Dunvegan Hotel In St Andrews Interview – Episode #5
Posted on 19. Apr, 2009 by Andy Brown in Golf, Where to Eat, Where to Stay
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This week I visited the Dunvegan Hotel, which is located a 9-iron from the Old Course’s 18th green (depending on the wind!) on the corner of Golf Place and North Street in St Andrews.
The Dunvegan Hotel, which was deemed the perfect 19th hole by Sam Torrence, is owned and operated by Sheena and Jack Willoughby. Jack, a 4th generation Texan, and his Scottish wife Sheena were kind enough to show me round the Golfers Corner Lounge Bar (although I was somewhat familiar with it, having sunk a few pints there on previous visits!) and chatted with me about how their hotel has come to be St Andrew’s premier drinking spot for players, caddies and golf fans!
Popping in to the Dunvegan Hotel for a drink and something to eat is as much a part of the St Andrews experience as visiting the Old Course. You only have to look around the bar to see that visitors come back time and again for the warm welcome, the fine selections of beers, ales, and spirits, freshly prepared homemade meals and some post-golf banter! During this episode I had a chance to chat to some golfers in the bar who had made the journey from their home courses of NorthGate Country Club in Texas and Green Island Country Club in Georgia to St Andrews many times to enjoy the Dunvegan’s amazing hospitality and great Scottish links golf.
Jack and Sheena are both avid golfers themselves who told me that despite having played the Old Course innumerous times, every time they stand on the first tee it’s still special to them.
As well as its popular bar the Dunvegan also boasts a fantastic restaurant, the Claret Jug. They offer a variety of mouth watering dishes and specialize in quality char grilled steaks. Of course you can top off your meal with your choice of over 50 single malt whiskies covering all regions of Scotland!
This family-run St Andrews hotel also offers comfortable overnight accommodation. It can comfortably sleep 16 golfers in its 2 double rooms, 3 twin bedrooms and the Auchterlonie Suite (situated immediately across the street from the Dunvegan) which consists of 3 bedrooms, 2 spacious bathrooms with power showers and jacuzzi baths, a large living room and a kitchen. I’ve stayed their myself during a golf holiday a few years before I moved to St Andrews and can highly recommend it. The accommodation is perfect, lots of room for golf clubs, hanging up wet waterproofs and the best news is that Jack and Sheena will fit in breakfast around your tee times!
Check out my latest episode to witness the friendly atmosphere for yourself and see some of the Dunvegan’s past celebrity visitors. The walls of the bar are lined with a collection of photographs of Sheena and Jack taken with golfing legends who have frequented the bar for a post-golf tipple including Tiger Woods, Lorena Ochoa, Mark O’Meara, John Daly and celebrities ranging from George Bush Snr to Hugh Grant. Take a look at this video especially shot by The Golf Channel during the Open, they call the Dunvegan Hotel “one of the best hangouts in the world of golf!”. No wonder Lorena Ochoa choose The Dunvegan for her 2007 Women’s British Open winner’s part here.
One of the Dunvegan’s most regular visitors was Arnold Palmer’s former caddie Tip Anderson who used to shuffle into the bar on a regular basis for a half-pint of Eighty Shillings beer with a rum and water on the side. In the bar of the Dunvegan you can still see for yourself a brass plaque above a velour banquette, which reads: “This chair reserved for Tip and his friends.” Tip was the most celebrated of the St Andrews caddies, his knowledge of every hump and hollow on the Old Course almost helped Arnold Palmer to win the Centenary Open in 1960, coming second to Kel Nagle by one stroke. The following two years saw Palmer and Tip win successive Open championships, at Royal Birkdale and Royal Troon. Tip then went onto caddie for Tony Lema in his 1964 Open victory at St Andrews.
During this episode Sheena also showed me the Dunvegan’s gallery of fantastic portraits of every Open Champion dating back to 1860 which were created by David Joy. David is a multi-talented fourth generation born and bred St Andrean. As well as being an amazing artist and illustrator his talents range from golf historian, guest speaker, playwright, author and active community member in St Andrews. David is committed to the preservation of St Andrews and its traditions and is involved in most of the town’s activities, be it through golf, theatre, the University, or the safeguarding of the Royal and Ancient City of St Andrews. He is probably best known as “The man who plays Tom Morris” – a one-man show premiered during the 1990 Open, which has since been televised and adapted as a commercial video and distributed world-wide under the name of Keeper of the Greens. David brings to life celebrated Open winner Old Tom Morris (1861-62-64 & 67) by dressing up as Old Tom (scroll down for video) and providing modern-day golfers with an insight into the history of the great game and how it used to be.
