By Kent Gray
Josh Hill has made golf look ridiculously easy at times in 2018 but proved yesterday he knows how to scrap too when the chips are down.

The 14-year-old came back from three down after seven holes in his first match at the British Boys Amateur Championship in Ireland to beat Scot Lewis Irvine 2 up.

RELATED: The unbelievable 2018 feats of Dubai’s new golf whiz kid

It sees the Jumeirah Golf Estates member and MENA Tour player in waiting through to the final 32 at Royal Dornoch. Hill faces Jose Luis Ballaster at 9.41am (12.41pm UAE time) and a second match on a busy Friday at the 2019 Open Championship venue if he can overcome the Spaniard. Ballaster edged Belgian James Meyer de Beco 3&1 in his opening match.

The performance comes after Hill finished a highly credible T-5 in the strokeplay phase of the Junior Amateur which is matched only by the U.S. Junior Am in terms of U-18 prestige globally.

Hill’s parents were following their son’s progress on the R&A website and it was clearly nailbiting stuff for father Russell.

“By all accounts it was a hell of a match from sunshine to rain to driving wind, having to play 3 woods on par 3s and apparently (which doesn’t happen very often) he utilised a fist pump,” Russell said

Well that was a hard day at the office with the live scoring rehashing every 90secs ??(apparently it was much harder on the course). I am feeding this of the wife’s reports and what I saw. After the first 3 holes Josh went one down, after the 6th he went two down, what I didn’t see (thank god) was after the seventh he went three down but thank god (for my sake) by the time the mini printer caught up on the ninth he was back to 2 down, by 12th 1 down, by 15 all square, 1 up after a? on 16, and won the 18th to win the match two up!by all accounts it was a hell of a match from sunshine to rain to driving wind, having to play 3 woods on par 3s and apparently (which doesn’t happen very often) he utilised a fist pump. But happy to get through and to add another experience to the growing list. This one sounded as though it took real balls!???????well done Josh good luck tomorrow! (I take no responsibility for the facts it could be fake reporting from the wife) I must say commiserations to Lewis Irvine it seemed to be one hell of a fight that could of swung either way! @jgegolf @bhsgdubai @faldoseries @jmarshallgolf

A post shared by Russell (@russellhill19) on Aug 16, 2018 at 12:05pm PDT

“But happy to get through and to add another experience to the growing list. This one sounded as though it took real balls. Well done Josh… good luck tomorrow [Friday]!”

Sentiments shared by many in UAE golfing community.

UPDATED: Hill’s encouraging summer campaign in the U.K. has come to an end after he was beaten 5&3 by Spaniard Jose Luis Ballaster in their round of 16 clash.

Here’s some more commentary from Hill’s father via Instagram.

Just talked to Josh about the day at the British Boys His summary was this “I played ok but not my best he just played unreal, especially if one considers the conditions” guess one can’t legislate for that and match play can be brutal with those dynamics. Still overall a great summer for the experience bank. Vid from earlier in the summer.

A post shared by Russell (@russellhill19) on Aug 17, 2018 at 12:07pm PDT

The post UPDATED: Hill’s British Boys Amateur run comes to an end appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

After an unbelievable summer in the UAE which saw him waltz to the Emirates Golf Federation title and Faldo Series Middle East title, the 14-year-old has savoured a winning start to his international career as England sealed a three-peat of Boys Home Internationals titles on Thursday.

And the MENA Tour player in waiting did it in style too, securing a crucial singles point with a 3&2 win over Charlie Denvir as England edged Ireland 8-7 to go through the U-18 teams event at Royal Dornoch in Scotland unbeaten.

Repost By @robwattsgolf: “England Boys ??????? ??? 11-4 Wales in Boys Home Internationals ? proud of the team ? #england #boyshomeinternationals #team” (via #InstaRepost @EasyRepost)

A post shared by Russell (@russellhill19) on Aug 8, 2018 at 9:52pm PDT

The win meant Hill contributed three of a possible four points in his England bow – not bad for a kid who still potentially four years at this level.

Related: Meet Josh Hill, Dubai’s new golf whiz kid

A post shared by Russell (@russellhill19) on Aug 9, 2018 at 5:39am PDT

The post Hill seals crucial point as England claim Boys Home Internationals three-peat appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 14-year-old Dubai-born player has been rested for this morning’s fourballs as England face Ireland in the decisive match of the U-18 teams championship but will be third to last out for the defending champions in the afternoon’s pivotal singles.

