Reay Golf Club Course Guide

The first par 5 and the longest hole on the course, a good three shots are needed to reach this green, especially into the prevailing wind.

A solid drive is required to carry the 150 yards of ‘Sahara’ in front of the tee and ideally finish to the right of the fairway, but watch out for the rough.

The second shot is blind. Aim at the tall hill behind the green to finish on the right hand side of the fairway to set up a good approach.

Watch out for the Sanside Burn, out of bounds, at the rear of the green.

Gents

581 yards

Par 5

Si 3

Ladies

434 yards

Par 4

Si 4

The ‘Sahara’ is part of the Sandside Bay SSSI designated for its interesting plant communities. It is formed as a low lying sandy area supporting exceedingly wet pockets and is a legacy of sand quarrying in years gone by. Removal of tonnes of sand and associated soil/rock has created an area devoid of nutrient which allows several species of poorly competitive yet ecologically significant wild flowers to develop.

To the rear of the 4th green the Sandside Burn falls out into the Pentland Firth and is one of the access points for coastal species wishing to move southwards into the golf course and beyond. Shellduck and oyster catcher are known to nest in this area whereas bean goose and Pink-footed goose are frequent winter visitors. The illusive otter are known to use the burn to the rear of the 4th green as they move between the open sea and more sheltered inland areas.

On the steep bankings to the rear of the Sandside burn the exposed sand provides the perfect habitat for nesting sand martin who reside here each year before wintering in the Sahel region of Africa. These birds are agile flyers that feed mainly over the Sandside burn picking off small insects in the air and on the surface of the water itself.