Gullane Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open 2018 Host Venue
Gullane No 1
THIS week, The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open arrives in Gullane, South East Scotland, followed by the Ladies tournament over the same course two weeks later. If you’re not familiar with the host venue or just want to brush up on your local knowledge, we’ve compiled what you need to know about Gullane Golf Club.
Nestled in the West of the village at the heart of Scotland’s Golf Coast, the Club has formed a key part of the golf landscape in East Lothian for centuries. The links at Gullane have seen golf played there for over 350 years and that tradition is much alive today, more so than ever. The name ‘Gullane’ comes from the Scottish Gaelic word “A’Ghualainn”, which is translated as “The Ridge” or “The Shoulder”. Taking a walk along the fairways of the golf club, it is not hard to see why.
In 1882, the Club was founded and 136 years later, it is one of the most prestigious and beautiful members’ golf clubs in the world, mixing fine tradition with highly admired natural links land. What started as just eight gentlemen meeting to play on the links has grown into over 1,200 members today from around the region.
The 2nd hole of the Championship Course is named Racecourse because from 1842, horses were trained on Gullane Hill. Thankfully in 1892, Lord Low prohibited this exercise making it permanently available for golf; never looking back.
Two more courses had been added by 1910 and the three courses have remained a fond fixture of Gullane Golf Club for over a hundred years, each offering something different that challenge even experienced golfers. Open to members and visitors alike, they are set against a spectacular environment of rolling hills, sand and sea.
Playing an important role in the community, Gullane Golf Club is the largest employer in the area. Its team of 24 greenkeepers and handymen overseen by course manager Stewart Duff ensure the courses are always expertly maintained, with all hands on deck when a tournament of this scale rolls into town.
The Club has staged a number of tournaments over the years. The most recent of these was in 2015 when the Scottish Open was first held at Gullane and Rickie Fowler walked away the victor. Rickie’s Bar can be found inside the Members’ Clubhouse.
In addition to this, it has played host to the qualifying rounds for the Open Championship whenever the card has been held at the nearby Muirfield Golf Club, as well as many amateur championships dating back to 1897. All of these winners’ names adorn the honours board, which has pride of place in the Clubhouse.
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and the Ladies Scottish Open 2018 are the next chapter in Gullane’s rich history, marking the first time the ladies event has been held at the venue.
The current Captains are Keith Anderson and Barbara Gibb, and Club Secretary is David Morgan.
Three Courses
The championship courses offer dramatic coastal views and a unique range of golfing experiences to savour. Spanning 600 acres, they lie within the boundary of the Aberlady Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and also partially within a local nature reserve, home to a number of rare plant species and habitats.
Laid out over prime seaside land, the three courses are simply known by a number reflecting their age.
Gullane No. 1 (1884) has a long history of hosting national and international championship golf events, hosting the 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and the Local Final Qualifying for the Open Championship at neighbouring Muirfield, last in 2013. Here, players have to contend with remnants from the Second World War as, along the 12th and 13th holes of course No1 are concrete blocks which were erected as tank traps. Some of these blocks even exist underneath the 12th fairway. Its architect is unknown.
Gullane No. 2 (1898) was laid out by the legendary Willie Park Jr and has also been used for Open Championship Qualifying as well as the Seniors Open Amateur.
Gullane No. 3 (1910), also designed by Park, is the shortest but provides a wonderful test based on shot-making skills rather than power.
The Children’s Course at Gullane has also been in existence since 1910.
Three Facts
- In 2012, the PGA named Gullane as the 5th most picturesque club in the world, behind the likes of Augusta National and Pebble Beach.
- There are 123 bunkers on the Championship Course at Gullane which makes for a very interesting round.
- Hole nine on the Championship Course is named Thucket Knowe after a mound to the right of the fairway, which has the same profile of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh when viewed from the fairway.
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, which is played the week before The Open Championship is part of the European Tour’s Rolex Series – a premium category of tournaments on the Race to Dubai, each with a minimum prize fund of US$7million. Tickets are available on the gate and for more information, visit https://www.asiscottishopen.com/
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open will be FREE entry to all who register on the official website for what is one of the premier events on The Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour. Visit https://ladiesscottishopen.com/
For more information about Gullane Golf Club, please visit www.gullanegolfclub.com
