The Old Course at St Andrews appoints 10th ‘keeper of the green’

The Home of Golf is set to welcome its 10th ‘keeper of the green’ since 1864, as a new Course Manager will be appointed next month.

Jon Wood will take the reins at the iconic Old Course, and carry on the historic lineage from Old Tom Morris, whose tenure lasted until 1904.

Morris, a four-time Open champion, is credited with much of the design of the Old Course, which Wood will manage.

The responsibility includes the day-to-day maintenance of the Old Course for the benefit of St Andrews’ residents and the tens of thousands of golfers who travel to play every year.

Wood will also oversee both the New and Jubilee courses for St Andrews Links Trust, both of which opened during Old Tom’s time in Fife.

He 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.

Wood also has previous experience at Trevose, Portmarnock, Doonbeg and Pinehurst, and will take over from long-term incumbent Gordon McKie.

He 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.”

• Rory McIlroy wants the Open outside of UK

• Tiger Woods’ new league adds latest owner

McKie has held the role for the past 16 years, welcoming three Open Championships, two Women’s Open’s and the Senior Open in 2018.

He will remain with St Andrews Links Trust, though, taking on the role of Greenkeeping Operations Manager to attract and develop the next generation of greenkeeping talent.

McKie said: “It has been the honour of a lifetime to oversee the Old Course for 16 years and I know how fortunate I’ve been to have been given such a responsibility.

“It is a role which has surpassed all my expectations and to have worked on so many major championships with such a great team has been an incredible experience.

• Rory McIlroy issues update on “back injury”

• Can you beat this incredible hole-in-one feat?

“I am excited to be able to begin a new chapter focussing on another passion of mine, which is nurturing and developing talent.

“St Andrews Links Trust has always been a great learning environment and I believe we can continue to attract and develop the very best in the industry.”

The greenkeeping restructure initiated by St Andrews Links Trust will see changes several changes made.

Graeme Taylor will become Course Manager at the Castle Course, while Kevin Muir will continue to lead the team at the Eden, Strathtyrum and Balgove courses.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.