Looking good for Curtis Cup at Nairn

Following an enthralling team trial for this year’s Curtis Cup, the GB & I team has praised the host venue – Nairn GC in the Scottish Highlands – for its preparations ahead of the eagerly awaited international match.

With less than 70 days before the 37th staging of the Curtis Cup between June 8-10, the final stages of a three-year improvement programme were in place for the three-day trial at Nairn. 

Indeed, the team trial was the first opportunity for many players to experience the renowned links after the completion of the course improvements.

TG played the course soon after the trial and can confirm it was in excellent general shape and condition for so early in the season.

 “It was a wonderful weekend with all the players showing off their formidable skills,” said Andy Burgess, the club’s marketing convenor.

“We started preparing for the Curtis Cup over three years ago. Since then a lot of work has been done on the course including the revetting of 60% of the bunkers. This was the first time a lot of the players had seen the course with these improvements, and without exception the feedback has been very positive.”

As it turned out, the weekend proved to be the perfect testing-ground for both golfers and the eight-man greenkeeping team at the famous host venue.

“The feedback we received has been tremendous which is a great accolade for our green-keeping team which worked tirelessly to get the work done in time,” noted Burgess.

“Not only that, but the greenkeeping team was able to prepare the course as closely as possible to the tournament conditions we will have in June. Of course this is weather dependant, but hopefully without too much rain we will have a testing links course to decide the Curtis Cup.”

Famed for its smooth-running greens, Nairn has drawn praise from the world’s best players with former Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie describing it as “one of the best links courses in our great country”, while World Number One Luke Donald said: “I have always considered it a great test of links golf and one of Scotland’s best courses”.

Shortly after the trial, the GB & I team was announced with praise coming from both the LGU and the players about the course. “The course was in magnificent order over the weekend and all the players appreciated the chance to familiarise themselves with the famously testing greens, tight fairways and punishing hazards,” said the LGU’s CEO Shona Malcolm. “The match itself can’t come soon enough now.”

As well as hosting the Curtis Cup, the famed Highland links will also be celebrating its 125th anniversary this year with a series of events planned for the summer. As part of the festivities, it has been announced that a limited edition whisky has been distilled and will go on sale to both club members and the general public.

The 16-year-old Balblair single cask, which is being bottled by local malt whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail, will be offered in a special presentation pack. Designed to embody the tradition of links golf, the limited edition whisky will be a fitting way to celebrate the 125 years of The Nairn Golf Club.