Stephen Szurlej Photography

Brewster, Washiington

Gold Digest's best new private golf course 2014. Overlooking the Columbia River, in the high desert of North Central Washington, Gamble Sands is blessed with one of the most dramatic settings for true links golf in the world. In fact, golf course designer, David McLay Kidd described the location as a “once in a lifetime site that every designer dreams of.”

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Southampton, New York

This is where Seth Raynor got his start. A civil engineer by training, he surveyed holes for architect C.B. Macdonald, who scientifically designed National Golf Links as a fusion of his favorite features from grand old British golf holes. National Golf Links is a true links containing a marvelous collection of holes. As the 2013 Walker Cup reminded us, Macdonald's versions are actually superior in strategy to the originals, which is why National's design is still studied by golf architects today, its holes now replicated elsewhere. Hard to fathom that National Golf Links was not ranked in the 100 Greatest from 1969 until 1985.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Kohler, Wisconsin

Whistling Straits is arguably the greatest championship course in the United States, the Straits at Whistling Straits® has hosted the 2004, 2010 and 2015 PGA Championships and the 2007 U.S. Senior Open, and it is the future site of the 2020 Ryder Cup.

Whistling Straits offers two courses of dynamic contrast and world-class prestige. Open, rugged and windswept terrain defines the Straits, sculpted along two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Borrowing influences from Irish links courses, the Straits has fescue fairways and massive sand dune bunkers. Just inland, interspersed by four meandering streams, the grassland and dunes aspect of the Irish is a deceiving tranquil landscape.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Bronx, New Jersey

Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point has an 18-hole, Jack Nicklaus Signature Design, links-style golf course. Sitting at the foot of the Whitestone Bridge in the Bronx, it is designed specifically to take advantage of dramatic and spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, East River, and Whitestone & Throgs Neck Bridges. The course is truly a piece of art, handcrafted at every angle and exceeds the vision that was outlined by not only Donald Trump, but by Jack Nicklaus, the City of New York and every golf rater that has visited the property since it has grown in. 

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Louisville, Kentucky

Valhalla, the great hall described in Norse mythology where the souls of Vikings feasted and celebrated with the gods, is now the namesake of a modern paradise for championship golf. Valhalla Golf Club is the culmination of Dwight Gahm's dream to build a world-class course capable of hosting a major golf championship. It is also the culmination of a history-making partnership bringing championship golf to Louisville on a recurring schedule and resulted in The PGA of America's first owned championship site.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Gullane, Scotland

Today Muirfield is a renowned host to major championships amateur and professional, international and national, men and ladies - all of which have produced worthy champions of whom more later. Eleven Amateur Championships have been played over the course and 16 Open Championships.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Oakmont, Pennsylvania

Introduced in 1903 by designer Henry Fownes, Oakmont Country Club has hosted more combined USGA and PGA championships than any other course in the U.S., including eight United States Opens, five U.S. Amateurs, three PGA Championships, and two U.S. Women's Opens.

Oakmont remains perhaps the most difficult course in North America, with 210 deep bunkers (personified by the Church Pews), hard and slick greens that slope away from the player, and tight fairways requiring the utmost precision. Oakmont was the site of "the greatest round of the 20th century": Johnny Miller's final round 63 at the 1973 U.S. Open. Golf Digest ranks Oakmont #5 in its most recent version of America's Top 100 courses.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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 Auchterarder, Scotland.

The Gleneagles courses, although not by the sea, resemble the older links golf courses in Scotland in that they are built on sand and gravel, which were deposited when the last ice sheet finally melted some 15,000 years ago, leaving long ridges, flat-topped mounds and enclosed hollows. Braid turned this dramatic landscape into the King's and Queen's Courses. The result is an idyllic golfing landscape where many of the fairways and greens, particularly on the King's are isolated from neighbouring holes by the gravel ridges, so giving golfers the luxury of feeling they are playing on their own private course. The turf on these older courses is firm and springy and, therefore, never tiring to play on.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Pine Valley, New Jersey

