Story of a Golf Club: The Renaissance Club
The 2017, 2019, 2020, and – dare we say 2021 – Scottish Open venue that is The Renaissance Club. The brainchild of Jerry Savardi is sandwiched between the venerable Muirfield links, and Archerfield to the East, and designed by the acclaimed architect Tom Doak, opened for play in April 2008.
Firstly, the club. Renaissance is exclusivity defined, and you get the sense that you’re in for somewhere very special when you arrive at the 20 ft high wrought-iron gates at its entrance, with the simple button by the side to call for assistance, and when they open you enjoy a slow drive up to the clubhouse while you acclimatise to your surroundings. Caddies in boiler suits are visible with the small number of groupings that are dotted around the opening 6 holes, before you pull in under a large valet parking orning to unload your equipment before the day really gets going.
The clubhouse is resplendent, and beautifully arranged. A roaring wood fire sits to the right as you enter, above your head a palatial glass chandelier looms over you, and the clubhouse has all the amenities you would expect from any 5* resort. The locker rooms are reminiscent of a luxury spa, with everything you could need for a week-long stay, including a plunge pol for after your round, sauna’s and steam rooms, televisions, fireplaces and sofa’s all beautifully laid out in front of you with lockers along the wall detailing its decorated, lucky and famous members. This is a very different experience to most days on a golf trip.
As a host to the Scottish Open, people won’t be surprised to find that the course plays like a championship venue. Brutal for the amateur, but testing for the professional, it places a premium on shot execution and length. Whilst the opening holes can feel intimidating from the tee, there is ample width for the average golfer but if you play from the back’s you’ll need to bring a strong long game as the slippery and undulating greens are extremely hard to hold when coming in from afar.
Doak is famous for his minimal use of earth movement, and when you play amidst the links you don’t feel like you’re playing a young course, given the natural landscape which feels in keeping with its surroundings. As you start to get into the round you play the 8th, a long par 4 up the hill, with a time worn wall that flanks the green, leading your eye up to a lone, wind-swepped tree that signals that you have arrived at a truly epic vista. Holes 8 through 11 are spectacular as you look across the Firth of Forth and out to sea, with the island of Fidra off in the distance. Below the fairway and down the cliff off the left side of the 10th, sits a private and secluded beach where Robert Louis-Stevenson spent a lot of time, and it is believed that he based the map of Treasure Island on the island of Fidra. While you’re wrapping your head around this, you can take stock in the half-way house which is one of the most beautiful half way houses in Scotland. A small glass shed, comfortable (but not so comfortable you never bother playing the rest of the course), you could sit for hours sampling the local delicacies in the hot-counter and helping yourself to drinks from the fridge. It’s no surprise that many rounds end right here, which would be a shame given the remaining 8 holes you enjoy as you work your way home.
The biggest feature on the course are the greens. These are wickedly undulating, and during a hot summer, under firm ground conditions they could become almost unplayable. It’s exciting and a great reminder for the challenges of championship golf.
Playing Renaissance, the club is clearly eager to impress. Impress its members, its members guests, and the lucky visitors who get to sample this special place. Our advice for those that do; relax, and soak it in. For the chance may come but once in a lifetime!
We hope you enjoy the film!