Hill will face Elm Park player Charlie Denvir at 6.35pm (UAE time).

It comes after the Jumeirah Golf Estates +5 handicapper overcame the disappointment of his first international loss with foursomes team-mate Max Hopkins by thrashing Welshman Dylan Thomas 5&4 on Wedmesday. The point helped England beat Wales 11-4 while Ireland overpowered Scotland 10½- 4½ to set up today’s final.

After winning their match against Scotland on Tuesday, Hill and Hopkins fizzled against Welsh duo Sean David and Tom Peet, losing 2&1.

But the Englishman more than made up for it; Hopkins trounced David 7&6 while Hill responded to going one down to a Thomas’ birdie by rattling off five birdies in the next 12 holes before shaking hands with Thomas on the 14th green.

Really tired now! Today was a beautiful slog. Morning foursomes was hard. Josh and Max were sent out together again expecting to care on the form from yesterday. No sparks flew, nothing dropped and they just never found the magic today. They lost 2&1. Afternoon was a different story, I think Josh was so annoyed from his morning outing he found a game for the afternoon. He won 5&4, never a bogie on the card and was 5 under. Tomorrow is against Ireland!

A post shared by Russell (@russellhill19) on Aug 8, 2018 at 12:00pm PDT

Hill’s father Russell was again on hand to witness the action.

“Today was a beautiful slog. Morning foursomes [were] hard. Josh and Max were sent out together again expecting to carry on the form from yesterday [against Scotland but] no sparks flew, nothing dropped and they just never found the magic today,” Hill Snr said.

“[The] afternoon was a different story, I think Josh was so annoyed from his morning outing he found a game for the afternoon. He won 5&4, never a bogie on the card and was 5 under. Tomorrow is against Ireland!”

The post Hill on cusp of claiming Boys Home Internationals title in England debut appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Josh Hill might be the youngest of the four debutants in an England line-up chasing a Boys Home Internationals three-peat in Scotland this week but he’s certainly not talking like an wide-eyed rookie.

The 14-year-old Dubai-born +5-handicapper clearly not only feels at home in the company of the United Kingdom’s best U-18 players, he expects to excel at Royal Dornoch over the next three days.

Hill will partner Hertfordshire 15-year-old Max Hopkins as England open their defence in Sutherland against Scotland on Tuesday. They’ll face the host’s duo of Jack Broun and Andrew Thornton in the morning foursomes before Hill is rested for the afternoon singles.

RELATED: Josh Hill leads off our new ‘Sand Trap’ feature

The Jumeirah Golf Estates product expects to play a full complement of matches on  Wednesday and Thursday against Wales and Ireland after sealing his international debut with eye catching 10th and 11th placings in the England U-16 (McGregor Trophy) and U-18 (Carrus Trophy) Championships.

“I feel like I can compete against all these guys which again gives me confidence,” Hill told GolfDigestME.com

“I’m playing five out of the six games so I expect, first time, I’ll be a bit nervous, so maybe three or four points hopefully…probably four…maybe even five but, yeah…

“I am a bit nervous heading into the week obviously but I’m excited as it’s the first time. I’ve got to know all the guys in the squad, really nice, really funny. Playing foursomes tomorrow and we’ve decided, between me and my partner [Hopkins], that I’m not hitting first tee shot so I won’t probably be as nervous as if I was hitting the first tee shot. I’m very excited.”

Related: Meet Josh Hill, Dubai golf’s new whiz kid

Hill enjoyed his practice rounds on Dornoch which came after a dream loop of the Old Course at St Andrews, a wondrous distraction after missing the cut at the English Amateur Championship at Formby G.C. by a shot.

That setback is all part of a well-charted but very steep learning curve.

“I went onto English Am where I made a triple and double in the first day and finished four over [76], so apart from them two, I was one under. Shot one under [70] the next day and missed the cut by one so it was quite hard to take. They were really bad triples and doubles, but it’s a learning experience. I know I could have easily made the cut, just two bad holes and I’ve missed the cut by one.”

Aside from a second round 65 in the Carrus Trophy which propelled Hill into a share of the 36-hole lead, the home-schooled English teen hasn’t yet hit his straps during this U.K. sojourn. It makes his call up to the U-18 national squad all the more remarkable.

“It means a lot to be selected for the England team. It shows me that they think I’m a good player and obviously one of the best in England which gives me a lot of confidence for my game going forward.”

