Lochgreen
The three Troon golf courses of Lochgreen, Darley and Fullarton all
start from a traditional clubhouse that offers a warm welcome and good
"Scottish Fayre" to all its guests.. Lochgreen is the best of the trio
of municipal courses on the east side of the popular holiday town of Troon.
They each offer an excellent golfing experience and at a fraction of the
royal fee charged at their more aristocratic neighbours. Lochgreen is the
longer course, a Par 74 
running
parallel at points to Royal Troon and used for several years as a qualifier
for the Open. Jack Nicklaus shot an 82 here in an Open Qualifier followed
by a more appropriate 68 making the cut buy one shot. Although Lochgreen
is predominately a links type course, the layout is truly varied, with
one stretch - known as the 'Dovecot Section' - providing holes of a more
parkland type character. The course has several holes that are reminiscent
of its royal neighbour and one hole in particular - the fifth - would do
justice to any championship test. At well over 400 yards the hole runs
parallel to the same railway that borders the championship course, with
bunkers and gorse providing additional hazards. The par three that follows
offers no respite and the golfer who misses the gorse-surrounded green
would do well to play a provisional ball.
It was during the 1962 Open qualifier that Australian Kel Nagle set
the present course record of 65, with the amateur record of 66 being set
at the same time by Martin Christmas. Both golfers doubtless celebrated
their feats in the Bunker Bar and Restaurant that forms part of the spacious
clubhouse shared by Darley, Lochgreen and Fullarton. "Lochgreen has been
used as an Open Qualifier and is a course of links quality with many holes
reminiscent of its close neighbour Royal Troon. You don't get away with
anything less than confident driving and commanding second shots."
*David Whyte
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