The changing face of the Torrance golf course
The Torrance championship golf course at Fairmont St Andrews is to benefit from an extensive capital investment infusion in 2008 enhancing its status as one of Scotland’s top courses.
The refurbishment programme, which is being supervised by architect Gary Stephenson, will add to the player experience and will see the Torrance build on its already impressive credentials.
Since opening in 2001, the course has been named as the Final Qualifying course for the 2010 Open Championship and has hosted many internationally recognized events, including the Vagliano Trophy, the BUSA Championships, WaterAid and two Europro Tour events. In 2007 Fairmont St Andrews was recognized by Condé Nast Traveler (US) on its Top 100 Golf Resorts, a newcomer to the list.
The Torrance closed on the 7th January 2008 with work beginning immediately, with a targeted re-opening in early spring 2009. The extent of the works being completed includes rebuilding of every tee to improve drainage and turf conditions, and relocation of some tees to enhance hole playability. The project will also include new irrigation systems and drainage to improve turf consistency and the player experience.
In addition to the relocation of specific tees, design enhancements will be made on a number of the existing holes. The Stephenson redesign will include classic revetted bunkering throughout the course. These steps will be complemented by an extensive planting programme for gorse, fescue and other native plants; as well as enhanced wetland and wildlife habitat areas on the course. Through all these changes, the length of the Torrance will remain from 5,200 at the front tees to slightly over 7,000 yards at the championship tees.
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