Elite Traveler January-February 2018

elite traveler NOV/DEC 2017 85

St Andrews Links FIFE, SCOTLAND, UK

Royal Melbourne Golf Club VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

As one of the oldest golf courses in the world, St Andrews is known as the “home of golf” — hardly surprising considering the game has been played here since the 15th century. There are currently seven public golf courses at St Andrews Links, with the Old Course dating back more than 600 years. Bobby Jones remarked that if he could play one last golf course before he died, it would be the links at St Andrews, and the Old Course was where Jack Nicklaus chose to play his final round of professional golf, in the 14th Open Championship. The moment was immortalized on a limited-edition Bank of Scotland £5 note, which has become a sought-after collector’s item. Par Old Course 72; The Castle Course 71; New Course 71; Jubilee Course 72; Eden Course 70; Strathtyrum Course 69; Balgrove Course 30 Tournaments hosted The Open Championship, PGA Tour

Founded 127 years ago, the exclusive (so exclusive even Elite Traveler couldn’t get access) Royal Melbourne Golf Club is widely acknowledged as the best course in Australia. There are two 18-hole courses, East and West, and for tournaments and members’ events, the club combines 12 holes from the West and six from the East to form the Composite Course. Alister MacKenzie designed the West course, and the club strives to uphold his design principles with wide, open fairways and fast and firm conditions. The World Atlas of Golf described the course as a “kaleidoscope experience of obstacles and emotions.” Par West Course 72; East Course 71 Tournaments hosted Australian Open, Presidents Cup, Women’s Australian Open