THE world famous Old Course in St Andrews has been given the go-ahead to expand its clubhouse to cope with record numbers of visitors flocking to the Home of Golf.
St Andrews Links Trust will make a “significant investment” by upgrading and extending the Links Clubhouse amid unprecedented demand from golfers to play the course in the Fife town.
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The Old Course will receive major investmentCredit: Getty
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It’s the home of golfCredit: Getty – Contributor
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The 155th Open will be held at St Andrews in 2027Credit: GETTY
The clubhouse is the main hub of activity at the renowned venue, catering for golfers playing the Old, New and Jubilee courses, as well as non-golfing visitors and locals on a daily basis.
As custodians of St Andrews Links, the Links Trust reinvests all revenue back into the management, maintenance and preservation of its golf courses and facilities.
The plans, which have been approved by Fife Council, include the extension of the clubhouse to incorporate a new cafe, bag drop area and enhanced retail space as well as a renovation of locker room facilities for golfers.
New windows will offer uninterrupted, expansive views of the Old Course from the bar and grill and an upgraded roof terrace will take advantage of the views across the course and back towards the town of St Andrews.
Neil Coulson, chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said: “The approval of our plans for the Links Clubhouse is a key moment for the Trust’s programme of strategic reinvestment back into our sites, which is in place to ensure the Home of Golf continues to be maintained for future generations and offer the highest-quality experience to all.”
Management of the organisation announced in June last year that income soared to a record high of £44million in 2023 and they posted an operating profit of £11.5million.
A total of 283,082 rounds of golf were played at the historic venue – an 11 per cent increase on the previous record set in 2019.
Demand was replicated across all facilities with 7.6 million balls hit at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy, two million more than the previous record number.
Since its completion in 1995 when it became the first public clubhouse in the town, the Links Clubhouse has proven popular with local and visitor golfers alike with its mix of golfer amenities, food and beverage and retail outlets.
The plans will improve the energy efficiency of the building with outdated double glazing replaced and triple glazing introduced.
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Enhanced access will also be introduced with a customer lift linking the floors as well as accessible changing rooms, showers and toilet facilities.
Last week, a luxury townhouse which will sit on the edge of the Old Course went on the market for £7.25million.
Called the Swilcan Townhouse, it will overlook the links course and the iconic 700-year-old Swilcan Bridge, which sits between the first and 18th fairways and is one of the most photographed spots in sport.
Construction on the property, described as offering the ‘best view’ in the world of golf, is set to begin in May and will be completed by September 2026, in time for the Old Course hosting the Open Championship the following year.
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