Highland Golf Course Open Day

Ballachulish Golf Course Celebrates with Biggest Ever Party

The Dragon’s Tooth Golf Course near Fort William celebrated its 10^th Birthday on Monday 4^th June with a massive Garden Party, enjoyed by over 300 visitors.  The sun shone for the day, as local residents and visitors from across Lochaber descended onto the estate to enjoy all that was on offer.

The day had started at first light, with early risers arriving ahead of the crowds to enjoy the free golf on offer.  The party moved into full swing from 2pm. when the organisers, Glencoe Activities, started the “tasters” of six different activities – from Segway rides to trips out on the Loch by fast boat.  The afternoon developed into a happy medley of young and old getting to grips with “crate stacking”, archery and gorge walking.  Paul Mills, owner and captain of the SeaXplorer Rib commented “It was a stunning day out on the loch, and our series of short, sharp thrill rides gave a sample of fun of a rib ride to over 100 breathless visitors!”

It was Head Greenkeeper David Lawrence who seemed to attract the biggest – and the noisiest - crowds. The youngsters queued up all afternoon for his celebrated tractor rides and the bouncy castle emptied each time the kids got sight of the returning convoy, coming over the brow of the nearby hill.  “It’s so good to see so many people enjoying the golf course” said David “and as I’m driving around all day, I’m able to see how our new 9 tees are being played.  We’ve just opened up a full 18 tees, as this 10^th year sees us move from a 9 tee course to an 18 tee one.  The new 9 tees have been two years in the making, so for me personally, it’s actually a really important day”.

With so much going on throughout the day, there was never the less an eager anticipation for the billed flypast of “Two Queens on a Segway”.  They may have arrived late, but it proved worth the wait, as two royal “look-a-likes” glided into view mounted on two Segways.  They swept across the 9^th Hole and circled the crowed, with a corgi in tow and a royal wave of the hand.  Was it coins that got thrown to the children, or sweets? And were these true royalty or the Directors in drag?  These must be questions that are left to hang, in a day that gave so many the chance to try new activities and get answers to longstanding questions on “what’s it like to . . . . ?”.