Cruden Bay’s inner nine-hole “Ladies’ Course” was laid out alongside the Championship Course when it opened in 1899. When Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler redesigned the Championship Course in 1926, they also reshaped this nine-hole layout, which was then opened as the St Olaf Course. It closed and fell into disrepair during and after the Second World War, before being restored and reopened by the club on 26 June 1968.
I have great memories of the St.Olaf course because I won a tiebreaker against my brother there. Apart from that, I remember St.Olaf especially as one of the best courses when it comes to the money you have to spend for 9 holes of pure entertainment. At £55 (£80 on weekends) it is still a real bargain and – even if not the main reason for travelling one hour or so from Aberdeen – a great reason to extend your stay at Cruden Bay.
