The £3 million extended Links House, the newly opened golf centre at Carnoustie Links, is the “perfect” facility for golfers at the Open and something the R&A would like to see at all championship venues.
The centre, which officially opened to the public on Monday, will become an entirely self-contained “one-stop” players facility during the 147th Open this July, when Carnoustie hosts the championship for the eighth time, the R&A’s director of championship operations Rhodri Price said yesterday.
There was some opposition within the town to the extended building but the R&A were always avid and vocal supporters of the Carnoustie Links Management Committee’s plans.
“It’s a facility we’ve been very excited about getting our hands on,” said Price, speaking at the Open Media Facilitation Day at Carnoustie yesterday.
“It will encompass everything the player needs under one roof, our liaison department, caddie facilities, lounge area, locker rooms and bag storage, even anti-doping.”
Player gymnasium and physiotherapy services will also be on hand while the new Rookery restaurant will serve as dining for those taking part in the championship and their families.
“Players will not have to move around from temporary buildings to permanent buildings,” added Price. “The plans we have going forward are to have similar facilities (to this) every year.”
Not much else has had to be changed at Carnoustie for the championship in July from the last time it hosted the open in 2007, just 19 yards being taken off the course and the only alterations to the course itself being a slight variance to the landing areas on the third hole.
The tiny change in yardage is almost all from extra seating around the first tee, where a “cauldron” atmosphere is planned with wraparound stands accommodating 500 people being installed for the first time.
In total there will be 13,000 grandstand seats, with 5300 of them in the 18th green arena. The largest stand has already been constructed on the north side of the 18th, which will also feature large pavilions for hospitality and R&A patrons lining the fairway.
Out on the course a new viewing area has been established in the area between the 7th, 8th and 12th holes, from where spectators can also view play on the short 13th.
“We’ve tried to create something like the loop on the Old Course, where a lot of holes converge and where there’s a wealth of golf going on,” added Price. “It’s going to be a great self-contained area where people can soak up the atmosphere.”
All the main spectator village facilities, including the retail tent and main public catering, will be based on the land to the east of the Carnoustie Golf Hotel.
The R&A are intent on increasing the size and scope of their campaign village, doubling the space for this year’s camp at Carnoustie High School from last year at Birkdale.
“We recognise that during the week of the Open the cost of accommodation in the locale can be pretty challenging for younger spectators and often a barrier to attending,” said Price. “For youth ticket holders and Under-25s the campsite is free of charge.”
