Championship at Cruden Bay Golf Club

Cruden Bay Golf Club, a place where the North Sea wind whispers tales of golfing triumphs and challenges, began with Old Tom Morris's vision in 1899. This exhilarating links course near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire dives and soars across wildly undulating terrain, a raw canvas of dunes, burns, and unforgiving gorse. Playing here is less about brute force and more about embracing the elements, anticipating the bounces, and navigating blind shots that reward intuition and a touch of Scottish daring.

Herbert Fowler made significant alterations in the 1920s. The course’s rugged charm is undeniable, and its inherent difficulty lies in the natural hazards rather than penal design. A precise short game is essential, and the unpredictable wind demands creative shot-making. Many holes leave the player second-guessing and some claim that the course has no bad holes and rewards the creative player.

While Cruden Bay has never hosted a major championship, it is a cherished destination for discerning golfers seeking an authentic links experience. It remains a test that humbles even the most skilled golfers while offering a sense of camaraderie among those who appreciate the game's purest form.

Adding to the club's mystique is the storied "Stonewall Bar," a sanctuary within the clubhouse walls. It's a place where tall tales are spun, victories celebrated, and defeats mourned. Legend has it that many a canny golfer has secured a vital birdie after a quick half-pint and a hearty discussion of the day's trials and triumphs.