Gleneagles Golf Course due for revamp

One of Scotland’s most prestigious golf courses is preparing for major upgrades this year. The King’s course in Gleneagles is one of the most highly regarded courses in Scotland, and is improving upon its original James Braid-design in preparation for the venue's 100th anniversary in 2019.

The course was first opened for play in 1919 and has been host to a great many events, including the WPGA Championship of Europe, Scottish Open and Curtis Cup. In 1921 it was the venue of the first informal Ryder’s Cup and professionals from the UK and US played the course for their first official match. The King’s course has also welcomed numerous stars over the years including; former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, Sir Sean Connery and the late Bob Hope.

The course is not just famous for its history however. The course is notable for its beautiful landscape which features springy moorland turf, the peaks of the Trossachs and Ben Vorlich visible on the western horizon, with diverse woodland surrounding the 18-hole course. It is one of the most popular golf courses in Scotland, both for its scenery and history - something the course owners are keen to preserve.

Owners of the course have made an effort not to tarnish the design of the course, which is regarded by many ‘to be a masterpiece of design’. Instead, planned new features will mainly target weather resistance and functionality. The latest bunker drainage and lining technologies will be installed, as well as an extensive aeration programme.

In regards to the design of the course, this will apparently involve reshaping bunkers, reinstating heather stands and widening the approaches to some of the greens. Gary Silcock, Gleneagles director of golf, claimed that this was just one aspect of a recent multi-million-pound investment in upgrading the course.

All of the changes look set to bring the course back in line with Braid’s original design, but with improvements that will update the experience and golfing in the venue, both as a spectator and a player. It will be exciting to see all of the improvements once the revamp is complete, and future golfers can look forward to another 100 years of golfing on the historic venue.