St Andrews golf resort signs deal with Scottish football club

What happens when the ‘Beautiful Game’ meets the ‘Royal & Ancient Game’? 

This surprising arrangement.

The Fairmont St Andrews resort, on the outskirts of golf’s hometown, has put pen to paper on a new ‘ strategic partnership’ with one of Scotland’s top football clubs.

Celtic? Nope. Rangers? Wrong again. Hibernian? Hearts? Afraid not.

The side in question, in fact, is Dundee United.

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Under the terms of the deal, the Tayside team will host their annual corporate golf days at the five-star Fairmont resort, as well as events for corporate networking programme Business United.

Kai Winkler, general manager of Fairmont St Andrews, said: “Fairmont St Andrews is thrilled to announce the partnership with Dundee United FC.

“We’re delighted to align with a historic club that has been at the heart of Scottish football for over a century.

“We take pride in delivering world-class hospitality and look forward to supporting the club, its players, and its passionate fan base.”

Mark Cunningham, the head of commercial and sponsorship at Dundee United, added: “This partnership with Fairmont St Andrews represents a significant milestone for the club.

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“Their commitment to quality and service aligns perfectly with our vision, and we are excited about the opportunities this collaboration will bring to the football club.”

Dundee United currently sit third in the Scottish Premiership after winning promotion from the Championship in 2023/24.

Fairmont St Andrews, meantime, opened in 2001. Originally called St Andrews Bay, it was built by US entrepreneur Don Panoz but changed its name to Fairmont St Andrews after it was purchased by Apollo Real Estate Advisors in 2006.

In 2012, the resort was named the “European Golf Resort of the Year” at the annual International Association of Golf Tour Operators awards.