Food Focus: St Andrews, Scotland

As well as being a world famous destination for golfing aficionados, did you know that St. Andrews is also a must visit destination for any serious food lover?

With over 60 restaurants and cafes to choose from, St. Andrews has something to suit every taste bud.  Here is just a few of the many restaurants to visit when in The Home of Golf:

The Seafood Ristorante:

Are you crazy for crab, a sucker for squid or just fancy some fish?  Why not indulge yourself in the Seafood Ristorante, a stone’s throw from the Royal & Ancient Clubhouse, where you can take in the awesome views of the sea courtesy of the floor to ceiling windows.  Fulfil your fishy fantasies at this fantastic restaurant.

The Seafood Ristorante

Rocca Restaurant:

Located adjacent to the 18^th fairway of the world famous Old Course, this elegant restaurant serves locally sourced Italian and Scottish cuisine.  This is the ideal restaurant to reflect upon your round on the Old Course as you gaze out over the Valley of Sin and remember the highlights of your round just gone, or reflect on what might have been…

The Adamson:

Located in the heart of the historic town of St. Andrews, this classic brasserie style restaurant can boast of being crowned Scotland’s Restaurant of the Year in 2015 & Casual Restaurant of the Year in 2016.

Balgove Larder Steak Barn

The Jigger Inn:

Perhaps the most famous 19^th Hole in all of golf, this historic lodge dates back to the 1850s where you can wile away the hours with the locals as you admire the many items of golfing memorabilia contained within.  Why not partake in some wonderful home cooked food, washed down with one of the many Scottish beers on offer.

The Balgove Larder Steak Barn:

If a fine steak is your thing, look no further than The Steak barn at Balgove Larder.  Set in a former sawmill, this restaurant clings to its rustic past, with walls of potato boxes and rough hewn communal tables handmade on the farm by the resident joiner.  A meat lovers feast awaits you as your meat is cooked to order on a massive wood fired barbeque.

This October, why not indulge both your golfing and dining desires by visiting St. Andrews and participating in the inaugural Executive Golf & Leisure International Pairs Championship.  Come and play The Old Course, The Championship Course at Carnoustie Golf Links and Kingsbarns Golf Links, and sample the rich and varied array of fine restaurants that St. Andrews has to offer.

View and book our International Pairs Championship here.

All I want for Christmas is...

With the countdown to Christmas moving along this week and Mariah Carey's 1994 Christmas hit playing on repeat, we surveyed the office to find out what the gang would want for Christmas this year. This is what they said.

All I want for Christmas is...

"To improve those pesky four-foot putts."
-Graeme

"To get my fifth hole in one. Yes, fifth. One of them was a par 4, 289 yards at the 13th hole at Auchterarder Golf Club."
-Cameron

“A private lesson from Natalie Gulbis. I was fortunate enough to be a referee for her at the 2006 Women's Open and it was a delight meeting her."
-Gordon

"To play abroad somewhere exotic like the Maldives and then rest my head at one of those water villas to relax in after."
-Lynsey

"A new pair of tailor-made clubs. It's really hard to move to new clubs, but I am ready."
-Mairead

"Four tickets to the US Masters. I would bring three of my best pals to Augusta followed by a week in Florida to golf some of their finest courses."
-James

"To find the perfect pro. After working with EG&L, I am determined to learn to golf."
-Angela

Meet Cameron: The newest member of the Executive Golf and Leisure Team

When asked to describe his mantra in three words, Cameron Long, an expert in events management in the hospitality, golf and leisure industry for 26 years, said "try anything once" and it appears as if he has. Between his experience facing a near-death experience skiing through the Swiss Alps and braving his way through a (successful) shark cage diving expedition in New Zealand, Cameron is not the type to turn any exciting opportunity down.

His experience working at Gleneagles, the 5-star luxury hotel, spa and golf resort as the Events Manager has exposed him to additional highlights in his life. During his career, he has managed hundreds of corporate golf events including being the event manager for the US team during the Ryder Cup in 2014 and leading daily meetings with Tom Watson and his team. Yet, the journey to becoming the high-end resort's Event Manager had a number of stops along the way.

