Given that Glasgow Gailes, Western Gailes, Prestwick, Royal Troon and Irvine Bogside are all within thirty minutes drive, to say that Kilmarnock Barassie is situated in an area rich in quality golf courses, would be a gross understatement. But it is. Founded in 1887, the Barassie Links offers some of the finest greens in Scotland and is a worthy qualifying venue for the Open Championship, when held at Royal Troon. Having undergone considerable alterations during recent years, the club now offers 27 holes, with the new nine, forming part of the championship course. Barassie Links is now an even tougher proposition and its par-72 layout boasts a standard scratch of 74.
With 27 holes, there are actually three course layouts here. The Dundonald Course is a composite of the new nine holes and the other nine holes from the original course. Given that this combination shortens the course to just over 6,100 yards from the white tees, this layout offers a par of 69, with only one par five. The nine-hole, par-34, Hillhouse layout comprises some of the original holes and is playable as part of a 27-hole package, also incorporating the Barassie Links. It is the Barassie Links layout however, that is the recognised championship course and aside from hosting final qualifying for the British Open, it has also staged the British Amateur and European Youths Championship, as well as the 2001 British Ladies.
The Barassie Links is a tough golf course. Measuring 6,817 yards from the back tees, with large undulating greens, deep bunkers and doglegs, this is what Scottish links golf is all about. Just marginally shorter than the return journey, the front nine starts with a par five of 516 yards, which offers a chance to get off to a decent start but out of bounds to the right can catch a cold swing. The 425-yard, 3rd hole is an excellent test and with out of bounds lurking tight on the right, and a burn running across the fairway about 50 yards in front of the green, this hole has been responsible for the early wrecking of many a score over the years. Another great hole is the double dogleg, par five, 8th, which offers little chance of getting home in two.
The back nine at Kilmarnock Barassie starts with a run of four par fours and offers just one par three and one par five. Following the quirky 357-yard dogleg, 10th hole, and the tough-driving 11th hole, another dogleg left, comes the par four, 12th, which is rated as the second hardest on the course. With out of bounds to the left and a slope carrying your ball into troublesome rough on the right, your drive needs to be long and straight, while the two-tiered green can leave you with a nightmare putt. The 13th involves a drive over a burn, which runs all the way up the right side of the fairway, while the final two holes are really excellent. With well-placed bunkers and heavy gorse on both sides of the fairway, the 17th can often spell disaster, while the dogleg right, par four 18th plays to a heavily sloped green and is an excellent closing hole.
ONLINE GOLF TRAVEL RATING
Kilmarnock Barassie is a tough links course that thoroughly deserves its inclusion as a host venue for British Open qualifying. The course must be included in any trip that features the likes of Troon, Prestwick, Turnberry and Western Gailes.
The service tends to be formal but the overall atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. With flair in evidence throughout, cooking is in a classic vein, while the dishes can be quite elaborate.
Freshly caught fish along with meat and game from the hills and pastures of Scotland are the essential ingredients of the distinctive cuisine of this excellent basement restaurant.
The ambience at Enterkine is excellent, while the common thread in all the culinary creations is the use of the best Scottish ingredients sourced from the farm, garden and sea.
