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The ‘Beast From The East’ has well and truly lived up to its name, covering vast chunks of the UK and Ireland with thick snow and freezing conditions. 

The Met Office has already estimated that up to 15 inches – fifteen inches! – of snow has fallen in some parts of the country, with temperatures plummeting well below freezing overnight in most areas. 

As you might expect, the knock-on effect to public services and transport systems has been enormous. On a lighter note, though, it has also made for some spectacular photo opportunities, particularly of the country’s golf courses. 

The Old Course is amongst those to have been blanketed by the snow.

This year’s Open Championship venue Carnoustie has also been battered by the beast, with just 140 days before this year’s battle for the Claret Jug gets underway.

Gullane is set to stage the Scottish Open the week before the Open. Here’s how it currently looks.

These are scenes that have been repeated throughout large parts of Scotland, the home of golf. 

South of the border in England, Royal Birkdale – the scene of Jordan Spieth’s Open Championship victory last year – has also felt the force of the Beast From The East.

Walton Heath will be hoping for better conditions in October when Luke Donald hosts the British Masters there. 

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen shared this snap of the first tee at Wentworth. It hosts the BMW PGA Championship in May.

Even the south west of England and the so-called ‘English Riviera’ has been hit by the conditions.

How has the Beast From The East transformed the look of your course? Send your photos to [email protected]. Please don’t take any unnecessary risks to get photos!

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Beast From The East
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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

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