Two interesting old photos.
I’ve seen the top one a few times before but the lower one is new to me.
Atb
There looks to be a sharp drop off from the rear of the green. The green is also much smaller. It’s quite a severe target for a blind shot!
Cruden Bay Tour Cont
Not a hole I admire, the 15th is usually requires a hit and hope shot over the corner of a large dune to hit the green of this blind par 3. There is minimal forgiveness to the right due to harsh rough up the dune slope.
Another short hole, the 16th is demanding, but doable. Not long ago the green was made a bit easier to, yet its essence remains intact.
Play is from the left.
Below is an old photo of the stairs bunker on the NLE 9th which was left and short of the current 16th green.
The run of challenging holes continues with 17 & 18. A large mound thought to be a burial ground from the Battle of Cruden. Regardless, this feature dominates the hole. I notice new bunkers down the right which have considerably tightened the drive.
Luckily, the wind often blows off the left for those able to hit a roundhouse slice.
Looking at old photos, I do wonder if the green hasn't been enlarged. One of our party thought the green was different, but didn't offer how so.
The tee for 18 was pushed right for safety reasons...which makes sense. Unfortunately, despite the large mound on 17, the two holes have similar characteristics.
I am as impressed with Cruden Bay today as I was when first visiting over 20 years ago. There is often talk of Cruden Bay being the fun course, but Royal Aberdeen is the course for a serious test. I don't subscribe to that opinion nor do I think Cruden Bay is the lesser of the two because of its quirky holes. Cruden Bay's immense variety of holes is rarely matched and for this reason alone it is one of the top courses in Scotland. 1*
The old caddie shack is worth your time. It has been recently renovated and includes loads of club memorabilia.
Ciao