The Nairn Golf Club, one of the jewels of Scotland’s links golf, will host the Curtis Cup in 2012, the 125th anniversary of the founding of the club that lies on the southern shore of the Moray Firth.
This will mark the 38th playing of the biennial contest between GB&I and the United States of America for the simple silver trophy, gifted in 1932 by sisters Margaret and Harriot Curtis ‘to stimulate friendly rivalry among the women golfers of many lands’.
This sentiment is likely to be proved true when the best women golfers on both sides of the Atlantic meet in friendly competition at the most northerly venue yet.
Not that the club’s northern location has been a deterrent to Nairn hosting an impressive tally of top line tournaments. For after the 15 mile stretch of railway line from Inverness to Nairn was opened in 1855, and The Nairn Golf Club was formed in 1887, golfers from all corners of the world have been making tracks for the town.
“The Ladies’ Golf Union is delighted that the Nairn Golf Club has agreed to host the Curtis Cup in 2012,” said Susan Simpson, director of championships for the LGU. “We could not have chosen a more welcoming club or a more testing venue for the match. It was a very difficult decision but I have no doubt that we have made a wise choice in Nairn. Our past experience of the club and course has been without fault.
“The membership and officials of The Nairn Golf Club are delighted that the Ladies’ Golf Union has chosen the Club to host the 2012 Curtis Cup. Not only is this a tremendous honour for the Club but also for the town of Nairn and the Highlands of Scotland. We look forward to welcoming competitors and spectators alike to this most prestigious event,” said club captain, Harry Sinclair.
David Williams, chief executive of EventScotland, welcomed the announcement, saying, “This is a great achievement for The Nairn Golf Club, as well as another ringing endorsement from the Ladies Golf Union of the ability of Scotland’s golf courses to host major women’s golf tournaments. EventScotland will work with and support the Ladies Golf Union and The Nairn Golf Club to market and promote the Curtis Cup to ensure that spectators and viewers from all over the world have the opportunity to experience one of Scotland’s and the Highlands’ real gems.”
Future matches: –
2008 The Old Course, St Andrews, 30 May-1 June
2010 Essex County Club, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, 11-13 June
2012 The Nairn Golf Club, 8 – 10 June
LGU www.lgu.org
The Nairn Golf Club www.nairngolfclub.co.uk