Issue link: http://pgaofcanada.uberflip.com/i/390538
T he Ryder Cup likes its pomp and circumstance. ere's all those ceremonies, with the teams and their respec- tive significant others all dressed up in complementary colours. ere's the drama of the televised rounds. And there are the golf courses. e problem is that last bit. e courses where the Ryder Cup is played—especially in Europe—are almost all homogenized, generic and dull. While standing on the 10th hole at e Golf House Club at Elie, I wondered why the tournament wasn't being played on one of the more intriguing courses I've been witness to. To my way of thinking Elie has everything a great Scottish links should offer. It has the quirky charm of meandering fairways and a killer set of greens. It starts in a town and runs to the ocean, where it presents magnificent views. Its finishing hole is next to the car park (not a necessity, but a common factor at Scottish links). It is majestic in spots, odd in others and always ignites the imagination. Contrast that with the Centenary Course at Gleneagles, which holds this year's Ryder Cup. A North American parkland course designed by Jack Nicklaus, the course lacks the charm and prox- imity to the ocean to make it a true representation of Scottish golf. at's why I went to Elie—I wanted to find the soul of links golf. It isn't found in the big British open courses, or the tracks like the Centenary Course that host big events. It is found in the wander- ing fairways of the small towns of Scotland, where quirky elements are embraced and where greatness abounds. With that in mind, if you're not trophy hunting, and can bring yourself to drive by Carnoustie to play Montrose, or seek Brora instead of Royal Dornoch, here's five lesser-known courses to search out when you're in Scotland. And like fine wine, there's a pairings suggestion for the name courses they sit nicely with. gems Scotland's lesser-known courses offer big rewards By Robert ompson >> 33 | FALL 2014 Golf House Club at Elie