Compared with some of today’s monster tracks Dunaverty weighs in with only 4,799 yards. But if you think you’re going to beat this beautiful links into submission you’ll be mistaken, while racking up a cricket score. What Dunaverty loses in yardage it certainly makes up for in strategy.
The course was founded in 1889 and is sited on ground around Dunaverty Rock, which offers some spectacular views – none more so than on the third with Dunaverty Beach running along the right, and the 11th from its high vantage point where you can see the Mull of Kintyre and the Ulster coastline on a clear day. I play this course on a grey rainy day, but I must say, when I sit down in the little clubhouse that’s a throwback to the 1930s, I have a chuckle to myself – and one of the things that will stick long in the memory are the square greens!
It’s hard to find out who originally designed this course and researching the history it looks like the founding members constructed the layout themselves. This in turn seems to have been expanded upon then maintained by the current green keeper Willie MacMillan’s father, George MacMillan.
Stand-out holes for me are the third and 11th for the reasons I mention above, all the par-3s which were tough but fair, and the run of holes home from the 13th. It’s a fun course with some great views, a bit quirky but a course you will enjoy playing.
View from the 5th greenStunning views at the 11th Swinging in the rain at the 12th
Above: Some of the square green designs at Dunaverty, this is the 4th green
