The St Andrews Links Trust, the body responsible for managing the historic courses at St Andrews, has announced a record year for 2023 with unprecedented demand and revenue across its golf courses and facilities.
A total of 283,082 rounds were played at the historic venue, representing an 11% increase on the previous record set in 2019 with course occupancy across its seven courses also reaching a record high of 78%.
Demand was repeated at all facilities with 7.6 million balls at St Andrews Links Golf Academy, two million more than the previous record. Additionally, both the retail and F&B operations reported a 20% and 29% increase in the number of customers year-on-year, underscoring the growing popularity of the Home of Golf.
The rise in culture is linked to the global growth of golf and the urgent need for adventure travel and the improved enthusiasm to play among local ticket holders following two years of Covid restrictions.
As a result, 2023 saw a record £44m in operating income and an operating profit of £11.5m for the Trust, building on £34m in revenue and £3.7m in profit in 2022. This operation restored the Trust's reserves. following two years of heavy losses in 2020 and 2021.
As a charitable trust, all profits are reinvested in the operation, maintenance and upkeep of the links at St Andrews and the Trust has also announced an aggressive investment strategy to improve aging infrastructure. Key projects include the multi-year development of irrigation systems on all courses, the extension and development of the Links Clubhouse and Golf Academy and a plan to open the Castle Course year-round.
In addition, the Trust plans to continue to invest and seek funding for sustainability and coastal management measures to protect its coastline from erosion and climate-induced flood risks. This builds on existing award-winning work which includes the largest and longest running dune restoration project in Scotland.
Neil Coulson, Chief Executive Officer of the St Andrews Links Trust, said: “These unprecedented results for 2023 underline the prestige in which the Home of Golf is held here at St Andrews and around the world. The demand, not only at our golf courses but at all facilities, has been phenomenal and has greatly accelerated our recovery from the difficult period in 2020 and 2021.
“The acquisition of the balance sheet and cash reserves allows us to revisit the strategy of investing in our physical and digital infrastructure to enhance the golfers' experience at St Andrews and continue to protect the links for future generations.”
A copy of the 2023 St Andrews Links Trust Annual Report & Accounts can be found here: 2023 St Andrews Links Trust Annual Report & Accounts
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