Gil Hanse continues to stamp his growing presence as one of the leaders in golf course design work and even moreso with the latest news his services have been retained by Scotland’s famed North Berwick course.
The story of Gil’s newest golf course assignment appears on Golf Course Architecture website and you can read all the news by clicking on: www.golfcoursearchitecture.net
We learnt also just a week ago with TGL (TMRW Golf League) announcing Hanse has joined the league’s stable of course architects.
I was first was introduced to Gil soon after he had completed his maiden 18-hole project, the Craighead Links course at Crail in Scotland and becoming a second course at Crail Golfing Society, golf’s seventh oldest club.
The club was founded when 13 gentleman gathered in the closeby and aptly named Golf Hotel in 1786 to form the club.
Crail members first competed on a rudimentary layout just on the very edge of the township and what today is the location of a caravan park.
GETTING TO KNOW ONE OF GOLF’S TOP ⛳️DESIGNERS ….
And the day I enjoyed driving Gil Hanse to his co-designed Castle Stuart ⛳️
Read: https://t.co/ni22AqhZH7
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The present Crail golfing location is to be found as far as the road from the township can take you in the direction of the Fifeness Lighthouse and that to the shoreline of St. Andrews Bay, and around 12 miles east of St. Andrews.
Legendary Old Tom Morris was commissioned to design the Balcomie Links in 1895, a true links course along the shoreline and very much influenced by the North Sea that on some days it would be so calm you could go water skiing and others the winds would be so strong to blow a dog off its chain (smiling).
The clubhouse enjoys a stunning clifftop position overlooking both Crail golf courses and with views of nearby Kingbarns Links and extending way across the bay in the direction of Carnoustie while there’s a great view looking in a southerly direction right across the Firth of Forth to May Island and further in the direction of the likes of North Berwick, the Renaissance Club and Gullane.
Balcomie remains the strong favourite among the ever-increasing number of visitors to the East Neuk of Fife region of Scotland while the newer Craighead Links is stamping its stature as a ‘must play’ lay-out.
This increased desire to tackle the Craighead Linsk is being helped by the yearly hosting of the Battle Trophy along with such events as the 1998 staging of the Scottish Men’s Amateur, the 2017 Scottish Boys and Girls Championship and the 2024 hosting of a Monday qualifying round for LPGA and LET members seeking secure a place into the Women’s British Open later that August week at St. Andrews.
I joined Crail at the turn of the new millennium and would always enjoy, and thanks to then club pro Graeme Lennie meeting-up will Gil when he continued to visit Crail in those early ‘settling-in’ years of the Craighead Links.
Indeed, Gil even chose to reside in Crail for a good period of time during the construction of the Craighead layout which speaks volumes for his ‘hands on’ input in the course design,
There was one such occasion in meeting Gil and it was early February, 2011 when he was visiting Crail but also was planning to venture well north of Crail and to Inverness, and Gil’s stunning newly opened co-designed Castle Stuart course.
As I had the ‘wheels’, I suggested to Gil why not join me the next day as I was also looking to visit the course. So, we headed off up the A9 and the destination being the Castle Stuart course that Gil co-designed with the late Mark Parsinen, who tragically passed away in 2019 from a massive stroke.
The late Mark Parsinen (left) and Gil Hanse visiting Castle Stuart in February 2011. Image GolfByTourMiss
February, 2011 and Gil Hanse looking out over his co-designed Castle Stuart course. The Ness River in the distance. Image – GolfByTourMiss
Gil Hanse and the impressive-looking Castle Stuart clubhouse. Image – GolfByTourMiss
I recall our drive as we simply chatted and chatted all the way, stopping for a coffee and a bite to eat, but also in chatting away we missed the turn-off to the course and had to back track over the Kessock Bridge and then left onto Castle Stuart.
For me, Castle Stuart was always a popular destination in those years as it proudly hosted the Scottish Open for three years running 2011 to 2013. There was the wonderful opportunity to attend media outings while immediately on the opposite side of the River Ness is the Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club, a true links gem with a history dating back to 1793 and redesigned in 1932 by the famed James Braid.
Your writer visiting Castle Stuary in February, 2011. Wearing his much-loved top and a gift thanks to PGA of America in attending the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol. PS: Still wear it in these colder months (smiling).
What made the Fortrose visit extra special as during each year of the Scottish Open, Fortrose Secretary Mike MacDonald and members of the club graciously hosted the accredited Scottish Open media to a wonderful Wednesday afternoon Ryder Cup theme outing and followed by dinner in the clubhouse.
It was one of those “You don’t want to miss it” occasions with myself and colleagures forever grateful grateful to Mike generous arrangements.
Though I should ‘come clean’ in ending this article as during our 2013 Fortrose outing I will not forget spraying my tee shot well right off the 17th tee and just missing a golfer heading up the second fairway.
The player in question was the then First Minister of Scotland – Sir Alex Salmond.
I extended my apologies and recalling the First Minister, and like the majority of golfers, was grateful and engaging for the short time we spoke.
Anyway, enough from me and hereunder again with thanks www.golfcoursearchitecture.net
Gil Hanse to prioritise sustainability
with renovation of West Links at North Berwick
“The West Links is one of the most consequential golf courses in the history of golf course architecture,” said Hanse.
“It has provided guidance and inspiration to nearly every person who has ever racticed 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.
!We appreciate the trust that the stewards of the links have put in us to create a plan that will honour the traditions of the links, and prepare it for the future with respect to the game and the environment.”
From left, Martyn Huish, head of golf at North Berwick, Gil Hanse, course manager Kyle Cruickshank and general manager Stuart Bayne (Image: The North Berwick Golf Club)
Stuart Bayne, General Manager at North Berwick, said: “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”.
The famous Gate sixteenth hole at North Berwick. Hanse describes the West Links as ‘one of the most consequential golf courses in the history of golf course architecture’ (Image: GCA)
Hanse was selected after what the club describes as “a rigorous selection process, including on-course evaluations and consultations with leading architects” and his team will work closely with course manager Kyle Cruickshank, with additional input from a select group of members.
Professional golfer Catriona Matthew, who won the Women’s British Open in 2009 and was twice a Solheim Cup captain, is an honorary life member of the club, and said: “Having played numerous courses designed and restored by Gil, from the completely new design in Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympics to the renovation of Waverley Country Club for the US Senior Women’s Open, and the thoughtful long-term enhancement plans at Sunningdale/
“I have no doubt he will bring the vision and expertise needed to guide North Berwick. His approach ensures a cohesive, long-term strategy to polish and refine our course, delivering continuity and a collaborative plan for many years to come.”
A key priority of the work will be addressing the challenges of coastal erosion (Image: GCA)
