Old Meldrum golf course is a Par 70 parkland golf course measuring 6123 yards and is celebrating it’s 125 year anniversary.  The course is located 18 miles North of Aberdeen and offers panoramic views of Bennachie and the Donside countryside.  The course was originally 9 holes however were extended in the 1980’s.

Our second course of the day before meeting with Alan at Meldrum House however in the car Craig had he feeling Alan would have had the same idea to play Old Meldrum first……and he was right there was Ravenelli the silver stallion himself or as we like to call him ar ar ar armitage!

Before I go on thanks to Old Meldrum for the concession to the course it was greatly appreciated.

The course start of peculiar as you play the 1st and the 18th very tight together which must lead to some injuries/confusion/hold ups in medal days especially when playing down hill at 18 as you have out of bounds tight left and the clubhouse and numerous golfers to your right and ex golfers (graveyard at the right as well!)  It has to be said though we picked a good day for good golf courses Old Meldrum was a very good  course and had some fabulous holes.  Craig had a storming first nine hitting the turn in one over.  A birdie at the 2nd after hitting a drive and gap wedge to five feet (missed putt disappointing) and a birdie at the 8th after driving through the green was offset with a bogey at the 3rd and the 5th after poor drives.  Stu had a fantastic front nine also getting to the turn in 6 over with three pars and 6 bogeys.

The back half saw a huge par 4 to start measuring 466 yards and needless to say we both made bogey.  Craig had many chances for birdie however a poor finish making double bogey at 17 after shanking out of bounds and then from middle of 18th fairway after D-Stroying his drive was disappointing and a five over 75 was scored.  Stu didn’t have the best back half as the wind picked up and struggled to get things going and shot a 47 for an 89 scratch which was still a good score for Stu.

The signature hole is the 14th a dog leg par 4 measuring 295 yards.  It’s inspiration came form a large stone aptly named ‘The Groaner’.  Old Meldrum using it as it’s emblem and is said to date back to the early 1300’s the time of the Battle of Barra.  The Earl of Buchan defeated by the army of King Robert the Bruce, is said to have been heard groaning behind this stone at the loss of his troops.

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