St. Andrews proud global partner
S
t Andrews Links is revered as the Home of
Links and enjoy the seaside town with its
Golf around the world. At its heart lies the
glorious beaches, esplanade and everything
Old Course, the world’s most famous Links
that went with it.
and where the roots of the game began more
Golf’s popularity was on the rise and St
than 600 years ago. But neighbouring it on the
Andrews was becoming widely recognised as
vast Links landscapes sits one of golf’s best kept
the epicentre of the game. However, with just
secrets, the New Course.
the 18 holes of the Old Course now in operation
Opened in 1895 it was imaginatively named
there were only a finite number of hours on
to differentiate from the Old and is now lovingly
which it could be played upon and demand was
referred to as the oldest new course in the
pushing disgruntled locals off the course.
world. Its older, wiser sibling undoubtedly casts
With the passing of the 1894 Act of
a long shadow but for many there is a huge
Parliament the Town Council would take
groundswell of love and appreciation for the
ownership of the Links and the R&A golf club
New Course and its classic Links layout, quality
of St Andrews would be responsible for its
and true test of golf.
management. As part of the agreement
To trace its origins the story begins in the
between both parties the R&A would also
1870s and a flourishing St Andrews boasting
undertake the construction of a second course
visitors from near and far to play golf on the
at its own expense, some £2,000.
New Course 6625 yards par 71
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83
Above: Several new Bunkers adorn the perimeter of hole 5 Previous Page: Beautiful sky over the 9th hole
The agreement had not been arrived at
result of the work their rifle ranges were
adjustments over the first 100 years of its
overnight, and emerged after the club
moved from the landward to seaward side
existence. It has stretched marginally, a
acceded that the second course would not
of the sand dunes.
series of Championship tees were
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be exclusively for its members. Instead it
installed, adding some length for the top
would be open to all, but for players who
supply work was completed on schedule
level amateurs who regularly compete
were neither ratepayers of St Andrews nor
and the course opened for play on 10th
over its 6,781 yards compared to its
members of the R&A would be required to
April 1895. Tom Morris, in his 70s and
original 6440 yard measurement, but the
pay a ‘tariff’ or green fee.
whose renown for course design was
green structures have never been altered
believed to have been heavily relied upon
and the wily nature of its layout remains
Edinburgh, was commissioned to lay out
during construction, joined forces with Dr
as enjoyable and thrilling today as much
the new course. His proposals proved
Duncan and played a match against
as it did in 1895.
controversial as it became clear he intended
Sheriff Henderson and his son to mark the
to take up almost all of the ground
opening. The result of the match is
can be deceived by its simplicity but walk
between the Old Course and the sea. The
unknown but it is well documented that
or play the New at sunrise or sunset and
Town Council were concerned that it would
Old Tom had the honour of striking the
you'll know just why it is so challenging as
prevent the public from walking the Links, a
first ball to open the New Course,
the elements reveal a course that is filled
primary objective for any Act of Parliament
reflecting the status and reverence in
with humps, bumps, moguls, dunes and
which had ever governed the Links.
which the great man was held.
undulations. Situated as it is next to the
Civil engineer Mr B. Hall Blyth, of
Eventually the amount of land required
The New Course had arrived and quickly
With the sun overhead many golfers
North Sea, the winds are always a factor
would be reduced, and it was agreed that
made its mark. The greens and fairways
plus, of course, there are pot bunkers,
the two courses would neighbour each
were typically undulating, with the home
gorse and stunning heather, flowering
other with any demarcation between the
green drawing particular praise from the
through the year.
Old and New – not be enforced from a
St Andrews Citizen in 1895: “the putting
playing point of view. A characteristic
green is a beautiful broad expanse of turf,
St Andrews Links, said: “The New Course
which has remained since, ensuring any
not dead level… but with ridges and
is a classic Links and a real test of golf. It is
errant shot between the two is simply
saucers and dips, which makes putting
testament to the course’s timeless design
played as it lies!
what it really ought to be.”
that it has stood the test of time and
With disagreements to one side work
Meanwhile Everard wrote in Golf: “The
John Grant, Director of Golf at
remains perennially popular with local
began apace with 45 men employed to
new links is no course for the slovenly
clear the whins and ground supervision in
player; driving must be straight and long…
St Andrews entrusted to Mr R.A. Duff of
It is safe to prophesy that in a few years’
best possible location it is served by The
Edinburgh, who received expert advice
time St Andrews will be able to boast of
Links Clubhouse, which is one of the focal
and support from Tom Morris and his
two courses unrivalled by any in the world.”