Cameron spent the early part of his life working as a tailor in London for 6 months. Not totally convinced of the city slicker lifestyle, the country boy from New Lanarkshire made his moves back home to Scotland after a few years where he ended up working his way through various roles at Gleneagles including bartending at "The American Bar" to joining the valet and even housekeeping teams. It was not until the director of golf took notice of his impassioned golf talent and love for the game until Cameron started his journey working in golf and leisure management.

In our interview, he revealed that he has spent the last 41 years trying to master golf and is only beginning to realise that he may have wasted a lot of time. Nevertheless, when asked how to describe himself in a hashtag it has to be #golfmad. He has been a member of the Auchterarder Golf Club for over 40 years, currently playing off a 5 handicap. Now, he looks forward to learning something new every day as our newest Corporate and Events Specialist where he can apply his problem-solving skills, and calm demeanour to his new role with us. He told us that he is an avid juggler in secret, another fantastic skill to have when working in this industry. We look forward to working with Cameron on a number of corporate and private events through the years.

What to do when visiting St. Andrews in 2019

Visitors to St. Andrews are spoiled for choice when it comes to discovering things to do when they visit the historic town. Here are just a few of the things a visitor can sample during their time in the “Auld Grey Toun":

1. Soak up the rich and diverse history of the town itself:

Take a tour of the St. Andrews Cathedral, dating back to 1158, or breathe in the majesty of the 13th century St. Andrews Castle.

2. Explore the Town’s Museums:

Learn the history and origins of the game of golf, with over 500 years of golfing history during a tour of The British Golf Museum, or immerse yourself in the historic academic history of St. Andrews as you wander through the Museum of St. Andrews, Scotland’s oldest University – founded in 1413.

St Andrews Cathedral

3. A Haven for Beer,  Whisky & Gin Lovers:

Why not sample the delights of the Kingsbarns Distillery or Eden Mill and treat yourself to a well deserved tipple…

4. Take in the beauty of St. Andrews:

Take a leisurely stroll along the iconic West Sands, watch the boats come and go in St. Andrews Harbour, or witness the vibrant smells and colours of the Botanic Gardens.

Why not do all of this whilst on go golfing break, playing some of the world’s most famous golf courses?

2019 International Pairs Championship, St Andrews

International Pairs Championship, St. Andrews

This October you can come to St. Andrews and play the host venue of last year’s Open Championship - Carnoustie Championship Course, Kingsbarns Golf Links – host venue of the 2017 Ricoh Women’s British Open, and the home of golf itself – The Old Course, St. Andrews, as a participant in the inaugural Executive Golf & Leisure International Pairs Championship.

Full details are available on the Executive Golf & Leisure website, please click the link below:
International Pairs Championship Details

Come and play in in a fun and exciting Pairs Championship and see everything that St. Andrews has to offer…

Private Advance Old Course Tee Times 2019 Open Now until 5th of September, 2018

2019 Old Course Tee Times applications are open now until the 5th of September, 12:00 a.m. (British Summer Time).

Once all applications have been received a Ballot (lottery) will be drawn for each category to determine the order of allocation. Applicants will receive an email confirming whether or not their advanced application was successful or unsuccessful by mid October, 2018.

Free to apply. Apply now for your chance to golf the Old Course in 2019.

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Accepted or not, it's a Win Win!

Successful Old Course Tee Time Applicants:

Yay, you made it! Now what?

Once you have been successful, our luxury travel consultants can help you build your dream golf tour of St Andrews. Our team will support you with the finest accommodation closest to the course, ground or private air transportation, dinner reservations, caddie requests, spa reservations, sightseeing suggestions and more!

Build Your Dream Vacation to St Andrews Now and make your Old Course golfing dream a reality in 2019.

For unsuccessful applicants:

Fret not, you still have options!

You can still golf the Old Course! As an authorised provider, we are one of the few golf tour operators who have access to guaranteed tee times on the much coveted Old Course in St Andrews. We have a range of packages for you to choose from. Or, we can help assist you with booking one of the many other prestigious courses Scotland has to offer.

View our Packages and Guaranteed Tee Times here.