The
string of East Lothian courses lining the southern shore
of the Forth estuary is among the most famous in the world
of golf. Gullane, North Berwick, Dunbar and, of course,
the mighty links of Muirfield, are household names to anyone
with a golfer's soul.This is historic turf and a golfing
centre that dates back to the cradle of the game. It's proper
golf on the seaside, with the one exception being Muirfield
itself as it lies back from the beach and the stone walling
running around, makes it feel a little like an enclosed
park. However, it is links turf upon which the members of
the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers play, so we
can disregard old Andrew Kirkcaldy's comments about an "old
water meadow", and rejoice in the splendor of East
Lothian's marvelous stretch of golfing ground.
There
are so many fine courses here it is hard to see the need
for any more. And even if such hope to compete with some
of the greatest links of the world?. Yorkshire farmer George
Tuer pondered that very question and decided there was,
in fact, a demonstrable need for a new course in the area.
He decided he would build one to stand four-square against
the others close by. Decisions like that are only taken
by determined men and George Tuer is nothing if not determined.
He is also very shrewd, and realised that his course would
only succeed if it could be built at the right price and
provide first-class but affordable facilities.
The result is Whitekirk golf club, a couple of miles east
of North Berwick and a welcome addition to its illustrious
neighbours. Its stands as one of the best new Scottish Courses
in many a long day.
Whitekirk
sits high on the hill above North Berwick with commanding
views over East Lothian, across rich farmland rimming the
course and past the famous landmarks of the Bass Rock, Berwick
Law and Tantallon Castle. Across the blue waters of the
Forth estuary are the hills of Fife. It is glorious country
indeed and although the gorse-covered banks suggest something
of a traditional links, prompting comparison with seaside
golf, this is more of an old heath land course with some
fertile valleys thrown in to enhance the interest. Course
architect Cameron Sinclair made an excellent job of the
layout on what was part of George Tuer's extensive farm.
But unlike many farmers in the golf course business before
him, George Tuer's farmland has made the transition from
grazing to matters Royal & Ancient in a way that few
others have been able to emulate. Certainly, none have managed
to produce such an excellent course and first class clubhouse
for an outlay of a little over £1 million.
This is at a time when some big-name golf course architects
charge such sums just to put their names on the design board.
Whitekirk is a success story, of that there is no doubt.
The clubhouse restaurant is so popular you need to to be
sharp to find a table. A good majority of the customers
are not even golfers! The reason is simple, the clubhouse
serves good food at reasonable prices in a warm and friendly
atmosphere.
