whitekirk

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.