Whitekirk is situated 3 miles east of North Berwick the course has commanding views over East Lothian and beyond. Designed by Cameron Sinclair and opened in 1995 the course shows no signs of its youth. Hosting in 1998 the Sky televised Professional MasterCard East Lothian Classic has firmly put Whitekirk on the golfing map.The course itself is 6,526-yards, par-72 layout with an SSS of 72. It's as tough as anyone could want to play. Cameron Sinclair has cleverly used the natural water hazards and the considerable movement in the ground to produce a testing challenge, which becomes a lot more than that with even a slight breeze. In that respect anyway, it shares the character of a genuine links.
Many of the tees are elevated to make the most of the stunning views over East Lothian and across to Fife, that other golfing Mecca on the other side of the water.
Most memorable of the holes perhaps is the stoke index one 5th, 'Cameron's Test'. Cameron must have had a difficult night before he set it for this 420-yards; par 4 is a genuine thriller. There are others in the same vein, not least the 409-yards finishing hole with its narrow fairway and tight green.
The Greens have been built to USGA specifications, there are four teeing grounds on each hole and the course has returning nines. The irascible Andrew Kirkcaldy, famed for his less than love affair with Muirfield, would no doubt have mischievously pointed out that the Open Championships venue could only match one of these three points!
Tantallon Castle and the Bass Rock dominate the views from the large picture window in the lounge, which overlooks the 9th and 18th greens. The clubhouse has a full public-house license enabling it to be open to golfers and non-golfers alike.
Whitekirk is a success story, of that there is no doubt. The clubhouse restaurant is so popular you need to sharp to find a table. A good majority of the customers are not even golfers. The reason is simple.The clubhouse serves good food, at reasonable prices in a warm friendly atmosphere, with its log fires in winter. A separate spike bar accessible from the course and separate rooms, ideal for visiting parties.
In the Golf Shop products bearing the golf club logo are for sale along with a stock of consumable items, balls, tees, gloves and refreshments.
Clubs and golf buggies are available for hire but should be pre-booked; pull trolleys are readily available.
Whitkirk has an excellent 300-yard practice range, with bunker, chipping area and putting green. Range balls are available.