Southerness
golf course was designed by McKenzie Ross, and built in
1947. This is a true Championship links course, measuring
6566 yards from the white tees and 6106 from the yellow
tees. The SSS is 73 from the white tees and 70 from the
yellow. The par in each case is 69 having two par 5s and
five par 3s. It is an indication of the length and difficulty
of these holes that the SGU course rating produce a SSS
higher than the par figures.
The
course is situated on the Solway coast giving panoramic
views of the Solway Firth, the Cumbrian Lake District to
the south, and the Galloway Hills to the west. The terrain
is level allowing for easy walking with no hills to climb.
Being totally remote from large centres of population a
feeling of being well away from the rat race is engendered.
As each hole is entirely separate from the feeling of "being
away from it all" is greatly enhanced. McKenzie Ross's
brilliant design has been complimented by an excellent head
green keeper and staff, who have now had a settled period
of several years together which has brought the course into
tip top condition. This has been recognized by "Golf
Monthly", who have included Southerness in their list
of top 100 courses in Britain and Ireland each year since
1990.
The magazine "Golf World" has recently done a
survey of 1000 courses in Great Britain and Ireland for
the best value in golf, and in this list Southerness is
placed as high as number 6. Recognition has also been given
from official bodies who have awarded the Scottish Amateur
Championship twice, the Scottish Ladies Championship, the
British Ladies Championship and the British Youths to Southerness.
It was in the British Youths Championship of 1990 that Matthias
Gronberg set the course record of 65 on his way to winning
the title.
The 12th hole is generally regarded as the best hole on
the course. This is a 421 yard par four with a left to right
dog leg. Fairway bunkers right and left require an accurate
tee shot. Having split the fairway the hole then opens out
to view a green, protected by bunkers on the right, a pond
to the left, a large mound guarding front left entry, and
the beach ten yards behind the green. The forward view on
playing the hole is the simmering Solway Firth, and a large
sandy bay opens out to the right as you progress towards
the green. A truly memorable hole on a truly memorable Golf
Course.
