The Bulletin, an Oregon-based local newspaper, recently featured Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club in their October Sports section. The state of Oregon is where the noted Scottish golf course architect, David McLay Kidd, first made his mark on the world at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Kidd grew up in the area of Machrihanish, so this project was very personal to him.
In the article, Kidd explains the trials and tribulations he faced while creating this unique course nestled into the Kintyre Peninsula. Machrihanish Dunes was built on a Site of Specific Scientific Interest, meaning they needed the government’s consent to do the little earthmoving required to build the now Top-100 links course.
The article notes that, as a result of these unavoidable obstacles, Kidd’s design has more blind shots than even the most experienced golfers might be used to, along with some very long walks between holes.
The article goes on to note that, while the course, had a few spotty reviews at the beginning, “…time is a great healer. The course managers and the environmentalists have forged a new, more collaborative relationship, leading to extensive changes. Kidd’s father, Jimmy, a noted greenkeeper who has a house in the area, has overseen the building of several new greens, while fairways have been widened and the rough thinned. […] the Dunes is starting to mature in a way that a course built 100 years ago would, with its faults ironed out as they are revealed. ”
