Full of expectation we arrive at North Berwick by the Firth of Forth. Sun. Sunburnt fairways. Two weeks ago host for the Local Final Qualifying. Within the small area between the 1st and the 18th – a miniature of the same at the Old Course – what looks like a bouncy castle is being built but is actually a stage for this evening’s event – Dustin Johnson and Martin Laird will hit long irons towards the 1st green, 210 yards away, in artificial rain to launch Taylor Made’s new waterproofs. In the clubhouse we are informed by our host that Bubba played here yesterday, and as guest he played – just like LINKS75 – from the yellow tees. At the next table the group ahead of us orders a coffee and cognac before facing the challenge of the first tee. LINKS75 goes in a 4-ball with an older couple from Switzerland and their caddie James, who plays for Hoylake’s university team. On the first tee we are met by O.O.B. along the right, a waiting coastal path 180 yards ahead – headwind – so LINKS75 hits a steady 4-iron. Our newly found Swiss friend hits a long shot straight into Taylor Made’s building site – 180 degrees to the left. James apologises. The game can begin. Someone up in links heaven has set the controls at max – weather, grass and delight. The course is of the absolutely highest LINKS75 class – fantastic. The 2nd and 3rd are into a headwind – a par feels like a birdie. Bunkers are masterpieces, the fairway hard as concrete and the greens repel white gold like a mechanical bull. The 7th – par 4 – with finishing burn, has a huge mansion above the green, which has been hired by Matt Kuchar for the week. We spare a short, envious glance before we return to our enormous delight at playing in the sunburnt grass.
Kuchars residence during the Open
The 8th and 9th – both par 5s – play longer than ever before making the turn, and spending some time admiring Fidra – an island that was the model for the one in Treasure Island. The 10th – a par 3 -has a tee higher than the green, which slopes away. We try completely new shots with mixed results. Someone manages to once more ratchet up links controls a notch. The 13th – a par 4 – has a green lying parallel towards the fairway with an intervening wall – A WALL! Links heaven feels very close. Can it get any better than this?
No13, North Berwick
On the 14th – a par 4 – a high sighting marker behind huge, grass-covered VW-beetles, gigantic bunkers in the foreground and the sea behind. The 15th – “Already” – is a par 3 that has stood as a model for a number of par 3s the world over. The first shot on the 16th – a par 4 - is over a wall and we use the red tee further back than the yellow tee as it is at a higher elevation and makes it easier to get over the wall. This is just the beginning because after long drives we see the green, which is divided into two plateaus with an enormous dip between them. Like a half-pipe with the pin placed on the left or right edge – LINKS75 class in spades.
LINKS75 Green!
The 17th – a par 4 – plays half-blind over a network of bunkers to the 1st’s twin green on the upper level. Are we home yet? Only the 18th to go and suddenly we are reminded of the insurance waver we signed at the start – 300 yards, the Old course in miniature, clubhouse in the background, Taylor Made’s rain to the left, cars and houses to the right. Hesitation. LINKS75 closes its eyes and strikes the ball long between the green and the cars – Tiger straight – and the Fear from Borth is gone!
We gaze backwards with warmth and euphoria – this is links love at its absolute greatest!
English
Svenska