NORTH BERWICK WEST LINKS: 2023-24 Winter Tour

[Sean_A]

The 2017-18 Winter Tour stopped at chilly North Berwick for a game. The links were in magnificent condition and I haven't seen the course play so well in a long time.  Holes such as 16 & 17 playing into a stout head wind were very formidable. 

Unfortunately, the stewards of the course continue to make changes which are very suspect.  A new tee was added to 18...and for some reason it wasn't graded to match the current tee.  I really can't understand why there seems to be such a flippant approach to changes...it is very depressing. 

See the updated tour. 
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,59363.0.html

Previous Stops

Alnmouth Village
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,65709.0.html

Little Aston
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,38973.0.html

WHO
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,61415.msg1460548.html#msg1460548

RAC
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,65366.0.html

St Georges Hill
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,36130.0.html

Huntercombe
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,32228.msg633321.html#msg633321

Worcester
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49998.msg1348691.html#msg1348691

Planned stops: Warkworth, Epsom & Princes

Ciao

[Ally Mcintosh]

Did you take a picture of the tee, Sean?

[Tim Gallant]

Ally,


I'll take a photo in a fortnight for the thread. It's not great.


Sean, I agree with you. Their seems to be no rhyme or (logical) reason for the tweaks. Some questionable updates since I started playing there:


- Extended tee at 1
- Added back tees at 6 and 12
- Extended tee on 18
- Fairway bunker size reduction on 17 (note, not the greenside bunker, but the hidden fairway bunker, which was taken in by a few feet)
- Tighter fairways


Sean, any others that you can recall? Nothing massive, but a few head scratchers...

[Sean_A]

Well, other than general fairway width reduction, the newish (seems like there are twice as many as 10 years ago) bunkers on 12 are very dubious. 

Ciao

[Michael Graham]

The cluster of fairway bunkers on the 12th are a bit of an eye sore. I've not paid much attention to the new 18th tee as the last few times I've played it's been roped off as G.U.R. The recent changes just highlight the difference between having a consulting architect and making changes in house. 

[Niall C]

Michael

In fairness the current course is largely the result of “in-house” work and it hasn’t turned out too badly. That said, when I saw the new tee on Saturday I was immediately taken aback although I suspect in a few years time I won’t really notice it.

Niall

[Ian Galbraith]

Two other tweaks come to mind,


New back tee on 8 about 4 years ago which hardly ever gets used (thank goodness)
and this winters spreading of the back tee on 13 to the left, which I don't care for much either.


I think most of the tee changes have been to try and keep the length of the course up where possible to attract a few R&A events for Ladies and/or Seniors.


.... and no-one has mentioned the black clock monolith on the 1st tee yet...     .... like something from 2001 A space Odyssey!

[Michael Graham]

Two other tweaks come to mind,


New back tee on 8 about 4 years ago which hardly ever gets used (thank goodness)
and this winters spreading of the back tee on 13 to the left, which I don't care for much either.


I think most of the tee changes have been to try and keep the length of the course up where possible to attract a few R&A events for Ladies and/or Seniors.


.... and no-one has mentioned the black clock monolith on the 1st tee yet...     .... like something from 2001 A space Odyssey!

Ian,


Do you know what the story is with the clock at the first tee? For those that haven't seen it, it had the words Audemars Piguet above the clock face. I'm guessing the club felt that was overly blatant advertising and had it removed. It now looks particularly odd with the clock-face on this huge black plinth.

[Tony_Muldoon]

I know at least one member of this forum thinks the changes to the drainage on 9 were a missed oportunity to add a little interest and subtle contour to the second half of the hole. He was able to make the club an offer to to give them free practical assistance. The then Secretaty told him somewhat plainly what he though of the offer.

[Jon Wiggett]

The bridges put in on several holes a few years back which pay homage to the Swilcan Burn Bridge. As with most of the many other clubs who have done this they lack the quaintness of the original and stick out like a sore thumb. Terrible, ill advised!!!! A few simple sleeper bridges was all it needed.


