The Machrie is Open for Business, Green Fees Reduced

Head greenkeeper Simon Freeman is the last man remaining on the green staff at The Machrie Hotel and Golf Links, but the fantastic layout is open for business while it is up for sale. Since there are no irrigation heads anywhere on the property and the nights are still cool, Freeman's mowing schedule is not as intense as if the layout was artificially watered or it was the dead of summer.

Freeman has also taken to posting regularly on Facebook to keep golfers apprised of the situation.

"Despite going into administration, the Machrie is absolutely open for business as usual, and the more people we can persuade to come and make use of the facility this year, the more money will be made available to us to spend on the course for the benefit of everyone," he wrote.

Freeman also posted that because the restaurant is closed and there are no changing facilities, green fees for April will be reduced to 40 pounds.

KPMG continues to manage the property and look for a buyer.

I played The Machrie last year with Keith Martin, the head greenkeeper at Machrihanish Dunes, along with his assistant Kevin Smith. It's an absolute joy and easily worth the ferry ride to the Isle of Islay.

Freeman has also had the time to post some fantastic photos of the course on Facebook, two of which I've included here.