$1,937,850 house in the middle of The Open Championship's Royal Troon course up for sale
Royal Troon Golf Club is the only course in the world that hosts major championships and also has a house in the middle of it that isn't part of the property. It is Blackrock House, which is currently available for $1,937,850.
Blackrock House is a golf fan's dream home. It has a direct view of five holes at Royal Troon, including the scene of the greatest definitions, the 18th hole.
Although the exact date of its construction is unknown, it was in existence when Royal Troon Golf Club opened in 1878. At present, Blackrock House consists of two cottages, i.e. two different properties.
One of them is for sale and the prize is £1,500,000 ($1,937,850) according to real estate agents Strutt & Parker, as quoted by National Club Golfer.
The current owners of the cottage for sale have lived there for about 40 years. In other words, they have been able to watch the last five Open Championships played at Royal Troon from their windows, including the current edition.
Thanks to this opportunity, they saw Mark Calcavecchia crowned in 1989, Justin Leonard in 1997, Todd Hamilton in 2004 and Henrik Stenson in 2016. Presumably, they will say goodbye to the property after seeing the 2024 champion.
A look at the history of Royal Troon Golf Club
Royal Troon Golf Club opened in 1878 with a five-hole course. The original design was by George Strath and Willie Fernie, who also spearheaded the expansion of the course to 18 holes by 1888.
Today, the club has three courses and a total of 45 holes. The championship course is the Old Course, one of the most historic in the world. Ten editions of The Open Championship have been played there, in addition to other high-profile tournaments.
The Old Course currently measures 7,175 yards and is par 71. Its rating is 75, and it is generally considered to be one of the most difficult courses in the world.
In addition to The Open Championship, it hosted the 2020 Women's Open, five editions of the Amateur Championship, four of the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship and one of the Senior Open Championship.
The list of players who have won there includes Arthur Havers, Bobby Locke, Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf, Tom Watson, Mark Calcavecchia, Justin Leonard, Todd Hamilton, Henry Stenson and Sophia Popov.
The course is home to some of the world's most famous holes, including the par-3, 123-yard 8th hole known as the "Postal Stamp". This hole is most famous for being a remarkably short par 3, if not for the bunker known as the "coffin" that is located on one side of the green.
The course also features one of the longest par 5s in Major championships, the 613-yard 6th hole. It is a hole that does not have the characteristics of a classic par 5, as it has no curves or doglegs, it is completely straight from tee to hole.