Info about Resorts
Duke's Course
Set in the lovely rolling hills of Creighton Park, high above the ocean town of St. Andrew, is the type of Scotland golf course one would imagine the birthplace of golf to boast. Duke's course is another 'feather in the cap' of the world's most famous golf town.
The Duke's course is fairly new, being built in 1996 and quite a ways off the coastline. It is different in many ways from the historic St. Andrews courses, several have buggies available for hire, but the inland soil of Duke's is to soggy for that, much to the dismay of many locals. As of 2005 it was American owned.
In America he is known as being the heir of the Kohler plumbing empire of Wisconsin and also founded The Whistling Straits on Lake Michigan turning it into a five star resort and one of the foremost major championship venues in American, Herb Kohler broadened his horizons by buying the Old Course Hotel. But because the Old course would not guarantee tee times for hotel guests, Kohler bought the Duke course instead.
Duke's Course did not match Kohler's high standards. Kohler's four Wisconsin courses are world-class with three ranked in America's top 50 golf courses. Kohler was certain the Duke's Course had great potential and could be much better with some work.
The architect Tim Liddy, who had worked under the designer of Whistling Straits was brought to Duke's Course. The 116 bunkers were rebuilt to give a modern flared-out style. The final four holes were redone to give the finish more dazzling look.
Plenty of length was added making the championship tees a whopping 7512 yards. With a nice Scottish wind and it could be a long round. There are shorter sets for those who want to take it easy.
There are traditional aspects in the Duke's course such as a burn and rock wall. The course is set in lovely Scottish countryside where you can see barns and hear sheep cries in the distance.
Because of the stiff competition of St. Andrews it is not likely that Duke's Course will ever gain much international attention. If it was in any other location though, it would be sure to be ranked in the areas best. Duke's Course is upscale and modern and caters to the style of North Americans.