A genuine original, its unique character forged from the sandy pine barrens of southwest Jersey. Founder George Crump had help from now-legendary architects H.S. Colt, A.W. Tillinghast, George C. Thomas Jr. and Walter Travis. Hugh Wilson (of Merion fame) and his brother Alan finished the job. Pine Valley blends all three schools of golf design – penal, heroic and strategic – throughout the course, often times on a single hole. New tree removal at selected spots have revealed some gorgeous views of the sandy landscape upon which the course is routed.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Hoylake, England

Built in 1869, on what was then the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club, Hoylake is the oldest of all the English seaside courses with the exception of Westward Ho! in Devon, which was established just a few years earlier. Robert Chambers and George Morris were commissioned to lay out the original Hoylake course, which was extended to 18 holes in 1871. This was also the year in which the Club was granted its Royal designation thanks to the patronage of His Royal Highness The Duke of Connaught.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Hoylake, England

Built in 1869, on what was then the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club, Hoylake is the oldest of all the English seaside courses with the exception of Westward Ho! in Devon, which was established just a few years earlier. Robert Chambers and George Morris were commissioned to lay out the original Hoylake course, which was extended to 18 holes in 1871. This was also the year in which the Club was granted its Royal designation thanks to the patronage of His Royal Highness The Duke of Connaught.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Streamsong, Florida

For the first time in their considerable careers, renowned golf architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw of Coore & Crenshaw, and Tom Doak of Renaissance Golf Design, worked side by side simultaneously to create two extraordinary 18-hole golf masterpieces—both of which were specifically designed to be walked and offer the ultimate golfing experience, the likes of which Florida has never seen.

The driving force behind Streamsong is The Mosaic Company and its visionary use of land recovered from a former phosphate mine. Through the land recovery process, sand dunes were created throughout the property, which made for dramatic rises in elevation and the perfect base for fairways and greens with a stunning variety in contour. This inspired combination of indigenous and man-made terrain—coupled with the imaginations of three of the finest golf course architects in the world—set the stage for two of the best links-style golf courses ever to be played.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Ardom, Pennsylvania 

Championship golf and champion golfers have long been intertwined with the mystique of Merion Golf Club’s East and West Courses. Designed by Hugh Wilson, Merion’s East Course has played host to more USGA Championships than any course in America and is home to some of its greatest moments.  From Robert Tyre Jones, Jr.'s completion of golf’s elusive Grand Slam at the 1930 U.S. Amateur to Ben Hogan’s awe-inspiring performance and now legendary one-iron on the 72nd hole during the 1950 U.S. Open, the sculpted greens, fairways and treacherous bunkers of Merion have shaped the game.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Gullane, Scotland

Today Muirfield is a renowned host to major championships amateur and professional, international and national, men and ladies - all of which have produced worthy champions of whom more later. Eleven Amateur Championships have been played over the course and 16 Open Championships.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

Visit their webpage here

Koher, WI

Oakmont, Pennsylvania 

Introduced in 1903 by designer Henry Fownes, Oakmont Country Club has hosted more combined USGA and PGA championships than any other course in the U.S., including eight United States Opens, five U.S. Amateurs, three PGA Championships, and two U.S. Women's Opens.

Oakmont remains perhaps the most difficult course in North America, with 210 deep bunkers (personified by the Church Pews), hard and slick greens that slope away from the player, and tight fairways requiring the utmost precision. Oakmont was the site of "the greatest round of the 20th century": Johnny Miller's final round 63 at the 1973 U.S. Open. Golf Digest ranks Oakmont #5 in its most recent version of America's Top 100 courses.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

Visit Their Webpage here

Pine Valley, New Jersey

A  genuine original, its unique character forged from the sandy pine barrens of southwest Jersey. Founder George Crump had help from now-legendary architects H.S. Colt, A.W. Tillinghast, George C. Thomas Jr. and Walter Travis. Hugh Wilson (of Merion fame) and his brother Alan finished the job. Pine Valley blends all three schools of golf design – penal, heroic and strategic – throughout the course, often times on a single hole. New tree removal at selected spots have revealed some gorgeous views of the sandy landscape upon which the course is routed.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