The post Dubai’s Hill in high spirits ahead of Boys Home Internationals debut appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Welcome to the first edition of The Sand Trap, where we scour the worldwide inter-web for the Middle East’s best golf news before expertly splashing it out with absolutely no (okay, sometimes a little) spin. Call it old school polishing (reporting) of today’s social media overload, a light-hearted take on everything that is great about golf in the game’s hottest destination.

We’re unapologetically Middle East centric – our colleagues at Golf Digest H.Q. in New York will continue to update you on the best global goings on via ‘The Grind’ and the ‘Dew Sweeper’ – so if it has even a tenuous link to the game here, we’ll be all over it.

If you win a title and your club does the needful online, check in here – you might just feature (remember to smile and share!) alongside the region’s more high profile players. Don’t be shy to share that viral worthy post either. A trick shot or a laughter educing whiff from one of your golfing pals perhaps? Simply tag us @GolfDigestME and we’ll do the rest. Who knows, you really could go global with the assistance of Golf Digest.

With that, enjoy this, your first escape from with the Sand Trap, which we coincidently launch just as the year’s final major is about to take the starter’s orders in St. Louis. Enjoy.

THIS WEEK IN THE INCREDIBLE RISE AND RISE OF JUNIOR PHENOM JOSH HILL

Before we head to Bellerive Country Club for the 100th staging of the U.S. PGA Championship, divert your attention, Dear Sand Trappers, to Royal Dornoch where they’ve apparently been golfing since 1616. That’s 402 years ago according the abacus at Media One Towers, or 388 years since Josh Hill was born right here in Dubai. The drawn out connection here is that Hill is set to tee it up at Dornoch on Tuesday as England opens the defence of its Boys Home Internationals title. And that’s as stunning as the fabled Scottish highlands links land hosting the matchplay event where each team faces the other over three days in five morning foursomes and 10 afternoon singles matches each day.

Hill’s selection to the U-18 England team – remember he’s 14! – continues a meteoric rise. It wasn’t that long ago he was posing with Ryder Cuppers Andy Sullivan and Rory McIlroy as a wide-eyed 12-year-old having just played the DP World Tour Championship Pro-Am at JGE, coinsidently where he trains.

That was late 2016. Fast-forward to early 2018 and Hill marked himself as the hottest prospect in UAE golf since the emergence of Rayhan Thomas, courtesy of eight wins in a magical three month stretch to April. It will be fascinating to see how Hill fares in the pressure-filled matches against Scotland, Wales and Ireland as England aim for a title three-peat. Whatever happens at Dornach, Dubai looks to have unearthed a genuine gem. Best wishes to Josh and kudos to his supportive parents Russell and Jo and Butch Harmon School of Golf Dubai instructor Joe Marshall. All can be justifiably proud of the unexpected international call-up.

JP ON THE ROAD (AGAIN) TO THE 100th PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Talking of the BHSG Dubai, the stock of the Els Club Dubai-based academy’s Director of Instruction, Justin Parsons, continues to rise. ‘JP’ has been criss-crossing the globe recently working with former major champions Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen who are now firmly ensconced in a stable that also includes Peter Uihlein, Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera and the aforementioned Rayhan Thomas. The Northern Irishman was in Akron last week and departed for the PGA Championship thoroughly encouraged by Schwartzel’s storming finish to the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, a 63 at Firestone Country Club propelling the former Masters champion up to a share of 31st with, among others, Tiger Woods.

Great to watch @charlschwartzel get it going today- 63 to finish the week strong. Firestone is a great venue and will be missed, glad I saw the last one. On to the @pgachampionship

A post shared by Justin Parsons (@jparsonsgolf) on Aug 5, 2018 at 1:07pm PDT

Here’s more of JP’s recent handiwork (scroll through the Insta post to see Oosty and Schwartzel in practice at Firestone).

Great to be in Akron for the WGC!!

A post shared by Justin Parsons (@jparsonsgolf) on Jul 31, 2018 at 6:12pm PDT

Parsons was headed to Bellerive (Schwartzel, Oosthuizen, Uihlein and Lorenzo-Vera are all in the field) overnight via a road trip with International Sport Management (think Chubby Chandler’s company) player manager Louis Martin in an RV.  (FYI, Oosthuizen and Uihlein are ISM clients).

So the NFL Hall of Fame is here, flights are full. This legend and I are taking a road trip from Akron-St Louis in an RV. Story to follow- seems like a good idea ????? @ Firestone Country… https://t.co/PtJyDK0xQT

— Justin Parsons (@JParsonsGolf) August 5, 2018

It’s a pretty epic sounding trip – all 900km of it – and we do hope JP shares some footage as promised. What we can guarantee, cough, cough, splutter, splutter, is that it’s not the final destination for the UAE’s best known coach. Again, watch this space.

