Fairmont St Andrews - Torrance

The Torrance Course was designed by Dennis Griffiths with Sam Torrance and opened in 2001. Owner and developer Dr Don Pannoz was a friend of the legendary Gene Sarazen, and so drawings by Sarazen were the inspiration for the Griffiths/Torrance design.

Sam Torrance is a highly respected figure in the golfing industry, and is known as a accomplished golfer, commentator and course architect. Torrance was invited back to make further changes to the Torrance course in 2008/2009

When i first played the course, i had no knowledge of the course and had low expectations, so I was in for a pleasant surprise. I would classify it as the Championship course of the two at Fairmont (it has hosted open qualifiers) and certainly designed as a modern links. Most greens are slightly elevated, providing impressive background vistas of the sea, the hotel, and the town of St Andrews.

I really enjoyed playing the course, which maintained my interest throughout as no two holes were the same. There is subtle movement through the fairways and the use of burns, stone walls and revetted pot bunkers give the course a real linksy feel.

The Torrance is a really nice course and is my pick of the two at the Fairmont.