Scottish Links Golf Club preps for Spey Bay GC renovation

Links Golf Club announced a partnership with Clayton, DeVries & Pont to renovate Spey Bay Golf Course in Moray, Scotland. The historic golf course, which was purchased earlier this month, sits at the mouth of the River Spey in Northern Scotland.

Set to begin this fall, the project will include a substantial renovation to focus on maximizing the dramatic coastline and enhancing shot variety and playability throughout the course.

Founded in 2019, CDP is the partnership of three architecture practices that have worked previously on Cape Wickham Links and Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania, Kingsley Club and Greywalls at Marquette in Michigan. CDP is currently retained to advise two other Scottish links — Southerness in Dumfries & Galloway and Monifieth in Angus. It has also designed and is overseeing the construction of Seven Mile Beach, a new links course in Hobart, Tasmania.

"Our vision for Links Golf Club draws inspiration from the exceptional quality and community-first mindset that embodies Scottish golf," Links founder and CEO Jim Daily said. "Spey Bay’s rich history, classic coastal setting, and location in one of the hottest emerging regions for golf travel perfectly complements our mission to build the modern golf membership. We're excited to work with CDP, who share our vision to create an innovative, unique, and world-class golf experience along the truly stunning Scottish coast."

Built in 1907 by architect and golf instructor Ben Sayers, Spey Bay has sustained as a classic links course for avid local golfers and members of the club. The renovation will include a modernization of the golf course with added focus on taking full advantage of the native sand dunes along the coast as well as providing more variety of shots off the tee and angles of attack from the fairway. Well placed and dramatic bunkers will also form part of the renovation.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with a group like Links Golf Club that embraces visionary thinking and is excited by the challenge of creating a truly unique golf experience in a spectacular location,” CDP partner and project leader Mike DeVries said. “Having the chance to work on a Scottish links course is the dream of every golf course architect. Although my colleagues are already doing so, this will be my first. We are excited to share our bold designs for Spey Bay very soon.”

Chris Haspell has also been selected as an agronomy consultant throughout the renovation process. Haspell is best known for his work on Castle Stuart Golf Links and Brora Golf Club in Scotland, and Cabot Links in Canada.