Scotland on my Mind by Dan King Saturday, July 13th Gullane Golf Club No. 2 Course and No. 3 Course Gullane, East Lothian, Lothian Scotland Tel: 01620-843111 No. 2 Course Gents: Par-71 6,244 yards SSS-70 Ladies: Par-73 5,566 yards SSS-73 No. 3 Course Gents: Par-68 5,252 yards SSS-68 Rate: L34.50 (Weekend Rate to play No.2 and No.3)

The sun was shinning as we woke up at the Mallard Hotel. It was great to see the warm sun, but the wind was also up. We figured it was blowing about 30 mph in the morning, and we're below Gullane Hill. If it is blowing hard down here, you can be sure it will be much harder up on the hill. But no worries. There is golf to be played. There is a quote in the Scotsman paper from Jim Furyk, who was playing just up the coast at Carnoustie. After he opened with an 84, the quote was: "I don't mind playing in the wind, but I wasn't quite prepared for the conditions we had. They ate my lunch. I told my dad: The Scots must be a tough people if they do this for fun."

The Mallard is a short walk over to the Gullane Visitor Center. You cross the Childrens Golf Course, some whins and your there. There are three courses at Gullane. I played all three on my first trip through Gullane, so there is no reason to go into a review again. This time we only played No.2 and No.3 because you can play both of these courses for less than you can play the No.1 course. The No.1 course is there championship course, however, I don't see it as being any better than the No.2 course.

There is no telling how long golf has been played over Gullane Hill. The Hill is perfect for golf, with beautiful views and turf.

It's up a hill, it's down the hill,
And roun' the hill, an a' man;
To Gullane hill, wi'richt guid will,
If ye can gowff ava, man.
The turf is soft as maiden's cheek,
we' youth and beauty bloomin';
And bonnie thyme, wi' odour sweet,
The caller air's perfumin'.
There's heights and howes, there's bosky knowes
As far as eye can cover;
By sea and land, a picture grand
Dame Nature shows her lover.
--John Thomson, Golfing and other Poems and Songs, 1893

While the No.1 course has been in existence since at least 1650, the No.2 course was laid out by Willie Park in 1890, and the No.3 course in 1910.

The views from Gullane Hill were spectacular. Word is you can see 14 counties of Scotland from at top the hill. While it was still sunny, we watched a storm quickly move from Edinburgh towards us. Just as it was about to get to Gullane, it seemed to change direction and head back out to the Firth.

Mark and I played as a two-some. There was a two-ball that stayed about 2 holes ahead of us and another that stayed about 2 holes behind. We finished in less than 3 hours, giving us some time before our scheduled time at 1:20. A bite to eat, a trip to North Berwick to find a place to do my wash, and it was ready to get back out there. We played Gullane#3 with just 7 clubs each. Our bags were so light they were often blown over by the wind. Gullane#3 is a fun course, but it is significantly shorter than the other two, does not have as great of greens, and has a shoe-horn feel to it. Despite these things, it does have it's fair share of fun holes, and is by no means a push over course. Especially in 30-40 mph winds.

Tomorrow we are off to North Berwick to play Dougie on the West Links.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Dan King

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