Golf course changes name to drop link with Andrew

The Duke’s Course, which sits three miles outside the town, will be called Craigtoun Course, after the nearby country park.

The Duke’s Course was opened by the former prince, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, in 1995.

The club's logo is also being changed with an illustration of trees to replace a lion rampant holding a saltire flag.

The former prince’s Duke of York title was formally removed by King Charles III in October given the intense speculation over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing.

In a further shake-up, the course, which is currently owned by the Old Course Hotel, will be run by St Andrews Links Trust, from January 5, adding to the seven courses that is currently manages in the home of golf.

The rebrand brings the course into line with sister courses Strathtyrum, Eden, Balgove and Castle being named after local place names or landmarks.

“The agreement for The Craigtoun Course will see the first new course added to the home of golf’s portfolio in 18 years and presents an ideal opportunity to expand the golf experiences we offer,” said Neil Coulson, chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust.

“We are delighted to have reached agreement with the Old Course Hotel and look forward to taking over what is already a significant asset for St Andrews and Scotland and building on its reputation.”

The original layout for The Duke’s Course was designed by five-time Open champion Peter Thomson before subsequent tweaks were made to it under the ownership of Herb Kohler.

Phyllis Wilkie, general manager at the Old Course Hotel, said: “The Duke’s Golf Course has been under Kohler’s leadership for 25 years, during which time we have invested in future-proofing the course and enhancing conditions, through measures including our most recent drainage and irrigation project.

“Throughout this time we have welcomed members to explore the only heathland course in St Andrews and would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to every member, visitor, and staff member who made our custodianship of this iconic course so positive.

Arrangement is part of a ‘long-term stategy’

“We are pleased to have agreed a long-term lease with St Andrews Links Trust that will see the Duke’s course join its portfolio of world-renowned golf courses, benefitting from the Trust’s expertise and passion for bringing the joy of golf to even more people across the world.

“We look forward to seeing the Trust build on our successes and continue to ensure residents and visitors to St Andrews have access to quality golf courses and experiences.”

The agreement is part of a long-term strategy to increase capacity at the home of golf to offer “greater access to tee times for ticketholders and visitors and facilitate wider investment in St Andrews Links’ facilities”.

The facilities at The Craigtoun Course, including the clubhouse, driving range and pro-shop, will be managed by the Links Trust. All existing staff will have the opportunity to remain in their posts, transferring over to the Links Trust to ensure continuity and knowledge transfer.

Current members of The Duke’s will have the opportunity to retain their membership of The Craigtoun Course under the existing terms throughout 2026.