History will be recreated for one day on the 600-year-old Old Course at St Andrews Links next year when it will open for play – backwards. On Monday 1 April, golfers will be able to play the course in reverse, as it was traditionally played over 100 years ago.
Golfers will start on the 1st tee but play to the 17th green, then play from the 18th tee to the 16th green, and continue round the course in a clockwise direction, which is how the course always used to be played. The change of direction came about when Old Tom Morris, custodian of the Links at the end of the 19th century, created a new first green, opening up the possibility of an anti-clockwise circuit. For many years the course was played over both circuits on alternate weeks, and as recently as the 1970s, it was still played in a clockwise direction for one month every winter. However, today it is played anti-clockwise – usually.
“This is a rare opportunity to play the Old Course as it was the old days,” explained Peter Mason, External Relations Manager at St Andrews Links Trust, the body responsible for maintaining the historic links courses at St Andrews. “Playing the course in reverse presents an entirely different range of challenges with hazards coming into consideration which do not normally affect play.”
A special “Backwards and Forwards” four round package has been created for golfers wanting to make an advance reservation for this unusual event. The package includes two rounds on the Old – one backwards on the 1 April and one forwards on 2 April plus a round on each of the other Championship Courses at St Andrews, the New and the Jubilee, both over 100 years old. The total price is £348 which includes vouchers for food, drinks, special golfing accessories and clubhouse services.
The daily ballot will also operate as normal on Monday 1 April, giving golfers who do not make an advance reservation the opportunity to play the course in reverse and normal green fees will apply.
Bookings opened on Monday 10 December. To make a booking please contact the Reservations Office at the Links Trust on 01334 466666/fax 01334 477036 or email reservations@standrews.org.uk.
St Andrews Links Trust www.standrews.org.uk.