Our second Monday in Scotland had us on one of the best modern links courses on the planet. Castle Stuart in Inverness sits on the Moray Firth with spectacular views all around. But its the course, built upon classically rumpled linksland and transitioning upward onto a bluff for awe inspiring views that makes this so very memorable.
Gil Hanse partnered with Kingsbarns developer Mark Parsinen to sculpt a links that melds into the rugged landscape but feels like it has evolved over centuries. Truth be told Castle Stuart opened in 2009 and immediately started gathering rave reviews. It has already hosted the Scottish Open four times and has zoomed up the ranking of the world best courses. Golf Digest rates it as the fifteenth best course in Scotland.
Castle Stuart, which does have the 16th century castle of which it gets its name on site is truly a destination course with plenty of accommodations for golfers and all the amenities one would expect for a high end course. The practice facility was top notch as was the grill and restaurant. And they do it right there.
As we walked to the pro shop we were met by a greeter that recognized our name and tee time and gave us the low down on what to expect and where to go. Immediately we felt at home and that sensation was only deepened after our chat with the friendly and knowledgeable starter.
The course opens along the firth with rolling, rumpled fairways bordered by gorse, tall grass and the rocky beach. It was stunning and it only got better as we meandered through the dunes to a view of Castle Stuart and up onto the bluff which afforded us astounding views. Across the firth sat the lighthouse at Fortrose & Rosemarkie and it felt as if we were playing our way round the firth and by this time we had been playing next to so much water I had a hard time keeping them straight.
We immediately fell in love with this layout with its wide fairways, rolling humps, picturesque views and exquisite green complexes. The massive layout of Castle Stuart reminded me of Cruden Bay as both are on huge pieces of property but Stuart was more playable as it allowed you to recover from a wayward shot. And I am known for my wayward shots.
They say that golf is a game of inches, the five inches between your ears. And my brother George was proof of that this day. Emboldened by the wonderful surroundings and a case of love at first sight of Castle Stuart he played an amazing round with beautiful draws rolling down the firm fairways and precise run up approaches that finished near the pin.
He had learned the “links game” and I had not. He kicked my ass. But it was such a wonderful day on a course we so loved I hardly felt the agony of defeat. Well, maybe a little.
The great news was that Castle Stuart offered a two day deal that made it more economical to play two wounds in a week (it’s not cheap here) and big bro had signed us up for a return trip later that week.
We both agreed that this was one hell of a golf course. And we couldn’t wait to come back.
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