Latest news with #StAndrewsLinksTrust
The Courier
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: Police investigate St Andrews Links Trust finance claims
Police have launched an investigation into alleged financial irregularities at St Andrews Links Trust. The probe follows the dismissal of the Trust's finance and corporate affairs chief Lyall Dochard in March. A routine audit raised questions over a six-figure sum of money, including expenses claims. The matter was not reported to police immediately. However, sources say trustees later unanimously agreed to refer it to the force. It has also been reported to charity regulator OSCR. Police Scotland confirmed enquiries are at an early stage. St Andrews Links Trust runs seven golf courses, including the world-famous Old Course. It is a charity, which reinvests any profits into maintaining the courses. It also provides grants to community groups and other good causes in and around St Andrews. Mr Dochard, 58, took up his role at the trust in 2018. It is understood the issues that led to his dismissal arose during a routine internal auditing process, with Links Trust management and trustees moving swiftly to deal with them. The Courier has contacted the trust's former finance chief for comment. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for St Andrews Links Trust confirmed: 'We have been in touch with Police Scotland. 'As the matter is now being progressed by them, we won't be commenting further at this time.' A Police Scotland spokesperson added: 'We have received a report regarding financial mismanagement of a charity in the St Andrews area. 'Enquiries are at an early stage and ongoing.' St Andrews Links Trust was set up in 1974, following an act of parliament which saw the council hand over control of the golf courses. Trustees include three Fife councillors, three nominated by the R&A, Scottish Government representatives and North East Fife MP Wendy Chamberlain. Its income comes from charitable activities, fees for playing a round of golf, and rents. And it makes a substantial amount from merchandising and royalties, as well as food and drink sales. It also runs a golf academy, which includes a driving range and golf lessons. The organisation is separate from the R&A, which organises the Open Championship and helps govern the game worldwide.
Scotsman
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
'Like winning the lottery' - how it felt playing Old Course at St Andrews for £42.50
44 lucky golfers resident in Scotland get near-perfect day for a dream opportunity Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... For just one day, they were probably the most-envied golfers on the planet and, boy, was it an occasion to cherish for 44 players resident in Scotland as they played the Old Course in St Andrews for just £42.50. Crow Wood member Paddy Donaghy played the Old Course with his future son-in-law David Tait | St Andrews Links Trust The opportunity was provided through The Drive, an initiative introduced this year by St Andrews Links Trust to 'widen access to the home of golf' in terms of playing the historic courses in the Fife town. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Between 9.10am and 10.50am on a near-perfect golfing day, the lucky players who effectively hit the jackpot headed out on the most-famous course in the world and, over the next few hours, walked in the footsteps of the greats of the game. Crow Wood member Paddy Donaghy played the Old Course with his future son-in-law David Tait | St Andrews Links Trust Paddy Donaghy, a 57-year-old who is a member at Crow Wood on the outskirts of Glasgow, played with his future son in law, David Tait. 'I've been playing golf since I was 10 years old, so that's almost 40 years now and I've never had the chance to play the Old Course,' said a beaming Donaghy. 'I heard about The Drive on the Scottish news and thought I'd put my name in to see what happens. The moment I received the email I couldn't believe it, it was like winning the lottery, a bucket list ticked. It has 100 per cent been my number one golfing experience to date.' John Ballantyne, a 66 year-old who plays his golf at East Kilbride, enjoyed the dream experience with his son, Andrew. 'I played here a long time ago when I was younger and I could never really justify the cost of coming back,' said Ballantyne. 'But, for £42.50, I thought let's jump at that. I'm over the moon. I'm proud that I've got my son here for the first time on the Old Course, it's great for the both of us playing together on the world's most-famous course.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Between May and October, a total of 179 tee times are being made available by the Links Trust to give golfers resident in Scotland the opportunity to play the courses under its umbrella at a reduced price. The Old Course offer, for example, was an eighth of the usual high-season price of £340. Brother and sister Grant and Laura Veitch played the Old Course for the first time together | St Andrews Links Trust 'I think this is a great initiative,' said Livingston man Alan Stewart, who is a member at Uphall at the end of his round. 'For amateur Scottish golfers, this is the pinnacle to be able to come and play here. It's a bucket-list experience and I was so excited I barely slept last night.' Brother and sister Grant and Laura Veitch both played the Old Course for the first time together. "I've been playing golf since I was six-years-old and playing here is It's obviously a bucket-list must,' said Laura, a member at Aberdeen Ladies GC. 'To drive over the Swilcan Bridge on the 18th and then get a wee bit of applause when holing a putt, that was good fun and such a special experience." James Boothy enjoyed a 'fantastic experience' in the company of his dad David thanks to The Drive | St Andrews Links Trust Grant, a member at Deeside, added: 'I think it's a brilliant initiative, we've been here to watch the Open before but never played and it's a once-in-lifetime opportunity that can't be missed.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Through the initiative, a total of 716 golfers in total will secure a tee time this year across the Old, Castle, Jubilee and Eden courses at a fraction of the usual cost.
