For four centuries, golf has been played on the Old course at St. Andrews. For just as long, perhaps, golfers have dreamed of journeying to this veritable golfing wellspring. The course is not alone in luring visitors: the Links Clubhouse, the Old Course Hotel, and the Royal and Ancient Golf club are attractions in their own right.
But perhaps most recognizable is a manmade feature on the last hold: the Swilcan Bridge, named for the Swilcan Burn, a stream that wanders across the first and 18th fairways. Originally designed for routine access from town to harbor rather than golfing convenience, the stone bridge has nonetheless become inextricably identified with the course - an icon of an icon.
For four centuries, golf has been played on the Old course at St. Andrews. For just as long, perhaps, golfers have dreamed of journeying to this veritable golfing wellspring. The course is not alone in luring visitors: the Links Clubhouse, the Old Course Hotel, and the Royal and Ancient Golf club are attractions in their own right.
But perhaps most recognizable is a manmade feature on the last hold: the Swilcan Bridge, named for the Swilcan Burn, a stream that wanders across the first and 18th fairways. Originally designed for routine access from town to harbor rather than golfing convenience, the stone bridge has nonetheless become inextricably identified with the course - an icon of an icon.