points of our operation and offers a warm
henchman, David Honeyman. As well as the whins the local Volunteer
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With demand continuing to exceed
Corps found themselves on the move as a
Those words have stood the test of
golfers and visitors alike. “As well as presenting the course in the
welcome to golfers from which they can
time, much like the layout of the New
prepare to play, or recover and relax after
Course, which only witnessed minor
a round on the New Course.” •
Six of the best... A gem that embodies much of the New Course’s reputation as a thinker and plotters course. A tight tee shot with a sharp dog-leg left requires accuracy and control from the tee with the fairway running out of room at 252 yards in a straight line from the medal tee. With rolling heather and gorse awaiting the brave golfer who misplaces their pursuit of the tiger line from the tee accuracy is definitely the preferred option. And having found the fairway it doesn’t get any easier with the green guarded by three deep traps and a series of clever undulations on the putting surface.
4th 369 yards par 4 6th 445 yards par 4
The course sweeps back towards the iconic St Andrews skyline with this dramatic and testing par four. A narrow target requires a solid, straight drive, negotiating gorse and heather at either side. Having successfully found the fairway the hole dog-legs slightly to the right with an elevated green partially obscured by a rise in the middle of the fairway. The approach shot requires a bold approach and depending on the wind conditions is usually always one club more than the yardage suggests. A classic par 4 Links hole.
Perched on the banks of the Eden Estuary this stunning Par 3 requires your full concentration and a full-blooded golf shot. Often exposed to the elements, be they cross, head or downwind this lengthy Par 3 is never easy. Fortunately there are no bunkers but the green surround boasts elevation changes with mounds and moguls aplenty awaiting a mishit shot. A well struck shot will disappear over the ledge onto the putting surface and dependent on the pin location you could be close to the hole or facing a devilishly tricky putt down the hill. One of the best Par 3’s across the entire Links and one to treasure if you have the skill and good fortune to record a 2 or 3.
9th 225 yards Par 3 10th 464 yards Par 4
The back nine begins with a bang. Elevated above the 9th green you have spectacular views over the Eden Estuary towards Leuchars, Tentsmuir Forest and the neighbouring Jubilee Course. You can see less of what lies ahead with a blind tee shot over a marram dune to a generous fairway. The natural landscape ebbs and flows with tee shots gathering in a variety of humps and hollows. The 2nd half of the fairway lies in a natural valley, gathering shots and filtering them towards a green, which once again is protected not by bunkers but instead relies on the living landscape around it.
The final stretch of the New Course and there’s no room for let up. This Par 4 sees you heading back towards town. The left hand side of the fairway is guarded by gorse and the right with pockets of pot bunkers. Meanwhile the seemingly flat fairway is a cavalcade of natural mounds and dips, untouched and born of the Links landscape. A solid tee shot can easily disappear from view as it rides a rollercoaster of turf but regardless of whether or not you can see its final resting point, finding the fairway is vital. The green is deceptively small and guarded by just one deep bunker front right of the putting surface. A well struck approach finding the surface should have a chance at 3 with a tried and tested true putting surface rewarding a hot putter.
16th 431 yards Par 4 18th 408 yards Par 4
The closing hole is a classic. Three well placed bunkers ensure a premium on accuracy from the tee, with two approximately 240 and 260 yards from the tee putting doubts in the mind of the driver. If the golfer successfully finds the fairway, the green instantly looks like a small target, with the watching public on the clubhouse balcony overlooking the flag. Bunkers loom large, but trust your yardage and your swing and take aim at the middle of the green. Depending on pin placement there are some well hidden borrows but net a birdie and the beer in the clubhouse after will taste even sweeter. A fitting final hole for what is a classic Links test.