Related: Woods, Rory and WGC-Bridgestone champion Thomas paired for PGA

TALKING OF GLOBE-TROTTING UAE PROS

With the mercury at sizzling point and the UAE’s driving ranges relatively empty as a result, it’s an ideal time for the UAE’s hard working PGA teaching professionals to grab some well-deserved R&R. And some, like Trump International Dubai head pro Sven Nielsen, are doing it better than most as these epic pictures from Scotland highlands illustrate.

Some breathtaking views at @carnegielinks with the guys yesterday!! Great to play in 20 degrees again. #summergolf #golf #golfer #greatgolfcourse #views #unreal

A post shared by Sven Nielsen (@svennielsenpga) on Aug 3, 2018 at 11:17am PDT

The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle is a private club “offering limited tee times to non-residents”. As a former pro at Trump Turnberry, we’re guessing Nielsen didn’t have too much trouble getting on. He certainly had little trouble playing his Tiger-esque stinger:

Little 2-iron stinger here!!! ???? Amazing day at @carnegielinks with @msweenie_golf @rob.satterley.golf and @calsatterley what a phenomenal golf course and experience!! Thanks for having us!!! #golf #golfer #golflesson #golfcoach #greatcourse #greatgolfcourse

A post shared by Sven Nielsen (@svennielsenpga) on Aug 2, 2018 at 4:55pm PDT

Nice shot, Sven. But perhaps not quite as flush as your recent ace at Trump.

?HOLE IN ONE? today for me while playing with one of my clients. 145yards PW. ???? #golf #golfer #holeinone #golfcoach #golflesson @trumpgolf @trumpgolfdubai

A post shared by Sven Nielsen (@svennielsenpga) on Jul 20, 2018 at 11:52pm PDT

We’re genuinely happy for the hard-working South African but won’t be so generous if the Springboks show as much class in the upcoming Rugby Championship. Did we mention the team behind the Sand Trap are ardent supporters of the All Blacks?

LUKE’S PRO V1 JOY

Just like the mighty All Blacks, we love golf swag at the Sand Trap, especially swag of the, well, you know, free kind. Check out the booty MENA Tour player Luke Joy has just recieved from a couple of well-known sponsors.

Huge thanks to @GOLFPRINCIPLES @callawaygolf @Callaway_Mat for all the help with getting the new X- Forged irons set up ?Awesome service and superb product come as standard! Many thanks guys?#golfprinciples #lukejoygolf #callaway #rogue #trackman pic.twitter.com/erN0cnP3Nj

— Luke Joy (@JoyBoy59) July 28, 2018

Always great to get a delivery from @titleistukireland / Africa Thanks @titleist for keeping me stocked up… I use the Pro V1 X Ball and Players glove?. #1 #1ballingolf #prov1x #golf #titleist #golfball #lukejoygolf

A post shared by Luke Joy – ‎ليوك (@lukejoygolf) on Aug 3, 2018 at 10:48am PDT

Nice. We’re guessing these shiny new spheres will travel a little further than the tee shot of Joy’s brother Ollie during a recent social round.

So bit of social golf today with my Bro @ollie_joy85 and Cousin at Queens Park GC… Both didn’t make it past the ladies tee… Rules are Rules ? #queenspark #sunshine #pantsdown #golf #keepingitfun #ladiestee #familygolf #family #priceless #bournemouth #england #funinthesun #chef #aussie #lukejoygolf

A post shared by Luke Joy – ‎ليوك (@lukejoygolf) on Aug 2, 2018 at 1:55pm PDT

Rules are rules but enough of those shenanigans. The Yas Links-attached Englishman is just back from a steady 12th place finish in last week’s Sunshine Tour stop in Kenya, an encouraging bounce-back after playing like a complete plonker – his words, not ours – in Open Championship qualifying. 

Joy still has designs on a European Tour card via Q-School ahead of a series of starts on the Sunshine and Asian Tours towards the end of 2018 “with the end goal of punching a ticket to secure European Tour status or at least have some events with a full playing category on the Challenge Tour”.

“I’m working hard with Matt Parker down at Yas so all seems to be working towards the ET for the coming years.”

Here’s hoping, although don’t be surprised if you see more off the course action on JoyBoy59’s twitter feed in the coming weeks; the 30-year-old Dorset pro is getting married at the end of the month. We’re sure fiancée Lauren-Leanne Bellows wouldn’t mind a prolonged honeymoon following hubby to some of the European Tour’s more exotic locales.

