St Andrews Links Clubhouse, the public facility which services the Old Course and the New and Jubilee courses, is set for a New Year refurbishment.

The clubhouse opened in 1995 and has become a popular facility used by many of the golfers playing the three championship courses as well as by the public. It houses a number of important facilities and services including the restaurants, the locker rooms and the shop. There is also a busy reception and information desk and staff offices.

Today saw the annual St Regulus Wolves' Christmas Pinnacle Challenge on the Eden Course. The members of the renowned ladies club play nine holes, with each player using the same make of golf ball, before adjourning for a seasonal lunch.

Great Britain and Ireland players in contention for a starting place in next year's Curtis Cup against the USA are using the St Andrews Links Golf Practice Centre to sharpen up their game this winter. Accompanied by captain Mary McKenna and coach Lawrence Farmer, the ladies are also playing on the New Course. The Curtis Cup takes place on the Old Course from 30 May-1 June 2008.

Scottish golfer Martin Laird paid a visit to the Links today in preparation for his first full season on the USPGA tour next year. We all wish him well for 2008.

A film crew from Japan is filming at St Andrews Links this week for an episode in a television series dedicated to some of the UK’s most famous sporting venues.

The crew, which is from Wowow TV, the leading pay-TV sports channel in Japan, arrived in St Andrews earlier this week. They have been filming at the Old Course and The Castle Course, which is due to open for play in June next year
 

England's Nick Dougherty triumphed on the Old Course today, winning the Dunhill by two shots from Justin Rose. 'This is the best day of my career,' he said afterwards. Nick finished on 18 under par. Rose came home in 16 under, with third place going to Rory McIlroy a shot further back. Paul Lawrie and Barry Lane finished on 14 under. Ernie Els and Trevor Immelman shared sixth on 13 under
 

Another glorious day on the Old Course saw England's Nick Dougherty take a big step towards winning in Britain for the first time. He completed a round of 66 to lead the tournament on 17 under par. Best of the day at St Andrews was Anthony Wall, last year's joint runner up, who scored a 65, one off Bradley Dredge's course record. Peter O'Malley is on 14 under, while the group on 13 under includes former winners Paul Lawrie and Padraig Harrington

Perfect weather conditions encouraged excellent scoring today on the Old Course. Best round of the day came from Trevor Immelman, who closed with a 65. Darren Clarke went out in 29, finishing with a 66 that included birdies at 17 and 18. Tournament leaders are Hennie Otto, Peter O'Malley and Nick Dougherty on 11 under par.

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship began today. Best scores at St Andrews came from former champion Paul Lawrie (below), who is also honorary president of St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association, and Søren Hansen who both scored 66. Tournament leader is Steve Webster who recorded a 65 at Carnoustie. Hennie Otto and Scott Strange signed for 66s at Carnoustie to share second place
 

The Castle Course, the seventh course at the Home of Golf, is rapidly taking shape ahead of its opening next summer.

The scenic clifftop course is expected to become a popular addition to the St Andrews Links courses which include the world renowned Old Course.

The entire course has now been seeded, the greens and tees are complete and the areas of rough and natural habitats between fairways are growing in well. Preparation work on the fairways, including adding sand to create a links-like feel to the turf, is underway and will continue throughout the winter months.

Seve Ballesteros made a visit to the Old Course today, which he calls 'the greatest place in the world to play golf', as part of a documentary on his life to be released on DVD on 8 October. To the delight of those watching Seve re-enacted the iconic celebration of his victory putt in The Open of 1984. The documentary will include footage from Augusta and interviews with top players such as Tiger Woods and Tom Watson.
 

TV presenter Phil Keoghan finished a marathon journey from Greenock to St Andrews with a birdie three at the last hole on the Old Course. Using only a seven iron, Phil hit a golf ball the entire 100 miles.

Eden Trophy goes south
The Eden Trophy returned to English hands this year when Steve Brown from Old Padeswood won the famous old cup following a two-hole victory over Walton Heath’s Ben Taylor.

Marilyn: a can-do in the wind
Strathtyrum Trophy stalwart Marilyn Henderson arrived from Germany for her annual tilt at the title and succeeded in winning the competition for a record-equalling third time.


Steve Brown

Marilyn Henderson
 

The status of St Andrews Links as a proving ground for the best golfers in the game was again demonstrated this year during the junior opens, with Sean Stevens of Deeside and Holly Aitchison of Bedfordshire Golf Club taking the glory.

