Concierge Corner: Thomas Davidson
Thomas Davidson, Head Concierge Old Course Hotel, St. Andrews, Scotland
November 8, 2008
Of course, everyone associates St. Andrews and the Old Course Hotel with golf, since this is where the game was born 600 years ago. But what else is there to do and see?
We have the beautiful coast, the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral and Scotland’s oldest University. There are beautiful villages a short drive from here, such as Culross [pronounced Coo-ros], a 16th-century historical town with a little palace. You won’t believe the castles or the beautiful scenery.
And here at Old Course Hotel, we have the famous Kohler spa, which blows people’s minds. There is so much to do and I suggest that guests or their travel agents contact us in advance, so we can get everything booked and planned before they arrive.
Still, your claim to fame really is golf.
Yes, golfers have to come here because this is the home of golf. People even come here in the winter to golf. They are crazy.
The biggest question we get from our guests is, "How do I get to play on the Old Course?" And our answer is, put your name in the hat, like everyone else. Since the Old Course Hotel is on the famous Old Course, everyone thinks it is ours, but it is actually a public course, open to any golfer with a handicap of 24 or less (36 or less for women). People start queuing up at 4 or 5 a.m., so I suggest guests go to our golf stewards the day before. They will enter you in the drawing to save you the trouble.
And, I’ll give you another tip: One person has a better chance of getting on the course than a group of golfers. And [the course] is closed on Sundays.
How is it that the Old Course Hotel in Scotland ended up with a Kohler Waters spa?
Mr. Kohler owns the hotel. He is a keen golfer, so he came here, fell in love with the place and bought it. It was the greatest thing that ever happened to Old Course. He is spending money on The Dukes, the hotel’s own championship golf course, and updating all the rooms. If it needs doing, he is doing it. He is making this place really special.
Old Course Hotel
www.oldcoursehotel.kohler.com