To be fair, Joy will need to keep winning to continue to afford experiences like this watching his beloved England in the World Cup.

Thanks for an amazing few weeks @England … You got a whole nation believing, dreaming and singing! Gutted yes, but the future looks very promising for this young side ???????#threeloins pic.twitter.com/BarrHQw8br

— Luke Joy (@JoyBoy59) July 11, 2018

JoyBoy indeed!

FRIENDLY REMINDER #1

It’s not long now until the climax of the European Tour season at JGE. In fact, it’s 99-days until the DP World Tour Championship. Follow the prompt for free tickets, Sand Trappers.

Only #100daystogo until the #greatestplayersonearth return to @JumeirahGolfEst for the #dpwtc. Register for free general admission now #racetodubai pic.twitter.com/MOX8le3aOw

— DP World Tour Championship (@DPWTC) August 5, 2018

DUBAI TROPHY BLAST FROM THE PAST

Former head pro Malcolm Young is clearly in a nostalgic space as he packs up after 10½ years at Arabian Ranches to take up a new posting in Hong Kong. Or perhaps he just found this picture as he was clearing out some clutter.

Either way, it’s a cool rewind to the 2010 Dubai Golf Trophy which the professionals snuck by a solitary point. The Pros will miss Young’s talents next winter as they try to avert a fourth straight loss to the EGF’s best amateurs, but not half as much as the quietly spoken Scot’s old clientele at Ranches. Dubai’s loss is the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf’s gain. Yup, that’s how highly rated Young is.

ANOTHER SAD FOND FAREWELL

There are leaving dos and then there’s the way Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club do the leaving do. Stick with us here.

How about honouring New Zealand-bound course superintendent Marty Brown with his own golf tournament.

Marty Brown, our Golf Course superintendent is leaving (after 12 years service). Come down and join us on his farewell golf day on 10 August.#golf #sharjah #sharjahgolf #golfindubai #farewellgolf pic.twitter.com/KpYl2d4qRF

— Sharjah Golf & SClub (@SharjahGolf) August 2, 2018

A classy move from a club that is making a habit of doing classy things and best of all, there’s still time to farewell Brown by entering the event.  The Kiwi leaves huge steel-capped boots to fill after presenting SGSC in pristine condition for the last two Staysure Tour (formerly European Senior Tour) Sharjah Senior Golf Masters events. Go well Marty. Oh, and I’m sure you’ll join us in wishing the Mighty All Blacks all the best as well. We did warn you!

TODAY’S TEAR-JERKER

Okay, here’s the Sand Trap’s first tenuous Middle East link. Sure Justin Thomas hasn’t played in the Desert Swing yet – perhaps the American will be the star draw at January’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship or even the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic? – but we just couldn’t ignore his win in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational overnight. More to the point, we loved that JT’s grandparents were on hand to see his third win of the season at Firestone.

What a day for the family

A post shared by Justin Thomas (@justinthomas34) on Aug 5, 2018 at 7:59pm PDT

What a keepsake that pic will be. And now on to Bellerive with Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy set to push Thomas all the way in his defence of the Wanamaker Trophy. Golf is deep. Really, really deep as this 72nd hole drive from JT shows. And to think McIlroy hit a 400+ yarder in the final round at Firestone.

JT’s 394 yards drive at the 18th is the second longest drive ever hit on the final hole at Firestone (396, Tiger in 2003). ・・・ #WGCBridgestone Repost #europeantour

A post shared by Golf Digest Middle East (@golfdigestme) on Aug 5, 2018 at 9:54pm PDT

GEORGIA ON OUR MINDS

The newly-minted Ricoh Women’s British Open champion has been a perennial contender at the OMEGA Dubai Ladies Classic is recent years so there’s a genuine Middle East link to this snippet.

Stunning moment @RICOHWomensBrit #champion @georgiahall96 and a crowd of very #excited youngsters just shows what a young #homegrown #talent can do for #golf #congratulations #georgiahall @ricoheurope @CallawayGolfEU @goodwood_golf #berenberg @RandA @GettySport pic.twitter.com/gw0NORULmW

— David Cannon (@Cannonball63) August 5, 2018

And these stunning pictures are from our favourite golf photographer too, UAE regular David Cannon. Enjoy.

