About
Archie Simpson designed the original layout at Cruden Bay, which he regarded as his masterpiece, although the club often credits Old Tom Morris for the design due to the great man's prestige. Simpson’s design work in Scotland included courses that remain highly regarded for their architectural quality and challenge.
Archie Simpson was a distinguished Scottish professional golfer, club maker, teacher, and golf course architect. He was the youngest of six Simpson brothers, a family famous in golf circles, including his brother Robert Simpson. Archie considered himself the most successful golfer of the clan and was a top competitor, placing in the top five at the Open Championship multiple times between 1885 and 1887.
He began his architecture career related closely to Old Tom Morris, likely contributing to the design of courses at Dornoch, Nairn, Carnoustie, and Cruden Bay. Simpson designed several notable courses himself, including Stonehaven, Deeside (Bieldside), Ballater, Aboyne, Balnagask, and Murcar.
In 1911, he emigrated to the United States, serving as the professional at the Country Club of Detroit and later at other clubs, where he continued his involvement in golf. He returned briefly to Scotland in 1921 before going back to the U.S., where he died in Detroit in 1955 at the age of 88.
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