Historic Scottish golf club hires 'perfect' American architect to oversee exciting course project

In a move that has been warmly welcomed by honorary life member and Solheim Cup and Curtis Cup-winning captain Catriona Matthew, Hanse’s first task will be to produce a master plan for the East Lothian course with the combined objective of “preserving its heritage while preparing for the future”.

Beginning in 2026, the exciting collaboration will identify ways to “polish the West Links to be the best version of itself, ensuring continuity year on year through minor refinements”. The plan for one of Scotland’s bucket-list venues, where golf has been played since the 17th century, will focus on “restoring key features, maintaining the course’s unique character and prioritising sustainability”.

While significant changes are “not anticipated”, a key priority will be addressing the challenges of coastal erosion. This includes implementing “robust contingency measures” alongside existing engineering projects to “mitigate future risks from the advancing sea”.

American Hanse is renowned for restoring some of the game’s most historically- significant courses, including US Open venues Oakmont, Merion and Los Angeles Country Club. He also consulted for iconic venues such as Seminole and Sunningdale. His acclaimed design portfolio also includes Castle Stuart near Inverness, Craighead Links at Crail, The Olympic Course in Rio de Janeiro, Ohoopee Match Club in Georgia and CapRock Ranch in Nebraska.

“We are delighted to welcome Gil Hanse,” said Stuart Bayne, general manager at The North Berwick Golf Club. “His unparalleled expertise and deep respect for tradition make him the perfect partner to preserve and elevate one of the world’s most historic and iconic courses, recently ranked 25th among the top 100 courses globally.”

The appointment of Hanse in the role of retained course architect follows a “rigorous selection process”, including on-course evaluations and consultations with leading architects.

“We are delighted and honoured to have been selected to provide architectural guidance in the form of a master plan for the North Berwick West Links,” said Hanse. “The West Links is one of the most consequential golf courses in the history of golf course architecture. It has provided guidance and inspiration to nearly every person who has ever practiced 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.”

Through the collaborative project, Hanse and his team will work closely with course manager Kyle Cruickshank, as well as engaging with a “select group of members” to ensure the plan reflects their insights while honouring the course’s rich history.

“The first priority for the Greens Committee is to safeguard the long-term future of the West Links here in North Berwick,” said chair Gordon Scholes. “The appointment of Gil Hanse is a key building block in achieving that goal, and I’m delighted Gil has accepted this challenge.”

A number of top Americans, including Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Max Homa, have played at the West Links in recent years during the Genesis Scottish Open at the nearby Renaissance Club. Matthew, meanwhile, has played there all her life and lives in a house overlooking the course.

“I’m excited to learn that Gil Hanse has been appointed as consultant architect for North Berwick West Links,” said Matthew, one of Scottish golf’s legendary figures. “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.”

Concurring, the club’s head of golf and head PGA professional Martyn Huish said: “I’m thrilled that our cherished West Links will be associated with one of the world’s leading architects. Gil’s reputation for thoughtful, skilful design, always respecting the historical significance of golf courses, makes this collaboration truly exciting.”

Originally a six-hole layout, the course evolved over time, with major extensions influenced by Old Tom Morris and significant shaping work by greenskeeper David Strath, who formalised the now-famous 18-hole design, in the late 1800s.

Uniquely, the West Links is often described as having no single designated architect, a testament to its organic development across generations. Renowned for its distinctive stretch of holes from the 13th to the 16th - the iconic par-3 15th named Redan has been copied around the world - the course enjoys worldwide acclaim.