David Cannon

David Cannon

David Cannon

David Cannon

THE GULF CLUB

How about the play of David Baldwin and Leighton Johnson in capturing the EGF’s Summer Pairs Open sponsored by Golf Superstore. Check out all the action in his post from Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club:

Looks like they were having fun in the sun (okay, blistering heat) at Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club too in annual Troon Executive Card Summer Series.

We had fantastic TEC Summer Series over the weekend at Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. Thank you all for your participation and congratulations to the winners! #playgolf #troongolf

A post shared by Saadiyat Beach Golf Club (@saadiyatbeachgolfclub) on Aug 5, 2018 at 4:58am PDT

We had fantastic TEC Summer Series over the weekend at Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. Thank you all for your participation and congratulations to the winners! #playgolf #troongolf

A post shared by Abu Dhabi Golf Club (@abudhabigolfclub) on Aug 5, 2018 at 5:01am PDT

The winners were grinners in the fourth round of the Summer BMW X5 Series Open Social at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club too.

Aurn & Vivian win. The fourth round of the Summer BMW X5 Series Open Social was hosted on the 4th August 2018. The format was Betterball medal on the front nine and a Texas Scramble Medal on the back nine. The duo returned net 35 (1 under par) in the betterball & net 30 (6 under par) in the nine hole Texas Scramble format. Giving the pair a combined score of 65, 7 under par. Congratulation to both! @bmwmiddleeast #golf #sharjahgolf #sharjah #greatprizes #summergolf #winners

A post shared by Sharjah Golf (@sharjahgolf) on Aug 5, 2018 at 5:38am PDT

WE. CAN’T. STOP. WATCHING.

Finally, if you’re not already following us on Instagram, here’s a couple of recent posts that should entice you to sign-up at golfdigestme:

Father and son weekend goals. ?‍?

A post shared by Golf Digest Middle East (@golfdigestme) on Aug 2, 2018 at 1:38pm PDT

Talk about father-son goals.

And then there is this in the latest installment of Phil Being Phil, just in case you missed it (quite how that is possible is beyond us).

In My Philings ???

A post shared by Golf Digest Middle East (@golfdigestme) on Aug 2, 2018 at 9:35pm PDT

We don’t know what Lefty’s Dad dance is so weirdly alluring. But… We. Can’t. Stop. Watching. At least it was better than his running putt in the U.S. Open. But lets move on, maybe by watching again. Until next time…Wow Phil. Just wow.

The post Welcome to the ‘Sand Trap’, a social media take on all things Middle East golf appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Joel Beall
The Open Championship, especially when conducted in Scotland, is notorious for the weather factoring into the contest. But we doubt this year’s field will face anything this extreme.

The United Kingdom has been blanketed by snowfall emanating from Siberia, a storm dubbed by Europeans as “The Beast from the East.” Scotland was not immune from the blizzard, with parts of the northern country receiving 10 inches of powder. An inconvenience, yes, but also a salvo that swathed some of the world’s greatest links in a winter wonderland.

Demonstrated by these photos of the Old Course at St. Andrews…

As well as down the street at the Castle Course…

Up through the Highlands to Royal Dornoch…  

The beast from the east has hit. No golf today!! #beastfromtheeast #snow #wind #drifting

A post shared by Gary Dingwall (@royaldornochpro) on Feb 28, 2018 at 3:42am PST

Back down the coastline to Cruden Bay…

Eye-catching views captured between heavy snow showers at Cruden Bay Golf Club today. @Crudenbaygolf @BBCScotWeather @Greatherday @visitabdnbt #OutAndAboutScotland #ScotSpirit #CrudenBay pic.twitter.com/v2K3wDPLuh

— Stewart Paul (@StewartPaul1) February 28, 2018

And yes, Carnoustie, host of this year’s claret jug, was also painted in white…

#Repost @theopen ・・・ The famous Spectacles bunkers under snow at this years Open Venue @carnoustiegolflinks ? @craigboath9

A post shared by Carnoustie Golf Links (@carnoustiegolflinks) on Feb 28, 2018 at 9:04am PST

Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian, which will host the Scottish Open the week before The Open at Carnoustie, wasn’t immune either.

Beauty and the Beast (from the East)… ?‍ pic.twitter.com/czSvJmHA9X

— Gullane Golf Club (@GullaneGolfClub) February 28, 2018

American golfers often complain their Scottish excursion was dampened by constant rain. But, as the photos above illustrate, there are worse precipitation fates from Mother Nature.

The post St. Andrews, Carnoustie and other Scottish links are covered in snow, and the photos are dazzling appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.