Ok, so I know I'm planning WAY ahead for this, but for my husband's 40th birthday, I'm planning to take him to the British Open at St. Andrews in 2010. Does anyone who's been before having any suggestions re: lodging, tickets, packages, transportation, the works? I'm starting at square one right now, so any suggestions are appreciated.

A friend who has gone before did recommend the Rusacks Hotel and the St. Andrews Hotel and Spa. I know both are right on the golf course - do I have any prayer of getting a reservation at either, and does anyone have any suggestions for doing so? I've already emailed both hotels and am waiting for responses.

Thanks in advance for any help!!

My son and I have spent the last four summers in St. Andrews, playing much golf and enjoying the Scottish hospitality. We both marshalled during the 2005 Open and had a great experience.

That said, I would secure a place to stay first. Some hotels to check are: Rusack's, Scores, Russell, Pilmour, and Dunvegan. You also can rent/let an apartment. I can give you a couple of letting agencies, if you desire. B & B's are also available. The main thing is to be there!

Tickets will be no problem. You can purchase them at the Open. I would fly into either Edinburgh or Glasgow--then take the train or bus to St. Andrews. You will have no need for a car during the Open. Plenty to do--the town will be crowded--but you will have a blast. Atmosphere is electric and the golf fans are the best in the world.

Let me know if I can be of further help.

Cheers,

Jinx Hoover
[email protected]

I would agree with your friend that the St. Andrews Hotel and Spa is excellent but as you will expect, will be expensive during the 2010 Open. The St Andrews Bay Hotel just outside and above St Andrews is also very good but there may be a problem of transportation the short distance into St Andrews due to the crowds attending.It is a spectacular event especially at the home of golf. I would contact them as soon as possible to see when they will start taking provisional and confirmed bookings

I went to The Open in St Andrews in 2000. We stayed in Edinburgh. Without wanting to sound cynical, I doubt it if you will be able to stay anywhere near the course. The infrastructure of the Open is such that all the really amazing accommodation is taken over by players, their entourage, media, rich people, etc. St Andrews itself is very small and not designed to cater for such a huge event but you will probably be able to B&Bs at the very least. I would recommend that you stay in Edinburgh. There are some gorgeous hotels there (the Balmoral, the Glasshouse, the Witchery, etc). Have you been to Edinburgh?

To get from Edinburgh to the Open, they lay on special trains which take you directly from Edinburgh to St Andrews. That takes about 25 mins. It's great because the atmosphere is fantastic - everyone from tattooed Scottish golf fans to Americans are on the train, chatting and laughing. From there, you disembark and get on double-decker buses (this is all included in the price of the train ticket) and taken directly to the course. You will not be able to drive a car anyway, the roads will be closed. It's a massive but very well organised operation. For tickets, you can buy them in advance or on the gate. Visit: www.opengolf.com for more info.

Edinburgh, if you haven't been, is simply gorgeous - there is much to see and do and plenty of fantastic places to eat. We are going to next year's open - at Carnoustie - and are planning to stay in Edinburgh for that as well although my father is planning to rent a cottage for the week and do some sightseeing.

Good luck!

The past two years I tried to make plans to see the Open. What came as a surprise was the cost of air travel. Two weeks before and two weeks after the lowest airfare was $2,000 each way. This was the coach fare. So, be sure to check this out far in advance of the rest of your of your planning. Oh, this was from San Francisco to Heathrow.

>two weeks before and two after the lowest fare was $2000 EACH way>
This is almost impossible to believe. The British Open would never have that kind of effect on air fares. In fact, the fares to Dublin a week before and a few days after the Ryder Cup in Ireland this September were totally normal a few months ago.

I went to the Open a few years ago and my fare from LAX was totally normal a week before and a few days after the event.

Agreed that prices for most everything will go UP--some way UP!! I can't help you with air travel since we are already there in advance. And all accomodations will cost more. You might check into the various packages--they will be expensive--but would include all the neccesities.

You have a lot of time. I would continue to explore all possibilities for travel, accomodations, etc. I have many friends in St. Andrews and I will check with them regarding any "deals". There are always things that develop that the general public may miss out on.

I would just estimate a total cost for 6-7 days (including travel time) to be around $10,000. $4,400 for transportation. $2,500 for lodging. $500 for admission to the Open. $1,500 for meals. $1,000 miscellaneous (pubs, souvenirs, shopping). You can get by for less--and you obviously can spend a lot more.

The recommendation to stay in Edinburgh is also an attractive option. Lovely, lively city with a lot to see and do. I just think you could miss out on the Open atmosphere that will permeate St. Andrews 24 hours a day. Last year my son and I "rubbed shoulders" with players, caddies, coach/teachers, reporters, photographers, locals, and fans from all over the world (mostly after the day's golf was completed). All the pubs, eateries, lobbies, etc. were filled with friendly golf enthusiasts. What an experience!

So keep up your quest and listen to all who have suggestions. By all means, BE There!!

Cheers,

Jinx Hoover

Perhaps the price shown was a glich, however, I just went into the British Airways site and used a departure date of October 30 and got a cost of $269, then for the return in November I got a price of $2069 from the 1st to the 4th. Then it goes back to the $269. fare. Maybe it shows a high price due to being booked? Sure would like to know.

