Prestwick Clubhouse Renovation & More

For us golfers in the UK, The Masters signals the start of the golf season. The grass is finally turning green again and days that stretch long past dinner time. No surprise then that this year’s flock of visiting golfers have begun descending on our links golf courses.

Frank Rennie, the club's former head professional describes the clubhouse improvements as “gradual and not drastic, bringing the club into the future slowly.”

With the traditional member areas remaining the same, the most striking of changes is a more relaxed bar/restaurant space upstairs overlooking the 1st tee thanks to a new expansive window. From here visiting golfers can enjoy post round sustenance while indulging in an array of club heritage and stories beautifully curated.

“History is there for everyone to see. It’s no use sitting in a safe”

Well said Mr Rennie and congratulations to all at Prestwick Golf Club on a thoughtful clubhouse restoration.

Talking of tasteful building renovations, I enjoyed reading about the work County Sligo Golf Club have undertaken to their on course Watch House.

“Thanks to the recent restoration work, the Watch House is more than just a scenic feature, it’s an experience. Carefully curated historical information now allows those who visit to connect with its past, adding a deeper layer of appreciation to what might otherwise be just a beautiful viewpoint.

The project reflects the club’s broader commitment to preserving its heritage while enhancing the overall visitor experience. It’s a reminder that County Sligo Golf Club is not only a place to play exceptional golf, but also a place rich in stories, character, and community pride.”

When two close friends of mine independently mulled over the concept of starting a golf travel business curated for women, I couldn’t have been more bullish on them and their concept.

Tuesday Links was born. Founded by Scots Iona Stephen and Rosie Bailey whom I worked closely with over the past several years at the DP World Tour, last month launched as Scotland's first luxury golf travel company built for women. Combining iconic links golf with luxury hospitality, wellness and culture to create experiences that move at a different pace. This isn't golf travel with a women's afterthought but instead golf travel built from the ground up, with women at the centre.

If that sounds like something a female golfer in your life or at your Club might be interested in, contact Rosie on [email protected].

Tuesday Links is fresh, modern and much needed in an industry that to me often feels complacent and sluggish. I can’t wait to see where these two incredible people take their business and I will be rooting them on every step of their journey.

As luck would have it, this month saw my home club Cruden Bay welcome in Joyce Robertson as Captain. While women have always been welcome participants at Cruden Bay as the below image supports, Joyce becomes the first female Captain and will serve the entire membership over the next two years.

Talking of Cruden Bay, this season marks the fourth year running our 5 bedroom onsite holiday rental. Our property can sleep up to eight golfers and offers views over both the 1st tee and 18th green. With Cruden Bay Golf Club opening their 2027 tee sheet shortly, now is the perfect time to get in touch.

Two things are for sure - the lead times on links golf trips continues to grow with demand still strong and two, green fees remain inflated. Portmarnock recently announced their 2027 rates at €530 but don’t worry lunch is included!

I will spare you all the green fee, price inflation rant for another newsletter but maybe golf should look a little more like Covesea?

New jobs, a good sign that the links golf industry is in a good place. Bare with me as I try and keep track.

Brora Golf Club’s head professional Malcolm Murray has taken up a new General Manager role at Tain Golf Club. Malcolm must take huge credit for the change of fortunes at Brora Golf Club which saw him lead a number of crowdfunding initiatives during the COVID pandemic which more than likely saved the Club from closure. Today Brora (despite their best efforts to remove cattle and sheep from their links, the very thing that made their golf experience truly unique) enjoys record revenue and an enhance global reputation.

Going into replace Malcolm as Director of Golf at Brora is Gary Dingwall who moves on after 22 years at Royal Dornoch which saw him oversee some of the Club’s fantastic junior and community initiatives.

A new face in the Highlands is Simon Pope who is leaving Cleeve Hill to set up home at Golspie Golf Club as their new General Manager.

Keeping up? Carnoustie Golf Links Course Manager Craig Boath has departed after 30 years at the Open venue while Laurie Watson has departed St Andrews Links Trust to take up the General Manager’s role at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in the lead up to the Club’s 250th anniversary celebrations in 2030.

Archive of 1960 Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf from St Andrews Old Course

For Sale - 7 bedroom house with views over Muirfield & Gullane Golf Club

Walking the Old Course St Andrews (Park) on a Sunday by Fried Egg Golf

Next stop… Lahinch Golf Club where we head next week. Stay tuned.

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Cheers, Ru Macdonald