Coober Pedy Golf club is the only course in the world that has playing rights at St.Andrews
Last week Aussie Golfer alluded to the fact that Coober Pedy Golf Course is the only golf course in the world that has reciprocal playing rights with St.Andrews. I mentioned it briefly in golf trivia too but one look at the golf course and you may doubt the story. It does has a “divot” associated with it but we didn’t want to let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Back in 2002, the Coober Pedy Golf Course clubhouse was destroyed by fire. After the new clubhouse was built, the club president sent St.Andrews a photo of the course and told them it was about time they got their course in good shape and asked if they would like reciprocal membership.
Much to the his surprise a letter arrived from St.Andrews Links Trust granting reciprocal rights on the provision they grant St.Andrews an opal mine. The opal mine and reciprocal rights were given making Cooper Pedy Golf Course the only course in the world with reciprocal rights with St.Andrews.
The “divot” in this story is that the reciprocal rights granted to the Coober Pedy Golf Club members is for the Balgove Course, the 9-hole and perhaps worst course in the St.Andrews Links Trust portfolio. All the same, it is a good story.
Is St Andrews a public course?
Well, not strictly speaking but you can play on the course through a ballot and for a fair bit of money. Think around $300 AU.
Plenty of other courses under the St.Andrew’s trust arm where one can play fairly simply.