Visit their page here

Pine Valley, New Jersey

A genuine original, its unique character forged from the sandy pine barrens of southwest Jersey. Founder George Crump had help from now-legendary architects H.S. Colt, A.W. Tillinghast, George C. Thomas Jr. and Walter Travis. Hugh Wilson (of Merion fame) and his brother Alan finished the job. Pine Valley blends all three schools of golf design – penal, heroic and strategic – throughout the course, often times on a single hole. New tree removal at selected spots have revealed some gorgeous views of the sandy landscape upon which the course is routed.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

Visit their page here

Streamsong, Florida

For the first time in their considerable careers, renowned golf architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw of Coore & Crenshaw, and Tom Doak of Renaissance Golf Design, worked side by side simultaneously to create two extraordinary 18-hole golf masterpieces—both of which were specifically designed to be walked and offer the ultimate golfing experience, the likes of which Florida has never seen.

The driving force behind Streamsong is The Mosaic Company and its visionary use of land recovered from a former phosphate mine. Through the land recovery process, sand dunes were created throughout the property, which made for dramatic rises in elevation and the perfect base for fairways and greens with a stunning variety in contour. This inspired combination of indigenous and man-made terrain—coupled with the imaginations of three of the finest golf course architects in the world—set the stage for two of the best links-style golf courses ever to be played.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

Visit their page here

Pebble Beach, California

The sport of golf is at its worldwide best at Pebble Beach Resorts. Whether you want to play the most exciting closing hole in golf, finally master the toughest hole on the PGA TOUR or simply anticipate walking in the footsteps of golf’s greatest names, we invite you to become a part of the incomparable experience that is Pebble Beach.

From Palmer to Player, Hagen to Hogan and Tiger to The Golden Bear: Teeing up at Pebble Beach Resorts places you among the legends of golf.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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French Lick, Indiana

French Lick Resort is a $600 million historic restoration and casino development spread dramatically across 3,000 scenic acres. It encompasses both the French Lick Springs Hotel and the West Baden Springs Hotel, which have been fully restored to their original sophistication and luxury, combine for 689 rooms and are located about one mile apart. The casino, built adjacent to the French Lick Springs Hotel, opened in 2006. West Baden Springs, with its spectacular massive dome, opened in 2007 after having not been used for its original luxurious purpose since 1932. Other facilities and amenities at this world-class golf resort destination include two spas with a 36 treatment rooms (they continue to offer the Pluto Mineral Springs bath), over 51,000 square feet of gaming space, 165,000 square feet of meeting space and a variety of dining and entertainment options. Free shuttle buses serve golfers and visitors from around the world.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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French Lick, Indiana

French Lick Resort is a $600 million historic restoration and casino development spread dramatically across 3,000 scenic acres. It encompasses both the French Lick Springs Hotel and the West Baden Springs Hotel, which have been fully restored to their original sophistication and luxury, combine for 689 rooms and are located about one mile apart. The casino, built adjacent to the French Lick Springs Hotel, opened in 2006. West Baden Springs, with its spectacular massive dome, opened in 2007 after having not been used for its original luxurious purpose since 1932. Other facilities and amenities at this world-class golf resort destination include two spas with a 36 treatment rooms (they continue to offer the Pluto Mineral Springs bath), over 51,000 square feet of gaming space, 165,000 square feet of meeting space and a variety of dining and entertainment options. Free shuttle buses serve golfers and visitors from around the world.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej.

Visit French Lick Resorts page here

Quilchena, Canada

Nestled on 400 pristine acres overlooking Nicola Lake, about ten kilometres northeast of Merritt and three hours from Vancouver, British Columbia, Sagebrush is a little different. Our tee times are written in sand, with only a handful of groups teeing off in any given hour, and we welcome your preferred pace of play on a links-inspired course that flows with the land’s natural contours.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

Visit Sagebrush Golf Club Quilchena website here

Kiawah, South Carolina

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort hosted the 2007 Senior PGA and the 2012 PGA Championships. It will also host the 2021 PGA. The Ocean Course is the fourth course to have hosted each of the PGA of America's major championships.

