It had been three years and a month after the excitement of first visiting Askernish Golf Club and the ‘Old’ Tom Morris designed links gem laid out along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline on the west coast of the island of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides.

On that maiden visit we were warmly greeted by Askernish Club chairman Ralph Thompson and invited to compete in one of the club’s competitions.

Askernish Golf Club located on the western and Atlantic Ocean side of the Outer Hebridies island of South Uist.

Unfortunately, Ralph could not join us on our second visit but then he had a pretty decent excuse having broken his leg.

However on this return to Askernish we met up with Robert Patrick who ‘Tour Miss’ had presented with the a blue ceramic Claret Jug replica trophy that Sunday afternoon in June 2012, and who was again was visiting the club on the same weekend we had returned last month.  And in a bizarre twist Robert says he’s now a member of Crail Golfing Society so it was good to spend time with him and his friends.

Askernish GC – View of the 1st green with South Uist mountains in the background (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

In short, the history of Askernish Golf Club is remarkable in that it was laid out in 1891 but then went into decline in the 1920s before being ‘re-discovered’ and re-opened to much acclaim nearly a century later in 2008.

Askernish is one of the greatest ‘natural looking’ links courses I’ve ever had the pleasure to play with its setting along the shoreline of the great Atlantic Ocean and the fact that two holes are never the same.

Bernie on the Atlantic Ocean shoreline at Askernish Golf Club.

The course is wonderful also in that there is so many holes where you stand high on the tees above the fairways feeling a sense of authority over the hole but then descending to find the course staring hard at you as you seek to meet the challenge of getting up-and-down for par.

I intend to write a full feature article on the course but for the time being here is a selection of pics to whet your appetite in making your own visit to Askernish Golf Club.

Askernish GC – View off the 7th tee and Barra island to the right of the picture. Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

Classic links bunkering at the par four 8th hole at Askernish Golf Club. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

Askernish GC – View off the demaning 191-yard 11th tee with the island of Barra in the background as your line off the tee and a simple pathway through the grass leading up to the green.

George Morris, and a relative of course designer ‘Old’ Tom Morris, takes time out near the 10th tee Askernish GC.

Bernie and ‘friend’ relaxing along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline at Askernish GC.

George holds the flag as his favourite hole at Askernish GC – ‘Old Tom’s Pulpit and the par 4, 16th hole.

Bernie’s Koala Bear headcover spotted on the 18th tee at Askernish GC.