Just a few days after Lorena Ochoa triumphed on the Old Course it was the turn of the young players to show their skills at the world’s most famous venue.
 

Lorena Ochoa wins the Ricoh Women's British Open
The world's best woman golfer today won the first profesional ladies' event on the Old Course, taking her first ever major championship and joining the ranks of the game's greats who have won at the Home of Golf. She finished the tournament on five under par, four clear of Jee Young Lee and Maria Hjorth
The Champion

 

Lorena Ochoa remains the leader of the Ricoh Women's British Open but her two stroke overnight lead has been halved. Only one shot back are Wendy Ward and home hope Catriona Matthew
 

World number one Lorena Ochoa showed just why she has reached the top of the rankings today after going around the Old Course in 67, six under par.

The Mexican birdied 5, 8, 9, 10, 15 and 17 to set the pace for the rest of the field in the Ricoh Women’s British Open.

Using her driver only six times, Ochoa produced her best round of the year so far finding fairway after fairway and managing to avoid the infamous bunkers that litter the course:

‘I love my start… the first round at St Andrews, six under; that’s going to be special. I’m going to keep my golf ball and my scorecard and keep them in a safe place,’ she said.

Pro-am day in the Ricoh Women's British Open saw the top stars appearing on the Old Course. The serious work starts tomorrow .

Annika Sorenstam studies the Old Course before tomorrow's first round

Two lucky locals, Cameron Joy and Lauren Whyte today enjoyed meeting top tour pro Karen Stupples. Both had won through a junior challenge competition for the privilege of joining Karen for an hour at the Golf Practice Centre.

Karen Stupples with Cameron Joy and Lauren Whyte and their fathers, David and Alan.
 

While the world’s best lady golfers are battling it out over the Old Course this week it will still be possible for players of all abilities to exercise their skills at the Home of Golf.

Padraig will make a return to the Old Course for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 4-7 October. After winning the title last year, Padraig spoke of his affection for the Home of Golf.

Three of the top ten players in the world enjoyed playing at St Andrews Links this weekend. Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy and Jim Furyk were welcomed to the Home of Golf by warm weather and a course in great condition ahead of the Women's British Open. Geoff Ogilvy first visited the Old Course as a 15-year-old and he played again with his father on Saturday. The 2006 US Open champion is a great friend of the Links and has frequently cited the Old Course as his favourite. Jim Furyk gave a clinic for the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association before his game on the Old. He ended his round with an 80-yard eagle at the 18th to warm applause from onlookers.

Wales internationalist Llewellyn Matthews is the new St Andrews Links Trophy holder after he completed a final round 67 for a total of 273, 15 under par. 'I've always loved St Andrews and the courses were fantastic. Conditions could not have been much better this weekend,' he said after breaking Lloyd Saltman’s 2005 tournament record by two shots.

It was the first time in half a dozen attempts that the 23-year-old Southerndown player has made the cut and his performance in front of GB&I captain Colin Dalgleish this Walker Cup year was sensational. A birdie three at the eighteenth was a fitting way to close out the tournament.

Kevin McAlpine completed his first nine holes in 29 shots, repeating his feat of three years ago in the Amateur Championship. That day, he went on to finish with a 62 but this year the Old Course had some revenge, with Kevin coming home in 39 to finish with a 68 and a two round total of 142. Llewellyn Matthews added a 67 to his 68 of yesterday to set the lead at 135. Jason Barnes is second on 137, with overnight leader Nigel Edwards, Jonathan Hurst and Zak Gould all on 138. 41 players remain in the quest for the Links Trophy 2007. The cut fell at 144, even par .

 

The best amateur golfers in the world are at St Andrews this weekend for the Links Trophy 2007. First round is on the Jubilee Course today with the second round on the Old Course tomorrow. The final two rounds are on the Old this Sunday. Nigel Edwards came home in 65 to set an excellent target for the rest of the field. Ross Kellet, Jason Barnes and James Byrne all had 66, while Scott Arnold and world number one Jamie Moul both signed for a 67.

