Golfers the world over know St. Andrews is where the game began. But there's much more to Scotland than simply St Andrews, however. Clive Agran continues his "Scotland Beyond St. Andrews" series with a look at golf in Aberdeenshire, including Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, Murcar Links and Cruden Bay G.C.
The northeast of Scotland can boast some truly outstanding golf courses, and Aberdeenshire can claim many of them. Although famous for its historic links, there are some outstanding inland challenges -- especially along the banks of the beautiful River Dee -- that should not be overlooked, Clive Agran writes. Standouts include Ballater, Royal Aberdeen, Murcar, Trump International and Cruden Bay.
Murcar Links Golf Club, a glorious seaside links perched on the rugged coast of northeast Scotland, boasts all the ingredients for which one hopes -- magnificent dunes, super turf, fast greens and fabulous holes. And yet, Murcar Links has not received the recognition it thoroughly deserves. Still, it won't disappoint anyone lucky enough to play it, Clive Agran writes.
Find parkland perfection in an idyllic setting at Meldrum House Golf Club, a beautiful golf experience near the northeast coast of Scotland. It includes all the appealing features you would seek -- glorious views, a wealth of wildlife, and that's not to mention the golf and an outstanding academy. Prepare for lots of water and sand, devilish greens and a memorable round, Clive Agran writes.
Trump International Golf Links opened last summer to nearly universal acclaim. The links course is unlike anything in Scotland, but legal wrangling continues over a wind farm that has been proposed along the coast near the course. To get the latest, we spoke with Donald (Don) Trump, Jr. -- eldest child of Donald, Sr., and Executive Vice President of Development and Acquisitions for Trump Industries -- in this exclusive Q-and-A.
The breathtaking dunes at Trump International Golf Links Scotland -- some of which tower 80-100 feet above fairways and greens -- are like nothing else in Scotland, reminding links connoisseurs more of Irish links. Is it one of the greatest courses in the world? Not yet, perhaps. But it is certainly one of the most notable new courses of the century, and a solid addition to the rota of must-play modern Scottish links.
Trump International Golf Links Scotland has reportedly landed the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in 2017, 2019 and 2020. Could this mean Donald Trump's links might someday host an Open Championship?
Sandwiched between two world-ranked links -- Cruden Bay Golf Club to the north and Trump International to the south -- Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club delivers both new-world and old-world links golf in the Scottish Highlands.
Located on the rugged northeast coast of Scotland, Cruden Bay Golf Club is one of the country's most one-of-a-kind plays. The course is set among some of the British Isles' most remarkable dunes, and the holes all wind through and over them.
Altering a classic links by Old Tom Morris dating to 1899 can be tricky business. Cruden Bay Golf Club seems to have pulled it off with universal appeal.