Gleneagles takes a step back in time

This is shaping up to be a rather memorable year for Gleneagles.

As well as welcoming the Ryder Cup back to Scotland for the first time in 41 years, the Perthshire resort’s magnificent hotel is also celebrating its 90th birthday.

Opened in 1924, the luxury dwelling was built by the former Caledonian Railway Company, with early reviews describing the hotel as ‘a Riviera in the Highlands’ and ‘the eighth wonder of the world’. Now, visitors will have the opportunity to experience what playing golf would have been like there back then.

That’s because Gleneagles has teamed-up with Golf & Thistle Ltd to give guests and visitors the chance to take to the fairways with hickory clubs in an attempt to recreate the authentic early 20th century golfing experience on Gleneagles’ PGA National Academy Course.

“It’s an excuse to get out on the course and have a bit of fun” – Gleneagles head pro, Andrew Jowett

Alternatively, individual and corporate groups can be transported to Fife to play a round on the nine-hole Kingarrock Course, which was lovingly restored by the Anderson family in 2008.

Commenting on the novel hickory idea, Gleneagles head pro Andrew Jowett said: “As we prepare to celebrate our 90th anniversary – and host the Ryder Cup in September – it’s fantastic to be able to give our guests the opportunity to experience golf as it would have been played in the early days of the hotel.

“It’s an excuse to get out on the course and have a bit of fun, either as a family, or as a team-building activity, and maybe even try some plus fours on for size.”
Hickory golf is available for groups of up to 12 people from £50 per person, including club hire and green fee on the PGA National Academy Course.

To find out more, call 0800 7054 705 or log-on to www.gleneagles.com

Gleneagles: The Ryder Cup’s spiritual home

An unofficial match between British and American golfers at Gleneagles in 1921 is believed to have been the inspiration for what, just six years later, became the Ryder Cup.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor