New 'Keeper of the Green' appointed at Home of Golf

The Old Course has appointed its 10th 'Keeper of the Green' to takeover as Course Manager at the Home of Golf.

12 Sep 2023

The Old Course at St Andrews will welcome its 10^th ‘keeper of the green’ since 1864 next month when Jon Wood takes over as Course Manager at the Home of Golf from long-time incumbent Gordon McKie.

Carrying on the historic lineage from Old Tom Morris, who is credited with much of the design of the Old Course during his tenure from 1864-1904, Wood will take on responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance of the Old Course for the benefit of the local residents of St Andrews and the tens of thousands of golfers who travel to play every year.

As well as managing the Old Course, Wood will also oversee both the New and Jubilee courses for St Andrews Links Trust, both of which opened during Old Tom’s time at the Home of Golf.

Wood previously served as Deputy Course Manager at the Old Course from 2006-2011 before becoming Course Manager at the Castle Course for St Andrews Links Trust in 2015. He also has previous experience at Trevose, Portmarnock, Doonbeg and Pinehurst.

Discussing his new role, Wood said:

“I’m incredibly excited to be given the opportunity to carry on the great work of Gordon and everyone who has gone before him here at the Home of Golf. The Old Course in particular holds a special place in the hearts of golfers around the world and to have the responsibility of maintaining something which means so much to so many people is a privilege.”

McKie has been Course Manager at the Old Course for the past 16 years, during which time he has welcomed multiple championships, including three Open Championships in 2010, 2015 and The 150^th Open in 2022, two Women’s Open’s in 2007 and 2013 and the Senior Open Championship in 2018.

He will remain with St Andrews Links Trust, taking on a new role of Greenkeeping Operations Manager, utilising his expertise and international network to attract and develop the next generation of greenkeeping talent to the Home of Golf as well as ensuring the Trust remains at the forefront of R&D projects, technology and developments in the industry.

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