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66
Whether it’s because he is 6ft 9ins tall, around 20 stone with shoulders and a wingspan built to match or his mane of peroxide blonde hair, he gets noticed.
dded to this the not so
A
for being diminutive in stature, flame haired
inconsequential fact that he
and with a fiery temperament to match. The
happens to be one of the most
latter is still evident with Richie, part of his
talented rugby players in Britain, having
DNA, emerging whenever he crosses the
made his debut for Scotland’s national team
white line and goes into battle. Given the
aged just 19, and it’s easy to understand
ferocity and intensity of the sport it is hard to
why much of Richie’s adult life has been
imagine him surviving any other way.
played out under the glare of the sporting
Away from the sporting arena he belies
press and fervent fans for club and country.
the traits of the ferocious rugby player, there
Those broad shoulders have been called
is no fury or anger, instead he is poles apart
into action more than you might anticipate
from his most public persona, the epitome
for one so young, and not just on the field.
of a gentle giant; he speaks softly; engages
Richie has arguably become the poster boy
with those around him; occasionally flashes
on the hoardings and talisman on the field
a warm smile and showcases a sense of
for the past 6 years, not because of his
calmness, ease with himself and genuine
appearance but for his undoubted ability to
warmth for those around him.
play. He has been a leading light for
It is hard to believe he is still just 25
Scotland with his rampaging runs from the
years old, there is much he has
Lock position a familiar sight in the annual 6
experienced in rugby, but 2015 promises to
Nations tournament, garnering him a prized
deliver a new exciting chapter as he
selection on the victorious British and Irish
prepares to play in the Six Nations and his
Lions tour of Australia in 2013. It appears
second Rugby World Cup with his younger
wherever Richie goes expectation follows.
sibling Jonny in the squad, the two having
He has broken the genetic mould of your
joined a rich lineage of brothers who have
typical Scot, a race more commonly associated
represented their country together.
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stands out in any crowd 67
Old
The Old Course at St Andrews Links is the most famous golf course in the world and a certainty to be on every golfer’s ‘bucket list’. Steve North, Director of Instruction at St Andrews Links, selects five different locations and highlights certain scenarios and challenges you may face
Course Playing the famous
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HELL BUNKER ome the Open Championship ‘Hell’ will appear exactly the same as it has in previous Open Championships, but it was effectively re-built over the winter of 2014/15. Due to its size, the water that can potentially be retained in it over time and the fact that the bunker face will be re-built to ensure its pristine condition, it will be complete without you ever knowing. Until now of course! ‘Hell’ is an extremely intimidating bunker because of its position on the course and its sheer size. Any slightly miss-struck second or third shot will be gobbled up into this vast space, from there it can be down to the golfing gods. If your ball rolls up to the huge face at the front of the bunker, you have a real headache – at best you’ll only just get the ball out, worst case scenario you’ll be hitting the ball backwards either to the back part of the bunker, or out into the rough beyond that. Not ideal. However, if you are a little more fortunate and you finish at the back of the bunker, from here you will be able to get a medium / short iron out toward, or potentially onto the green. As you can see by the two accompanying photos, one is a very difficult escape, the other is a little more fortunate in the respect I’ve hit an 8 iron onto the green. One thing for sure, you’ll not want to visit Hell and give it a knowing nod on your way past instead.
C
Any slightly miss-struck second or third shot will be gobbled up into this vast space!” 30
...you are somewhat gambling on a good bounce from the golfing gods...”
1
2 ROAD HOLE AND ROAD
T
famous Road Hole bunker. This bunker
required on this difficult bunker shot.
he seventeenth hole on the Old
has seen a huge amount of action over
Course is quite possibly the most
the years, arguably the most famous was
you could well end up on the Road
difficult hole in golf. From tee to
If you push your approach as I suggested, (2) to
the Japanese golfer Tommy Nakajima back
the right of the green. This is an integral
green there is so much to contend with,
in 1978 when he infamously took four to
part of the course, therefore you have to
you’re never truly safe until you’re picking
get out of this bunker en route to a nine,
play it, or take a penalty. Again over the
your ball out of the hole.
while in contention at the Open
years many professionals have had this
After you’ve selected a letter on the
Championship. In more recent times, Rory
same dilemma, most choose to play the
wording of the old sheds and hopefully
McIlroy putted into the bunker during the
shot as it lies. The difficulty and where I see
executed a good drive you are then
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship;
most people struggle with this execution, is
presented with a long iron, or a fairway
however he hit a fantastic bunker shot
down to the fact that a lofted club is used.
wood into a very narrow green with the
and held the putt for a bogey.
