Lundin Mill Club was formed in 1868 which prompted the original 1846 Leven nine hole course to be expanded to 18 holes east of the Mile Dyke. It is believed Old Tom Morris was engaged for a second time to carry out the work, the first visit being in 1865 for bunker advice. This new design was played from both ends of the links, a flaw which would inevitably be the downfall of the course. In a modern sense, the Leven Links may be the first 18 hole course with 18 greens and fairways. In any case, with four clubs using the links the situation of two starting points couldn’t last forever. In 1909 the course was split at the Mile Dyke with Lundin hiring James Braid to extend their half of the property up the hill and Leven appropriated the football grounds on the far side of the Bowling Club to complete its new design of 18 holes.
Leven’s new holes are 6-12, 16 & 17. Although some of the holes are flat, generally, Leven’s new holes settle in better with old holes compared to Lundin. Amongst what is terrificly humpty bumpty terrain, 6 and 16 possess little in the way of geographic interest. However, the long 6th plays hard along OOB down the right as does the 16th. The latter hole enjoys the benefit of playing back into town. Fortunately, the three remaining clubs; Leven Thistle, Leven Golfing Society and Lundin play the (nearly) original 18 hole design for the McDonald Trophy. Of course, playing over the Dyke as was originally the case is no longer done. Leven’s third hole has been re-routed closer to Largo Bay. Leven’s 18th used a different tee and I believe originally had a host of bunkers to add to the troubles of length and the Scoonie Burn. This temporary layout must be one of the best courses in the British Isles. The course consists of Leven 1-5, Lundin 15-18 & 1-5, Leven 13-15 & 18.
In addition to sharing a boundary, Lundin & Leven also commence in similar fashion with four good two-shotters snaking along Largo Bay followed by a par three played along the course boundary. What is difficult to come to grips with is how much Leven has changed due to taming the land and the build-up along the bay. When CBM saw the course the first would have looked like this! While not the harsh task as coming home, the renowned Scoonie Burn must still be negotiated
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While the course has been subdued compared to 130 years ago, there remains a raw quality which is intense. Below is the approach to the first green.
The second is much shorter and instead of tackling the plateau on the approach we are asked to so on the drive. There is a bail area right which isn't a great way to play the hole, but it can work.
Mercy has been shown for those with a wayard drive right. A lovely notch cut through the dune offers some respite.
There is, however, the matter of wing bunkers which protect the right side of the green.
Clinging to the bay, the 3rd doesn't have the dramatic terrain of the opening two holes, but it gets the job done.
The fine start continues with the 4th, a 434 yard bruiser which brings us to the Lundin Links boundary. The appealing humpty bumpty terrain is very evident throughout most of the course.
More to follow.
Ciao