Fairmont St Andrews Named as Euro Golf Resort of Year

The five-star Fairmont St Andrews resort has cemented its position as a leading golf destination by being voted the International Association of Golf Tour Operators’ (IAGTO) European Golf Resort of the Year 2012.

The award is one of the most prestigious available to golf resorts, having recognised the quality of its facilities and service and been voted for by IAGTO’s 400 plus specialist golf tour operators in 58 different countries.

It is the latest in a long line of accolades for the luxurious Scottish resort and comes hot on the heels of Fairmont St Andrews being named Golf Tourism Scotland’s Resort Hotel of the Year for the third time in four years.

And it was a double celebration for the region, as Fife won the European Golf Destination of the Year category.

Fairmont St Andrews’ general manager, Garrett Turta, who accepted the award on behalf of the resort, said: “We’re very proud of all the accolades Fairmont St Andrews has amassed, but this really is one of the resort’s biggest achievements.

“To have been voted the best in Europe by industry experts is quite a coup and a testament to the investment the owners have put in and the hard work and high standards of all our staff.”

Former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance designed one of Fairmont St Andrews’ championship courses and had recorded a special video message at the resort which was played at the awards ceremony.

He said: “Congratulations to the Fairmont St Andrews for winning European Golf Resort of the Year. The facilities here are superb; I love coming to stay at the resort for golf, leisure, fun, a wee dram, anything you like, it’s all available here. I’ve been involved with the Fairmont St Andrews for 10 years, and I’m delighted with the way the resort and courses have matured.”

In recent years Fairmont St Andrews has benefited from a £17m investment which included extensive improvements throughout both The Torrance and The Kittocks courses, refurbishment of the entire hotel and an extension to the leisure facilities to create a luxurious spa and fitness complex.

Since then the resort has hosted numerous prestigious events including final qualifying for the 2010 Open Championship, as well as being the venue for the last three Scottish Senior Opens.

During its 10-year history Fairmont St Andrews has accumulated a host of accolades for hospitality, golf, spa and cuisine, as well as welcoming some of the world’s most powerful individuals as the venue for a G20 summit and Northern Ireland peace talks, while Prince William was a regular visitor and member of the spa and gym while studying at university.

For more information or to book a stay, call 01334 837000, email standrews.scotland@fairmont.com or visit www.fairmont.com/standrews.

Fife Voted Europe's Best Golf Destination

Fife Recognised Internationally as the Golf Destination of Choice 

Fife has been named as the “Golf Destination of the Year – Europe, 2012” at The International Association of Golf Tour Operators Awards in Turkey last night (17th November). The Awards recognise exceptional contributions to the world of golf travel.

Stephen Owen, General Manager of Rufflets, St Andrews and member of the Fife Tourism Partnership was in Turkey with six Fife golf businesses to receive the Award. He said, ”This is a prestigious award for Fife – not only because it places Fife firmly on the international “green” as a fantastic place to visit and play golf, but also because it brings such important economic benefits to the area, too. It is an honour to accept the award on behalf of everyone in Fife involved with golf tourism and I am delighted to do so in the company of such excellent ambassador businesses from Fife, the home of Golf.”

Representatives from Fairmont St Andrews, Kingsbarns, Macdonald Rusacks Hotel, St Andrews Links, The Old Course Hotel and Stay in St Andrews have been exhibiting at The International Golf Travel Market in Antalya, Turkey this week. They were promoting Fife to hundreds of buyers and journalists from 65 countries, including Argentina, Norway, South Africa and China.

A second award also comes home to Fife as Fairmont St Andrews won Golf Resort of the Year – Europe, 2012.

Accolades poured in for both awards including from a delighted John Parker, chair of the Fife Tourism Partnership, “Congratulations to everyone involved and to the Fairmont for winning both these coveted titles. The reputation and economic value of internationally judged awards like these is immense and makes a huge contribution to tourism in Fife.”

Keith Winter, Head of Enterprise, Planning and Protective Services at Fife Council and interim Chair of the emerging Fife Golf Partnership, also congratulated the winners and said, “These awards provide a great launch platform for the new Fife Golf Partnership which will have its official launch next week. It is a network of Fife golf courses and clubs, accommodation providers, golf travel trade and industry trade associations working together to develop and improve the market position of Fife as a must-visit golf destination. We want to capitalise on Fife’s world class reputation and facilities and news of these awards is the perfect start.”

Scotland's For Me Recommended Favourite Fife Golf Hotels

• Inn at Lathones
• Crusoe Hotel
• Old Manor Hotel
• Lundin Links Hotels

Winter Golf Offers in Ayrshire

Found this offer by chance but thought it may be of interest to some of the many golfers looking for a wee break over the winter months.

Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club on the outskirts of Troon are offering some fantastic winter rates between now and March 2012 the best of which looks to be a fourball between Sunday and Friday - subject to the normal availability - for only £100. Given that the standard rate is between £57 and £67 you are saving a bit of money.

The course is normally in good condition throughout the year so some good golf in prospect - if there's not four of you, you can still get a game for £30 a round until February and £37 in March with under 18's saving a further 50%.

Give the club a call on 01292 313920 or visit their website

Check availability top right for some equally good accommodation offers and make a wee break of it!!

Scotland's For Scarlettt....

Seems that Scotland has really turned around the movie location issue with Batman 3, World War Z and last week's announcement of James Bond's SkyFall now being followed up by the news that Scarlett Johansson film Under the Skin heads north to Glencoe for filming this week.

According to BBC Scotland, scenes for a new film starring Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson are set to be shot at locations in the Highlands.

Under the Skin is based on a novel of the same name by Michel Faber, who lives in the Black Isle north of Inverness and is about an alien who picks up hitchhikers on the A9 road in the Highlands for spare body parts. Clearly based on real life then!

A Transport Scotland spokesman said that the A82 south of Loch Ba would be closed for 10 minute periods on Wednesday and Thursday, "Following discussions with the filming company Saltfilm, our operating company Scotland Transerv and the police, we have granted an order giving permission to carry out filming for the film Under the Skin on the A82.

"The Scottish government welcomes the continued interest in Scotland as a filming location and we are confident that any disruption to drivers will be minimal."
Well there we go enjoy beautiful Glencoe Scarlett - if you're inspired to go Celebrity spotting you can check latest availability in the West Highlands with Scotland's For Me - just enter your dates at the top right!

Golf Holidays with Stena

Best of Scotland Holidays has teamed up with Stena Line to make life easy for you.  Take your own car on Stena Line Belfast/Cairnryan route and enjoy not having to pay for excess baggage.

Put your clubs and luggage in the back of the car and relax on board. Why not spoil yourself and upgrade to Stena Plus. You will enjoy the Stena Plus lounge which includes complimentary tea/coffee and biscuits, wine and fruit.

Please get in touch with Best of Scotland and they will take care of all the arrangements for you. Contact either Marie, marie@best-of-scotland.co.uk or Lesley, lesley@best-of-scotland.co.uk or visit the Best of Scotland website

You can also call them as well 01592 752 990.