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Fairmont St Andrews (Torrance)
St Andrews, Fife
A fine addition to the peerless St Andrews portfolio
Not many courses just 10 years old have already been the subject of a re-design but the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews, a regular host venue to the European Senior Tour, is now fully open again.
The resort is a couple of miles to the east of St Andrews and comprises a luxury five-star hotel and spa along with two championship courses – the Torrance and the Kittocks (recently renamed, formerly the Devlin).
The Torrance is not a links, though some of the bunkering might remind you of one. Rather, it is predominantly parkland, giving way to a clifftop section towards the end.
Following the recent work, which ranged from improvements to tees and bunkerings to the acquisition of two holes that were formerly part of the Devlin course, the Torrance can now stretch to a weighty 7,230 yards from the Blue tees.
The Whites, at a shade over 6,600, offer more than enough in the way of length, particularly when you bear in mind that the location overlooking the North Sea pretty much guarantees a breeze and the fairways are that much softer than on a links course.
The Torrance is renowned for the quality and speed of its large greens so, all things considered, you can expect a thorough examination of your game.
The first part of the course takes you on a loop around the back of the hotel before dropping down towards the sea for the entirety of the back nine.
And thanks to the new routing, the Torrance certainly finishes in style with an exciting closing stretch that takes in a downhill par 4, dramatic par 3 and a well-bunkered par 5.
The Torrance is not a links, though some of the bunkering might remind you of one. Rather, it is predominantly parkland, giving way to a clifftop section towards the end.
Top Holes by Dan Murphy, editor:
16th 429 yards, par 4
From the elevated tee open your shoulders and send your drive soaring towards the sea. The green has an infinity-pool effect, seeming to blend into the horizon.
17th 220 yards, par 3
Mercifully you should not have to play this hole at anything like its full length. The raised green is not sympathetic to mis-hits, set diagonally from front right to back left.
18th 561 yards, par 5
When playing downwind big hitters will be able to get up in two. First, the large bunker on the right must be avoided before attempting to find a raised green that is almost 40 yards deep.
Fact File
Fairmont St Andrews (Torrance)
Fairmount Resort
Stravithie
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 8PN
01334 837 437
standrews.scotland@fairmont.com
www.fairmont.com/standrews
Top Holes, by Richard Holt NCG’s sales manager:
3rd 587 yards, par 5
The first par 5 and what a hole. A demanding tee shot with water on the right. The second shot is either a lay-up short of the burn leaving 100 yards in or go for it in two. However, the green is severe and two putts is always a decent result.
10th 492 yards, par 4
A great start to the back nine. Water down the right is to be avoided but go too far left and the second becomes tougher. Make your par here and you can head to the short 11th happy.
16th 429 yards, par 4
A great-looking hole with the ocean behind the green. Downhill all the way, so it plays shorter than the card indicates. Play your second from an elevated fairway and watch your ball run down the green, hopefully towards the pin.
Fact File
Fairmont St Andrews (Torrance)
Fairmount Resort
Stravithie
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 8PN
01334 837 437
standrews.scotland@fairmont.com
www.fairmont.com/standrews
Par: 72
Yards: 7,230
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