Cruden Bay...This Gem Never Disappoints 

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We were excited to get up here today for this one. Pictures don't do this place justice. It's as much a feel as it is a place. This member-owned club gets it right starting with the smallest of details. See our welcome sign below. Thoughtfully created each morning for the day's guests. A nice touch as soon as you walk into the grill room upstairs.

Still nursing the back a bit so we opted for lunch instead of hitting balls to warm up. It's a little over a two hour drive to Cruden Bay from St Andrews. Beautiful as the drive might have been, my back would argue differently. We had caddies for this round. I wanted to be able to focus on my game as well as savoring every moment with Spence. Murray was on Spence's bag and I was paired with Graham. Both were excellent caddies and it was clear from the start we were in good hands with them.

Off they go... The beginning of a wonderful afternoon. 

The Par 3 4th hole is a beauty. It sits right along a little harbor area to the left. Into the wind, it would give you all you wanted. Murray said Sir Nick Faldo once took driver off the tee to get there. Thankfully the winds were much kinder today. We both hit the green and both made par. 

High above the Par 5 5th hole. As you can see, the sun came out and made for a wonderful afternoon. 

Caddy conference here before teeing off on the Par 5 6th hole. He took their advice and hit a good one. Unfortunately my back started to give me fits about this time so it was slow and steady for me. 

Well placed bench behind the 8th tee. A little rest can do a body good. I was able to hit a good one on this short Par 4. A nice pitch and a two footer later, I carded the first birdie of the day. 

Spence and Murray dialing in a birdie putt on the 9th. Came up just shy but a nice par nonetheless. 

The one above is a view from the 10th tee, looking down onto the holes to come. Gorgeous views. 

                             

This Par 4 12th hole goes out to the farthest point from the clubhouse. Well worth the trek, as just below are the views from the back of the green as well as from the Par 4 13th tee box. We were able to spot some seals playing in the water and on the rocks. Good stuff!

Spence let this one rip...One of his best of the day! 

                                       

The holes along this backside run hard along the North Sea. Beautiful views all the way. This was from the Par 3 15th tee. The one below is the Par 3 16th. 

St Olaf's Well, seen below, sits alongside the 17th hole at Cruden Bay. There's an ancient burial ground and this well is said to commemorate the 1012 battle here where King Malcolm II of Scotland defeated the Danes. Afterward, Malcolm laid those enemy lives lost to rest here with honour and built a small chapel to  mark the spot. 

Today was a long day with all the travel. Wouldn't have had it any other way though. The course was as brilliant as ever. Murray and Graham were excellent caddies and we were blessed with wonderful weather. Lastly and most importantly, memories made with my boy! For those keeping up with the match count, Spence got the best of me today, 3 & 2. Truth be told, while I try my best, I always pull for him! Tomorrow we head to Crail. A much shorter drive thankfully. It's a fun course that I know Spence will enjoy. The winds are meant to be up tomorrow so it should be a good day. See you soon....