St Andrews Links Trust will break ground this winter on a £10.5 million multi-year irrigation project that will optimise water usage and improve player experience across its golf courses.
Work to install 1,500 new sprinklers across the historic Old Course is scheduled to begin in winter 2025-26, more than doubling the current number of 800.
The change will offer a more targeted approach to course management at the Home of Golf allowing for more efficient use of water and will also feature ‘hidden’ pop-up sprinklers to provide better irrigation for the Old Course’s vast greens without compromising the playing surfaces.
155TH OPEN
Hundreds of sprinklers will be added across the remaining courses in a staged process over the next five years, allowing greenkeeping staff more detailed control of water and reduced run times.
Alongside this, the Links Trust has increased its collection of rainwater and use of bore holes, ensuring that water used for course irrigation across the courses is derived entirely from sustainable sources.
Work on the Old Course, which will host The 155th Open in July 2027, will begin in November 2025 and is scheduled for completion in March 2026 ahead of the main playing season.
The current irrigation system, which was installed in 2000-01, has reached the end of its lifespan. As well as more effective water usage, the new system will open up new pin locations across the course with the installation of the ‘hidden’ pop-up sprinklers on some putting surfaces.
OTHER WORK
Once work is completed on the Old Course, the New and Jubilee Courses will be next in line followed by the Eden, Strathtyrum and Balgove Courses. Each phase will be planned to take place during the winter season over the coming five years to minimise impact and disruption
Installation will be completed in stages to allow the course to remain open for play and to minimise disruption as much as possible.
To recognise this the Old Course will not be sold as part of St Andrews Links’ traditional three-round package this winter and instead will only be available via the ballot with a reduced green fee offered.
