Asian Tour coming to Scotland for the first time ever

Fairmont St Andrews will be hosting the event. We paid it a visit to see what the players can expect

The inaugural St Andrews Bay Championship will take place at the venue’s Torrance Course, a 7,320-yard layout set among 520 acres of stunning Scottish coastline with views of the bay.

Designed by former Ryder Cup and golfing legend Sam Torrance, the course is marked by its deep revetted bunkers, large greens and links design.

Taking the course for a spin we found it to be, much like most others in the vicinity, quite superb.

The greens – often shared – sprawl across rough terrain, offering lines that swing dramatically from one side to the other. The fairways are carpet smooth while the rough is shaggy and coarse. The bunkers are – at times – impossibly difficult and the rolling hills act like magnets for wayward balls.

As such, good golf is rewarded and bad golf is punished, although playing in the winter months can perhaps be kinder to those prone to the odd leftfield shot, with the long rough cut short and perfectly playable from.

The summer conditions should smoothen that out somewhat and create chances to shoot a low score on dry days. But should things turn inclement then that's a different story, with the wind and rain never far away.

Commenting on the tour heading to Fairmont St Andrews, Callum Nicoll, Head of Golf and Estates, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be staging another world class event at Fairmont St Andrews, and to be making history as the first Scottish host for the distinguished Asian Tour.

"The Torrance course offers a challenging test for the players this summer, blending the principles of links golf with a more modern style. Contouring the hotel and set against the backdrop of the picturesque east coast of Fife, the Torrance will test the short and long game whilst the risk-reward design provides numerous options both off the tee and for approach shots to the green.

“The elevated nature of The International Series with generous purses, strong international fields, and the reward of a place for the Series winner in next year’s LIV Golf League all makes for a very exciting tournament in the summer.”

The hotel has a special offer for you and two other people to play alongside the professionals. As part of the deal you will enjoy three nights at the hotel, spots on the pro-am and hospitality tickets for the tournament itself.

Contact sab.gto@fairmont.com to book.

Related links: