Golf: Legend Player reveals his plan to buy Archerfield Links land

Published on Tuesday 7 July 2009 10:10

FORMER Open champion Gary Player wanted to buy the land that is now the home of Archerfield Links, one of Scotland's top golfing venues, writes MARTIN DEMPSTER.

The South African star revealed he had noticed the potential of the place when he decided to be nosey during one of his many visits to East Lothian since winning his first Open at Muirfield in 1959.

"Years ago, I decided I had to go in there (to Archerfield House) and have a look," said Player. "The buildings were all dilapidated and there were sheep grazing out the front. But I got a special feeling for the place straight away and asked the people I was with if I could buy it only to be told the owners would never sell it.

"Thankfully, someone else was able to buy it eventually and I'm delighted that person was Kevin Doyle as him and I are in the horse business together."

That friendship was borne from a company day hosted by Player at Loch Lomond and the 73-year-old was delighted to be staging his prestigious invitational event at Archerfield Links today. "I have a great love for this place and I couldn't have picked a better place to host my charity day," he added. "I've been to Archerfield Links on quite a few occasions now and it really is such a marvellous facility. It has great practice facilities – the driving ranges go this way and that way – and the service is great as well."

Player was back at Muirfield yesterday to mark the 50th anniversary of his Open win, admitting that the drive along the coast from Edinburgh to Gullane will always be special for him. "It gives me goose bumps," he said. "It is such a thrill to be here as some people forget that I not only won The Open in 1959 but also had to qualify at Gullane."

According to Player, he was confident from the moment he arrived in East Lothian that he was going to lift the Claret Jug that year, becoming the youngest Open champion in doing so.

"I loved Muirfield so much – it's an extraordinary golf course – and really did feel I was going to win that week," he added.