Stonehaven Golf Club

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Stonehaven Golf Club overlooks the North Sea and the harbour town of Stonehaven. Just 15 miles south of Aberdeen and 5 miles from the new town of Chapleton of Elsick. It is easily accessible by road, rail and air, lying in the gateway to Royal Deeside, one of Scotland's most popular tourist areas.

Stonehaven Golf Club was founded on Friday, April 13, 1888, and the first clubhouse was opened in June 1889. The original chimney stack still stands by the 7th tee. At that time, the course had ten holes, reduced to nine a year later, and it was not until July 7, 1897 , that the “new” course and clubhouse on the present site was opened.

5 times Open champion, the legendary James Braid, who played a challenge match on August 18, 1906 , against his nephew and twice Open Championship runner-up Archie Simpson, the professional at Royal Aberdeen. Afterwards, Braid and Simpson planned improvements to the course.

A much less welcome visitor called in August, 1940, when a German aircraft, fleeing home after a raid, dropped a bomb on the course only a hundred yards or so from the clubhouse. The crater it left, known as Hitler’s Bunker, remains clearly visible today -- and very much in play between the first and second fairways.