Fairmont St Andrews

The 520-acre masterpiece is creating a legacy of its own in 2019 as the Fairmont St Andrews hosts Final Qualifying for the 148th Open.

Located near St Andrews, the two courses – Torrance and Kittocks – were only opened at the turn of the millennium but have seen some of the best and brightest grace its fairways.

With the likes of 2017 Champion Golfer Jordan Spieth, recent US Open winner Gary Woodland and Nick O’Hern all teeing off at Fairmont in recent years, it’s quickly built a reputation as one of the highest quality courses in the country. 

And a special combined course - 11 holes from Kittocks, seven from Torrance - will now play host to several golfers attempting to make the grade for Royal Portrush.

“We underwent a huge renovation in 2008 and 2009 which gave the course a total new look,” explains Andrew Dyce, the Golf Operations Manager. 

“It not only improved the popularity of an already great course, but also the playing conditions for the golfers, which is especially important.”

Located on the outskirts of St Andrews overlooking the town means it’s attractive for golfers looking for a slightly different perspective of the Home of Golf. 

Dyce added: “Our whereabouts makes us a very enticing prospect for golfers who want a change. It’s out of the way so players can leave their town and city and practice outside of the public eye.”

But it also boasts fairways and greens which are the envy of surrounding courses - the course is European Tour’s Peter Whiteford’s go-to choice when honing his putting game.

Meanwhile, O’Hern and Robert Karlsson were some other big names to have made the trip round the coast after missing the cut at The Open in 2015.

Fairmont hosted the Scottish Senior Open for six years running and Final Qualifying for The Open in 2010. 

Citing three holes in particular, Dyce says prospective players at Final Qualifying will need to be at the top of their games to succeed. 

He added: “The first would be hole ten - it used to be our signature hole.

“It’s a long par-4 and it can get tricky - if you hit it slightly right, it will be an out of bounds shot with your ball going in the sea. To add to that, there’s a sort of chasm just 80 yards short of the green.”

Regardless of quality or achievement, though, what makes this course unique is its innovation at every tee. 

Designed by former Australian Open champion Bruce Devlin, it’s no wonder this is somewhat of a modern artwork.

“All we want to do is build a culture and course which is modern, fun and friendly,” Dyce says. “We are constantly trying to evolve.”