The safer and easier option is to use the
Road Hole bunker positioned on the left
This bunker shot is difficult because
seven iron and play it as a chip and run up
side and an actual Road on the right side
not only do you have to deal with a
the slope – the difficulty here is in the fact
of the green, the approach is a real
sheer face at the front of the bunker, but
that there is rough on the bank next to the
headache and a test of your golfing nerve.
you have to be careful not to hit the ball
green, so you are somewhat gambling on a
too far and end up on the Road the
good bounce from the golfing gods.
other side. Excellent technique, great concentration and a steely nerve are
Both situations will test your golfing ability, but if you do manage to get them
As you can see
(1) my approach was
slightly pulled to the left, the undulating slopes then filtered the ball into the
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Course management with
Gordon McKie aims to deliver the best possible course – what ever the weather
T
he alarm clock rips through the
window. Besides the drive to work will give
silence, cutting through the
him ample opportunity to weigh up the
darkness of the early hour, its
merits of what the overnight weather and
round but today there is some added
4.30am and many are ensconced in deep
forecast will present him and his crew with.
pressure, not least because Gordon has
sleep, not rising from slumber. For Gordon McKie, Course Manager
Today, Mother Nature has not been
most famous Links is ready for action. These attributes are evidenced all-year
known all week that the Home of Golf is
kind and the heavens have well and truly
hosting the Alfred Dunhill Links
at the Old Course, there is no time to
opened. In fact they have fallen
Championship and the draw has the
dose, debate the merits of the alarm call
relentlessly on the already sodden turf of
ensured some of the world’s leading lights,
or reach for the snooze button. It is time
the Old Course for more than 12 hours,
multiple Major winners Rory McIlroy and
to get to work.
non-stop. A day’s play awaits and
Martin Kaymer included, are in town
Gordon knows that the experience,
bringing with them not just the anticipated
window, he knows it is still dark and he can
expertise and professionalism of his crew
crowds of adoring fans but a TV audience
hear the rainfall driving against the
will be called upon to ensure the world’s
of millions around the world too.
He does not look out his bedroom
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73
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As he pulls into the Jubilee
Greenkeeping Centre he has already carried out a wide sweep of the course areas to prioritise the early morning
his assertion, it is the dictionary definition
efforts. As he steals a precious few
of brief and to the point. “The area around the Swilcan has flooded
latest, most up to date weather forecast
and we’ve got quite a bit of surface water
from a Scandinavian weather website –
next to the Valley of Sin,” he explains.
“It’s the most reliable hour by hour
“We’ve driven round the course so we’re looking pretty good elsewhere so we’ll
forecast, usually you can swear by it,” he
need to focus our efforts at the Home End
says. “It looks like the worst of it might
and start pumping the water away. We
be clear of us by mid-morning, so that’s
won’t cut greens so if the team head to the
good news.”
Home End to help and we’ll cut fairways
His arrival is closely followed by a steady stream of cars, all with headlights peering
and tees as normal this morning. “The forecast looks like we’ve got the
through the gloom and depositing bodies
worst of the weather for the next few
to trudge across the yard. A golf course
hours. We might get a break in the
can feel like a lonely, detached place at
weather pattern around 11am so if we
this hour but as kettles are boiled, coffee
can keep on top of the areas identified
brewed and sleep wiped from eyes the
just now we’ll address other areas as and
crew begin to regale each other with tales
when they arise.”
of what has happened in their lives in the
Without further ado the squad scramble
short few hours that have passed since
to the sea of red Toro vehicles in the sheds,
they last were in each other’s company.
engines burst into life and headlights
As Gordon calls everyone together for a morning brief there is little need for sun protection today, instead they will be
74
This morning there is little time to waste and Gordon’s morning roll call exemplifies
work is never far from his mind.
We want to deliver the best possible course we can whatever the weather, whoever the golfer...”
it needs to be done,” he stresses.
looking for potential problem spots and
moments at his desk he logs in to view the
Getting up early on the St Andrews Links old course,ensures we’re ready to play when you are
and knowing what needs doing and when
flicker as they depart into the darkness a convoy of greenkeeping excellence. The sun should soon be rising but the
doing battle with another of the elements
thick blanket of rain overhead suggests it
with the greenkeeping sheds a sea of
will be some time before daylight breaks
waterproofs, gloves, hats, hoods and
through today. As the crew arrive at the
anything else that might keep them dry.
