulous 42pts.

It proved to be the top score of the day with the closest pursuers, Graham & Cath Emery from Brampton Park, shooting a very solid 39pts and just 1 point behind them the King’s Lynn pairing of Vince Hooker & Angela Mander.

Our group dinner in the evening was held in the stunning “Strathearn” restaurant of the Gleneagles Hotel. 

Day 2 The King’s Course

Today it would be the turn of the King’s course. A sterner test than its sister The Queen’s, with many changes in elevation and a few “blind” shots to confront. Only a couple of weeks earlier it had been the venue for The British Seniors Open Championship with Darren Clarke taking the title.

The overnight rain had made for soft conditions as the group began their day. The first pairing to return, Graham & Cath, had continued their fine play of the day before and added a second round score of 37pts, giving them a total of 76pts. With an overnight lead of 3 points, all eyes were on John & Alison to see what they could produce. They did not disappoint, firing a solid 38pts around the championship layout amassing 80pts for their two days’ work. 

Surely, there was no one left now to catch them? But late in the day and from nowhere, Paul & Maria Baker from Kendal produced the round of the event. They had skipped around the King’s to card a brilliant 44pts and finish just shy of the winning total.

Congratulations to John & Alison who had arrived at the resort several days early. The extra practice had obviously paid off!

Our thanks to all the staff at the hotel and the pro-shop team at the clubhouse. This is one truly awesome venue and justifies its place at the top of the rankings.