5 Things to Know About Royal Troon

After watching Henrik Stenson capture the 2016 Open Championship, you’ve probably fallen in love with Royal Troon. Here are 5 things to know:

1. Royal Troon was fast and firm for the Open Championship-Considered one of the finest links courses in the world, Royal Troon has gotten even better with a recent enhancement. Greenskeepers recently created a firmer playing surface. Previously, the course had used a sand-soil mix for topdressing, but they converted to sand only. Greens, tees, fairways and surrounds have been top dressed with Hugh King’s Washed Dune Sand. Gentlemen, get ready for a fast track.

2. The Todd Hamilton win-In 2004, little known U.S.A. journeyman came out of nowhere to emerge the champion at Royal Troon. He beat Ernie Els in a 4-hole aggregate playoff. Other Open Champions at Royal Troon from the U.S. include Tom Watson, Tom Weiskopf, Arnold Palmer and Mark Calcavecchia. Royal Troon has hosted the Open Championship eight times.

3. Famous and infamous-Mention “the Postage Stamp” hole and everyone in golf knows you’re talking about the par-3, number 8 hole at Royal Troon. For those who can hold the green, birdie is possible. Calamity and double and triples await you if you land in one of the five deep surrounding bunkers.

4. A few ales and an idea-Royal Troon was the vision of a small group of golfers who met in the bar of the Portland Arms Hotel in 1878. Following a few libations (don’t know if there were any scribbles on bar napkins), they formed the Royal Troon Golf Club.

5. A fabulous location-Royal Troon is located near more than 20 other golf courses on a beautiful stretch of 40-mile coastline in southwest Scotland. The area has 9 of Scotland’s Top 50 courses, including three in the Open Championship rota.