Like a birthday cake the Art Deco clubhouse proudly stands high up on a hill, with Gil Hanse’s creation below facing Moray Firth. In 2016 the Olympic course will be designed by Hanse in strong competition with some of the world’s best course architects. We manage to start before a number of 4-balls that stand together and stomp at the entrance with representatives from the SGF. Clouds tower up over the bridge in Inverness but the starter is confident that the RAIN won’t fall until 4pm. Already on the 1st tee we are made aware that the course consists of three attributes, broad fairways, extremely large greens and fantastic surroundings. The four first holes caress the water towards Inverenss and include playful bunker combinations, snorting elephant grass and rollercoaster greens. We choose the white tees and our driver becomes our best friend. The fairways are broader than half a football pitch and we have orientation problems as they feel never-ending.
Third green, Castle Stuart
The 4th, a signature hole with Castle Stuart in the background is heavenly. The 5th and 6th are situated on a ridge. The 8th, a 210-yard one-shotter, pumps the adrenaline before we reach the 9th. Suddenly a lost soul appears searching for a ball from the hole 25 yards below us. Halfway house – coffee, no rain and no wind. The stance and swing are calibrated – the course’s design has got under one’s skin. We start with par, birdie, par – up onto the ridge and the novice chips a spinner while Luke’s lookalike sinks from 30 yards.
11th, Castle Stuart
The course is well and truly under our skin. Drive after drive are pumped out against this defenceless opponent. We strike hard crosscourt-forehands, serve aces and hit passing shots. The finishing stretch is of high standard – the 16th, a short par 4 that can be defeated by a driver and a lob wedge. The 17th is a wonderfully beautiful par 3 that demands courage. We strike long 4-irons and make par. The 18th and the finish towards the birthday cake is outstanding. A putt for eagle and a simple birdie. Smiling we climb the steps up to the cake and warm up in the shower with a view over the 9th green.
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