Just looking at the prices quoted by jinx & it just confirms my belief that golfers have more money than sense.

WOW, y'all are INCREDIBLY helpful. Thanks so much for the tips so far. FYI, the Rusack emailed back and they are already booked. The St. Andrews Hotel & Spa will not begin accepting reservations for the 2010 Open until after the 2007 Open. However, they emailed me their price list from the 2005 Open, and the cheapest room, with a 5 night minimum stay, was $5200 US for the 5 nights. Outrageous, yes, but there is something very appealing about stay right on the course.

Jinx, are the other hotels that you listed within walking distance to the course? We will definitely explore other options, such as Edinburgh, but would love to be within walking distance to the course if it's at all feasible.

Again, many thanks for all of your suggestions . . . keep them coming!

Jinx's budget is VERY generous (one <i>might</i> say outrageous). One could <u>quite easily</u> do it for less than half that amount. Not if you must stay at the Old Course Hotel, fly business class, and have a lot of $150 meals.

Of course, if that is the way you normallly travel and you spend that sort of money on a week's vacation - go for it. Nothing at all wrong w/ splurging. But I could set you up for a fraction and not even charge the difference . . . .

What is the name of the posh restaurant that overlooks the old course? Is it Glen Eagles or something like that? I just can't remember even though I have eaten there.

Cheers, thanks a lot.

Most of the other hotels jinx mentioned are on The Scores which is very close to the course.

I'm not sure what you mean by the St Andrews Hotel and Spa. I suspect you mean the St Andrews Bay, which, as mentioned above is NOT on the course.

The Old Course, which janis mentioned, is, and would be THE place to be, but probably off the range for anyone but Trump.

I can't think of any restaurant that overlook the course except for the hotel restaurants at the Rusacks and the Old Course. The Seafood Restaurant (sic) is very close.

Having twice been to the Open at St Andrews, and once at Muirfield, the single thing that would stop me going back is the traffic within the last 10 miles, (they don't actually close the roads; it just feels like it) and since you have to take the bus from Leuchars if you go by train, the only bearable option is to stay in St Andrews itself (unless, of course, they do that thing with the QE II again; moor it in the bay and helicopter everyone in and out). So I would rule out Edinburgh. On this notice, it will not be a problem to get somewhere.

The Golf Hotel on the Scores is another one to ask.

I'd like to add the St. Andrews Bay Resort to the recommendations for accommodation.

I stayed there at last year's Open tournament and quite enjoyed it. It is located slightly out of town, amidst two nice links style golf courses of its own and overlooking the (you guessed it) Bay.

They run frequent shuttle busses into town and I never had to wait for more than 10 minutes to be picked up.

Rooms are nice enough (just tell them you don't want one facing the silly glass roof of the lobby that a moron of an architect has diligently put in a position to obstruct an otherwise beautiful view that would enable one to see as far as the Firth of Forth). A neat pool and spa area is at your disposal and their atmosphere is casually classy.

Here's the website, should you be interested:

http://www.standrewsbay.com/

I just read that it will now be managed by Fairmont Hotels - not a bad recommendation either, I should think.

My &quot;guess-timate&quot; was just that--based on staying in St. Andrews and based on the air fares that someone else mentioned. You obviously can do it for less. Stay 30-40 miles away and drive in. Friends did that last year and had no problem. But then you introduce car rental and petrol costs.

All of the hotels, B &amp; B's, and even private residences will jack up their prices for the Open. Just keep inquiring and decide what you would pay for certain accomodations. The Old Course Hotel was taken by the players in 2005--they could just walk out for their practice sessions and the competition. Some (like Nicklaus) elect to stay out of town and away from the festivities.

As I said before, we have many friends and acquaintances (caddies, club members, business owners) who can supply &quot;local knowledge&quot; regarding costs and availability. We can keep up to date that way, if you like. We also know the concierge at St. Andrews Bay and can determine their policies.

Nothing in golf compares to the Open at St. Andrews. Well worth all the planning and effort.

Cheers,

Jinx Hoover

Well, no -- one wouldn't have to stay 30 or 40 miles away. Accomodations in St Andrews will be higher than normal, but there are LOTS of options in town besides the hotels on the course/The Scores.

And w/i 10 miles are Crail, Anstruther and Cupar among other villages. As long as one booked far ahead, nice rooms can be had for $200-$250 per night double. But NOT at the posh hotels for sure.

$10000 for a 6-7 day stay is ridiculous. Perhaps the university of St. Andrews rents out its dormitories at very reasonable rates. Personally, I would stay in Edinburgh, go to the Open for one day and spend the rest doing something interesting like touring Edinburgh and the Borders

When I went to St. Andrews a few years ago, I stayed at a place called the St. Andrews Golf Hotel. It's just a few doors down from the first tee of the Old Course, a very nice, small hotel. You might want to check it out, it's right in the middle of things and would be cheaper than the Old Course Hotel and Spa.

I menat to post a link to the St. Andrews Golf Hotel--here it is:

http://www.standrews-golf.co.uk/index.htm