With many golf clubs struggling to maintain or even increase membership, the Home of Golf just seems to get stronger and stronger.

This is the news from Links Trust that administer the seven golf courses in and around St. Andrews.

The Trust reports that this time each year it accepts applications for tee times for the following year and last Wednesday was the appointed day for 2012 applications.

The process of handling applications began at 10am and when complete a record of 1,800 applications were received from around the globe, and beating the record of 1,500 for 2011.

Of course, the number of successful applicants is not divulged but it is known that demand far outweighs supply each year.

“We are very encouraged to receive such a high number of tee time applications,” said Euan Loudon, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust.

“Normally in the second year after the Open Championship we would expect to see a fall in applications, but this year has seen record numbers apply.

“These are still challenging times in terms of the economy so it is important for Scottish golf tourism that we continue to see high numbers of visiting golfers choosing to come here to play.”

Golfers from all over the world travel to Scotland each year to play at St Andrews, most relying on the daily ballot system to get a tee time.

The lucky few who have been successful with their applications will be notified in coming weeks.

Golfers are invited to apply online directly to the Trust for Old Course tee times each September for the following year.

Although demand exceeds the number of times available, there is a ballot or lottery system in operation, which will run from 48 hours ahead from January 7, 2012, and tee times can be booked on the other Links courses.

Courses under the Links Trust administration include the famed Old Course, New, Jubilee, Eden, Strathtyum, Balgrove and the Castle Course.

For more details go to:  www.standrews.org.uk