Macdonald Cardrona

Macdonald Cardrona’s Championship Course is a par 72 of 6,856 yards or about 6,269 metres from the white markers, designed by Dave Thomas in the Tweed Valley. Long parkland views, woodland passages, burns, water, an old railway and large USGA greens create a varied course capable of professional tournament play.

Championship Course is located in Gassin, in the Provence Alpes Cote D'Azur region, France. The course unfolds across undulating terrain, featuring numerous sloped lies and elevation changes, complemented by a tree-lined parkland where fairways are carved between trees, bunkers, and water features. This geographical overview must be supplemented by the exact nature of the soil, altitude, predominant exposure, winds, vegetation, visible landscapes, and the influence of seasons on playing conditions.

Cardrona belongs to the generation of Scottish courses developed around the turn of the twenty-first century to complement historic links and members’ clubs. Dave Thomas routed the course through the valley and it opened in 2001. Length and resort infrastructure quickly attracted the EuroPro Tour in 2004 and 2007 and the European Challenge Tour in 2007. Hotel and spa developed alongside the golf, while hole names retained local references to ruins, railway, burns, hills and Cardrona station. The course lies between wooded hills, the River Tweed and open Cardrona ground. Burns descend toward the river and the former railway shapes part of the routing. Elevation is moderate but continuous: some tees overlook the valley while others enter woodland. Wind often follows the Tweed and changes after doglegs. Parkland soil is more receptive than links turf, although open sectors run in dry weather.

Thomas combines championship length with placement and water management. The opening Thomas Test par five often plays into the prevailing wind. Castle Ruin is an attackable uphill par four. Maggie’s Tail provides a long par four; Heron’s Rest protects a shallow green with water; Kirkburn requires burn carries; Kailzie Corner narrows between trees and water. Old Railway uses the former rail corridor and Salmon Leap closes with a precise drive to an elevated green. The current card shows 6,856 yards from white and 6,555 from yellow, with longer back options. Large contoured USGA greens support heavy play. Fairways look broad but bunkers and water reduce the useful sector. Long par fours demand distance irons, and par fives such as Wallace Hill become genuine three-shot holes into wind. Woodland lies are softer and provide less run.

The course comprises 18 holes, with a par of 72, and measures approximately 6540 meters from the championship tees. The course utilizes a coastal links-style environment to arrange angles, hazards, and green approaches.

Cardrona is an integrated resort with hotel, spa, restaurants, professional shop, practice, academy, hire and online booking. Groups can combine stay, competition and dining. The experience is more contemporary than a traditional Borders club, yet Tweed scenery, woodland and hole names maintain local identity. Reconfirm rates and course conditions when travelling.

Play it for a modern championship-scale interpretation of the Scottish Borders. Cardrona asks for more length than Peebles, Duns or Hawick but retains changing lines and sequences. River, railway, woodland and large greens provide a complete round and an instructive comparison with Dave Thomas’s Roxburghe. 18 holes; par 72; 6,856 yards or about 6,269 metres from white markers; designed by Dave Thomas; opened 2001; EuroPro Tour 2004 and 2007; European Challenge Tour 2007; USGA greens; notable holes Thomas Test, Castle Ruin, Old Railway, Wallace Hill and Salmon Leap.

European Challenge Tour, EuroPro Tour, Scottish Borders Pairs Championship and resort opens — EuroPro Tour 2004 and 2007; European Challenge Tour 2007; annual open calendar The course was designed by Dave Thomas and opened in 2001; its named holes reflect the Tweed Valley, old railway and Cardrona landscape