Why think about work when you can dream about golf? Welcome to Sunday Scaries, where we help to offset the light dread of the week with the allure of a beautiful golf course.
The spring in Scotland is criminally underrated. Not knowing what to expect, I ended up near Aberdeen to coincide with the trout season (which is also overlooked by many in favor of Scotland's famous Salmon fishing). This was the first time I had ever packed a golf bag with rods, boots, and waders, but it proved to be a life-changing combination. Some mornings I found myself on the water, and others I was driving on farm roads newly dusted with snow, making the already fraught UK driving even more exhilarating. Having been to Scotland many times and experiencing the unpredictability of the weather, I'm prepared for cold and wet no matter the time of year. So there was no real fear of bad spring weather. There was only a hope for sunshine and warm temps.
The magic of Spring in Scotland is, of course, the flowering gorse. What is, for most of the year, a deadly obstacle, the gold of the whins becomes a magnet for your eye. The first time I saw it for myself, I was completely taken by the contrasting beauty it adds to the landscape of an otherwise green golf course. I was also taken, of course, by Cruden Bay in all of its quirk and charm.
Royal Dornoch has my mind, Prestwick has my heart, but Cruden Bay has my imagination. If I were tasked with introducing someone to all of the wonderful elements of Scottish golf with just one course, this would be the place I would take them. It has it all: a wonderful piece of links land, a spectacular routing over rolling hills, and some of the most incredible natural views found anywhere.
Designed by Old Tom Morris and opened in 1899, Cruden Bay deservedly has the earned reputation of a top golf course. It's a name that evokes emotion from all of those who have walked it. What stands out to me about this lovely links is just how humble the place is. It's not trying too hard to be any other thing than it is. To me, the kind atmosphere and modest approach elevates it to a place I perpetually want to return to. (It's also the place my mind quickly goes to when I want to dream about golf.)
In my opinion, there are few golf clubs as wonderful. A walk at Cruden Bay reminds you of just why you spend so much time and mental energy trying to get that little white ball on the green and into the hole. All of the struggles and triumphs are justified when you are at Cruden Bay any time of the year, but especially in the spring, with the gorse flowers, the trout, and the good golf. That's when you stop and think that no matter what is going on, in that time and place, everything is right in the world. Now the question becomes, how soon can I go back?
