Can you match Nicklaus's dream 18?

Jack Nicklaus has chosen his Dream 18 holes from the five Scottish and four English links courses which host the Open. The challenge is to match his selections

By Mike Aitken
Courtesy of the Scotsman

IN THE beginning, golf came from the sea. All of the remarkable courses which make up the modern rota on the Open championship began their existence when the last Ice Age ended around 11,000 years ago. Thanks to an earlier outbreak of global warming, the melted glaciers left behind those pockets of land which linked the beaches with the arable land beyond.

It was on this windswept terrain where the game's great links were formed, more by nature than man. Since shepherds first swung their crooks against dirt balls on the rolling terrain of St Andrews bay, golf has been played on the British linksland. From Carnoustie in Angus to Royal St George's in Kent, history has shaped the nine magnificent links which currently test the game's best players during each ten year cycle of major competition.

Carnoustie, St Andrews, Muirfield, Troon, Turnberry, Birkdale, Lytham, Hoylake and St George's are all majestic examples of the inventive use of land deserted by the ocean. In the space between the sand dunes and the grassy hollows, on shores buffeted by wind and rain, Scotland gave birth to the links game and the rest of the British Isles followed. Unlike parkland or heathland courses, these holes don't need trees or water hazards or billowing rough to make them memorable. Subtle combinations of risk and reward, trials of skill and strength which allow for the necessary intervention of the elements, lie at the heart of links golf.

Of all the modern champions, none stands taller in the game's pantheon than Jack Nicklaus. The winner of three Claret Jugs among his 18 professional major titles, Nicklaus is universally regarded as the greatest player who ever lived. For more than 30 years, Nicklaus has also been one of the game's most celebrated golf architects. There are more than 300 Nicklaus courses around the world open for play today and 100 more under construction.

The quest to design the ultimate links of the imagination began in this writer's humble hands with a selection of 90 holes from the 162 currently in use on the rota which would fairly represent the strengths of the five Scottish and four English links which host the Open.

After an initial discussion at Augusta earlier this year, the project was duly submitted to Nicklaus. After perusing the short list, he asked for one hole to be added to the selection. According to Andy O'Brien, senior vice-president for the Nicklaus Companies, writing in an e-mail, Jack proceeded to lavish a great deal of care and attention on the project. "It took an hour for him to study all of the holes," he recalled, "then (Jack] picked about a dozen holes for each par category.

"Then he made his final selections of the 18 holes. After that, he actually went and laid out how the holes should be ordered to create the 'dream course' and how he thinks it should be played. I know you didn't ask for all that, but he really got into the project.

"He was silent for half the time as he contemplated each selection. He ended up spending so much time, he delayed going to a meeting so he could finish. We laid papers on his desk and he made lists of each hole. We had someone running in and out of his office as he pulled up hole layout and graphics on the Open championship web site so he could study the holes to see if there were any changes. He then took the sheet out and filled out the list himself."

Since the Open has played such an enduringly rewarding role in Nicklaus' career - he chose to wave goodbye to the majors at St Andrews in 2005 - there could be no more fitting individual to select The Scotsman and Royal Bank of Scotland's Dream 18 than the incomparable Golden Bear. Now the challenge to match the shrewdness of his links selection is yours.

Today scotsman.com has teamed up with the Royal Bank of Scotland and golf's greatest ever player, Jack Nicklaus, to give you the chance to win a fabulous prize. We are giving readers the opportunity to be at the final day of next month's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale and watch the champion's clinching putt from the edge of the green. Then, the following day, you get to take the clubs out and play a round at Royal Birkdale. How can you get your hands on the prize? Read on.

Simply log on to scotsman.com/dream18 to create the ultimate 72 par Dream 18 course and the chance to win exclusive prizes. As well as getting to play Royal Birkdale less than 24 hours after the 2008 Open Championship, the winner will be treated to hospitality in the On-Course Club Restaurant on the final day for two people, and will be given an overnight stay at The Macdonald Hotel in Preston.

How to play

FIRST OFF, WHAT CAN I WIN?

The Royal Bank of Scotland Dream 18, in association with www.scotsman.com, is giving readers the chance to win a trip to the final day of the Open Championship at Royal Birdale. You can say you were there when the 2008 Open champion holed the clinching putt and lifted the Claret Jug. But that's not all. The winner also gets to play the Royal Birkdale course the following day - Monday 21 July - and follow in the footsteps of the professionals.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Nothing. The game is free to play and allows one entry per person.

WHERE CAN I PLAY?

Get yourself online and go to www.scotsman.com/dream18.

HOW DO I REGISTER?

Once you have logged on to the web page, click the 'register' button and complete all of the requested fields on the form displayed. You can start to make your selections as soon as you have registered.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Jack Nicklaus has selected his Dream 18 holes from the five Scottish and four English links which host the Open Championship. The object of the game is to attempt to match Nicklaus's course selection.

For each hole there are five options to choose from - one of which is Jack's selection. For each option there is a short description of the hole (including distance and par) and a picture to help you make your selection. Making your choice is easy - simply click on one of the hole selections and click 'confirm selection'. Once you have made your selection for the first hole, the second hole will appear. Just repeat this process until you have completed all 18 holes.

Following your final 18th hole selection, your scorecard will appear and you can make changes to any hole from your scorecard by clicking on the 'edit' button next to that hole. This will then re-direct you back to that hole for you to make your required change. You can also make changes to any of your choices throughout the game at any time by clicking on 'view my scorecard'.

Your Dream 18 total par must add up to a par of 72.

WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND?

Your choices will automatically save if you leave the site and they will appear when you return and login. You can continue to do this as many times as necessary and make any changes before you finally submit your entry.

HOW DO I SUBMIT MY CHOICE?

To submit your final entry just click on the 'submit' button underneath your scorecard. This button will only be available once you have selected all 18 holes and your total par equals 72. Good luck!