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Over 14,500 apply for a chance to play historic St Andrews golf course for just £42.50
Only 81 tee times on the Old and Eden Courses were available, but golfers will get another chance to get a coveted spot More than 14,500 Scottish golfers have jumped at the chance to tee off at the world-famous Old Course in St Andrews for a fraction of the usual cost. The St Andrews Links Trust, which oversees all seven public courses in the town, has revealed a staggering 14,547 applications were submitted for just 81 four-ball slots on the Old and Eden Courses this May and June. That equates to a one-in-90 shot at playing the iconic Old Course, and for only £42.50. Usually priced at £340 during peak season, the heavily discounted rounds are part of the Trust's new 'Drive' initiative, designed to broaden access to golf and encourage participation across all ages and skill levels, Scottish Daily Express reports. The offer launched with 179 tee times available to 716 Scottish golfers, offering up to 87.5 percent off summer green fees across the Old, Castle, Jubilee, and Eden courses. It marks an attempt to make the Home of Golf more accessible at a time when prices across Scotland's premier courses have soared. A recent study found average green fees have jumped 67 percent over five years at 30 of the country's best-known venues. At Gleneagles, for example, a summer round on the King's Course has risen from £140 to £330, while the Duke's Course in St Andrews now costs £220, up from £100. The first wave of lucky golfers will play today, Wednesday, May 21, with 44 teeing off on the legendary Old Course at just £42.50 each. Others will play the Eden Course for only £9.50. Later this year, more affordable rounds will be available on the Castle and Jubilee Courses, with September and October slots opening for applications on 6 August. Under the initiative, players will pay £22.50 to play the Castle Course, usually £180, and £18.75 for the Jubilee Course, which normally costs £150. According to the Trust, the overwhelming interest shows just how much demand there is among local players to experience St Andrews. Most applications were for two-ball tee times, underscoring the competitive nature of the ballot. Neil Coulson, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said: 'We are delighted so many golfers across Scotland have embraced The Drive and are so keen to come to play our famous courses. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'As the Home of Golf, we believe in widening access to the sport and this new initiative is part of our drive to provide opportunities for golfers of all ages and abilities. "Given the huge number of applications, it is clear the demand is there for Scottish golfers to experience St Andrews Links, and we are already looking at how we can expand the initiative into 2026 and beyond with more times. 'We now look forward to welcoming those who have been successful in applying for tee times on the Old Course and the Eden Course, and hope golfers across Scotland can enjoy some excellent golf.' While the Drive scheme is still in its pilot phase, the Trust has confirmed it is already exploring ways to grow the programme for next year, potentially offering more players the chance to walk the same fairways as legends.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thousands of golfers apply for discounted rounds on world-famous links courses
More than 14,500 applications have been made by Scottish golfers for the chance to play the historic courses at St Andrews Links at a reduced rate as part of an initiative to widen access to the Home of Golf. Between May and October 2025, 179 tee times are being made available as part of The Drive, meaning golfers resident in Scotland have the opportunity to play at a reduced price. The first wave of available tee times has seen incredible demand with 14,547 golfers applying for the 81 available four-ball times to play on the famous Old Course and the Eden Course on dates in May and June. With the majority of applications for two-ball tee times, this means golfers had a one in 90 chance of securing a tee time. The remainder of the tee times as part of the pilot project will be on the Castle and Jubilee Courses in September and October this year, with applications opening for those times on 6 August 2025. READ MORE: Hints of 'more opportunities' for cut-rate Old Course play St Andrews Old Course golf rounds to be offered at £42.50 I embarrassed my sons on the golf course open to all The first year of The Drive will see a total of 716 golfers given the opportunity to access tee times across the Old, Castle, Jubilee and Eden courses at an 87.5% reduction on the regular high season green fees. Those who have been successful in securing an Old Course tee time in the free-to-enter ballot will pay just £42.50. The Eden Course will cost just £9.50. A round on the Castle Course will cost £22.50, down from £180, while it will cost golfers £18.75 to play the Jubilee Course, down from £150. Given the initial success of the initiative, the Links Trust is already looking at opportunities to expand tee time allocation for The Drive in 2026. A golfer on the 18th hole at the Old Course (Image: Official Photo St Andrews Links® The Home of Golf) Neil Coulson, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said: 'We are delighted so many golfers across Scotland have embraced The Drive and are so keen to come to play our famous courses. 