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LINKS IN THE 1890s
by DOROTHY CAMPBELL

Glen Golf Club
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Glen Golf Club
Tantallon Terrace, North Berwick
Secretary, Kevin Fish
Tel. 01620 895288

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Glen Golf Course
North Berwick
By Douglas Seaton
North Berwick Factfile

GLEN GOLF COURSE has the most picturesque setting in East Lothian. Most visitors regard the West Links as the course to play, but they are missing a hidden gem. A short climb to the first green reveals unbelievable views of the rugged coastline, with every hole affording the golfer a different perspective over the Firth of Forth.

The ground east of the Glen Burn was originally known as Haugh Park, where the 1st and 18th fairways are now laid out. The land was part of the Rhodes farm owned by Sir Walter Hamilton-Dalrymple who in 1894 laid out a golf course on the coastal strip which included the 'End Hole' now the famous 13th 'Sea Hole'. This was James Braid's first venture in golf course design as he assisted Ben Sayers to layout the nine-hole course.

The Rhodes Links measured 2310 yards - par 35, and was formally opened in April 1894 with a match between Ben Sayers and the former Open Champion Hugh Kirkaldy from Oxford, both of whom had just returned from Machrihanish. After a close game of two rounds or 18 holes, the match went in favour of the Oxford professional by 83 to 87.

The Rhodes Golf Club was instituted in 1894 for play over the new course and Sir Walter Hamilton-Dalrymple was elected captain, with Joint Hon. Secretaries- R. M. McKechnie and C. L. Blaikie.

Haugh Park was the site of the town's celebrations for the 1902 Coronation of King Edward VII.

With the increase in the popularity of golf at North Berwick, overcrowding of the West Links became a major problem and it was proposed by the Town Council to acquire additional land for the provision of a new 18 hole Burgh Course.

A public meeting was held on 8th March 1905 in the Carlton Hotel chaired by Edinburgh's Lord Provost Sir Robert Cranston with the purpose of forming a limited company to raise funds to purchase 129 acres of land to the east of the town which included the nine-hole Rhodes course.

A tournament was held to celebrate the opening of the new course and Harry Vardon alone took over a 1,000 people with him off the first tee.

Mr. D. Deuchars chairman of the North British Railway Company offered members of the new club special rates on return fares from Edinburgh; first class 3/6d and third class 2/6d. Local cab drivers could now provide a motor car service from the railway station to the first tee, overcoming one of the difficulties associated with the original Rhodes Links.

The Town Council then proceeded to apply for a 'Provisional Order' empowering them to purchase land out with the town boundary for recreational use. This was granted by Royal assent on 29th May 1906 and the boundary was moved to encompass the new golf course.

James Braid was employed to supervise the extension of the Rhodes Links to 18 holes in 1906. The new course stretched inland over the Rhodes and Castleton farms, with the first six holes skirting the Rhodes steading, passing the disused lime kilns and out towards the shooting range of the Volunteer Rifle Corps. The green then took an angular direction towards the eleventh and eighth holes.

A turn was made from this point and the inward play was along the cliff top back to the Glen burn, where the eighteenth hole was situated, embracing the ground of the original nine-hole Rhodes Links. The course measured three and a half miles with the longest hole 530 yards whilst another six holes were 300 yards or over. The club house was to have been an iron pavilion but was constructed of bricks and mortar increasing the total cost to Ł10,850 which included the purchase of a horse and tools. By August 1906 the first nine holes were open to the public and the Town Council appointed Duncan Fleming as greenkeeper.

The North Berwick Corporation Links Club was founded on 9th June 1906 when George Dalziel was elected captain and Andrew D. Wallace appointed secretary and treasurer. The entry fee was 17/6d and the club had 233 members including 10 ladies. The original Rhodes Golf Club continued with 50 members and the former Amateur Champion Robert Maxwell was their Honorary President. Andrew D. Wallace was Town Clerk of North Berwick for a remarkable 51 years. George Dalziel lawyer to the Dalrymple estate, diligently conducted the sale of the land between the Town Council and Sir Walter Hamilton-Dalrymple who throughout the negotiations was living in his villa at Alassio in the Italian Riviera. Dalziel died in 1926 and is buried in the cemetery in Tantallon Road, North Berwick.

