The History
The Scottish borough of East Lothian, home of Scotland’s Golf Coast, is one of the United Kingdom’s must-visit regions for those who see links golf as the pure form of the game. Some of the world’s finest links can be found on the banks of the Firth of Forth. However, despite the relative youth of Archerfield’s new courses, the estate has been around since the early days of ‘gawf’.
The first recognisable course at Archerfield was laid out in the mid-19th century for the benefit of the staff that worked on the estate. Golfing great Ben Sawyers extended the 13 hole lay out to a full 18 holes in 1910 where it became notorious for its charming and compact design. The course continued to be celebrated as one of the finest up and coming course in the East Lothian area until the outbreak of the Second World War saw it taken over for use in the war effort.
The short history of the early Archerfield Links ends there. The golf course remained overgrown and empty for a number of decades until 2001 when Kevin Doyle, a successful businessman specialising in hospitality, bought the estate with the intention of building two new golf courses on the land. Doyle’s considerable success, matched with a love of golf, meant that he was invited to play the odd pro-am. It was here that he met European Tour member David 'DJ' Russell and the two became good friends and then co-workers as Russell was named course designer for the Dirleton and the signature Fidra Links courses.
The Course
The Fidra Links is a unique mixture of fast running links and pine forest. As a result, this course is like no other in the area. The Fidra course has played host the Aberdeen Assest Management Paul Lawrie Match Play earlier this month, which speaks volumes of the quality of such a young course, having only opened in 2004. Many reviewers have stated that this course will become a favourite in the East Lothian area as time goes by, while others argue that it already has.
While many would be surprised, this is in fact Russell’s first design project. Russell explains that he was lucky to have had the chance.
“The owner approached me 15 years ago to design two golf courses at Archerfield,” said Russell, now a member of the European Senior Tour. “He saw something in me that I didn’t realise I had. I look back now and think 'what do you need to be a good designer?' I now know that the main thing is having the opportunity to design.”
Some may ask why a novice designer was given such a chance. However, Russell has a wealth of experience in golf under his belt and was determined to take a headstrong approach to the design of the Fidra course. “Being a player for such a long time, I’ve played in 700 tournaments worldwide,” he added. “I understand what challenges good players but is also sympathetic to amateurs. All standards of golfer can get around the course.”
“I like to design it on paper to start with. I’d rather try and get the best 18 holes out there to start with than have one or two signature holes. You see so many golf courses where the signature hole is what it’s all about and other holes are weaker as a result.”
While an interesting method, there are some holes on a golf course that we will always be drawn to; whether it be for the beauty, the terrain or simply the challenge it presents.
“The 7th is my favourite on the Fidra course,” said Russell. I could only ask people to imagine what it would look like because there were that many trees to begin with when we started to build the course.
“I like the way it plays. There are no bunkers on that hole at all, it’s just fairways and run-offs. It goes from pines to scots pines and I really like the look of the hole as you move down towards the green.”
Russell tells us that the land is different to most plots commonly found on the Scottish coast, “It’s a unique site. Very flat. From one side of the course to the other there’s just one metre of fall.” This presented an opportunity for him and his design team to produce what the two-time European Tour and Senior Tour winner describes as: “an understated course; which doesn’t happen often in the modern age.” It seems that there are many who agree with his understated design as added the course has: “proved popular with members but with professionals as well”.
With courses like Muirfield, North Berwick and Gullane residing in the same area of East Lothian, Russell had a tough act to follow. Anyone who tried to emulate these courses would have been playing a very dangerous game. Instead, Russell decided to create something unique that no there courses in the area possess.
A special mix of parkland and links, a thorough approach to each hole and a first class maintenance team set this course apart from the rest. It is not to say that this course is better than any other, only time will tell us that. The Fidra Links presents a challenge like no other in Scotland. It is both exciting and enticing. For that reason, it is sure to draw crowds from Britain and all over the world.
Tournaments
Having held the 2015 Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open, won by Paul Broadhurst, DJ Russell is very proud of the club’s support of the charity.
“Any awareness that we can generate about the cause (Prostate Cancer UK) means a lot,” said Russell.
“And it’s wonderful that (Paul Broadhurst) achieved what he has achieved. Having known him since he joined the European Tour, it’s great to see him fulfill his ambitions.”
The Fidra Links also played host to the Paul Lawrie Matchplay, won by European Tour veteran Anthony Wall. Russell will be a proud man knowing that his course design has been played by so many great professionals and provided an enduring spectacle.
Due to the success of these tournaments it’s likely that some of the world’s best golfers will find themselves playing the Fidra Links at some stage of their career. While it may be a young course, it is quickly establishing itself at the top table of Scottish golf.
