John Grant, a top PGA European Tour administrator who has played a key role in organising and running professional tournaments joined St Andrews Links Trust this week as golf manager.
Mr Grant, who is 40 years-old, has 17 years of experience in the golf industry and brings an exceptional knowledge of the game to the Home of Golf.
"I am delighted to welcome John to the Links," said Alan McGregor general manager of St Andrews Links Trust, which administers and maintains the courses and facilities at St Andrews, including the Old Course.
"His track record at all levels of the game is very impressive and I am confident he will make a major contribution to the continuing success and appeal of St Andrews."
John Grant takes up his post ahead of several major events at St Andrews, including the Women’s British Open which will grace the Old Course this August, next year’s Curtis Cup and The Open in 2010.
More than 200,000 rounds are played on the Links each year and among John’s responsibilities will be overseeing on-course staff at the six courses.
John will also have a major role to play in the opening of The Castle Course, the seventh Links Trust course, next year.
Educated at Dunbar Grammar School and the University of Stirling, John Grant was a member of the Scottish schools’ team, captain of the Scottish universities’ team and Scottish Universities’ champion while playing to a handicap of +1.
After joining the Professional Golfers’ Association in 1989, Mr Grant went on to become the youngest ever PGA regional secretary when he took over administration duties in the Midlands Region of England in 1993.
In 1995 he took up the position of club administrator at the prestigious Wentworth Club in Surrey, taking responsibility for all golf services at the 2000 member facility which is also home to the BMW PGA Championship and the World Matchplay.
For the last nine years he has been involved in the day to day administration of European Tour championships, overseeing the preparation of tournament venues and ensuring the smooth running of events.
"St Andrews is the greatest place in the world to play golf," said Mr Grant. "With The Castle Course due to open next spring, this really is an exciting time to be involved at the Links."
Ends.
Notes to editors
St Andrews Links Trust is a charitable organisation responsible for the management and maintenance of the Links courses at St Andrews, including the famous Old Course, host of the 2010 Open Championship. The Trust was established in 1974. It employs more than 200 permanent staff and seasonal workers during the high season. It manages a number of additional facilities including two clubhouses, a golf practice centre and three shops.
More than 200,000 rounds are played over six public courses, which feature two additional championship courses (the New and the Jubilee), two 18-hole courses (the Eden and the Strathtyrum) and a nine-hole course (the Balgove). A seventh course, The Castle Course, is under construction on a site to the south-east of St Andrews. It is due to open next year. Bookings are being taken from September 2007.
For more information visit www.standrews.org.uk.
Contact:
Mike Woodcock
Communications manager
St Andrews Links Trust
01334 466610
07919 946064
E-mail mikewoodcock@standrews.org.uk
