LINKS75 has moved on to historic ground. The world’s oldest golf course according to a united committee at the Guinness Book of Records. The official diploma has pride of place in the foyer. In the car park we join up with some of the day’s combatants, 30 Englishmen versus 30 Scots in an annual match – 18 holes of galloping golf. The traditional tattoos from Great Yarmouth make themselves felt – strong forearms and power behind every stoke.
Musselburgh Links
Inside the racecourse’s white fence there are 9 holes into the sun. Between 1874 and 1889 the championship, The Open, was decided here. In the last year the legend Willie Park Jnr won here. Our thoughts drift backwards in time and place – an amazing feeling. In theoretical terms we follow a few balls after Willie Park. Suddenly, we are standing at the start box following four forearm-tattooed, Vinnie Jones-copies, with another four following us. The 1st hole – 240 yards – elevated green and waiting bunkers – a par3! We accept our bogey without fuss and move on. We hit out wildly both forwards and backwards and seem stuck in a whirlwind of evil eyes and untamed shots. The 4th hole – Mrs Forman’s par 4 – is a detour from the racecourse’s most distant parts. The green is neighbour to The Pub which bears the same name. Next to the green there is a entrance through the wall – The Cradle of Golf – which like Lucifer tempts Mrs Forman with foaming mead and good humour.
Musselburgh Links4th green
Links love of the classic type. Worthy of an experience in itself. We are forced to hold our place in the race, and suddenly under observation we fall into the tattooed pattern without hesitation. The third curve is rounded and we enter the home stretch. In the middle of the fairway are flags and distance markers. Who can hit the longest? Tattooed forearms are tested against one another – jaws are clenched and more power applied. A few meters behind us the flags flutter – pride. Three bends completed and only the finishing stretch remains. The 9th is a dogleg par 4 with intricate bunker layout. We go for power and finish with delicacy. A day at the races.
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