The new construction will be built on land to the west of the existing GPC building and will incorporate the new golf academy, the R&A’s external ball testing centre and a club-fitting facility.It will also see the creation of an additional 14 indoor bays, so that 26 of the 51 bays at the Practice Centre will be under cover.
Contractors moved on-site yesterday but the centre will remain open throughout the construction period. It is due to be completed next spring.
The redevelopment is designed to make the practice centre one of the foremost golf academies in the UK. Four of the new bays will be equipped with cutting-edge digital and video analysis equipment and specialist ball-tracking technology, and will be staffed by a team of professionals from PGA Golf Management Ltd, who will be based at the centre.
Alan McGregor, general manager of St Andrews Links Trust, said, “When we first opened the practice centre in 1993 it was one of the leading golf teaching facilities in the country. Golf teaching and technology have taken huge strides forward since then. We have embarked upon this extension to ensure that the St Andrews Links practice centre remains at the forefront and provides world class golf tuition.
“The new centre will greatly enhance the existing facilities for local and visiting golfers and will help attract many more people to St Andrews throughout the year including at traditionally quieter times. We have already had positive feedback from local tourist businesses and hoteliers and we look forward to working with them when the new centre opens.”
The new golf academy will be headed up by PGA director of coaching Steve North, who previously worked at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Malaysia and is now in post. For information or to book a lesson contact the practice centre on 01334 474489.