FIFTH OLDEST GOLF COURSE INVESTS IN THE FUTURE

Montrose Golf Links has announced details of one of the largest investments ever made in the celebrated east coast course.

(TRAVPR.COM) SCOTLAND - May 14th, 2019 - Montrose Golf Links has announced details of one of the largest investments ever made in the celebrated east coast course. Completed earlier this year, the new, far-reaching irrigation project will enable significant improvements to be made across the links and coincides with Montrose receiving the most comprehensive sustainability award in golf.

The new automated irrigation system addresses a swathe of issues that have affected the presentation of the course, which twice hosted Final Qualifying for the Open Championship. It replaces the previous system that had been in situ for more than 30 years and suffered from insufficient pressure, poor and uneven water coverage and limited irrigation options.

“The new irrigation system is a significant improvement on what we had before,” said Jason Boyd, PGA professional and operations manager at Montrose Golf Links. “It addresses a lot of on-course issues and will enable our greenkeeping team to present the 1562 course like never before. This is a massive investment that will have a huge impact on golf at Montrose.”

The introduction of the £100,000irrigation system follows the renaming of the world’s fifth oldest golf course in 2018. More importantly, it will free up the Montrose greenkeepers to present the 450-year course to the highest possible standards.

“Because so much time was spent hand-watering greens, the new system will have a number of knock-on effects, especially for the greenkeepers,” explained Boyd. “The time released by the new system will now be spent improving greens, tees, fairways and approaches as well as focussing on smaller, detailed jobs that are so important.”

Although largely unaltered, the classic Scottish links at Montrose has been adapted and tweaked by the likes of Willie Park Jr, Old Tom Morris and Harry Colt. With a run of seven spectacular cliff-face holes, it has also become a destination course for many visitors to Scotland and is widely regarded as one of the country’s most natural links.

According to Darren McLaughlan, head greenkeeper at Montrose, the addition of the new irrigation system is hugely significant. “The need for a fully functioning irrigation system was overwhelming,” he says. “The new system will not only allow greenstaff to concentrate on course improvements while reducing disruption to play, it will also provide the foundation for producing true and consistent putting conditions and a more sustainable approach due to using less water.”

Towards the end of 2018, Montrose Golf Links was awarded the Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) certificate - an accreditation the club had been working towards since 2007. Mike Wood, GEO accredited verifier, highlighted a number of key strengths during Montrose’s verification process. These included “committed ecological stewardship of an authentic setting of duneland topography and landcover, within which the high-quality playing surfaces harmoniously fit”.

McLaughlan, who has a wealth of links golf experience after holding the position of course manager at Machrihanish Golf Club, says the new irrigation system ties in perfectly with the new CEO certified status at Montrose. “We are committed to delivering a world-class golfing experience that is sympathetic to the surrounding environment and spectacular coastline,” he said. “Montrose is a special place full of history and outstanding golf holes. We want people to enjoy Montrose, but we want to achieve that responsibly. This latest investment in the infrastructure that supports the course will help us do just that.”

The Medal course was renamed The 1562 Course during the 2018 season and is the fifth oldest golf course in the world. It has hosted a number of prestigious tournaments including the World Hickory Open (2013); The Europro Tour (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018) and Final Qualifying for the Senior Open Championship held at Carnoustie (2016).

Notes to editors:

About Montrose Golf Links

1) The Medal Course at Montrose Golf Links is the fifth oldest golf course in the world. Golf has been played here for over 450 years.

2) Montrose Golf Links is made up of two courses; The Medal and The Broomfield. There are three associated golf clubs; Montrose Caledonia, Montrose Mercantile and Royal Montrose.

3) Although the land is owned by Angus Council, several years ago the management of the golf courses was transferred to Montrose Golf Links Limited.

4) The Medal course was renamed The 1562 Course during the 2018 season. The 1562 Course is a classic, natural Scottish links which remains largely unaltered.

5) Montrose Golf Links has been designed and laid out by Willie Park Jr, Old Tom Morris and Harry Colt.

6) Montrose Golf Links is a two-time Final Qualifying venue for the Open Championship. It has also hosted prestigious tournaments including the World Hickory Open (2013); The Europro Tour (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018) and Final Qualifying for the Senior Open Championship held at Carnoustie (2016).

7) Montrose Golf Links is ideally situated being a 30-minute drive from Carnoustie, less than an hour from Dundee and 1.5 hours from St Andrews.

8) Those interested in booking The Montrose Experience – a special packaged visitor day that includes a round on The 1562 Course, whisky tasting and a gift pack containing special merchandise from the famed Scottish links – should contact Montrose Golf Links.

9) For more information about Montrose Golf Links, please visit www.montroselinks.com

For further quotes, interview opportunities and images, contact the Montrose Golf Links press office at yvonne@thewordassociation.biz or call Yvonne Alexander on: