Blairgowrie Golf Club

The Perthshire town of Blairgowrie is located on the banks of The River Ericht, within the heart-lands of Scotland's Soft Fruit growing region, yet only sixteen miles from the 'Fair City' of Perth. Situated in the glorious countryside, bordering the town, Blairgowrie Golf Club is home to two top quality championship courses and a fantastic nine hole course too. The Rosemount and Lansdowne courses are played over eighteen holes, while the Wee Course offers a further nine holes for golf enthusiasts. Consistently featuring in Scotland's Top 100 rankings, the quality of these heathland and parkland layouts are truly exceptional. Offering visitors a warm and welcoming invite into their award winning clubhouse and full access to their excellent practice facilities, Blairgowrie Golf Club will ensure you enjoy an unforgettable visit to Perthshire on your Scottish Golf Break.

 

History: The Blairgowrie Golf Club was formed on the 26th February 1889, after suitable land belonging to the Dowager Marchioness of Lansdowne, from whom the course took its name, Lansdowne, had been found. The original Lansdowne course (later to become Rosemount) was designed by Dr. Alister Mackenzie, the renowned golf course architect who also designed Cypress Point, Augusta National and many others. His first inspection and design was carried out in 1914 but, perhaps understandably, the club decided that at the outset of war, “this was not a good time to incur such expenditure”. However, following the Great War, Dr. Mackenzie was called back and an extension from nine to eighteen holes was designed and constructed at a cost of £3,000. The new course finally opened for play in 1927.

In 1930 the club decided to expand the facilities yet again and engaged James Braid to add a further eight holes to the Mackenzie holes. In addition, Braid added a few strategically placed bunkers on the original holes, to add his influence upon the already brilliantly designed Mackenzie holes. Rosemount is indeed a course designed by the master architects of their time. Following the James Braid extension, in the continuing search for golfing perfection, several well known course architects and famous golfers were consulted regarding course improvements. In particular, the Rosemount 1st green was a continual source of concern until a new green designed by Donald Steele was eventually constructed in 2000. 

Blairgowrie now has two championship eighteen hole courses: The Rosemount Course, designed mainly by James Braid/Alister Mackenzie, Major Chalmers and with upgrades by Donald Steele, Peter Alliss and recently Graeme Webster. And the Lansdowne Course, built in the 1970s, and designed by Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas.

Greg Norman won his first European Tour event in 1977 at Blairgowrie Golf Club - the Martini tournament held on the Rosemount course. In recent years both championship courses have hosted many national events, most notably the British Seniors Amateur Stroke Play Championship twice and the British Boys Home Internationals, both run by the Royal & Ancient. The Scottish Amateur 72 hole stroke play event has been played on a number of occasions, as has the Scottish Mid Amateur championship.

The maturity and stature of the Club was recognised by the granting of a Coat of Arms by the Lord Lyon at a ceremony on 5th April 1980.

 

Rosemount Course: Designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie, the renowned architect of the Augusta National course, and later re-modelled and extended by James Braid, Rosemount is regarded as one of Scotland's top inland courses and is a regular feature in the UK's Top 100 rankings. Although not resembling Augusta National in appearance, there are similarities in design, such as tee shots on both requiring a certain shot shape and severe slopes being evident on the green complexes. Placing a premium on accuracy and sensible club selection, the Rosemount, with its fairways lined with mature trees and clumps of heather bushes, requires a thoughtful round of golf. With an exceptionally strong finishing stretch ensuring that your decision making is tested until the very last shot of the day. The Rosemount Course was the venue for Greg Norman's first European tour victory, when in 1977 he won the Martini International, beating the likes of Sam Torrance on his way to victory. The back tees on the course are still occasionally referred to as 'The Martini Tees'. The Rosemount Course is an eighteen hole, par 70/72 (men) & par 74 (women) track. It has tees ranging from 6,229 to 6,689 yards.