The 18 hole Burgh Links course was opened in July 1907 and the Corporation Links Club played their first competition in October that year with separate prizes for the ladies. In the 1930s, the club adopted the name 'Glen Golf Club'.

To celebrate the opening of the new course an anonymous donor gifted 300 guineas towards prizes for a professional golf tournament. Played over the Burgh Links in July 1909 the field included five Open Champions; J.H. Taylor, Arnaud Massy, Sandy Herd, Harry Vardon, Willie Auchterlonie and two future champions in Ted Ray and George Duncan. Among the local professionals were Ben Sayers, Willie Watt, David and Andrew Grant, James Souter, Ben Sayers Jnr. and Robert Thomson.

In 1947 the majority voted against golfing on the Sabbath. Golf was first played on a Sunday on 11th March 1958. - Town Council Poster.

A huge crowd watched the tournament including many spectators who arrived on special trains from Edinburgh. Harry Vardon alone took over a 1,000 people with him off the first tee.

George Duncan won the tournament with a four round total of 290, including a brilliant 70 in the third round, setting a new course record. He received a gold medal and Ł125, the largest sum ever offered for a first prize in a professional tournament. The result was published in the USGA Golf magazine which reported that the prize money of $1,600 was contributed by an American sportsman. The identity of the generous donor remains a mystery. Sandy Herd was runner-up with Vardon third, while local favourite Robert Thomson finished tied for sixth place. During the tournament, W. H. Horne of Chertsey G.C. had the longest drive ever recorded in a competition. From the 13th tee, Horne drove the ball to the edge of the green. The hole was 400 yards long and as the ball was twelve yards short of the pin the shot was measured at 388 yards. It was reported that Harry Vardon was putting on the green at the time.

Alex Marshall, the club maker at 27 Station Hill opened a workshop on the Burgh course where he repaired clubs. Robert Thomson took over the workshop in 1920 and was appointed Burgh golf professional from 1923-1938. Bob Thomson had an outstanding career, he represented Scotland in the Home Internationals from 1903-1912. In the Open Championship he finished in the top six in 1903 and 1905 and was Scottish Professional Champion in 1909 after defeating Willie Watt from Dirleton in the final. He replaced James Braid at Romford Golf Club in 1904 and three years later returned to North Berwick. He regularily played in the prestigious News Of The World tournament at Sunningdale and recived Ł10 prize money in 1912. Robert Thomson was the son of William Thomson, a fisherman, and his wife Margaret Lawrie. Robert resided at 17, Forth Street and remained single until his death in 1954 aged 78 years.

Booking Fax:01620 895447 Starter Tel: 01620 892726

The Glen golf course has changed little since those halcyon days of Braid, Taylor and Vardon, with the islands of Fidra, Lamb, Craigleith and the famous Bass Rock less than a mile offshore. By the 8th tee the view of Tantallon Castle gives the visitor a sense of history, while the course meanders back along the cliff top, with the salty spray of the sea from the waves crashing on the rocks below and sea birds of every species flying overhead. One of the most dramatic holes is the par three 13th, with its elevated tee and partially hidden green at sea level, giving problems with club selection.

The closing holes offer panoramic views of the town, harbour and beaches, which alone is well worth the green fee. The 18th tee situated on a plateau with the fairway dropping away eighty feet below, has ruined many a good score with out of bounds and the beach to the right. But by now the clubhouse is in sight, and the 19th hole beckons. The combination of inland turf with a links setting will appeal to all levels of skill, measuring 6321 yards S.S.S. 70.

End Hole - Rhodes Links - 1894

Travel Route

Driving from the North and Edinburgh Airport

From Edinburgh take the A720 City By Pass (South) - follow sign post Berwick-Upon-Tweed (A1). Continue on A1 (South) and take the A198 - sign post North Berwick. Pass through the villages of Longniddry, Aberlady, Gullane to North Berwick. Then follow signs for Town Centre and East Links Golf Course. Drive time from Forth Road Bridge and Edinburgh Airport 45 minutes.

Driving from the South

From the A1 motorway take the A198 - sign post North Berwick. Follow signs for Town Centre and then East Links Golf Course.