New owner to raise game at the Duke's

Rosemary Dewar, The Citizen, 8 October 2004

The heat is on to carry out a massive £5 million-plus redevelopment of the Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa and its Duke's Course over the next five years.

And, as celebrities and golf professionals gathered for this week's dunhill championship, new owner, American kitchen and bathroom magnate Herbert Kohler, pledged to place the Duke's Course on a par with Gleneagles.

The owner of Whistling Straits - where world number one, Vijay Singh, recently won the 2004 PGA Championship - told a press conference in the hotel on Tuesday that, when he heard just five weeks ago that the package was available, he knew it was right opening.

He had been looking to expand his 23-year-old resort business. Kohler Co currently owns two hotels and spas, four championship golf courses and 10 restaurants at its 'Destination Kohler' Village in Wisconsin.

In addition to buying the hotel and spa from the Kosaido Company of Japan, Kohler Co has bought over the management contract and development rights within the Duke's Course from Golf Resorts International Ltd (GRI). That includes Craigtoun Mansionhouse which Mr Kohler said was ''too beautiful'' to be left vacant or torn down. Detailed plans would be drawn up so that the project started by GRI could be completed, probably for timeshare units.

"I also hope the Duke's Course, over time, can be renovated to take its place in the scheme of things alongside the King's Course and Queen's Course (at Gleneagles) as one of the great parkland courses of Scotland,'' he added.

He said the Duke's had the potential for an additional par-three course, given the amount of land available.

"Some of the holes there are considered world class. We think through touches here and there we can bring the rest up to that standard too.'' said Mr Kohler.

Plans to enlarge the spa at the Old Course Hotel, increase the number of rooms and refurbish existing ones would hopefully be progressed this winter and early spring so that work could be completed before next year's Open Championship in St Andrews.

"Our objective is clearly to have this hotel as one of the leading hotels in Europe.'' said the golf fan, who visits St Andrews four times a year.

Asked if he was a member of the R&A he replied with a smile: "No, but I will be.''

Refusing to disclose how much the deal cost, Mr Kohler said previous press reports had been wrong. He had not paid the £35 million reported but would not confirm if he had spent more.

Swilken Holdings, reported as being involved, had nothing to do with the purchase.

Mr Kohler said he "doubted very much'' if there would be jobs lost in the changeover as the hotel, spa and golf course had been managed on a "cost-effective basis'' by GRI proprietor, Johnathon Thornton.