Participants in the first St Andrews Legacy event of 2018 enjoyed some of the best May weather Scotland has experienced since modern records began, with bright, hot days the norm. Starting with two great days at Machrihanish, where the members were joined by Scottish golfing legend Belle Roberston, the group of four Canadians and four Americans went on to tee it up at Crail Balcomie Links, the Kittocks at Fairmont St Andrews, The Duke’s, the New Course and the Old Course at St Andrews Links. A highlight of the week came with the presentation of a cheque for over £1800 from the University of St Andrews Ladies Golf Club. The remarkable generosity of the students is a fantastic boost to St Andrews Legacy and is a tribute to this new generation of golfers coming to the game. We welcomed back Tony Henry and Michael Lammey, both of whom participated in the beginner’s course of April 2016, and who returned to provide mentorship to the group and to represent St Andrews Legacy.
The June event, which included veterans from Canada, Australia, Scotland and Wales, took the number of individuals who have taken part in St Andrews Legacy trips to the Home of Golf to over one hundred – a significant milestone. The itinerary included Crail, The Duke’s, two days at Machrihanish, where we once again enjoyed the company of Belle Robertson, plus the New Course and the Old Course at St Andrews Links. The University of St Andrews Ladies Golf Club organized a special day at the unique Kingarrock Hickory Golf Course, Hill of Tarvit. St Andrews Legacy is truly grateful for the support of these young women, some of whom took time out from their preparations for graduation. We wish them well in all their future endeavours.
The third and final St Andrews Legacy event of the summer was aimed at beginners and relative newcomers to the game, with tuition under Fort Sam Houston’s PGA pro Joe Mendez, making his second coaching visit to the Home of Golf. Joe himself made a sweetly struck 56-degree wedge hole in one shot on the ninth of the Balgove Course. Five American veterans worked their way from the Golf Practice Centre, to the 9-hole Balgove Course and the 18-hole Strathtyrum Course at St Andrews Links, before travelling to play Crail Craighead Links and the Kittocks Course at Fairmont St Andrews. The week ended with a visit to Carnoustie for The Open championship and the chance to meet many of the game’s top players.
A special fundraising dinner was held at the Old Course Hotel on 10 November 2018. Sponsored by solicitors and estate agents Thorntons, the event was hosted by Gavin Hastings and featured Alan Tait. Veterans David Gillies from Scotland and Australia’s Sam Bush attended.
