TOURNAMENT COURSE INFORMATION: Fairmont St Andrews (Torrance Course)

GREENS 
Type of grass - Festuca, Agrostis tenuis mix
Height of cut - 4mm
Speed/stimpmeter reading - 10 feet
Any specific comments - Average size 700m2, relatively flat with subtle borrows and undulations.

COLLARS/APPROACHES 
Type of grass - Lolium perenne (dwarf)
Height of cut - 8mm
Any specific comments -  

TEES 
Type of grass - Lolium perenne (dwarf), Festuca, Agrostis tenuis mix
Height of cut - 8mm
Any specific comments -

FAIRWAYS 
Type of grass - Lolium perenne (dwarf), Festuca, Agrostis tenuis mix
Height of cut - 14mm
General width and contouring - 30m, gentle links contouring
Any specific comments - Generous fairways with occasional narrow landing area

SEMI-ROUGH 
Type of grass - Lolium perenne (dwarf), Festuca, Agrostis tenuis mix
Height of cut
semi - 35mm
intermediate - 75mm
heavy - uncut
Any specific comments - Rough is very thick consisting of tall fescue with underlying bent grass and occasional rye.

WEATHER 
Weather in advance - Sunny intervals and scattered showers
Forecast for tournament - Sunny intervals and scattered showers

COURSE 
Year opened - Original course 2001, existing layout 2009
Course designer - Original designers Sam Torrance, Denis Griffiths and the late Gene Sarazen. Re-design by Gary Stephenson.
Special features  - Course sits on the cliffs overlooking St Andrews Bay and the historic town of St Andrews as well as spectacular sea views across to the Angus coast and Carnoustie.

GENERAL PLAYABILITY 
Although carved from agricultural land the Torrance has a very ‘links’ feel to it with subtle undulations, fierce rough and deep, revetted bunkers. The greens play well all year round and are well known for their fast and true surfaces, however, the speed is monitored according to the strength of the wind and its direction. Cleverly designed to incorporate the four points of the compass within the opening 5 holes, all manner of shots are required to navigate these safely. There are a number of tees available on each hole to suit all abilities. The course was selected to host Local Final Qualifying for the 2010 Open Championship.

UNDULATING/FLAT 
Subtle links style undulations 

TREE LINED/EXPOSED
Exposed with occasional gorse

MANY/FEW WATER HAZARDS
Numerous burns/streams protecting the approach to the greens.

CHANGES TO THE COURSE
Reopened in 2009 after extensive drainage work to fairways, all new tees, newly revetted bunkers and the redesign of 8 holes including 2 new greens.

OTHER FEATURES 
- The course sits upon an area of Special Scientific Interest and has to be managed accordingly. There are restrictions to the amount of water that can be expelled from the site so this must be stored in catchment areas away from the general playing surfaces. These areas have become significant environmental areas producing habitats for countless birds, insects, flora and fauna.