Crunch threatens St Andrews vista after fears of disrepair in one of two buildings

The Daily Mail, 19 July 2008

There is major concern within the R&A about the future of the most famous vista in golf - the two buildings, one of which is in danger of falling into disrepair, behind the 18th hole at St Andrews.

The view, which appears in the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire, consists of the R&A's immaculate St Andrews clubhouse HQ and Hamilton Hall, a former university hall of residence.

Students famously hung a banner from their building reading 'Hit it here Nick' the day after Nick Faldo refused to play his approach shot in a Dunhill Cup match because, he claimed, fog was obscuring his view of the green.

Three years ago the student accommodation was sold off by St Andrews University for more than £20million to developers who wanted to turn the building into luxury flats.

The economic downturn has seen the project stall since the sale and the empty property is looking increasingly shabby, causing much concern to the R&A, golf's ruling body.

Chief executive Peter Dawson said: 'We have made our position clear. We want the building work to start as soon as possible but have had no guarantees from the developers.'