Links Trust freezes visitor green fees for 2009

St Andrews Links Trust announced a freeze on visitor green fees for its seven public courses for 2009.

The announcement means that high season green fees for visitors to the Old Course will remain at £130, the New and Jubilee courses at £65 and The Castle Course at £120. 

While visitor numbers to the Links courses this year have remained at normal levels and The Castle Course is enjoying a busy opening season, the Links Trust has taken the decision to freeze prices at an increasingly uncertain time for the economy and amid suggestions in some quarters that Scottish golf tourism is suffering.

Alan McGregor, general manager of St Andrews Links Trust, said the Trustees had decided to act proactively. "Visiting golfers have made a huge financial contribution to St Andrews Links over the years enabling the Trust to invest significantly in the courses and facilities whilst at the same time keeping other prices low," he said.

"In view of this and in recognition of the economic downturn, the Trustees believe that we need to do as much as we can to encourage visitors to come to the town to play golf and to stay here by freezing green fees for the 2009 season."

The move was welcomed by Colin Dalgleish, managing director of Perry Golf. He said, "Many businesses in the golf tourism sector are starting to feel the pinch as the slowdown in the American economy, in particular, starts to have an effect. The Links Trust's freeze on green fees sets a significant lead and should help to make St Andrews and Scotland more attractive to visiting golfers."

The high season green fees on the other Links courses next season will be: the Eden £40, the Strathtyrum £25 and the Balgove £12.

Advanced Reservations for play on the Old Course and The Castle Course in 2009 can be made starting September 3 at 10 a.m.