Fairmont St Andrews (Torrance)
The name says it all, although Sam Torrance didn’t
do it alone… being ably assisted by Denis Griffiths
and Gene Sarazen. The course opened in the
1990s and has been designed as a links spread
across the resort’s 520 acres. Large, slick greens
are accompanied by treacherous deep revetted
bunkers while wispy, penal rough slides over mounding dividing
fairways. It all adds up to what you’d expect of a Scottish links and
it is a tougher proposition than the Kittocks course. The Torrance is
long (par 72, 7,320 yards) although the mortal tees for men are 6,600
and 6,051 yards, with the ladies at 5,400. Picking the right tee will
be crucial to your enjoyment. The opening holes flow around the
hotel and these are challenging, with the par four 2nd being Index
1 and a burn affecting these early holes, too. But you are heading
ever upwards to the cliff-tops where the 8th tee is your reward.
A spectacular vista and backdrop behind the downhill par three
awaits… and the rest of this graceful course is on display.
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