Fairmont St Andrews boasts two tremendous links courses perched on the cliffs above St Andrews Bay, which have been widely recognised as a welcome addition to the world-famous courses at the St Andrews Links. Designed by Sam Torrance and Bruce Devlin, both courses are links in style, but have been built to suit the demands of a top-class resort. As such, they are playable for golfers of all standards, with a variety of tees from which to choose.
A Ryder Cup hero both as player and Captain, Sam Torrance has created a modern classic with a course that challenges players with large, undulating fairways and greens. Although not tight, the course is protected with long, punishing fescue rough, and cavernous bunkers. With its position above the bay, golfers can expect to battle a strong prevailing wind. The signature hole is the par-4 17th, dubbed "Sam's Favourite", which hugs the coastline and offers spectacular views back towards St Andrews. To emphasise the quality of golf here, the Torrance course was recently named as a qualifying venue for the 2010 Open Championship.
Bruce Devlin has used the fantastically rugged landscape to carve out a truly memorable championship links. Devlin constantly asks questions of the golfer, challenging both bravery and skill. The trademark hole is the 17th, where the challenge is to attack a green perched precariously on the cliff's edge, guarded by numerous devilish traps.