Home End the lights are on inside the
Gordon admits he is a man of few words
famous R&A Clubhouse overlooking the
in the morning, “If I have to brief them
1st tee, offering welcome respite from the
everyday with what to do then I’m not
darkness and the first real glimpse of how
doing my job right. It’s all about teamwork
much rainfall there has been. Its famous
Course management with
stone facade glistens in the giant puddles
which has increased in size from 20 to 45
blowing in from the North Sea, the sea of
that are threatening to consume the
for the championship to cope with the time
grey clouds are beginning to be chased by
Swilcan Bridge, which this morning is
constraints of a full field and two tee start,
the first glimmers of blue sky. After more
more of an island than a pedestrian
are relentless in their work, bunkers are
than 14 hours of incessant rainfall the
crossing over the rushing burn below.
raked or “fluffed” in light of the rain, while
crews depart the course and head back to
tees and fairways mowed by the
the sheds for a well-earned break.
The Valley of Sin too has suffered from the wet weather, gathering so much
greenkeeping red arrows carrying out
rainfall that it seems improbable anyone
formation patterns that appear to be
their bodyweight practically doubled with
will be recreating Constantino Rocca’s
second nature. Every possible attention to
the wetness clinging to their rainsuits. A
miraculous putt in the 1995 Open today.
detail is maintained. This would take place
quick change and their gear is deposited in
Instead they would find their ball and
regardless of whether the Old Course
the drying room for a quick turnaround. It
ankles swamped with the rainwater.
staged the Open, Links Trophy, club medal
is now mid-morning and they gather for
or every day play Gordon says, be it a
coffee, bacon rolls and a blether.
Giant pumps hum into life and begin clearing the worst of the surface water while greenkeepers carrying giant
buddies trip or once in a lifetime family trip. “Day in, day out, we want to deliver the
One by one they trickle in, in many cases
The topic of conversation doesn’t stray far from their work and various stories
squeegees tackle the Valley of Sin. It’s
best possible course we can whatever the
from their year’s here and elsewhere are
hard, relentless, backbreaking graft. To the
weather, whoever the golfer,” he adds.
used to regale each other with varying
untrained eye it seems a fruitless task,
“Obviously when you are hosting
degrees of triumph over adversity. There is
especially as the rain continues to pour
tournaments like the Dunhill or The Open
a clear sense of camaraderie among them
down. But their efforts are not in vain as
there is added pressure because of the
all, regardless of their status as a
they repel the water away.
tournament conditions and the fact you
permanent member of staff or seasonal,
Gordon’s attention turns to the Swilcan
have a television audience but truthfully I
many of the team have travelled from far
Bridge while radio reports come from other
want every golfer to have the best
afield, places such as Australia, USA,
parts of the course, the old lady, built on
possible experience when they are here.”
Holland, Poland, Czech Republic, South
hundreds of years of greenkeeping
Two hours of labour intensive work
Africa and Germany. All just have the
expertise and knowledge is holding up
pass and the start of play draws ever
opportunity to work at the world’s most
well, its natural sand base helping to
nearer, remarkably despite the wet
famous Links. All are united by a desire
absorb the deluge. A unique characteristic
weather the crew’s efforts have worked
and wish to work at the Old Course,
that seldom sees play interrupted.
and somehow the giants pools of water
which resonates not just as the Home of
have dissipated, the course is ready for
Golf but as a centre of excellence for
the capacity to absorb the quantities of
play and Gordon is confident there will
greenkeeping. This reputation dates back
water you see today,” Gordon states. “If
be no delays on the Old.
to the days of Old Tom Morris and Alan
“We’re very fortunate that we do have
we were working on an inland course
“We’re ready for play now, in fact I
Robertson, the first real legends of the
today we wouldn’t been opening for play.
think we might even be 15 minutes
craft, who honed their skills on the Links
It just wouldn’t have been possible.”
early,” he jokes. As the weather forecast
and helped export their knowledge and
predicted the rainfall begins to ease and
expertise to grow the game across the rest
though there is little sign of the cold wind
of the world.
While much of the focus may be on clearing up, the other teams in the crew,
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75
Course management
>
As Gordon pours himself a hot coffee and
cutting grasses as such so the disciplines
wipes his brow he reflects on his 10 plus
you, the golf course, the facilities, the
of the job change. For instance we have
years at the Links, the historic footsteps he
equipment that we have at our disposal.