Probably no other golf course in the world outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland is affected as much by the wind. From one round to the next, a player can experience up to an 8-club difference on holes depending upon the direction and strength of the wind. Built in 1991 by Pete Dye, there are no prevailing winds on the course. Dye took this into account when designing the course. In fact, he designed two courses into one – one for an easterly wind and one for a westerly wind.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Kiawah, South Carolina

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort hosted the 2007 Senior PGA and the 2012 PGA Championships. It will also host the 2021 PGA. The Ocean Course is the fourth course to have hosted each of the PGA of America's major championships.

Probably no other golf course in the world outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland is affected as much by the wind. From one round to the next, a player can experience up to an 8-club difference on holes depending upon the direction and strength of the wind. Built in 1991 by Pete Dye, there are no prevailing winds on the course. Dye took this into account when designing the course. In fact, he designed two courses into one – one for an easterly wind and one for a westerly wind.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

Visit their page here

Kiawah, South Carolina

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort hosted the 2007 Senior PGA and the 2012 PGA Championships. It will also host the 2021 PGA. The Ocean Course is the fourth course to have hosted each of the PGA of America's major championships.

Probably no other golf course in the world outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland is affected as much by the wind. From one round to the next, a player can experience up to an 8-club difference on holes depending upon the direction and strength of the wind. Built in 1991 by Pete Dye, there are no prevailing winds on the course. Dye took this into account when designing the course. In fact, he designed two courses into one – one for an easterly wind and one for a westerly wind.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

Visit their page here

Matauri Bay, New Zealand

Kauri Cliffs was designed and built by David Harman of Golf Course Consultants, Orlando, Florida. The par 72 championship golf course measures 7,119 yards / 6,510 metres and offers five sets of tees to challenge every skill level. Fifteen holes view the Pacific Ocean, six of which are played alongside cliffs which plunge to the sea. The beautiful inland holes wind through marsh, forest and farmland. Kauri Cliffs is currently ranked #39 in the world by Golf Digest Top 100 Greatest Golf Courses in the World.

Kauri Cliffs recently underwent a renovation from world renowned golf course architect Rees Jones. The 5th hole received a complete redesign and was transformed from a long, uphill, forced carry par-3 to a short "drop shot" par-3. Other notable changes were the addition of tees on the 2nd and 9th holes and a bunker renovation on the 4th hole.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

Visit Kauri Cliffs Golf Course website here

Taupo, New Zealand

Golf at the Jack Nicklaus designed The Kinloch Club is often compared to the classic link courses in Scotland and Ireland. However, instead of traditional sea views, this world-class championship Par 72 course is positioned between panoramic views of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest fresh-water lake, and the natural beauty of rugged rural farmland. Ranked as New Zealand’s number one golf course in 2014 by a select team of New Zealand Golf Professionals the Kinloch Club is also rated 76th of the top 100 golf courses outside of America by Golf Digest Magazine.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Hawks Bay, New Zealand

Designed by legendary golf architect Tom Doak, the Cape Kidnappers par 71 golf course measures 7,119 yards (6,510 meters) and will challenge golfers of all skill levels. 

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Arrowtown, New Zealand

The picturesque Arrowtown Golf Club is set in Central Otago, one of New Zealand's most historic and scenic regions. This Golf Course is a must when playing Queenstown Golf, surrounded by mountains the 18 hole course has superb views from every fairway.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Valentine, Nebraska

Marked by dramatic elevation changes, endless views of the Sandhills in all directions and immense blowouts easily viewed by satellite, golfers face this wind-shaped landscape and massive rolling seascape of prairie grass, searching, hoping for a bright calm slick of green fairway. Links-style golfers will welcome the challenge, keeping the ball low in the wind and pressing on. If your ball sails true, cutting the air like a rudder, you make rapid headway.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Monterey, California

Meandering among the sweeping sand dunes along 17-Mile Drive, The Links at Spanish Bay unveils some of the most spectacular seaside views in Pebble Beach. The rolling fairways gently flow through and around the gorgeous dunescape, briefly weaving between towering Monterey Pines, before returning to the white sand of Spanish Bay Beach for a thrilling finish along the coast.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Monterey, California

Amongst the world of golf, few courses are as revered as Cypress Point. Cypress Point Golf Course was created by the well renown designer Alister Mackenzie and opened in 1928. Extraordinary and timeless, Alister Mackenzie masterpiece is consistently rated as one of the top 3 golf courses ever created by all major publications. Cypress Point offers natural beauty that is unmatched anywhere. The clandestine approach to Mackenzie's achievement is the reality that he did not over power the natural terrain, allowing the course to take shape organically. 

