St. Andrews is the Home of Golf and one of the places that all golfers should visit at least once in their lifetime. We had the opportunity to visit St. Andrews and the Home of Golf in July and it was one of the best experiences. In addition to a tour of the Old Course and the surrounding buildings, including Old Tom Morris’ original workshop, we were told some of the amazing golf stories that took place in the area. You could really feel the history and how special a place St. Andrews really is. In 2015, it will host The Open Championship, where Rory McIlroy will hope to defend his title.
It really is the mecca of golf and one of the leaders in the sport of golf in growing the game and it’s traditions. With that goal in mind, the St. Andrews Links Trust will license its first-ever overseas golf academy in Simapo Island, Hainan, China. China’s booming economy makes it fertile ground for the growth of the sport and players from all over the world will have their chance to receive the St. Andrews experience in China’s southermost province (same latitude as Florida). The project will look to harness the renown and reputation of the Home of Golf in order to help develop the game in one of the world’s biggest emerging golf markets.
The golf academy will be attached to an 18-hole course designed by Tom Doak, who also designed Pacific Dunes in Bandon, Oregon, at the world renowned Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Pacific Dunes has been ranked by Golf Magazine as the number 1 of 100 golf courses you can play, even beating out Pebble Beach!
Source: St. Andrews Links