112 bunkers on the Old Course, many of
and the team follow in, the different
It’s a privilege to be here day in, day out.”
which are huge in size and feature large
challenges each day presents before
There can be no denying the beauty of
areas of revetted faces. Repairing or
allowing himself a moment to look ahead to
the place, its unique setting at the heart of
completely rebuilding the bunkers is a
the Open in 2015 and the world’s greatest
the town, even when the heavens open
specialist job, especially when you
golfers doing battle on the Old Course.
on days like these the Links has a magic
consider somewhere like Hell Bunker,
aura. But as the morning’s herculean
about 100 yards short of the 14th green.
“Regardless what challenges we face I think everyone, myself included realise
efforts have shown it’s not just down to
what a special place this is,” he says.
course preparation, good drainage and
and it can take months for the revetting
luck, it’s much more than that.
and surrounds to be completed on each
“I’ve been here for 10 years and have always been acutely aware of the names
76
“I mean you only have to look around
“In the summer months, being a
“It’s not a process you can do in one go
bunker. On a project like Hell, we lay six
of the past here, not just the players but
greenkeeper does really revolve around
or seven layers of turf and have to allow
the greenkeepers. To follow in the
course preparation,” Gordon explains. “It
for natural settlement for at least a couple
footsteps of Old Tom is something very
consumes a lot of our time and a lot of
of weeks as the layers of the face take
special and I think much of what he
our work is getting ready for play,
shape, before adding the next batch. It’s
developed and delivered here continues to
handcutting greens, painting and cutting
like building the foundations of a house,
this day. We are blessed with a fantastic
holes, monitoring a whole host of factors
get it right and there shouldn’t be much
landscape and now utilise modern
across the course, not least the weather.
trouble. For us there’s also the small
greenkeeping equipment and techniques to replicate what he did.
But through the winter months there is significantly less growth so you aren’t
matter of not wanting to mess with history, we just want to do the best
We’re ready for play whenever you are...”
possible job and carry it through to the
“It will only have been five years since we
modern era using the latest techniques,
last hosted but it feels like an incredibly long
skills and technologies.”
time since the announcement,” he explains.
Such work requires meticulous planning,
“We did much of our preparatory work
here, there’s nowhere on earth like St Andrews Links.” With a quick glance at his watch he springs to his feet, work calls and an
weeks and months in advance. Gordon
over the past two winters so our
update with Deputy Course Manager
readily admits that he has frequently cast
programme this year is really about
Simon Connah. As the pair discuss the rest
his mind forwards to July 2015 and
refining and doing our best to ensure the
of the day’s activity, outside the blue skies
hosting the Open Championship. He has
golf course is in the best possible
still try to breakthrough as hordes of golf
had to, the preparation for the 29th
condition to represent St Andrews Links,
fans arrive with umbrellas in hand to see
staging of the Championship does not
the town, Fife and Scotland.
Rory and Martin do battle. Gordon, Simon
happen overnight. He looks to the wall
“You get nervous, but it’s a good kind
and a core team will remain onsite all day
and a small selection of images from
of nervous. We’re no different from
in case wet weather returns, while the
recent years dotted around, Lorena Ochoa
anyone else, we’ve all grown up through
entire crew will return towards the close
with Gordon and the team at the 2007
the years with this great course and the
of play to cut greens in the low evening
Women’s British Open, South Africa’s Louis
great champions. To be involved with it is
sun as the first stage of preparation for
Oosthuizen at the 2010 Open surrounded
something special, whether it’s the
the next day’s play to begin. Suddenly a
by a small army of greenkeepers.
tournament week itself or seeing the
radio bleeps into life, it’s the tournament
infrastructure going up around you.
director contacting Gordon, he announces
When summer 2015 rolls around, Gordon and the team will be ready for
“Our team will increase in number to
play will begin in 15 minutes. Gordon
whatever Mother Nature and the world’s
some 60 greenkeepers during the
smiles and nods knowingly.
greatest golfers throw at them, just as they were today.
championship and I think that says all you need to say about the desire to be
“We’re ready for play for whenever you > are,” he replies.
77
...to come here, to the Home of Golf with Rory, the best player in the world, and win, is incredible. It means the world”
T
he 18th hole at the Old Course, St
under 271 secured him a slender one-shot
Andrews, has seen some epic
victory over the chasing pack, giving the
finales in its remarkable history.