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Spread across 478 acres of Puerto Vallarta paradise and the focal point of a premier master-planned development, the Vista Vallarta Club de Golf offers two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by golf greats Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Bahia Banderas, Mexico

Golf enthusiasts now have two courses to choose from at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, this course features stunning lakes and water features, some meandering through multiple holes. In contrast to the original course, the Bahia Golf Course offers more undulating fairways and greens, making putting technique an important part of the playing experience. 

While the Resort's beautiful natural landscape provides a stunning backdrop for the entire course, one of the most breathtaking holes has a downhill approach with a panoramic view of Bahía de Banderas. Another noteworthy hole is nestled on the beach just steps from Punta Mita's famed El Faro surf spot.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Bahia Banderas, Mexico

Golf enthusiasts now have two courses to choose from at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, this course features stunning lakes and water features, some meandering through multiple holes. In contrast to the original course, the Bahia Golf Course offers more undulating fairways and greens, making putting technique an important part of the playing experience. 

While the Resort's beautiful natural landscape provides a stunning backdrop for the entire course, one of the most breathtaking holes has a downhill approach with a panoramic view of Bahía de Banderas. Another noteworthy hole is nestled on the beach just steps from Punta Mita's famed El Faro surf spot.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Kamloops, Canada

From the drama of its opener, through to the stunning challenge of its closing hole, Tobiano will capture your imagination with staggering scenery that is matched only by the quality of its course. Views of Lake Kamloops dominate, so it is no surprise that Tobiano has been compared to some of the world’s best—Ballybunion in Ireland, Pebble Beach in California. It is simply that good.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Kamloops, Canada

From the drama of its opener, through to the stunning challenge of its closing hole, Tobiano will capture your imagination with staggering scenery that is matched only by the quality of its course. Views of Lake Kamloops dominate, so it is no surprise that Tobiano has been compared to some of the world’s best—Ballybunion in Ireland, Pebble Beach in California. It is simply that good.

Professonial Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Pebble Beach, California

There are few golf thrills like teeing up for the first time on Pebble Beach Golf Links. You sense the presence of golf’s biggest names. You anticipate each and every storied hole, while recounting some of the greatest moments in golf history.

Since 1919, the exquisite beauty and unique challenges of Pebble Beach Golf Links have electrified golfers and spectators alike. Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, the course hugs California’s rugged coastline, providing wide-open vistas, cliff-side fairways and sloping greens.

Over the years, Pebble Beach Golf Links has been the site of golf’s most prestigious tournaments such as the annual AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and five U.S. Open Championships, including the 2010 U.S. Open. We are excited and honored to welcome back the U.S. Open to Pebble Beach for the sixth time in 2019!

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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Inverness, Scotland

History and diversity make Scottish golf courses famous throughout the world. As Turnberry is to Ayrshire and Gleneagles is to Perthshire, Castle Stuart has been conceived to be for the Highlands – a beacon reaching out to golfers throughout the world. The centrepiece for this Scottish destination golf resort is Castle Stuart Golf Links, a championship links course overlooking the Moray Firth and well-known landmarks that are synonymous with Inverness and the Black Isle – Kessock Bridge and Chanonry Lighthouse perhaps the most notable. The resort will include a bespoke Golf Hotel, a small luxury Hotel & Spa, ‘resort-ownership’ Lodges & Apartments, plus a second Seaside Course. Castle Stuart’s goal is to add to the rich fabric of golf in the Scottish Highlands – a fabric made rich by Royal Dornoch, Nairn, Brora, and many other fine Scottish golf clubs.

Professional Golf Course Photography by Stephen Szurlej

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