Kingsbarns Links …. Proudly 25-Years Young (17th July, 2000 – 17th July, 2025)

4 months ago by Comments Off on Kingsbarns Links …. Proudly 25-Years Young (17th July, 2000 – 17th July, 2025)

This week not only marks the 25th anniversary of Tiger Woods capturing the 129th Open Championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews by an incredible eight shots but a double 25th anniversary celebration of the official opening of Kingsbarns Links.

Officially it was Monday 17th July, 2000 when the late St. Michael Bonallack struck the opening tee shot to herald the opening of Kingsbarns Links and located just a few miles to the east of St. Andrews.

Sadly, Sir Michael passed away in September 2023 but the memories from that day 25-years remain clear in the minds of those in attenance.

Five years ago Kinsbarns Links was all set to celebrate its 20th birthday but those plans had been tempered by the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.

Work on designing the present Kingsbarns Links had begun in 1997 under the eye of course designer Kyle Phillips.  The history of the club dates back to 1793, when the Kingsbarns Golfing Society was first formed.  While the original 9-hole course closed in 1850, a new 9-hole course was established in 1922, only to be closed again during World War II. 

At the time work begun at Kingsbarns Links, two year’s earlier in 1995 the Peter Thomson designed Dukes Course had been opened while in 1996 the Gil Hanse designed Craighead Links course at Crail Golfing Society was unveiled to the public.

This unveiling of new courses in the Home of Golf region continued when the Fairmont St Andrews’ Torrance and Kittocks courses both opened in 2001. The Torrance course opened first, in April 2001, while the Kittocks (originally known as the Devlin course) opened in 2002. 

So, once Phillips’ work was complete plans could be put in place for an official opening early in 2000 however the COVID-related lockdown meant a postponing Kinsbarn’s official new season opening due for March 28.

However further delays meant Kingsbarns Links was not officially opened until July 17th, 2000.

Since then Kingsbarns Links has not only established itself as a ‘must play’ Scottish golfing destination but also a gaint in hosting leading men’s and women’s competing headed by a round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship since 2001 to a 23rd later this year in September

Kingsbarns Links had been honoured in 2017 with staging the Ricoh Women’s British Open. Earlier, in 2008, the club hosted the Jacques Leglise Trophy and in 2010, Kingsbarns was handed hosting the Open Championship local qualifying for The Open held that year at St Andrews

Since Kingsbarns Links was close to a million golfers from all over the globe have walked over the hallowed fairways.

Speaking from own experience, Kingsbarns is propably my favourite.  It’s a golf course where there is always an extended arm present to greet you and where a struggling 15-handicapper can squeeze out a few pars.

Well done Kingbarns Links.  Here’s to the first 25-years and the best of wishes for the next 25.



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