SGB Signature Hole: Name: Plateau. Number: Hole 17. Measuring 147 yards (W) and 165 yards (M) from the tee, this par 3 hole is not too long, but requires good club selection and distance control to land your ball on the correct level of its two tiered green. The green is guarded by two bunkers, to the front right and one to the left, and run off areas to the front, left hand side and rear. While the green offers its own protection, due to its size and the ridge running though it. Rated amongst Scotland's top par 3s, the professional's tip suggests that you, 'take plenty of club and be sure to be on the correct level,' and they subsequently warn that, 'three putts are very possible here.' At SGB, we think this is a brilliant hole and we always find it challenging to play.

Lansdowne Course: Designed by Peter Allis and Dave Thomas, the Lansdowne Course has hosted a number of top regional and international Championships. This challenging layout, played on firm fairways, is routed through swathes of pine and silver birch trees and puts a premium on accuracy from the tee, particularly on the back nine where there are a number of short, tight par 4s. Although sometimes overshadowed by the Rosemount, this is a fantastic course in its own right and is the firm favourite with many amongst the club's own membership. The Lansdowne Course is an eighteen hole, par 71/72 (men) & par 73 (women) track. It has tees ranging from 6,408 to 7,007 yards.

Wee Course: The Wee Course, is one of Scotland's true hidden gems and where golf began at Blairgowrie. Designed originally by local Blairgowrie residents, this nine hole course has significant influences from renowned course architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie. It is heathland in character and is made up of a combination of Par 3s and 4s, all of which will require your full attention. The Wee Course is a par 32 (men) & (women), and it is 2,373 yards in length.

Clubhouse & Practice facilities: The award winning clubhouse at Blairgowrie Golf Club provides outstanding facilities and offers a warm and open welcome to all visiting golfers. A locally sourced menu (see food and dining section), matched by a friendly and efficient service provided by the team allows the club to create a truly unique atmosphere. The large bar offers a wide selection of alcoholic beverages ranging from seasonal cask ales, to premium beers and lagers, a compelling gin collection, elegant wines and a comprehensive collection of soft drinks. While locker rooms and showers are also available for visiting golfers to use. The pro shop has a great selection of clothing from the leading suppliers in golf including Callaway, Ping, Cobra, Hugo Boss, and Under Armour - with many sporting the club's famous 'Fairy Dell' logo. Tailored club fitting and golf lessons are offered at the pro shop, and caddie services, buggy, club and trolly hire options are all available at Blairgowrie Golf Club too. Practice facilities: Blairgowrie Golf Club offer the use of their practice facilities to visiting golfers, before and after a round. These facilities, are of the highest standard, and include two practice areas, covered hitting bays, a dedicated short game area, which runs alongside their extensive putting green, and the practice putting green itself, which runs as true as the championship surfaces on the courses.

Food & Dining: With rural Perthshire on the doorstep, food and dining options at Blairgowrie Golf Club are fantastic. Offering a winning combination of a warm welcome and views across the iconic Rosemount vista, the team create a truly relaxing atmosphere for visiting golfers. Their locally-sourced, hearty menu of golfer classics and specialities from the breakfast, lunch, and twilight menus, prepared by their in-house catering team, should appeal to all.

Accommodation: We partner with a number of hotels and letting agents across Perth, Perthshire and Kinross. Whether you want to stay on a country estate, in a hotel, a luxury lodge, an apartment or a signature villa, Scottish Golf Breaks can arrange it for you.

 

Featured deal: 

 

Typical packages include:

• Accommodation in a hotel, a cottage, an apartment or a signature villa
• A round on the Rosemount Course
• A round on the Lansdowne Course
• A round on the Wee Course
• Dinner Reservation @ the clubhouse restaurant
• Full Scottish Breakfast
• Use of resort facilities: Access to changing and locker-rooms, and practice facilities at Blairgowrie Golf Club

 

Packages can be designed to your specification and group size, and can include alternative accommodation, additional courses across Perth, Perthshire and Kinross, and or other regions within Scotland.

 

Additional services:

• Airport or train station transfers (all sizes of groups catered for)
• Executive travel
• Caddie service

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