They delivered a fine course that has grown in stature as its playing surfaces and the wild grasses surrounding most fairways have matured, giving the layout even more definition.

The aim was to build upon the indelible characteristics of the old Scottish links. If the bagpipes aren’t whining in your ears as you wander down the 1st fairway, you will undoubtedly be consumed by their eerie presence as you stand on the 3rd tee.

This 185-metre par-3 is the signature hole of the North course and easily transports you to the 1st hole at Prestwick, the 11th at Royal Troon or the 13th at North Berwick – holes that have been made famous because a stone wall borders an edge of the putting surface.

Thomson pays homage to this design trait at the 3rd, known as ‘Wall’, with a 1.6-metre high stone wall flanking the entire left side and rear of the green. There are no bunkers on this gem of a hole, just a slightly rolling landscape that flattens out to accommodate the putting surface next to the L-shaped wall.

Wind plays a major factor at Sandhurst and Thomson – drawing on more than 60 years of playing the Sandbelt – has routed the North course to take advantage of prevailing breezes as well as unusual winds.

The back nine also has some wonderful highlights including the 497-metre par-5 11th – known as ‘Purgatory’, which rewards the player for risking everything from the tee in trying to clear two fairway traps to get a generous kick forward to put the green in range for two shots.

The 321-metre par-4 14th is a delightful short dogleg right while the 392-metre par-4 18th is a solid closing hole with water left, seven bunkers bordering the fairway left and right and another three large sand traps guarding the equally grand putting surface.

The adjoining Champions course, which opened for play in 2008, covers more undulating land than its neighbour and, therefore, offers a greater variety of holes and shot demands, making it a slightly more memorable experience.

While the surrounding residential development is more intrusive on the Champions course than the North layout, the quality of the holes and the playing surfaces guarantee a satisfying round.