Since the Scottish Open left Loch Lomond Golf Club in 2011, it has traveled to some of the country’s best – and sometimes lesser-acknowledged – links courses. Castle Stuart, Gullane Golf Club, Royal Aberdeen, and now Dundonald Links have hosted the event since that point.
One of the courses expected to host the tournament in 2019 was Trump International Links in Aberdeen, Scotland, nearby the title sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management’s offices. However, the sponsor’s CEO Martin Gilbert announced at the event this week that the tournament wouldn’t be played at Trump’s course anytime soon, explaining, “Trump would be an ideal venue, but you can’t put politics aside. That is the issue so we will wait and see.”
Instead, Gilbert signaled that Cruden Bay may be the 2019 host of the Scottish Open. The course, located north of Aberdeen, has a cult following among links golf fans, and it’s known for its quirky layout, tremendous views, and beautiful dunes. That quirkiness that makes it so loveable and unique presents one of the few negatives for the tournament organizers. Touring professionals hate unpredictability, so the blind shots on Cruden Bay’s back nine would likely be taken out of rotation. “The (European) Tour have been to see Cruden Bay. The thing is there we’d have to do a composite type course…” said Gilbert according to The Scotsman. In all likelihood, a number of holes on the back nine would be replaced by holes from the club’s St. Olaf Course. A composite course isn’t anything new for the Scottish Open, who employed a similar plan at Gullane Golf Club.
A Scottish Open at Cruden Bay would add to the event’s already-strong list of host courses. Tell us what you think of Cruden Bay and whether it could host a European Tour event in the comments below!
Composite course would be good; however, best holes are blind-par 5 6th if going for it in two: par 4 14th. Also, would they try to make the 8th more difficult?
Just don’t change the course to get a pro event; would ruin one of Scotland’s best.
Played Cruden Bay in 2015 due to history (Vardon won there in 1899), beauty, variety of holes, endorsement as one of Pete Dye’s three favorites, and its quirks. Two years later I still regularly “visit” it via youtube videos (wish I’d known about them beforehand) and Google Earth. It was a spectacular experience. It would be great to see them play it as it is as so many golfers worldwide have played it the way it is. Regardless, it deserves the considerable worldwide notoriety the Scottish Open would bring. God Bless you European Tour if you make this happen.
Cruden Bay is spectacular. What is the cover photo of Tom Doak’s “Confidential Guide to Golf Course Architecture?” #8 at Cruden Bay (280 yard uphill par 4)! Host the 2019 Scottish and I am there.