I have not been to Royal Dornoch but it certainly is on "the list". I am definitely in the small low key clubhouse kind of category, but RD would seem to be in "special status" as an iconic club, so it seems reasonable to re-build. My review is based on the three pictures presented in the article:
I am assuming this is the front entrance, and I get that they were going for an old look, but it looks cold and unwelcoming to me. I am not a fan of the awkward sizing of the windows, the logo sort of replacing a window, and the lack of windows on this side (I want to welcome my guest and meet them at the door when you see them walking up.) The entrance doors are small and almost hidden. I am guessing that lockers are on the basement floor, so the lack of windows on that level makes sense, but it still needs some warmth on the entrance side:
From this angle, I love the way the new clubhouse sits and it looks like there will be a 2nd floor porch, similar to Lahinch, where you can watch your friends and fellow golfers play in. Since they are not showing any ocean views, I am assuming that the course routing stays the same. A good thing as too often they re-position the clubhouse to maximize ocean views.
In picture #2 above, the porch looks higher up, but not here in the dining room view. Regardless of height, it reminds me of Streamsong, which grew on me over time. I like the TWA Terminal kind of throwback, and in fact they just opened an updated TWA Hotel in the old TWA Terminal at JFK:
