Jack Nicklaus and five times Open champion James Braid are the architects of the four courses at this perfect Perthshire getaway

By Kent Gray
Captain Catriona Matthew and her European upstarts deservedly earned the main plaudits at last September’s Solheim Cup but there was a hidden hero with Dubai connections behind the scenes at Gleneagles. Former Emirates Golf Club superintendent Craig Haldane was responsible for the world-class presentation of the Jack Nicklaus-designed Centenary course where Matthew’s side edged Juli Inkster’s Team USA 14½-13½ to win the biennial competition for the first time since 2013. The Centenary course previously hosted the 2014 Ryder Cup but Haldane and his team are doing a grand job on all four courses at the fabled Perthshire venue, including here on the par-3 13th on the Queen’s Course which has been beautified with recently planted heather areas between the tee and the green. Gleneagles celebrated its golfing centenary in 2019 and with so many picturesque holes on offer, a stay and play at the historic Gleneagles Hotel is a must for golf aficionados.

gleneagles.com