Scotland - Dunfermline delights

Apr 1 2005

By Golf North East

Fife, that historic kingdom where the first golf ball (or something similar) was struck, where on sandy links the game took root and flourished and where locals were admonished for dodging archery practice for a quick nine holes. It's prime golf country and just a few hours from the north east. David J Whyte continues his week-long trip around the region in the second and final part of his special report for Golf North East. ********** Factfile Where to Stay: The following hotels will supply you with your First in Fife Golfpass as part of a stay and play package with someone on hand to help you get the most out of your golfing break. Davaar House Hotel 126 Grieve Street, Dunfermline, KY12 8DW. Tel: 01383 721886. Email: Enquiries@Davaar Web: Davaar House Hotel PPPN: From £45 (sharing twin/double). Garvock House Hotel St John's Drive, Transy, Dunfermline, KY12 7TU Tel: 01383 621067. Email: Sales@Garvock Web: Garvock House Hotel PPPN: From £47.50 (sharing twin/double) Pitbauchlie House Hotel Aberdour Road, Dunfermline, KY11 4PB. Tel: 01383 722282 Email: Info@Pitbauchlie Web: Pitbauchlie House PPPN: From £35 (sharing twin/double) Keavil House Hotel Crossford, by Dunfermline, KY12 8QW Tel: 01383 736258 Email: Sales@Keavil Web: Keavil House PPPN: £55 - £65 (sharing twin/double) Old Manor Hotel 55 Leven Road, Lundin Links, KY8 6AJ Tel: 01333 320368 Email: Enquiries@Old Manor Web: Old Manor Hotel PPPN: From £47.50 (sharing twin/double) Where to Play: Canmore Golf Club Venturefair Avenue, Dunfermline, KY12 0PE Tel: 01383 728416 Fax: 01383 728416 Email: Canmore Web: Canmore Golf Club Statistics: 18 holes, 5376 yards, Par 67, SSS 66 Dunfermline Golf Club Pitfirrane, Crossford, Dunfermline, KY12 8QW Tel: 01383 723534 Fax: 01383 723547 Email: Dunfermline GC Statistics: 18 holes, 6121 yards, Par 72, SSS 70 (Supplement of £5 per round) Forrester Park Resort Cairneyhill, Dunfermline, KY12 8RF Tel: 01383 880505 Fax: 01383 882505 Email: Forrester Park Web: Forrester Park Resort 18 Holes, 6800 yards, Par 72, SSS 72 (Supplement of £12.50 per round) Thornton Golf Club Station Road, Thornton, KY1 4DW Tel: 01592 771111 Fax: 01592 774955 Email: Thornton GC Web: Thornton Golf Club Statistics: 18 holes, 6177 yards, Par 70, SSS 69 How to Buy your Pass: To receive your First in Fife Golfpass for either 3 or 5 rounds call Kirkcaldy Tourist Information Centre on 01592 267775 and have your credit card to hand or visit: First in Fife Golfpass Alternatively send for an application form to: First in Fife Golfpass, Kirkcaldy Tourist Information Centre, The Merchant's House, 339 High Street, Kirkcaldy KY1 1SL or Email: Kirkcaldy@Visit Fife Tourist Information: For information on all there is to see and do and any accommodation requirements throughout the Kingdom of Fife call Kirkcaldy Tourist Information Centre on 01592 267775 or visit: Fife Tourist Board The historic capital of Fife, Dunfermline, was one of the most important ancient Scottish capitals until the time of James VI of Scotland (James I of England) and the Union of the Crowns in 1603. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT The largely ruined Dunfermline Abbey and Palace are worth visiting. In the adjacent church choir, under the pulpit beneath a great brass plaque, the bones of Robert the Bruce are buried. In Moodie Street, an old weaver's cottage was, in 1835, the birthplace of the great industrialist, Andrew Carnegie. This weaver's son emigrated to America to become, through the steel industry, one of the world's richest and most benevolent men. Dunfermline has three courses participating in the First in Fife Golfpass. Canmore Golf Club is perhaps the least well-known but we certainly found it one of the friendliest and most accommodating especially for golfers looking for a more moderate test. It's an easy stroll where you could go around twice. We played here on the same day as Forrester Park thinking it might be easy but were actually impressed by several of its holes such as the 11th through 14th, which were quite challenging and interesting. On the other side of town is Dunfermline Golf Club, a superb parkland course and again a particularly good test for decent golfers - you would do well to come off with a card intact here. Its wooded avenues throw down a variety of challenges such as its small, raised greens and tree-lined fairways. Most interesting about this club is its 15th century tower, now part of the clubhouse and the oak panelling found within. Two of its members founded the very first golf club in the USA, the St Andrews Club in Yonkers, New Jersey. We also took in the Forrester Park Resort only a couple of miles west of Dunfermline Golf Club. Forrester Park is still new though presents some sound tests along with a few holes that will improve with age and defining growth. It also has a range where you can sharpen up your game. As far as its clubhouse goes, it is surely one of the most impressive in Scotland, an interior designer's palace and well worth stopping in for a meal. Near to Balbirnie is another fine parkland course at Thornton Golf Club. Thornton's front half consists of a few holes that are quite similar in appearance, avenue fairways delineated by medium-sized trees. Each of the holes is quite challenging in its own right especially off the tees. But it's Thornton's back nine that stays in the memory. From the 11th onwards, each hole is radically different from the last. The final five are exceptional calling for some skilful placement. We spent our last night in Fife in the company of Jim and Doreen Jarvis in a small hotel found in the side streets of Dunfermline. The Davaar is exceptional for two very good reasons; firstly, the superb hospitality afforded by its proprietors who more or less run the place themselves and secondly for the exceptional meals prepared by Doreen, an experienced chef who uses the freshest finest local food cooked to perfection. The dining area is bijou but the standard is outstanding. Finally, if you are looking for a golf break - even over a weekend - the First in Fife Golfpass is surely one of the best-value discount schemes available. The courses are all highly enjoyable, catering is excellent value, and the people warm and welcoming. The average handicap club golfer will be very happy here but, as in the case of Balbirnie, Dunfermline and Forrester Park (if you play off the back tees which is allowed) these courses are easily demanding enough for low handicappers. We were really quite delighted with all aspects of this visit and considering the First in Fife Golfpass is valid at weekends as well, this really is one of the best deals available. Cross the Forth Bridge and you're there, and Fife is only 40 minutes from Edinburgh Airport too.

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