St Andrew's Legacy of Sustainable Golf

St. Andrews Links is the oldest—and most well-known—golf course in the world. Recognized as the “Home of Golf,” it’s existed for over 600 years. Today we have the privilege of speaking with Gordon McKie, the Greenkeeping Operations Manager. Gordon has been at St. Andrews Links in various roles for over 27 years. 

Every year, over 240,000 rounds of golf are played across their seven courses. In 1974, the golf course was handed over to be managed by the St. Andrews Links Trust. The trust is solely responsible for what happens on the golf courses, including sustainability initiatives. 

St. Andrews Links is an innovative leader in environmental practices and sustainability. They evaluated their energy use and immediately began to implement changes: Installing solar panels, changing out light bulbs, and moving to the use of electric mowers and vehicles. They’ll soon be invested in the latest irrigation technology to reduce water usage on the courses. 

One of the challenges they face as a coastal golf course is coastal erosion. The West Sands Project was launched to protect the Links from eventually going underwater. They also introduced the West Sands Rangers Service in 2022 to protect the natural habitat, including native birds and butterflies. 

Only eight greenkeepers have cared for the Old Course in between Old Man Morris and Gordon, which he feels is an honor and a privilege. Gordon is passionate about improving education opportunities for young greenkeepers and hopes he influences them to recognize the importance of sustainability and being environmentally friendly. 

Topics covered:

• Gordon’s career progression at St. Andrews Links (00:01:15 – 00:03:30)
  • Goron joined St. Andrews in 1995 as the Deputy Head Greenkeeper on the Eden course and worked there for 5 years before moving into the Head Greenkeeper role. 
  • Gordon spent 17 years as the Old Course manager before moving into the Greenkeeping Operations Manager role in 2023. 
• How the management of St. Andrews Links has evolved (00:03:31 – 00:08:17)

• In 1974, the golf course was handed over to be managed by the St. Andrews Links Trust.
• Every penny that comes into the organization is reinvested into the courses (for example, proceeds from the trust are used for free golf lessons for Juniors). 

• Being the steward of Old Tom Morris’s famous work [00:08:18 – 00:11:42) 

• As only the 9th person to manage the turf, Gordon feels it’s a privilege to follow in the footsteps of Old Tom Morris, heralded as the first sustainable greenkeeper.

• The evolution of sustainability at St. Andrews Links (00:11:43 – 00:18:03) 
  • St. Andrews Links is an innovative leader in environmental practices and sustainability to protect their heritage and history.
  • They launched the West Sands Project, replenishing gabions and dunes to protect against coastal erosion and preserve the Links. 
  • They focus on educating the next generation, making sure they know what they need to do to protect their future.
• Winning the Scottish Golf “Sustainable Project of the Year” Award (00:18:04 – 00:24:05) 
  • After evaluating their energy usage, they installed solar panels, changed out light bulbs to LEDs and sensor lights, and are using more electric and hybrid lawnmowers and vehicles. 
  • They plan to update the irrigation system to take advantage of the latest technology in sprinkler heads on the Old Course to further reduce water usage. 
  • They work with their partners to collect data to help them develop their products to better everyone in the industry. 
• The legacy Gordon hopes to leave for future generations (00:24:06 – 00:31:10) 

• Goron hopes his legacy will influence the next generation to understand the importance of sustainability and being environmentally friendly. 

Resources & People Mentioned

• St. Andrews Links
• St. Andrews Links Trust Awarded Sustainable Project of the Year

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