There are approximately 3,000 golf courses within the UK. Names such as Royal Lytham St Annes, Wentworth and Carnoustie are household golfing venues familiar to all. It is not a surprise when these historical and worthy golf courses creep year after year into the top 100 golf courses of the UK list. The national specialist magazine, Golf Monthly, together with Footjoy who compile the rating list also publish a biennial list entitled “100 hidden gems”. In this list, rather than the more exclusive resort style venues, are featured friendly, welcoming clubs (often off the beated track) which warrant a much closer look. The list is compiled as comprehensively and democratically as possible, with input from county and regional golf unions, senior panelists from the magazine, and a growing number of keen and frequent golfers from all around the country who contribute eagerly to a forum website. It is a huge coup for the Isle of Man therefore that for the very first time, this year’s list includes the northern parkland James Braid designed course at Ramsey. The list is published in the December edition of Golf Monthly which is on the newsagents stand for sale this month. Golf Monthly sum up the “hidden gems” list quite simply as the types of course which leave the golfer with a smile on their face for a number of reasons be it ambience, presentation, strong design, stand-out holes, sheer variety, quirkiness, or simply for being different. The board of the Ramsey Golf Club are delighted to receive this deserved recognition which puts not only Ramsey but also the Isle of Man on the national golfing map. ENDS