'As the Home of Golf, we believe in widening access to the sport and this new initiative is part of our drive to provide opportunities for golfers of all ages and abilities. Given the huge number of applications, it is clear the demand is there for Scottish golfers to experience St Andrews Links, and we are already looking at how we can expand the initiative into 2026 and beyond with more times. 'We now look forward to welcoming those who have been successful in applying for tee times on the Old Course and the Eden Course, and hope golfers across Scotland can enjoy some excellent golf.' As the custodians of the Home of Golf, St Andrews Links Trust launched The Drive initiative to support its charitable objectives to promote golf participation by encouraging players of all ages and abilities to get involved in the sport. It is part of an ongoing review of access to the St Andrews Links courses amid unprecedented local and global demand for golf to ensure they remain accessible for local residents, ticketholders and visitors. All tee times provided as part of The Drive are from existing visitor or commercial allocations and will not impact priority times allocated to Links Ticketholders. The first tee times fulfilled as part of The Drive initiative will be on Wednesday, May 21 with 44 golfers playing the Old Course for just £42.50 each. Full details and how to apply are available at:
The Herald Scotland
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Thousands apply for discounted rounds on world-famous links courses
The first wave of available tee times has seen incredible demand with 14,547 golfers applying for the 81 available four-ball times to play on the famous Old Course and the Eden Course on dates in May and June. With the majority of applications for two-ball tee times, this means golfers had a one in 90 chance of securing a tee time. The remainder of the tee times as part of the pilot project will be on the Castle and Jubilee Courses in September and October this year, with applications opening for those times on 6 August 2025. READ MORE: Hints of 'more opportunities' for cut-rate Old Course play St Andrews Old Course golf rounds to be offered at £42.50 The first year of The Drive will see a total of 716 golfers given the opportunity to access tee times across the Old, Castle, Jubilee and Eden courses at an 87.5% reduction on the regular high season green fees. Those who have been successful in securing an Old Course tee time in the free-to-enter ballot will pay just £42.50. The Eden Course will cost just £9.50. A round on the Castle Course will cost £22.50, down from £180, while it will cost golfers £18.75 to play the Jubilee Course, down from £150. Given the initial success of the initiative, the Links Trust is already looking at opportunities to expand tee time allocation for The Drive in 2026. A golfer on the 18th hole at the Old Course (Image: Official Photo St Andrews Links® The Home of Golf) Neil Coulson, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said: 'We are delighted so many golfers across Scotland have embraced The Drive and are so keen to come to play our famous courses. 'As the Home of Golf, we believe in widening access to the sport and this new initiative is part of our drive to provide opportunities for golfers of all ages and abilities. Given the huge number of applications, it is clear the demand is there for Scottish golfers to experience St Andrews Links, and we are already looking at how we can expand the initiative into 2026 and beyond with more times. 'We now look forward to welcoming those who have been successful in applying for tee times on the Old Course and the Eden Course, and hope golfers across Scotland can enjoy some excellent golf.' As the custodians of the Home of Golf, St Andrews Links Trust launched The Drive initiative to support its charitable objectives to promote golf participation by encouraging players of all ages and abilities to get involved in the sport. It is part of an ongoing review of access to the St Andrews Links courses amid unprecedented local and global demand for golf to ensure they remain accessible for local residents, ticketholders and visitors. All tee times provided as part of The Drive are from existing visitor or commercial allocations and will not impact priority times allocated to Links Ticketholders. The first tee times fulfilled as part of The Drive initiative will be on Wednesday, May 21 with 44 golfers playing the Old Course for just £42.50 each. Full details and how to apply are available at:
