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 THE
WEST LINKS was originally six holes and a seventh was added before
it was extended to 18 holes in 1877. By 1895 the course was lengthened,
and today measures 6420 yards S.S.S 71.
Not the longest, but the trickery of the course requires the full
repertoire of shot making. A true links course laid out on a raised-beach,
laden with brown sand forming the undulating links land 10 to
30 feet above sea level.
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The
course has been described as from a 'Primitive Age' relating to
a period from the beginning of the game to the invention of the
gutta-percha in 1848. The West Links is of great antiquity and has
it's place among a very special group of courses which evolved naturally
and owe little to the hand of man
Above:
'Redan' with the March Dyke, Craigleith island and Bass Rock in
the background © Digitalsport UK
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By Douglas
Seaton, Local Correspondent
A golfing experience
not found anywhere else, with blind holes, drives over walls and burns,
shots over the bay and bunkers deep enough for the golfer to disappear
from view.
Many of the
holes have been copied by designers all over the world, including the
376 yard 14th named 'Perfection' and the 192 yard 15th called 'Redan'.
They all have fascinating names such as Mizzentop, Bos'ns Locker, the
Pit and Linkhouse (8th) where a ginger beer stall was erected in 1895.
Point Garry Out
is the first hole and at one time shared the green with the 17th Point
Garry In. This double-green was described by Bernard Darwin, the doyen
of golf writers as a " Terrible place where the green slopes away
to the rocks and beach." Although not as daunting as in Darwin's
day, the opening and finishing stretch requires some thought.
The Bass Rock Golf
Club (1873), Tantallon Golf Club (1853) and North Berwick Golf Club
(1832) all play over the West Links. The latter is the thirteenth oldest
golf club, second only to the Royal and Ancient Club in St Andrews for
continuous play over the same course.
In the early days,
Challenge or Brag matches between the leading professionals attracted
thousands of spectators to the West Links. One such match was held in
September 1875 between Willie Park and his brother Mungo against the
Tom Morrises, Old and Young. The match ended abruptly when Provost Peter
Brodie received a telegram with the news that Young Tom's wife was seriously
ill across the Firth of Forth in St. Andrews following the birth of
their child. The Morrises set off for home, but before they could board
the yacht put at their disposal by an Edinburgh man who had been in
the gallery, a second message arrived with the tragic news that mother
and son had both died.
Old Tom did not break the sad news to his son until they were in sight
of the pier at St. Andrews and the effect was so devastating that Young
Tom never recovered, dying three months later on Christmas morning,
at the age of 25.
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