Crypto-backed golf community Links Golf Club has hired Clayton, DeVries & Pont (CDP) to renovate its recently acquired Spey Bay Golf Course in Moray, Scotland.
Links Golf Club was created from LinksDAO, a crypto-backed online golf community that raised funds through the online sale of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and offers members access to golf courses, merchandise and more.
Links Golf Club formalised the acquisition of Spey Bay in May, having won the bid to purchase the club in March 2023. Spey Bay was designed by architect and golf instructor Ben Sayers in 1907 and it sits at the mouth of River Spey in northeast Scotland.
CDP’s renovation, to be led by Mike DeVries, will aim to maximise the course’s relationship with the coastline and enhance shot variety and playability. He will be supported by Frank Pont, Mike Clayton and Sam Cooper. Chris Haspell has been selected as an agronomy consultant for the project.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with a group like Links Golf Club that embraces visionary thinking and is excited by the challenge of creating a truly unique golf experience in a spectacular location,” said DeVries. “Having the chance to work on a Scottish links course is the dream of every golf course architect. Although my colleagues are already doing so, this will be my first. We are excited to share our bold designs for Spey Bay very soon.”
CDP’s work, which is expected to begin autumn 2023, aims to modernise the course and make better use of the native sand dunes along the coast, as well as providing more variety off the tee and more angles of attack from the fairway. Placement of bunkers will also form part of the renovation.
“Our vision for Links Golf Club draws inspiration from the exceptional quality and community-first mindset that embodies Scottish golf,” said Jim Daily, founder and CEO of Links Golf Club. “Spey Bay’s rich history, classic coastal setting, and location in one of the hottest emerging regions for golf travel perfectly complements our mission to build the modern golf membership. We’re excited to work with the brilliant minds at CDP, who share our vision to create an innovative, unique, and world-class golf experience along the truly stunning Scottish coast.”