Nairn Dunbar Golf Club is further celebrating its 120th anniversary this year following the announcement it will welcome one of the biggest amateur events in the world. Along with neighbouring The Nairn Golf Club, it will stage qualifying rounds for The Amateur Championship in 2021, one of the most coveted prizes in men’s amateur golf.
The news is rich reward for Nairn Dunbar given the series of course improvements in recent years at the renowned Highland layout, founded in 1899. The accolade also builds on Nairn Dunbar’s reputation as host to leading amateur and professional events, including The R&A Boys Amateur Championship in 2017 and The PGA Northern Open in 2018.
From 14 – 19 June 2021, Nairn will host The Amateur Championship for the second time following the first occasion in 1994 when Englishman Lee James triumphed over Scotland’s Gordon Sherry. The qualifying rounds will also be played at Nairn Dunbar.
It will be the 126th staging of The Amateur Championship which features a field of 288 world-ranked players with the winner earning a place in The Open and the following year’s US Open. Traditionally, the winner also receives an invitation to the Masters Tournament.
Robbie Stewart, who took over as new PGA Director of Golf at Nairn Dunbar just over a year ago, said: “We are delighted to be hosting qualifying rounds for The Amateur Championship in 2021, along with The Nairn Golf Club. This is one of the biggest events in amateur golf and we look forward to welcoming talented players from all over the world to our venue, together with working closely with The R&A.”
The club has worked hard to improve and upgrade its course to keep pace with the ever-changing requirements and expectations of members and visitors. After receiving consistent feedback that holes 9, 10 and 11 had a more parkland feel, the club put a restoration plan in place to unveil as much of the natural dune systems and undulations as possible.
Through sustainable management, Nairn Dunbar have also worked hard on producing more firm and fast greens for links golf and undertaken a rough, gorse and tree management programme under the leadership of course manager Richard Johnstone.
“We take great pride in our course and can’t wait to see the best amateur players competing here in 2021,” added Stewart. “It will be a great thrill for all associated with the club and is also helps raise our profile in Scotland and beyond.”
Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Golf Development and Amateur Championships at The R&A, said: “We are delighted to be taking our 2021 championships to venues of the highest quality that will challenge the world’s leading men and women amateurs.
“Our aim is to provide the opportunity for those players to compete with their international peers and to show how good they are. Selecting outstanding venues is key and we are delighted to have such a strong schedule for 2021.”
Part of a rich stretch of links golfing terrain in the north, along with the likes of Nairn, Castle Stuart and Moray, Nairn Dunbar is set in 135 acres of undulating links land. With views across the Moray Firth to the Black Isle and beyond to the mountains of Sutherland, as well as inland to the neighbouring Cawdor Hills, it offers a fun and enjoyable test, characterised by holes such as the picturesque par-3 8th.
Reached by excellent travel connections only 15 minutes from Inverness Airport and two hours from Aberdeen Airport, the par-72 course measures 6,765 yards from the championship tees to 6,290 off the yellow tees and 5,748 from the reds.
The club is currently offering two fantastic packages to encourage new members, including 15 months membership for the price of 12 and a winter ticket for only £175 to 31 March 2020.
Nairn Dunbar Golf Club https://www.nairndunbar.com/