In a move set to reshape one of Scotland’s most prestigious golfing destinations, Royal Dornoch Golf Club has announced the acquisition of 50 acres of prime linksland adjacent to its renowned Struie Course.
The six-figure purchase marks a significant milestone in the club’s ongoing efforts to enhance its offerings and solidify its position among the world’s top golfing venues.
The newly acquired land at Davochfin is poised to play a pivotal role in the future development of the Struie Course, which already ranks among Scotland’s top 50 links.
While the Championship Course continues to be the main draw for international golfers, the club’s management recognises the growing popularity and potential of its sister course.
Speaking with Scottish Business News, Neil Hampton, General Manager of Royal Dornoch, said: “Our Struie course is well respected at the moment, but there’s some, as people might say, not so great holes in it, so we want to replace those and make it better.
“At the moment a lot of visitors come to play our Championship Course, which is top 10 in the world.
“What we would like the new course to do is for it to be at a level and of an interest that out visitors would stay overnight and play the Struie course.
“Our ambition is that it will make a better course for our members play, but also to make an attractive course for visitors to play.”
L-R: Colin MacKay, vice-captain, Scott Aitchison, deputy course manager, Eoin Riddell, course manager, Gary Bethune, captain, and John Grant, of specialist contractors Ocmis (Credit: Matthew Harris)
The expanded course is expected to attract more visitors, boosting accommodation and restaurant bookings, and overall economic activity in Dornoch.
When asked if any historical features or landmarks on the acquired land will be incorporated into the course, Hampton, said: “It’s on arable farming land, there’s nothing apart from the nice flowing nature of the land, which mirrors the holes close by, but there are no historical features.
“As an golf architect said, it’s a nice flowing piece of land with undulations which will be good for golf holes.”
Alongside the land acquisition, Royal Dornoch is investing £1.5 million in a state-of-the-art irrigation system for the Struie Course.
This upgrade will significantly improve water management and sustainability, allowing for targeted irrigation controlled via mobile devices.
The club’s forward-thinking approach extends beyond course improvements. A new £13.9 million clubhouse is currently under construction near the first tee of the Championship Course, further enhancing the club’s facilities.
The new Par 3 hole on the Struie Course will be ready for play next season (Credit: Matthew Harris)
Members can expect to review design proposals for the expanded Struie Course within the next two to three years.
The club envisions creating five or six new holes on the undulating acres, with a focus on preserving and promoting the natural landscape.
With these developments, Royal Dornoch Golf Club is not only investing in its courses but also in the broader golfing experience it offers.
As the Struie Course continues to gain recognition, these improvements are set to elevate its status further, promising an even brighter future for this historic Scottish golfing institution.
