Aberdeen’s Kings Links Golf Centre is celebrating its 35th anniversary this week with its Pittodrie neighbours, who also marked a 35-year milestone earlier this year.
The longest running off-course golf facility in Scotland, Kings Links, was established in 1990, the same year Aberdeen FC last won the Scottish Cup.
Aberdeen FC players, Graeme Shinnie and Francesca Ogilvie, visited Kings Links to mark the occasion and pick up a few tips on their swings from professional, Paul Girvan, who has been with the business since the beginning and is now its director of golf.
Paul said: “When we first opened the doors at Kings Links, our next-door neighbours were the Scottish Cup Champions! Fast forward through a healthy and eventful thirty-five years at Kings Links and Aberdeen has once again won the sought-after trophy!”
“We may not be the oldest – other facilities have come and gone in this time – but we are the longest running golf centre in Scotland. Our success is a result of continued investment in inventory and the latest technology along with a personalised service to ensure customers have the best possible chance to improve and enjoy their game.
“The latest driving range technology – Trackman Range – was installed in early 2020 just as the pandemic struck. With the global supply chain in turmoil, we reacted by investing in our Golf Club Build Centre. Once fitted by one of our professional fitters, we can now build our customers’ golf clubs on-site rather than waiting weeks from the manufacturers.”
Kings Links was the brainchild of PGA Professional, Bruce Davidson, who had the vision and business acumen to build what is today one of the most successful and popular off course golf facilities in Scotland.
Paul added: “Bruce recognised the potential of the site – close to the city centre and only 100 yds away from the Kings Links Golf Course, one of the oldest and busiest public courses in Scotland. We’re also only a few minutes from Royal Aberdeen and close to Murcar, Trump International and even Cruden Bay.”
Family-owned Aberdeen business, Craig Group, acquired Kings Links in 1996. Led by chairman, Douglas Craig, the group has invested significantly in the golf facility which has one of the best and biggest golf retail operations in the country.
Douglas Craig said: “Successful businesses with longevity are driven by passionate committed people and Kings Links has seven key members of the team with almost 190 years’ service between them.”
These include Paul, director of golf, Steven Strachan, retail manager, Scott Henderson, touring professional, Barry Duncan, head groundsman, Iain Fleming, stock controller, Chris Law, marketing & build manager and Fraser Clarke, head teaching professional.
Douglas added: “We are also indebted to our loyal customers, without whom we wouldn’t be here today, celebrating 35 years in business.
“The team at Kings Links always strive to make everyone feel welcome at the centre and to deliver a consistently high quality and friendly service that is based on honest and fair advice on customers’ build and ability. They delight in being able to serve and teach the grandchildren of the customers they first met as teenagers.”
