Five time British Open Champion and accomplished architect, Peter Thomson was charged with the design and the course opened in 1995. Fast forward a few years to 2005 and there was a new owner of both The Old Course Hotel and the Dukes Course - Herb Kohler.
Kohler owned the American Club, Blackwolf and Whistling Straits (not to mention the Kohler company) in the United States and his love of golf took him to Scotland. Kohler has never been one to rest on his laurels -- and he didn't just acquire the Old Course hotel and the Duke's -- he started to remake the whole experience.
The first focus of attack was the hotel. Always classified as a deluxe, 5 star property, Kohler was determined to make improvements at the hotel. The upgrades were accomplished within little more than a year.
Next, all of attention was turned to The Dukes Course where Kohler placed all of his energy and released his true passion for golf, revealing an eternal quest for perfection. The end result is a very good heathland layout has been transformed into a visually stunning layout.
Now extended to 7,512 yards from the tips, as well as a lot of work with bunkering, which now includes a generous helping of traditional and very serious pot-bunkers. Trouble lurks at every turn. This is a good candidate for location if they ever make Nightmare on Elm Street, Freddy Kreuger Hits the Links.
It's obvious that Kohler is a man with an awful lot of respect for the game of golf and takes a great pride in his all of courses. This might not be my favorite of his courses, some of the Dye courses are as visually intimidating, but also more playable. This course looks intimidating and will take every opportunity to bear its teeth and bite.
4 stars for the course. Herb Kohler gets 5. read more