New measures are being introduced on the Links over the winter in order to protect the courses and improve their condition for spring 2002. At its June meeting, the Links Management Committee decided that vulnerable areas, such as tee shot landing zones will be roped off as ground under repair, and fairway mats will be in use for a month at a time on the New, Jubilee, Eden and Strathtyrum Courses.
At all times three courses will be available for play without mats. The schedule for the use of mats is as follows: November on the Jubilee Course, December on the Eden Course, January on the New Course and February on the Strathtyrum Course. In March only the Old Course will have mats in use, as usual.
Mats have been used on the Old Course since the winter of 1994/95 resulting in considerable improvement in the condition of the course.
“We have seen a growth in winter play on the Links which has increased the divot scarring on the courses and, as recovery does not take place until mid or late spring, the damage is highly visible at the start of the main playing season,” explained Gordon Moir, Links Manager.
Recommended by the Sports Turf Research Institute, the measures are expected to reduce divot scarring significantly, leading to improved course conditions in spring and summer.
St Andrews Links Trust www.standrews.org.uk