St Andrews Handbook 2015

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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

25

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!”

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...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

31

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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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.” •