Melissa Reid from Chevin in Derbyshire yesterday won the St Rule Trophy in record breaking fashion after adding two rounds of 72 and 68 on the Old Course to her 69 on the New Course. Her total of 209 was six better than the previous record total, held since 1994 by Catriona Matthew. Runner-up Denise Becker from Germany set a new ladies' Old Course record of 66, ten under par, in her afternoon round. Denise finished second ahead of Kate Coombes from Australia and Henrietta Brockway from Yeovil in a countback after all finished on 217. Henrietta took the Lawson Trophy for finishing best under-18 player. England (Melissa Reid, Naomi Edwards and Kerry Smith) won the team event with 432.
 

This weekend sees the New Course and the Old Course graced by an international field drawn from the top ranks of the ladies amateur game. Krystle Caithness defends the trophy.

Lloyd Saltman and Jamie Moul currently the ‘men in form’, lead a high class international field of 144 players who will be competing for the St Andrews Links Trophy over the Old Course and Jubilee Course from 8-10 June.

Saltman, the winner of the Links Trophy in 2005, has started the season in sensational style by winning four consecutive tournaments including a recent two-shot win in the Irish Amateur Open Championship. In attempting to increase that tally and to add his name to the Links silverware for a second time, he will have to beat a field that includes 50 players of +3 handicap or better.
 

'St Andrews, to me, is everything you would want in the game. It's got history, tradition, good golf and great atmosphere. I remember the first time I played in 1964 and I fell in love with the place. I'm still having that love affair today.

'It was part of my golfing education to play in Scotland and part of my golfing resumé.

'If you want to be a champion then you have to win all over the world. If you want to be considered a great golfer then you have to win the Open as well as the championships in America… there are more Opens played in Scotland than any other place, that tells you [the importance].'
The Scotsman 19 May 2007

 This year’s Women’s British Open to be held over the Old Course from 2-5 August will be sponsored by Ricoh, the Japanese office equipment company.

The event, which will be the first professional ladies’ tournament to be played at St Andrews, is one of four annual majors on the ladies’ tour and the only one played outside of the USA.

‘All of us at the Home of Golf are looking forward to welcoming the best players in the world,’ said Alan McGregor, general manager of St Andrews Links Trust. ‘Women have always had the same rights as men to play golf at St Andrews and I am delighted that this prestigious tournament will be gracing the Old Course.’

The sixth annual Father & Son Tournament was won by John and Jonathan Shamon from America. The popular better ball stableford competition is held over four top quality courses, with the concluding round on the Old Course. The Shamons scored 155 points to beat fellow Americans Jim and Ryan Kelly by 2. English pair Robert and Paul Godfrey of Stanmore, Middlesex were third on a count-back. 20 teams competed in the competition which honours Old Tom Morris and his son Tommy. Next year's event is from 12-17 April.

World ranked number six golfer Paula Creamer today warmed up for the Women's British Open to be held at St Andrews in August with a round on the Old Course

ohn Grant, a top PGA European Tournament administrator who has played a key role in organising and running professional events joined St Andrews Links Trust this week as golf manager.

Mr Grant, who is 40 years-old, has 17 years of experience in the golf industry and brings an exceptional knowledge of the game to the Home of Golf.

Sam Torrance, one of Scotland's greatest ever golfers, played the Old Course today and spent some time warming up at the Golf Practice Centre

Tiger Woods has reiterated his opinion that the Old Course is the best in the world:

'St Andrews is my favourite. There is no better golf course in the world. It is the Home of Golf and you have the appreciation of the fans and how the course can change with just a five degree switch of the wind. Perhaps people think its wide open but a lot of strategy goes into playing the course.'

It is a case of out with the new and in with the old for Gordon McKie who has been appointed head greenkeeper at the world famous Old Course. He is the ninth man to take up the post since the retirement of Old Tom Morris in 1903.

Gordon, who has been head greenkeeper at the New Course for two years, will take up one of the most prestigious roles in golf next month. His immediate task will be to continue the preparations on the venerable links for the staging of the Women’s British Open in August and further ahead the Curtis Cup next year and The Open Championship in 2010.


Gordon McKie takes over the head greenkeeping job on the Old Course after previously working on the New and Eden courses at St Andrews Links

The Old Course can be played in the clockwise or reverse direction on Friday, Saturday and Monday, 30 and 31 March and 2 April. This is the annual curtain raiser to the new season, allowing golfers to enjoy the course on its original routing. Golfers wishing to take on the Old Course in Reverse can enter the ballot in the normal way or visit the starter to see if times are available on the day.

