Council to consider £150,000 rescue plan for historic East Lothian golf course
World's oldest golf course faces £150,000 bill to replace damaging irrigation system
The future of one of the world’s oldest golf courses is at risk after investigators found its greens were being damaged by its own water system.
A report due to go before East Lothian councillors says the irrigation system at Musselburgh Links Old Course uses water from the nearby River Esk and the salt content is destroying the turf.
It says staff have been watering the course by hand since last summer in an attempt to repair the damage to the turf but the work is unsustainable.
And it says the future of the course and its reputation are at risk unless a new independent system is installed at a cost of around £150,000.
The Musselburgh course is recognised internationally as the oldest golf course in the world with historical records indicate golf was played on the site as early as 1672, and suggestions Mary, Queen of Scots played the course in 1567.
The course hosted The Open Championship on six occasions between 1874 and 1889 and continues to attract golfers and visitors from across the world.
A report due to go before the council’s Common Good Committee next week says the course is an important asset for both Musselburgh and East Lothian, contributing to the area’s sporting heritage, tourism and local economy.
However it says the damage to the turf from the irrigation system, which is shared with neighbouring Musselburgh racecourse had led to comments from members and visitors and since June last year it is no longer used with staff watering the course by hand.
It says: “Over a number of years, greenkeeping staff have experienced recurring deterioration in the quality of fine turf on the course, particularly on the greens.
“This deterioration has consistently coincided with the use of the existing sprinkler irrigation system. During periods of dry weather, playing surfaces have experienced significant decline, resulting in complaints from both members and visitors.”
The report adds an independent review of the water being used which came from the river and Pinkie Burn found there was a high sodium absorption which affected the course.
It says: “As a result, the irrigation system has not been used on the golf course since July 2025, and all watering has been undertaken manually. Whilst this approach has enabled the course to remain operational, it is labour intensive, unsustainable in the long term and exposes the facility to ongoing operational risk.”
The committee will be asked to agree to take a proposal to replace the irrigation system with a new independent one at a cost of between £130,000 to £150,000 to full council next month.
They are also being asked to approve funding for an apprentice green keepers to boos the course’s current team and future proof it. It is anticipated annual maintenance of a new system will cost around £5,000 while the cost of the new staff member is estimated at £36,000.