Pitlochry golfers finally succumb to snow

Dec 21 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

FROZEN OUT golfers across Scotland have been kicking their heels in the clubhouse for weeks now.

But until the latest snowfalls of the last few days blanketed the hillside course, hardy Pitlochry players were still getting out and about.

Ironically, a course tagged the “Switzerland of Scotland” still boasted green turf while it was a white-out everywhere else.

Professional Mark Pirie said: “Play has been impossible over the last few days because the snow has arrived with a vengeance. We had five inches on Sunday and there is 12 inches lying on the slopes now.

“But while most clubs in Scotland were forced to close we still had 13 or 15 holes open for play last week. There can’t have been many, if any, in that bracket. We were discussing it at the Scottish PGA dinner in Glasgow and my fellow pros couldn’t believe it. They thought it was a wind-up. Either that or I had been drinking before lunch!

“But we are a hardy breed up in Pitlochry. Either hardy or plain daft, I’m not sure which!

“A west wind shifted most of the snow which fell earlier in the month and we decided to give nature a helping hand.

“Holes like 10, 11 and 12 remained out of action because of the tree lines but the greenkeepers got out with shovels and pick axes to get rid of any ice on winter tees and greens. They got it cleared and dedicated golfers got their game last week.”