GORDON McKIE APPOINTED HEAD

GREENKEEPER OF OLD
COURSE AT ST ANDREWS

Gordon McKie, born in Glasgow but brought up in Tain, Ross-shire, has been appointed head greenkeeper of the Old Course at St Andrews.
Gordon, pictured right (image courtesy of St Andrews Links Trust), began his career with an apprenticeship at Tain Golf Club. He studied at Elmwood College, Cupar and became deputy head greenkeeper at Tain in 1989.
He joined the St Andrews Links Trust greenkeeping staff in December 1995 as deputy head greenkeeper of the Eden Course.
Five years later he became head man before moving to the St Andrews new Course as head greenkeeper in January 2005.
Gordon is married to Susan and they have one son, five-year-old Ross.
His immediate task at the Old Course is to continue preparations for the venerable links to be in tip-top condition for the Weetabix Women’s British Open in August and – further ahead – the Curtis Cup match in the summer of 2008, following by the Open championship in 2010.
Gordon takes over from Euan Grant who is moving to a similar role at the development of a new course at Machrihanish on the Mull of Kintyre.
Having worked for the St Andrews Links Trust for 12 years, Gordon said he was very proud to be taking over at the Old Course.

BENCHMARK FOR WORLD'S LINKS COURSES
“It is a privilege to work on the most famous golf course in the world,” he said. “The history and tradition surrounding the Old Course makes it unique and it is continually under the glare of the international media spotlight. I am very much looking forward to maintaining the exceptionally high standard of the course and ensuring it continues to set the benchmark for links courses around the world.
Alan McGregor, general manager of St Andrews Links Trust, said: “There is no doubt that this is one of the most challenging and demanding greenkeeping roles in golf and in Gordon I am confident that we have someone who is more than up to the task. With his skills and experience