34-year-old from Mansfield opportunities
There are some tough acts to follow but
he admitted he could have only dreamed
the 2014 Alfred Dunhill Links
a matter of days before he clinched the
Championship served up a golfing feast
title. He said: “Three, four weeks ago, it
worthy of its remarkable legacy.
was looking pretty grim for my career. But
After three days of sensational Links
professional golf. Every week we have an
from the golfing wilderness to beat
opportunity and it's up to us to take it and
golfing superstar Rory McIlroy at the
for so long I haven't taken it.
Home of Golf. Wilson captured his first
“But to come here, to the Home of Golf
European Tour victory to reignite a career
with Rory, the best player in the world, in
that had stalled in recent years,
front of me and to win, is incredible. It
defeating McIlroy, Scotland’s Richie
means the world."
Ramsay and his compatriot Tommy
A Ryder Cup player just six years ago,
Fleetwood in a tense climax to the
Wilson was languishing at 792nd in the
championship, which celebrated a 30-
world rankings and playing on invitations
year association with St Andrews Links.
to the European Tour alongside Challenge
Wilson’s gutsy two-under 70 for a 17-
96
it's just amazing what is possible playing
golf England’s Oliver Wilson emerged
Tour status.
Coming in Oliver Wilson has emerged from the golfing wilderness to win the Alfred Dunhill Links
After nine runners-up finishes during his early successful years, the Mansfield man proved a hugely popular winner with congratulations coming from former Ryder Cup teammates Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and McIlroy himself, who put a disappointing finish behind him to say, “Don't think I could've chosen a better person to finish second to this week!” With a three-shot lead going into the final round, Wilson swiftly found himself being chased by the growing pack, all mounting a series of menacing assaults. However, in a rollercoaster of birdies and bogies it was Wilson who held it together superbly, his 4-iron into the 16th, which led to a vital birdie, was "probably the best shot of my life". His second at the Road Hole 17th was hit from an adjacent fairway and his third out of deep rough to three-feet when doom seemed the most likely outcome. And after missing his birdie putt by an inch at the last he had to watch Tommy Fleetwood try to bring him down from ten feet. As Fleetwood’s putt missed the hole Wilson’s wife, Lauren, surprised him on the 18th green having travelled north to surprise and support her husband.
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100
I love this golf course. I feel like I play well here every time I tee it up...”
an Open defence to look forward to on
with a score of 37-under-par at the Alfred
this hallowed track next year and a
Dunhill Links Championship.
blossoming love affair between the Old Course and McIlroy. >
"This is a dream come true,” the popular
“Where I feel like I cost myself the
European Tour, failed by just one shot in his bid to qualify for Sunday’s play in the
champion said to an appreciative crowd.
tournament was probably in the space of
main event after double-bogeying the
“To win my first tour event at St Andrews,
about 20 yards at the front of the green at
final hole at Carnoustie on Saturday
it doesn’t get any better than this.”
the first and over at the Road Hole
afternoon. But 24 hours later he and
It proved to be a memorable week for
bunker,” he said. “They are not too far
McManus went round the Old Course at
2014 double Major Champion Rory
away from each other and they are only
St Andrews in a better-ball 61 to pip
McIlroy, he ultimately came up just short
mistakes that I made all day.
American professional Brooks Koepka and
though he did sign off with a birdie… just
“I love this golf course. I feel like I play
to show he can. A double bogey at the
well here every time I tee it up, so I’m
first after finding the burn at the front of
looking forward to coming back here in July
the green with his approach and a putt
and defending The Open Championship.”
from the hollow into the Road Hole
his South African businessman partner Paul Harris by a stroke. “Winning the team title feels great,” said Lawrie, who won the 2008 Spanish Open but is now a lowly 694th in the
bunker ultimately cost McIlroy the
TEAM EVENT
world rankings – and also struggling in
£500,000 winner’s cheque.
Ireland’s Peter Lawrie might have missed
173rd place in the Race to Dubai before
Not that McIlroy seemed overly
98
Lawrie, a 40-year-old veteran of the
the cut in the individual tournament but
this week. “We knew we had to go low
perturbed as he celebrated his father and
he still had the significant consolation of a
today to have a chance of finishing on
amateur partner for the week, Gerry’s
$50,000 cheque when he and his amateur
top of the team event, and it is very
55th birthday on the Old Course together.
partner and fellow countryman Kieran
pleasing to be able to do it. We both
Alongside this there is the small matter of
McManus took the Team Championship
played very well today.” •