Plans have been unveiled to create a new ‘world class’ golf course at the Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland.
St Andrews Bay Development, which bought the hotel and resort in 2019, want to create a new championship-level course from the existing 18-hole Torrance and Kittocks courses. It has applied for permission to Fife Council to carry out the changes and has enlisted golf course design firm MacKenzie & Ebert to help with the redesign.
A statement in support of its application said: “The vision is to create a world class golf course which could become one of the top 100 courses in the world. Such a move would enhance the hopes of attracting European Tour events.”
It added: “The creation of the championship course would be the first phase of the overall upgrade of all golfing facilities on the resort. At present, the two existing golf courses are outstanding tests of golf and the resort, as a whole, is a well-established asset to the St Andrews and Fife-wide economy and tourism sector.
“As golf course design, technology and maintenance of golf courses have evolved, there is an opportunity at St Andrews Bay to adjust and remodel the courses to establish the location as one of the ‘must-play’ courses in Scotland and the world, with the aim being to draw golfers from around the world.”
Fairmont St Andrews has been a regular venue for professional tour events since it first opened in 2001. It will host the DP World Tour’s Hero Open in July, as well as being a qualifying venue for the Open Championship.