The online auction of Old Course Starter’s box at St Andrews ended at midday on Monday, 10th September reaching a price of £59,000. Bidders from the USA and Denmark fiercely competed right up to the last second with the US bidder putting in the final bid on the stroke of midday.
The successful bidder was John Hagen from California, acting on behalf of Country Club of the Desert, a new three course golf development in La Quinta near Palm Springs. Nancy Aaronson, speaking on behalf of the partners and members of Country Club of the Desert, said, “We are truly honoured that Country Club of the Desert will forever enjoy a connection to the birthplace of golf and its distinguished traditions with the Old Course Starter’s Box.
“Our courses will incorporate many of the features that are traditionally found on Scottish courses and there is no question the Old Course Starter’s Box is entirely fitting. Great golf, honouring the traditions, spirit and purpose of the game, will be the primary focus of our new community and our acquisition of the Old Course Starter’s Box will always be associated with our beginning.”
Originally scheduled for demolition later this year to make way for an enlarged putting green beside the Old Course first tee, the Starter’s Box was put on sale to raise funds for a major new junior golf initiative in the town. A new box will be constructed a few feet from the site of the existing box.
Alan McGregor, general manager of St Andrews Links Trust, said: “The sale was a huge success and has given a great boost to junior golf in the town. We are also pleased that the box is going to a good home at this prestigious new development in the USA where it will be respected.”
St Andrews Links Trust pr@standrews.org.uk
John Hagen jphagen@attglobal.net
Nancy Aaronson nja55@aol.com