Top American architecture duo lining up new Dornoch course

Coore & Crenshaw said to be planning project in the Highlands with Bandon Dunes owner

The Scottish Highlands could be on the brink of getting another championship golf course, with news that top American design firm Coore & Crenshaw are scoping out a site near Royal Dornoch.

According to Ru Macdonald, who produces the excellent Scottish Golf Podcast, the firm has been picked by Mike Keiser, owner of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in the US, to design a new layout at Embo Estate two miles to the north of Dornoch.

Macdonald has reported that Coore & Crenshaw “will be asked to work alongside the local council and environment agencies in routing a truly world class 18 hole, sustainable and authentic links golf course.” He also revealed that Bill Coore, a partner in the firm with two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw, right, has already made two visits to the proposed site.

“The enormity of the property is incredible as it races parallel to the Dornoch Firth before meandering inland to the confinement of Loch Fleet,” wrote Macdonald on his blog. He added that he had met Keiser by chance during a visit to the site. Kesier explained that the site was “certainly large enough for 36 holes” but that environmental concerns mean that it is probable “a routing of a world class 18 hole course will suffice”.

Macdonald also revealed that Coore & Crenshaw are “already in strong dialogue” with Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Highlands & Islands Council and Scottish Natural Heritage over plans for the development.

This news comes hot on the heels of news that long-standing plans for a new Jack Nicklaus-designed course near Aberdeen are back on track after developers revised their plans to satisfy concerns lodged by various government agencies.

There are various other proposed new golf courses in Scotland, which are currently at various stages of development, including a second course at Trump International Golf Links Scotland, the Darren Clarke-designed The Angus near Dundee and a brand new 18-hole course on the Isle of Jura.

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