Jon

[Tony_Muldoon]

Jon they were a gift from a man who wanted to give something back to his love of golf in Scotland. They can be seen at Prestwick, Troon and a few others. Unlike the original they have to take maintenance vehicles.


https://theimlayfoundation.org/john-p-imlay-jr/

[Niall C]

Tony

I've spoken to several folk who's paths crossed with Mr Imlay and without exception they all had nice things to say about him, and there is no denying his heart was in the right place, but that all said they don't half look chintzy. Better to go with something much more unobtrusive IMO.

Niall

[Jon Wiggett]

Tony,


I was aware of that but regardless of who donated them and good intentions they are still ugly in my opinion. However, it is just my opinion and I am sure there are some who will find them attractive additions to the course.


Jon

[Sean_A]

I played a few holes with David Warren of North Berwick environs a few weeks back.  He said there are tentative plans to improve  the children's course and that his son, Benjamin, who has worked with a few well known archies may be involved. That can only be good news! 

See the updated tour.
www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,59363.msg1396567.html#msg1396567

Ciao

[Niall C]

Sean

Can I just check, is Mr Warrens son really called Warren Warren ?

Re childrens course - what are they trying to achieve ?

Niall

[Sean_A]

Sean

Can I just check, is Mr Warrens son really called Warren Warren ?

Re childrens course - what are they trying to achieve ?

Niall

No, I think its Benjamin. 

I am not certain what the stated goal of the alterations are except an improvement for kids....I can't find any official print on the matter so it must be in embryo stage.  There are also tentative plans for a wee house on site as well as there is a wreck of a shack there now.  We shall see.

Ciao

[Adam Lawrence]

Benny hasn't told me about this, the cheeky little blighter...

[Thomas Dai]

Some wonderful old photos etc in this thread. The sketch of the Redan Fortress and surrounding terrain is a cracker. Well done for posting.


Anyone have a photo of the sign for the Children’s Course that says something like “No adults unless accompanied by children”?


Atb

[Rich Goodale]

DT aka atb


I think that the sign you remember was on the Gullane kids course.


As for NB, sad.  The custodians of high end courses in Scotland have more money to spend than sense to rely upon.  Sic transit gloria west course.....

[Sean_A]

See the updated Tour. It includes a sketch each of 14 and 15 from an early 20th century book. The sketches were forwarded to me by T Gallant. It turns out I already had the sketch of 15 and thought it was a modern fake using an old template!

Previous Tour stops

Kings Norton
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71728.0.html

Minch Old
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,48765.msg1100536.html#msg1100536

Welcombe Hotel - no photo tour

Painswick
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51629.msg1181534.html#msg1181534

Planned Tour Stops

Stratford Park
Whittington Heath
Formby
West Lancs
Sandiway
Southport & Ainsdale
Hillside

Ciao

[Tony_Muldoon]

Sean this is now an outstanding piece of work! 


Not sure if its the latest version which has had the radical rethink but I was missing playing there and thought I'd reread your review. IMO the way you've reformatted it to abandon hole 1,2,3,etc and your knowledge makes this a great piece of work.  This is what GCA should be for, an antidote to a few randomly posted pictures on social media. This is a real evaluation and assessment of why this is one of the very special Golf Courses out there in a very special town.  Will read this again over the coming weekend.


If anyone is still wondering if they need to see North Berwick well here's your proof.


Congratulations.

[MCirba]

The first post on this thread may be the very best and most informative start in the history of GCA.


I played North Berwick one time completely by accident with my former college roommate I was visiting in London back in 1985.  We took a multi-day drive up to Edinburgh and one delightfully sunny summer evening as he's driving my rarely playing roommate blurts out, "such a nice day we should play golf.. let's stop at the next course we come across."


Imagine stumbling across this wonder!

[Sean_A]

Cheers Spangles and Mike.

What the hell kinda drive were you on in 1985? Was it drug induced? 😎

Ciao

[MCirba]

Cheers Spangles and Mike.

What the hell kinda drive were you on in 1985? Was it drug induced? 😎

Ciao

Strangely, I don't recall. 

[Thomas Dai]

When after many years of wishing you have the opportunity to play somewhere special .....

Thank you to some very kind GCA'ers for the opportunity and the delightful company.
atb