TROON FULLARTON

Even the most experienced players find it hard to establish the right mindset for a tournament of this stature. So they welcome a chance to play the "warm-up" round at Troon Fullarton in the afternoon, the first of three sister courses all linked to the same clubhouse.

Situated only minutes away from the great championship links of Royal Troon, Troon Fullarton is the little sister to Darley and Lochgreen, but is in no way a lesser challenge or noteworthy of your undivided attention.

It may be short at 4,869 yards and with a par of 64, but it certainly has a bite to it at times and has unnerved many a talented player in its day, especially if the wind picks up. It provides endless enjoyment for golfers of more modest ability or golf societies looking for a testing morning warm-up round.
The course boasts narrow and undulating links-type fairways flanked by heather and gorse and the smaller greens are completely in keeping with exposed golf courses of this type.

Keep it straight and you do just fine. The longest hole is the 1st at 434 yards, of the others, there are six par three holes demanding great precision and accuracy.

The Fullarton is particularly enjoyed by ladies and many gentlemen who are proponents of the 'Short Game'. There is no doubt, that as a warm up course for its two neighbours, Fullarton lets you practice the shots you will need to return a good score on her big sisters.

A few signs of nerves were apparent on the first tee, but eventually the players settled down to duly complete their "practice" round. The general opinion was that this interesting links was indeed deceptively challenging.

Too early to judge form yet, but there was much debate in the clubhouse afterwards about who would be in the running for the big prize. The absence of our social secretary and erstwhile bookmaker, Mr Jennings, meant that all bets were off....for the moment.