Shoulder season prices are now in operation on all courses.

The latest addition to the instruction team at St Andrews Links Golf Academy is a well known face in St Andrews who has worked on both sides of the pond.

David Armitage, a 25-year-old who originally arrived in St Andrews in 2001, has gained valuable teaching experience abroad, including at 2004 USPGA venue Whistling Straits and at Blackwolf Run, where the Ryder Cup will be held in 2020. His most recent role was assistant professional at the Duke’s Course in St Andrews.



David Armitage

Local golfers wishing to reserve a tee time at St Andrews Links up to nine weeks in advance can now do so all year round.

LinksNet Local, an internet booking system only accessible to residents and North-East Fife yearly ticket holders, was set up on a trial basis last summer but following a review of its performance by the Links Management Committee (LMC) of St Andrews Links Trust it will now operate on a permanent basis.

Michael Lunt, the new captain of the R&A, has expressed his admiration for The Castle Course, the seventh course at the Home of Golf, which is currently nearing completion on a dramatic cliff top site a mile to the south-east of St Andrews.

‘This is a most impressive looking course,’ said Mr Lunt, who was visiting the site for the first time along with his wife, Vicki.


Vicky and Michael Lunt standing on the 18th green of the 'stunning' Castle Course

Juniors at the Home of Golf can look forward to an increased level of support from the game’s governing body after The R&A agreed to a substantial increase in their funding for St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association.

Following an initial five year commitment, The R&A has announced that their backing for SALJGA will continue for a second five year term with their contribution rising by twenty five per cent, to £62,500.


Duncan Weir (left), R&A Director of Golf Development and Paul Kirkcaldy of SALJGA shake hands on a great deal for juniors in St Andrews

The winner of the worldwide naming competition for The Castle Course at St Andrews has been presented with a commemorative certificate at the world’s largest golf show.

Edwin Burtnett, from Tampa, Florida, entered The Castle Course for the naming competition run by St Andrews Links Trust which attracted 4000 entries from all over the world.

The course name was selected from a shortlist by the St Andrews Links Trustees and Mr Burtnett was selected after a random draw of all those who had suggested the winning names. He was then invited to a special presentation at the recent PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida.



Edwin Burtnett (left) and Alan McGregor

Kevin Murray's photographs show The Castle Course in winter sunlight.

The links-like character of the course is evident as is the grandeur of the site overlooking St Andrews Bay.

The designer of The Castle Course, David McLay Kidd, set out to restore the natural contours of the landscape and these images show how successful he has been.

It is only the seventh time in more than 600 years of history that a golf course has been named at the Home of Golf but today (Fri) a new name was added to the canon of courses headed up by the world famous Old Course.

After a naming competition which attracted more than 4000 entries from around the world the name of the new St Andrews Links course is the Castle Course.

The name reflects the history of the headland to the south-east of St Andrews where Kinkell Castle once stood in the middle ages.

The winner of the naming competition who suggested the Castle Course is Edwin Burtnett from America. He was selected after a random draw of all those who had suggested the winning names. Mr Burtnett will be invited to the VIP opening ceremony of the seventh course next year and will be given the opportunity to play one of the first rounds on the new course.

Steve North, director of instruction at the state of the art St Andrews Links Golf Academy, has been included in Golf Monthly’s list of Top 25 UK Golf Coaches.

PGA Golf Management, who provide instruction on behalf of St Andrews Links Trust at the Links Golf Academy are delighted with the accolade, which recognises the organisation’s commitment to provide world class coaching at the Home of Golf.

Keith Haslam, operations director for PGA Golf Management commented: ‘We sought out the highest quality golf instructor to head the development of St Andrews Links Golf Academy and in Steve we have achieved this. This accolade, which comes a little over a year since he took up post in St Andrews, is testament to what he has achieved to date.’

St Andrews Links Trust has teamed up with Tiger Woods and Electronic Arts to bring the experience of playing the Old Course to a global audience.

The best selling Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 computer game features golf’s number one player taking on the challenge of golf’s number one course.

‘It is a perfect pairing,’ said Peter Mason, external relations manager with St Andrews Links Trust. ‘Tiger has won The Open twice on the Old Course, and his name is now inextricably connected to St Andrews. It is fitting that together we are bringing the glories of the Old Course to people who might otherwise never have the chance to visit the cradle of the game.’