Building on Our Remarkable 135-Year Heritage
An Exciting New Chapter in Goswick's Ongoing Story
In June 2022, Goswick Links' membership overwhelmingly approved a plan -- put forward by the renowned design firm of Mackenzie & Ebert -- to significantly improve the front 9. That plan has now shifted into high gear with the removal of the existing 9th hole and the construction of a new 7th hole, the first all-new hole at Goswick in nearly 60 years. It will be ready for play in April.
This milestone sets the stage for other significant changes to come, including rerouting the 1st hole and new more dramatic tees on what will become the 8th and 9th holes.
We recommend that you bookmark this page to stay up to date as a new and even better Goswick continues to emerge.
Sublime by Design
This plan to improve the front 9, guided by Mackenzie & Ebert, builds on Goswick's continuous evolution as inspired by some of the game's leading lights. This includes: Tom Dunn, who recommended in 1890 that Goswick's founders build its course on links land to the south of Berwick-upon-Tweed; Willie Park, Jr, who suggested changes that lengthened the early course in 1904; James Braid, who significantly revamped the layout in the 1930s; and Frank Pennink, who created the current 5th and 6th holes, lifting Goswick to championship status. Click here to learn more about Goswick's storied design history.
Project Highlight
A New 7th Hole
The cornerstone to the front 9 improvement plan was the removal of the existing par-3 9th hole -- considered by many to be Goswick's weakest hole -- to relieve congestion in that area. As a result, we needed to create a new par-3 between the existing 6th green and 7th tees. This new hole is currently under construction and will be ready for play in April. Please click here to view a video of Tom Mackenzie's insights on the design of this new 7th hole.
A World Class Short Game Facility
The removal of the existing 9th hole will also create ample room for a proper short game practice area on the same links turf as the course. This will include a much larger practice putting green, chipping and pitching green and bunker practice green. A further benefit, longer term, will be the elimination of the current chipping green on the full practice facility, likely leading to further development of that asset.
A Reimagined 1st Hole
One of the benefits of the removal of the existing 9th hole is to create space to reposition the 1st hole tee well to the left of the existing tee. By rerouting the 1st hole, we will no longer need the in-course out-of-bounds stakes down the right side of the fairway or the copse of trees at the corner of the dogleg -- features that are not in keeping with the rest of our links. We plan to begin making these improvements in October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When will the project be complete?
Assuming all goes as anticipated, most of the components of the improvement plan -- approved by the membership in 2022 -- should be in place and open for play by spring 2027. More time might be required to build the new 9th hole, pending resolution of the land required for the new tees.
Who is guiding the changes?
Goswick's Board engaged the services of the renowned golf course design firm of Mackenzie & Ebert to review and suggest ways that the club could improve its front 9. A plan of action was presented and approved by the membership at a Special General Meeting in June 2022. Tom Mackenzie, in particular, has played a hands-on role in guiding the project as it has evolved in the years since, working in close partnership with Goswick General Manager Keith Martin, Course Manager Ryan McCulloch and the club's greenkeeping team.
Will the course remain open during construction?
Yes! During the removal of the old 9th hole and construction of the new 7th hole we have created a temporary par 3 that plays from the current 17th hole green tee to a temporary green. This in turn has led to the use of temporary tees on the 17th hole and playing it as a par 4. We anticipate that the new 7th hole will be ready for play in April, ending the need for this temporary configuration.
How long is the new 7th hole?
We will determine exact yardages, and produce a new scorecard, in the coming months. But from the tees behind the 6th green, the length of the hole will be in the neighbourhood of 130 yards. From the tee off the back of the 5th hole, it will play roughly 155 yards. Those numbers are a bit deceptive as, on most days, the hole will play into the wind. And the OB and bunkers on the right will be very much in play when the pin is placed on the righthand side of the green.
How will the new 7th hole tee off the back of the 5th hole tee be used?
Mackenzie & Ebert envision it as an alternative to the tees behind the 6th green rather than a back tee or simply a winter relief tee. Their design incorporates a spine that runs across roughly the centre of the green. When playing from the righthand tee, this spine will define the left and right sides of the green. When playing from the tee on the left, it will define the front and back of the green. So, it’s almost like we are getting two holes for the price of one.
What role did Mackenzie & Ebert play during the construction of the new 7th hole?
Tom Mackenzie, in particular, was very hands-on during the process. He has made two site visits thus far, one to verify that the shaping aligned with the design and another to inspect the site after turfing. FYI, during the shaping, we used GPS to map out the site to within inches of the design. He is very pleased with the progress to date.
When will the new 8th hole tees be in play?
Like the new 7th hole, they will be ready to go by April.
How long will the new 8th hole be from the new tees?
These lengths will be measured by the end of January. But what I can say is that any length lost between the old 9th hole and the new 7th hole will be made up by additional length created by these new tees on the 8th.
With the old 9th hole now out of play, when will the rerouted 1st hole and short game practice area be constructed?
Work on the short game area will start mid-October. The 1st hole improvements will begin in November. At that time, we will likely need to make use of a temporary tee on the 1st until we remove the trees, though it’s possible that the current green/red tee on the 1st could still be an option during some of the construction.
When will the new 9th hole be constructed?
That is still to be determined. A bit like the land required for the new 7th hole and new 8th tees, we need to clarify ownership of the land required for the new 9th hole tees (to the right of the current 7th hole green). That process has begun. The good news is that, unlike with the new 7th, a change of use authorisation will not be required. It’s possible that the new 9th hole will be done in two stages, starting with the tees and then creating the new green at a later date. The focus now is on resolving any issues related to the land required for the tees.
Once all of the changes are completed, will the overall course be longer or shorter than before?
The overall course will be longer. We will not know a precise yardage until all the work is completed. Yes, the new 7th hole is shorter than the old 9th. But we have added length to the 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th holes. It’s important to remember that Mackenzie & Ebert’s remit was not to make the course longer but to make it better. We are well on our way to achieving that objective.
What if I have any further questions?
We recommend that you bookmark this page to stay up to date on the progress of the front 9 improvement plan going forward. If you have specific questions, please direct them to Marketing Manager Dan Miller at [email protected].
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