Course at Fairmont St. Andrews Receiving Upgrades


The Torrance course at Fairmont St. Andrews, Scotland, has begun an extensive renovation program with a targeted re-opening in spring 2009. The course was the first design of the victorious 2002 European Ryder Cup captain, Sam Torrance. The par-72 layout features cliff-side holes and stunning views of the North Sea and the medieval skyline of neighboring St. Andrews. The renovation complements a 10-million-pound capital investment program now underway at the resort.

The project, supervised by Texas-based architect Gary Stephenson, includes rebuilding every tee to improve drainage and turf conditions, and relocating some tees to enhance hole playability. The project also involves a new irrigation and drainage systems to improve turf consistency. In addition to moving certain tees, design enhancements will be made on a number of holes. The Stephenson redesign also includes classic revetted bunkering throughout the course.

The course will be planted with gorse, fescue and native plants as well as enhancements to wetland and wildlife habitat areas. Through all these changes, the length of the Torrance will remain at 5,200 yards from the front tees to slightly over 7,000 yards from the tips.

Since opening in 2001, Torrance has been named as the Final Qualifying course for the 2010 Open Championship and hosted many tournaments.

Gary Stephenson, founder of Linksmen Golf Design, boasts an extensive resume, having worked with David Graham, Gary Panks, Byron Nelson, Phil Mickelson and Steve Jones. His projects include the Talon Course at Grayhawk Golf Club and Whisper Rock Golf Club in Arizona, Teton Springs Golf and Casting Club in Idaho, and a number of international projects.

Located a few miles south of St. Andrews, the 209-room Fairmont St. Andrews features five dining areas, a 3,500-square-foot spa and health club, and a second 18-hole layout - the Devlin, where the Fife coastline is an intrinsic feature of the par-72 7,049-yard track. The resort is also within a short drive of another 20 golf courses, including the venerated Old Course.

Throughout the work on Torrance, Devlin will be open for play. Devlin, open since 2002, was the vision of Australian Bruce Devlin, Dennis Griffiths and Grand Slam winner Gene Sarazen. It takes full advantage of its extensive coastal locale to provide panoramic views of St. Andrews Bay, the Eden Estuary, the North Sea and the historic town of St. Andrews.

For more information or reservations, call 1-800/441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com.