Nairn Golf Club and the 1999 Walker Cup
I had never heard of Nairn Golf Club in Nairn, Scotland until meeting George and Donna Fraser along with Alistair and Vivian MacIntosh at Interlachen before the 1993 Walker Cup. Since that time Nairn Golf Club has hosted the 1994 British Amateur and the 1999 Walker Cup. As a result, this wonderful course in the far northeast of Scotland has become a regular stop for Americans traveling to play in the north.
Located north of Aberdeen on the Moray Firth, Nairn features the best climate in Scotland, warmed by the North Sea. Admittedly a tough place to get to, once there a golfer finds a wonderful golf course and delightful town with welcoming and friendly people. The work of George and Alistair in putting Nairn Golf Club on the US golf travel map is a testimony to the impact two people can have.
It's a very good golf course which plays, in the traditional links style, away from the clubhouse for the first 9 holes. With the Moray Firth on the right, several of the holes are only a few steps from the water at high tide. Large gray rocks rip-rap along the water to preserve the shoreline. The Firth is visible from every hole on this always marvelously conditioned course.
The Bothy, an icehouse built in 1877, formerly used to store salmon decades ago, stands between the ninth green and tenth tee. The white stone building now serves as a halfway house. It is the most unique halfway house I have seen on a golf course.
Opened in 1887, Nairn Golf Club was under the radar for most Americans until the early 1990's. Travelers going north would play Dornoch and nearby Brora Golf Club, but seldom Nairn. The Dornoch Firth Bridge, opened in 1991, saving hours of driving time has undoubtedly helped. Golfers can now play Nairn and have about a two-hour drive to Dornoch.
In 1999 Sandy and I traveled with friends to the Walker Cup in Nairn. With the 18-6 drubbing the USA put on GB & I in 1997, we were confident the Cup would stay at home. Prior to each Walker Cup, a golf event is held for past Walker Cup clubs represented. Always an enjoyable day, I headed for Lossiemouth, Scotland, nearby on the Firth, to play the event. Paired with a Royal and Ancient Golf Association past captain, it was an unforgettable day.
At several courses hard against the North Sea, the Royal Air Force has landing strips for military planes. St. Andrews, Dornock, and Lossiemouth all have military bases nearby. Built during WWII they are still active. With no sound depressing equipment on the engines, it can be deafeningly loud if there is training going on while playing golf.
The base at Lossiemouth was not only nearby, it was adjacent to the Moray Golf Club, site of the Walker Cup pre-tournament event for officials. The jet planes take off and land over the course, with the 7th green close enough to see the faces of the pilots. Directional posts holding lights to aid the pilots are spread across the course.
As luck would have it a jet roared in just as I was about to hit a short wedge shot to the 7th green. The plane approached, the earsplitting sound grew louder, and by the time it was over our head, I was not able to function. The noise was so overwhelming it nearly paralyzed me. The sound overwhelms all the other senses. Never have I had an experience like it. Noise protection equipment would be mandatory for members. When the planes are taking off or landing everything stops.
Back at Nairn, we were confident the USA would win the match. The USA led 7-5 after day one following a 5-3 win in the afternoon singles. We were comfortable with the lead, knowing there were 8 points remaining in singles matches Sunday afternoon, following only four points available in the morning alternate shot portion, a strength of the GB&I.
The match was tied 8-8 after the morning round on the second day. Certainly, the USA would win the singles and the Walker Cup Match. But it wasn’t to be as the USA suffered a stinging defeat in the afternoon singles matches, 7-1.
Led by Paul Casey, Luke Donald and Gary Wolstenholme who accounted for 10 of the points won by the GB & I team in the match, the USA fell 15-9.
In every Walker Cup there is a player or two that are just better. Justin Leonard was that player in 1993 at Interlachen. Rickey Fowler in 2009 at Merion. In 1999 at Nairn it was Paul Casey and Luke Donald. I watched as they pounded Jonathan Byrd and Steve Scott of the USA, 5 and 3 in the morning foursomes on day one. Casey, Donald, and Wolstenholme carried the team on their backs. With the stars of the USA team Matt Kuchar and Bryce Molder not winning a point, the USA would not win.
I returned to Nairn in 2016 with a group of friends. We all enjoyed a fun day with each of our group paired with a Nairn member. When making a trip to northern Scotland do not miss Nairn Golf Club.
Our trip to Scotland and the 1999 Walker Cup Match was another wonderful experience in a Life In Golf.
