Goswick Links has opened its new 7th hole for members’ and visitors’ play, less than five months after beginning construction.

This short but challenging par three replaces the existing par three 9th hole. This change sets the stage for other significant improvements to follow, including a reconfiguration of the 1st hole and the addition of a world class short game practice facility. Work on those modifications is set to begin this autumn.

“This new hole looks fantastic,” said tour pro Stephen Gallacher. “I think the best par threes in the world are all short. The 12th at Augusta, the Postage Stamp at Troon, the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, the 7th at Pebble Beach. Are you going to take it on? It could be a sand wedge downwind to a seven-iron into the wind. And I think that’s what makes it a brilliant par three.”

The creation of the new 7th hole represents a major milestone in the club’s front nine improvement plan. Goswick has already improved the 2nd and 3rd hole green surrounds, built new tees and significantly resculpted the green on the 4th hole, as well as built new tees on the 5th and 6th holes that have added length.

At the same time that it carved out the new 7th hole, the club also built new dramatically positioned tees on what becomes the 8th hole. Those, too, are now open for play.