View from the Tour

We are fortunate to have hosted many great names in the game on the West Links over the years. From world celebrities to major champions, many leave us with happy stories to tell and a true fondness for North Berwick.

A player who discovered true love when he came to North Berwick is the well-known Sky Sports commentator and 2002 PGA Champion Rich Beem. He reveals exclusively to Your Links magazine why he will always cherish the time he spends on the West Links.

My dad Larry Beem was a Golf Professional for more than 50 years and was once the Head Professional at Berlin Golf and Country Club in the mid 1980s. I start with this because, as a teenager, I remember him telling me stories of his travels to Scotland one summer to play golf with some of his Members. Of all the courses I recall him describing, the one that stood out the most was North Berwick.

His stories revolved around the wind, rain, and hitting the ball in the wrong direction on one hole, as none of them had played the course before! I was mesmerised and knew someday I needed to play North Berwick.

I’ve been extremely fortunate in my lifetime to achieve so many things in this glorious game, and it has afforded me places to play around the world that never would’ve been an option otherwise.

The one course I couldn’t wait to play, however, was North Berwick. In true Scottish fashion, my first experience there was about the same as my dad’s, with rain and wind pelting me throughout the round! I figure dad was to blame for the weather… but what a course!

The thing I love most about it is you can play it every single day and find it completely different but enjoyable every time. For me, that is the hallmark of a great course; the fact you can play it 100 times and still not figure out the best way to tackle it!

I always cherish my time when invited to play. I’m certain that, as a Member or a guest, you will do the same.

Cheers, Rich Beem

The one course I couldn’t wait to play however, was North Berwick. In true Scottish fashion, my first experience there was about the same as my dad’s, with rain and wind pelting me throughout the round!