Stonehaven Golf Club was founded on Friday, April 13, 1888, and the first clubhouse was opened in June 1889. The original chimney stack still stands by the 15th tee. At that time, the course had ten holes, reduced to nine a year later, and it was not until July 7, 1897 , that the “new” course and clubhouse on the present site was opened.

For a short time, the professional was George Duncan, who later won the Open Championship in 1920 and who played in a winning Ryder Cup team.

Also to grace the fairways was another Open champion, the legendary James Braid, who played a challenge match on August 18, 1906 , against Archie Simpson, the professional at Royal Aberdeen. Afterwards, Braid and Simpson planned improvements to the course.

A much less welcome visitor called in August, 1940, when a German aircraft, fleeing home after a raid, dropped a bomb on the course only a hundred yards or so from the clubhouse. The crater it left, known as Hitler’s Bunker, remains clearly visible today -- and very much in play between the first and second fairways.

Visitors approaching from the south on the A90 should take the first exit marked Stonehaven. Follow the road into the town, go straight on at the traffic lights and right through the town. Then follow the sign to the golf club, veering right and up the hill. The club is on the right before you go under the railway bridge. Seek a parking place in the lower car park.