Thursday, 15 July 2010 12:20
Originally written by Jimmy Headrick

Yes, sheep will determine this years champion at the oldest golf course in the world, the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland.

Golf was played at St. Andrews as far back as 600 years ago, and it is noted that King James lV bought his golf clubs there in 1506. His magesty would have also shared the golf course with sheep grazing.

The weather can be brutal coming in off the North Sea.  The sheep would scrape away the grass and dirt to shelter themselves from the cold winds.  While this angered the golfers, they did realize this made the course more demanding. That’s how the bunker was born.

There must have been many sheep there because there are 112 bunkers on the Old Course.  Over the years, many of the craters have taken on their own personality and been given unique names.  On the par-5 14th, you will find the famous Hell’s bunker.  To give you an idea, this trap is nearly six feet deep and the size of a large living room.

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