A series of changes have been made to the golf course at Meldrum House Country Hotel ahead of its hosting of the Aberdeen Masters tournament this August.

Located around ten miles north of the town of Inverurie, Scotland, Meldrum House is home to an 18-hole course originally designed by Graham Webster. 

The biggest change is at the seventeenth hole, where alterations have been made to the existing pond and the fairway has been widened by 35 yards. This has helped turn the short par four into more of a risk-and-reward hole for players.

Changes have also been made to holes six, seven and eight, with lost ball areas being removed.

“The work on hole seventeen makes a big difference and not just from a playability point of view,” said Kenneth Harper, Meldrum’s golf course and estate grounds manager. “It looks like a better hole now with the pond shaped in and the fairway right in front of you to have a pop at. Six, seven and eight are also good changes that suit the holes. The shapes have been looked at carefully so they look as if they’ve been there forever. It’s all part of a much bigger plan that is being received very positively.”

The £50,000 project took place over the winter months ahead of the start of the current season. As well as the changes to the course, new drains were installed, a new ladies’ tee was built, and 7,000 metres of turf was laid.

“We have a very clear plan for Meldrum which involves taking it from being a very special Scottish country house into a prestigious venue and world-class resort,” said Andy Burgess, the hotel’s chief executive. “These latest changes mark an important stage in the road towards that goal and yet another milestone in the development of this resort.”

The Aberdeen Masters takes place at Meldrum House Country Hotel from 17-19 August.