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The self-styled “best opening hole in golf” will be closed until further notice due to the effects of Storm Eowyn

Pictures shared on social media by Machrihanish Golf Club show the extent of the damage caused after hurricane-force winds battered the west coast of Scotland on Friday.

A post on the Machrihanish Golf Club Professional Shop Facebook page said: “Due to storm damage the first hole will remain closed until further notice. Please start your round on the second.”

The first hole at Machrihanish, named ‘Battery’ is widely acclaimed as one of the most challenging and exhilarating holes in the game, with a tee shot that requires you to carry the corner of the Atlantic Ocean and the beach it laps in order to find the fairway.

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Jack Nicklaus once called it his favourite opening hole in the sport.

Eowyn has brought widespread disruption to the UK and Ireland, with several golf courses reporting significant damage.

Thornhill Golf Club, in Dumfries and Galloway, will be closed until it can assess significant damage done by falling trees.

Speaking to bunkered.co.uk, greenkeeper John Mair said: “[They] will take a fair amount of time to clear, especially now it’s the turn of the year.

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“There is always going to be cost involved with these things. One green is damaged from three trees falling on it.”

In Ireland, meanwhile, Bright Castle Golf Club in County Down will also be closed until further notice after more than 100 trees on its course were felled by the storm.

A post shared on social media showed the extent of the damage and spoke of the “absolute devastation” caused.


author headshot

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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