New Manager at St Andrews

Niall Flanagan has been selected from 400 applicants to the newly-created post of golf services manager at St Andrews Links Trust. Flanagan, 33, formerly worked for the PGA as a tournament director, at Wentworth as club administrator and at Celtic Manor as director of golf. His most recent post, since 1997, was general manager at the Dubai Golf and Racing Club, recently renamed the Nad Al Sheba Club. He will be responsible for managing reservations, caddies, orderlies, rangers, starters and both clubhouses on the Links, and will have more than 100 staff reporting to him at peak times.

"Quality of service is a high priority for the Trust and this new appointment
demonstrates our determination to deliver a first-class service to golfers,"
said Alan McGregor, the Links Trust's general manager. "Mr Flanagan has
worked in prestigious golf clubs of international standing and brings with
him experience of developing customer service to the highest level. He will
be a great asset to the Trust in its drive to become a world centre of
excellence."

In addition to maintaining six public courses, the Trust manages two
clubhouses, three shops and an extensive practice centre. The number of
rounds played over all the courses each year exceeds 200,000 and demand is
expected to keep rising.