The Scots invented golf but tried to keep it to themselves. They ship nationwide. Nowhere is the trend more profound than in the United States, where the sport has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry and, in many places, has gone private. Over time, and to a lesser extent, influences flowed the other way, as American wealth and ideas were carried back across the Atlantic.
In Scotland, fully independent clubs, such as bulgies, are rare. But a few that exist, including Loy Lomond and Skibo, are investigators and working with the Americans. And now one takes shape in perhaps the most unexpected place of all: St. Andrews, the ancient home of public golf.
With local approval in hand, the people behind the hogs head, a special setting on the southwest coast of Ireland, are moving forward with a project called hogs haven, in the hills overlooking the city. It will be the first new course built in the St Andrews area since David McLay Kidd unveiled the Castle course in 2008. Work has continued quietly, but here’s what we know so far.
A historic site
For two decades, the property at FedDinch Mains – about two miles south of St. Andrews and the boundary of the course of the officer – it was the story of On-Nature Dolf Dreams. Various development plans have arrived. In 2010, the Scottish owner stepped in, bringing in Tom Weiskopf to set the course. With approval already in place with the hotel, the stage seemed set. But after several years, the property changed hands to American investors with the intention of carrying the project over the edge. The sudden passing of We WefikoPoPF took that momentum away, and eventually the owner chose to put the property back on the market.
Enter the hogs
The new developers, who bought the site in 2023, are Tony Alvarez and Bryan Marsal, Marsal golf – the same duo behind the hogs head, a private residence overlooking the Atlantic in Ireland. Their Résumé in the field of golf is recent but notable: When they acquired the hogs head property in 2015, they inherited golf’s tendency towards tofer-to-Club med. They demolished the hotel, bought an addition to the surrounding farm, and hired Robert Trent Jones Jr. making new art. Today, the hog’s head includes a 46-room residence and a collection of rooms that cater to a special membership, known among them as “hogs.” Alvarez & Marsal also owns Paaoao Ridge in New Mexico.
What is to come
Golf.com has learned that the St Andrews Project will include: an 18-hole course; Standalone Par-3 course; Himalayas-style sets the course; practice centers; Luxury Lodge, with six guest rooms. Construction milestones are already penciled in Rooms, like counting the room in the hogs head. Each suite will look out over the city and St. Andrews.
Meet the architects
The Main 18 route will be led by DJ Russell, former European Tour Pro and long-time partner of Ian Woosnam. Russell will also develop a range of short game positions. Fil Smith – who has been working with Weikopf for many years – will build a 10-hole par-3 course and Himalayan-style putting greens, incorporating the WeiskoPF concepts for the site.
Price of admission
A spokesperson for the club declined to discuss pricing, but a source familiar with the project told Golf.com that the start-up fee is expected to be around $150,000. The finer points of the membership structure are still being finalized.
