www.kingarrock.com
Just 10 miles west of St. Andrews, along the B939 in Cupar, is a golf course whose name is likely lost on the majority of pilgrims hastening to the Old Course and its adjacent cousins. The Kingarrock Golf Course is only 9-holes, too, and on top of that only hickories are allowed for play.
Kingarrock is built around the estate of Wemyss Hall, designed in 1696 by Sir William Bruce who earlier had rebuilt the palace of Holyrood House for Charles II. In 1904, Frederick Sharp, scion of a Dundee jute tycoon, and a wealthy man in his own right, bought the place. Sharp wanted to be near St. Andrews where he was a member of the R&A and served on both the General and Rules committees.
Sharp, a collector of fine art and antiques, had the place redesigned to better display his extraordinary collection. The designer, Robert Lorimer, also gave the landscape and gardens his singular touch. In addition, Sharp constructed a 9-hole course in front of the mansion house in the middle of Lorimer’s gardens. He and his son, Hugh, would invite friends and enjoy many happy rounds of golf together.
Sharp died in 1932 and Hugh in 1937. A few years later, the course was plowed under for the war effort and was afterward used for farming and cattle. In 2002, a group of National Trust members and supportive golfers invested time and money to bring the old family course back to life. In 2008, the Kingarrock Golf Course re-opened for the first time in more than 70 years.
So, here’s how it works. The 9-hole, 2,022 yard course is available for play between Easter and the end of October, seven days a week weather permitting. You stop into Forester’s Cottage, which is staffed by men and women knowledgeable in the ways of hickory golf from 1910-1930. All players are provided with original hickory clubs (right or left handed), an old golf bag, together with balls and tees that represent the early 20th century golfing experience. As well, novice hickory players will get some helpful advice on how to apply their clubs to the game – a spoon, driving iron, mid mashie, mashie niblick and putter. No trolleys or buggies. Walking is the game here.
A full hour is allotted between tee times so players can enjoy the sense of privacy that existed for the Sharp family and their golfing guests. Adults play for £25. A second round is £10. Bring your own hickories and play for half those rates. Fees drop for those under 21 and under 16. For adults, the fee also includes a wee nip of whisky or port on the first tee to get, you know, into the spirit of things. It also includes some “Da Anderson” ginger beer at the finish along with some Edwardian shortbread.
Didn’t make the lottery for the Old Course? Not to worry. See if Kingarrock can spot you a tee time. Could prove a most lovely and enjoyable round.
Here’s some contact information:
Kingarrock Golf Course
Forester’s Cottage
Hill of Tarvit
Cupar
Fife KY15 5PB
Scotland
E-mail: michelle@kingarrock.com
Telephone: (0)1334-653421.
Fax: 05602092007.
There’s also a YouTube video of golf at Kingarrock at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeUuCRHey_s
JD
Have a favorite hickory course you’d like to profile? Send the information along with photos to jdavis2364@gmail.com.