A golf course I had the privilege to photograph recently was the magnificent Cruden Bay Golf Club in Scotland. Situated on the east coast, just north of Aberdeen and right up against the North Sea, Cruden Bay is a true links course. This is a spectacular course and a very challenging one too. For one thing, across much of the course are tall dunes that shape the holes and definitely control much of the play. The world of golf has many incredible views and the panoramic view from atop of the dune behind the 15th hole rates right up there!

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Sunrise view looking down on 15th green, Cruden Bay Golf Club

During a recent trip to Scotland I had the pleasure to visit and photograph a few of the holes at  Western Gailes Golf Club. Western Gailes is situated along the western coast in Irvine, just west of Glasgow. It was my first visit to Western Gailes and hopefully will not be my last. Famed Canadian golf architect, Doug Carrick first brought Western Gailes Golf Club to my attention a couple of years ago whilst I was photographing one of his courses in Scotland. The course is another true links course positioned between the sea on one side and a railway line on the other. If you are planning a golfing trip to Scotland Western Gailes should definitely be on your itinerary.

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8th hole, Western Gailes Golf Club

Turnberry Golf Club in Brampton Ontario is an exciting brand new type of golf course designed by Carrick Design Inc. A “short but mighty” course their website says and that’s an excellent description. It’s designed for the golfer who doesn’t have the time to play a full 18 hole championship round of golf but also doesn’t want to play the standard executive par three course. I played Turnberry GC and I can honestly say I forgot I was playing a short course! It’s a fun and challenging course to play and you still have many hours left in the day to work or do whatever! Opening to the public last summer, I was commissioned to photograph the course for their advertising.

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Behind 13th green, Turnberry Golf Club

I first photographed Eagles Nest Golf Club in 2005 soon after it opened to the public. After 5 years the course has matured beautifully and I was asked back to photograph its present look.

One of the strongest impressions I get from Eagles Nest comes before I even enter the property. As I drive along the road north of Toronto with housing subdivisions on either side Eagles Nest GC suddenly comes into view and you can’t miss it. For one thing the course is built partially on a hill but it is its towering dunes soaring above everything else that catches my eyes first. For a split second the course seems out of place with the rest of the area. But that’s only a split second, cause as soon as you realize it’s a golf course any golfer would say “WOW”! Upon entering the golf course property I easily forget I am just north of Toronto and many times find myself thinking I am back in Scotland shooting a links course. Eagles Nest is a special golf course.

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8th hole, Eagles Nest Golf Club

Last summer I was commissioned to photograph Islington Golf Club in Toronto. Islington Golf Club is a private club with a very high reputation. The famous golf architect Stanley Thompson designed the course. Stanley Thompson own design philosophy is “The most successful course is one that will test the skill of the most advanced golfer without discouraging the duffer while adding to the enjoyment of both.” I think that summarizes Islington Golf Club up nicely.

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8th green, Islington Golf Club

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Recently I was commissioned to photograph one of Scotland’s new golf courses, The Carrick on Loch Lomond. About an hour’s drive from Glasgow and just up the road from the five-star De Vere’s Cameron House Hotel lies the resort’s new 18 hole championship golf course,

The Carrick on Loch Lomond. Situated within the majestic Trossacks National Park and on the west bank of Loch Lomond with Ben Lomond souring in the distance the course is rich in year round natural scenic views.

The course only opened up for play in 2007 and is destined to be a major attraction to golf fans. The Carrick is named after Canadian golf architect Doug Carrick. The result is a stunning 7,200 yard championship course.

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15th hole at sunrsie, The Carrick on Loch Lomond

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Carved out of the rugged beauty on Lake of Bays in Ontario. My first visit to the Bigwin Island Golf Club was back in 2003 shortly after the golf club opened. Driving up to the private dock to catch a ferry to cross over to the island I knew I was in for a special treat. A spectacular course, on its own island, carved through the Canadian Shield with beautiful views of the lake and woods – brilliant!

The golf club quickly won numerous awards, such as Golf Digest Magazine’s 2003 “Best New Golf Course in Canada” and SCOREGolf’s 2004 “Top 100 courses” of 6th best golf course in Canada. I recently visited the club again to capture new golf photography to help celebrate their centennial celebration. My impression of the golf club has not changed. It’s still one of the best golf experiences in the Muskoka’s.

Stanley Thompson designed the original short course: the front nine in 1922 and the back nine completed in 1930. Sadly, the resort and golf course faded until 1986 when Allan Peters purchased the island. Doug Carrick designed the current par 72 championship course over the ruins of the original course. The course today is a “classical old-time design through the forest” with its magnificent views.

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6th hole at sunrise, Bigwin Island Golf Club

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In 2010, the RBC Canadian Open will be hosted by St. George’s Golf & Country Club in Toronto Canada. In between some of the holes being rebuilt and the course generally getting ready to host the RBC Canadian Open St. George’s GCC commissioned me to photograph the course. Designed originally by Stanley Thompson, St. George’s Golf & Country Club ranked 3rd in SCOREGolf Magazine’s 2008 Top 100 Canadian Golf Courses and 26th in Golf Digests 2007-2008 Top 100 International Courses.

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18th hole with clubhouse in background, St. George's Golf & CC

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I had the pleasure to revisit and photograph Scarboro Golf & Country Club after the course underwent substantial work. I always enjoy visiting Scarboro GCC and it all begins as soon as I get out of my car and see the beautiful traditional style clubhouse with its wrap around veranda.

Home to four Canadian Open championships Scarboro Golf & Country Club has a rich history dating back to 1912 when Toronto golf architect George Cummings originally designed the course. The course underwent extensive changes in 1924 when one of North America’s premier golf architects A. W. Tillinghast, was hired by the club hired.

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Behind 18th green, Scarboro Golf & CC

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I have had the pleasure and privilege to revisit and photograph The Ridge at Manitou a number of times since 2004. Just 20 minutes drive from Parry Sound; The Ridge of Manitou is a gem of a golf course with its unspoiled nature surroundings, Manitouwabing Lake and a real sense of privacy for the golfer.

Famed Canadian golf architect, Tom McBroom, designed the Ridge at Manitou. In 2006 Golf Digest Magazine voted the course “Best New Course in Canada”.

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11th hole, The Ridge at Manitou

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Part of one of America’s best residential communities, The Landings on Skidway Island, Plantation Golf Course is only 12 miles south of beautiful, historical “old world” charm Savannah Georgia. The golf course is one of 6 golf courses set against gorgeous natural surroundings. I had the pleasure to spend some time photographing the courses around The Landings Club.

Plantation Golf Course is a Willard Byrd design.

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3rd hole, Plantation Golf Course