Old Course Bookings Boost Scottish golf tourism

Visiting golfers’ desire to play the famous Old Course at St Andrews Links shows no sign of abating as applications for the 2012 season flooded in yesterday (Wed).

More than 1800 applications were received by St Andrews Links Trust, which manages the seven courses at the Home of Golf, after the process opened at 10am - an increase on the previous record of 1500 applications set for 2011.

The Old Course is renowned around the world as the place where golf was first played and has hosted 28 Open Championships, more than any other venue, with the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros and Tiger Woods in its gallery of champions.

The Old Course along with The Castle, New and Jubilee courses has been ranked in the prestigious Golf Digest Top 100 Courses ranking. Each year tens of thousands of golfers travel from around the world to play the famous St Andrews Links courses and experience its rich 600 year heritage.

Golfers are invited to apply online directly to the Trust for Old Course tee times each September for the following year. Although demand exceeds the number of times available, there is a ballot or lottery system in operation, which will run from 48 hours ahead from January 7, 2012, and tee times can be booked on the other Links courses.

Euan Loudon, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said, “We are very encouraged to receive such a high number of tee time applications. Normally in the second year after the Open Championship we would expect to see a fall in applications, but this year has seen record numbers apply. These are still challenging times in terms of the economy so it is important for Scottish golf tourism that we continue to see high numbers of visiting golfers choosing to come here to play. We hope they will enjoy an outstanding experience playing the Old and the other Links courses, learning in the golf academy and relaxing in our clubhouses and shops.”

The tee time applications will be processed in the coming weeks and golfers will be notified directly if their applications have been successful.