On Monday, North Berwick Golf Club announced a new hiring. That might not seem like headline news, but when a Scottish club is hiring Gil Hanse, it is.
The famed golf course designer has been appointed as North Berwick’s retained Course Architect. His mission? To “polish and protect” the famous links course in East Lothian, Scotland.
The unique and admired links of North Berwick, known as “the West Links” to locals, has welcomed golfers for nearly 200 years. Established in 1832, the course has a special place in the history of the game, both for tournaments and matches it has hosted and for its iconic design.
Its par-3 15th hole, known as Redan, is one of the most replicated hole in all of golf.
Hanse, one of the leading architects of his generation and known for his restoration work at American clubs such as Oakmont, Merion and Los Angeles Country Club, has been hired to “preserve the character and integrity” of the course at North Berwick.
Restorative work has been booming for the past decade-plus in the U.S., but it has been less prevalent on links courses. This follows a bit of a trend, with King, Collins and Dormer being hired by Royal Dornoch to add a second course at the facility up in the Scottish Highlands, that another historic Scottish club is going this route.
The first order of business for Hanse and his team is to create a master plan for the West Links. The plan will focus on restoring key features, maintaining the course’s unique character and prioritising sustainability.
“We are delighted and honoured to have been selected to provide architectural guidance in the form of a master plan for the North Berwick West Links.” Hanse said. “The West Links is one of the most consequential golf courses in the history of golf course architecture. It has provided guidance and inspiration to nearly every person who has ever practised our craft. We are excited to learn as much as possible about the roots of the course, and use this research to inform our recommendations for the master plan.”
The club has not been afraid to undertake work to restore and protect the course in recent years.
In 2023 work got underway to restore the Redan hole, a project that involved reshaping and stretching the putting surface as well as expanding the bunker short left of the green. That work, along with bunker renovations on the 17th hole, were completed earlier this year.
Additionally, the course has undertaken work to address areas of coastal erosion. The layout of North Berwick plays along and back the Firth of Forth and receding coastlines, accelerated by Storm Babet in 2023, have necessitated essential work to protect the course. Hanse and his team will now work with the club on those projects and more.
“We are delighted to welcome Gil Hanse,” said Stuart Bayne, General Manager at North Berwick. “His unparalleled expertise and deep respect for tradition make him the perfect partner to preserve and elevate one of the world’s most historic and iconic courses.
“The Master Plan will identify ways to polish the West Links to be the best version of itself, ensuring continuity year on year through minor refinements. While significant changes are not anticipated, a key priority will be addressing the challenges of coastal erosion. This includes implementing robust contingency measures alongside our existing engineering projects to mitigate future risks from the advancing sea.” Hanse’s team will work closely with Course Manager Kyle Cruickshank and a select group of members to ensure the plan reflects their insights while honoring the course’s rich history.
An exciting appointment for one of the world’s greatest links courses.
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