This day was meant to include a walk on Holy Isle but the morning rain put us off.
Instead we waited until the afternoon to trip over to Lochranza Golf course for out penultimate Arran Challenge. We arrived at about 3:15 and probably started playing about 3:30 perhaps a bit later. As usual there was no one around to pay. We picked up a Mars bar each from the local restaurant (mental note to return here for meal sometime).
On the first tee we were greeted by the owner. She signed our card and explained how the sheep were struggling since the terrible snow of a couple of weeks before. We were concerned as there were sheep on the first fairway.
This golf course was very different to others on the island. I would describe it as moorland with streams and trees and rivers and an occasional green and bunker. There were plenty of opportunities to lose balls and we did. The rain was not heavy but it was steady and the icy wind made the first 9 uncomfortable. So bad the M almost decided to call it a day after 8. The second 9 however were dry and we almost warmed up...
This is what I can remember of each hole. The first is towards the river, cross if you can and go left to a green. The second is up towards the white house in the distance (keep left). The third is across the road to the left. This is a long par 3 but with no space to go over the back. The fourth is a short par 3 across a couple of small streams or maybe ditches. The fifth is a nightmare go left first a long way then turn right on a sharp dogleg to find the hole. The sixth is back across the road again. This is along one down back towards the campsite crossing the stream again. The seventh is back across the stream then a short distance to green protected by a pond (M liked this hole for some reason). The eighth is again up towards the white house this time take the right green. As we approached the first time the green was surrounded by deer! The ninth is towards the campsites again, cross the river and back towards the first tee.
I would say we found this to be the most difficult course that we played. First it was cold, second the fairways were struggling after the deep snow in recent weeks. This made it soft and therefore needed better contact. Third on the first 9 we had no real idea where any of the holes were. Fourth we were a bit miffed about the change in weather!
In terms of results I played better on the first 9 and M made a charge on the last 9.
The result ended up with 10 holes to M and 6 to Me. So improving his position by 4 holes. A good job he didn't give up after 8.
My total = 39+6=45
M total = 27+10=37
Me +8
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| We come here twice. |
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| Adding up the score. |
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| Deer in the distance. |
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| Deer in the distance. Havn't they got homes to go to? |
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| Looks like I got click happy. |
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| Again. |
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| Oops its me in action. |
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| Hold the pose!? |
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| This is us arriving. No one else here! |
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| Its also a camp site. |
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| Its still cold and now its wet too. |
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| M is still simling. |
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| There are deer on the Green (Zoom) |
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| Wonder if M will get to the green in 1? |
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| More deer. They don't seem bothered by us. |
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| Those pesky deer again! |
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| One round done. Go home yet.. Not likely! |