So remember next time you are visiting St Andrews I definitely recommend a visit to St Andrews’ most famous watering hole, the Dunvegan Hotel – I might even see you there for a post-golf pint!
Dunvegan Hotel
7 Pilmour Place, North Street, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland
Website: Dunvegan-Hotel.com
Email: dunveganhotel@easynet.co.uk
Tel No: +44 1334 473105
Fax No: +44 1334 479102
Finally the Question of the Day:
What is your favorite post-golf tipple or drink? Please leave your answer in the comments section below. Thank you.
Dennis and Laura Cone-World Caddie Hq-PCAhq.com
01. Jan, 2010
Andy– Your found our special place!!! good stuff!
Good home of caddies and Thanks to Sheena and Jack Willoughby &Team Dunvegan for all you do. Our best happy days was with TIP after we inducted him into the PCA Caddie Hall of Fame in 2000. MANY PINTS WITH DARK RUM was the way to share the great loops on the links. mwith our friend.
Caddie on my friend TIP- Your spirit is Glowing and Flowing in the halls of the PCAhq.com forever
Dennis and Laura Cone
World Caddie Hq-PCAhq.com
Founders
Ed Carpenter
22. Jul, 2009
I like to have a nice cold beer after my round. Keep up the good work Andy and thanks…
Hugh
20. May, 2009
Just brilliant
Tichaona
12. May, 2009
Interesting video love your work and simplicity oh by the way the great golf tips – yeah.
Aint nuthin’ like a cold Millers Draft.
Koos Slabber
12. May, 2009
Hi Andy, My home course is Zwartkops Country Club, Pretoria ,South Africa. Now owned by Dale Hayes. Do you no him or of him? In summer a beer is a must, in winter brandy and gingerale. Been to St Andrews twice, Pitty I missed Dunvegan. Will visit it next time round.
Thanks for your E Mails.
Mike
11. May, 2009
Any type of amber draft will do!!!
mark carroll
28. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy
I am really enjoying your videos, I live in Kildare in Ireland
I play my golf in Carton house where the Irish open was held in 2005 and 2006 and about 5 minutes from the k club
My favourite tipple is a nice creamy pint of guinness
(the first guinness was brewed in Leixlip , where I am from )
Pedro
28. Apr, 2009
Any kind of beer!
Andy, are you thinking of podcasting these videos?
Congrats on everything
Bruce Drinkwater
26. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy,
Thanks for the great video and golf tips. I live outside Baltimore, MD and hope to get to visit Scotland someday.
When I do I will play the Old Course and have a Scotch at the Dunvegan.
Beverly Selman
23. Apr, 2009
Being another Texan living in St Andrews my favorite is the Dunvegan Margareta.
Great video piece about Dunvegan-Sheena and Jack are what make it a special place. They welcome everyone coming through the door as if each and every one is being invited into their home…the place always has a party atmosphere.
roger
23. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy,
Your TV just gets better with each new edition.
A native Texan with Scottish roots, now living in Pennsylvania……I go back to my roots for my post round drink which is Macallan single malt on the rocks. If I have a really good round I treat myself to the 18 year old.
Greg Ochalek
22. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy,
Love your videos. My swing is as consistent as my post round drink – a cold beer or two. In our family, we do not necessarily have to wait for the round to be over. On special occasions, Canadian wiskey and gingerale comes into play
graham campbell
22. Apr, 2009
Very interesting video, will put the hotel on our agenda when my wife Jean and I tour my fathers homeland. Best drink after a game, in winter pint of real ale, in summer pint of Carlsberg.
Graham Rigby
22. Apr, 2009
On a good day i’ll drink a johnny walker or jack daniels on a bad day just coke, be great to get to st. andrews one day
John Boyne
21. Apr, 2009
Super interview Andy. I hope I’m as composed as Jack & Sheena!
I do love a Guinness or two post round. Cheers.
Roy Drinkwater
21. Apr, 2009
A nice, clear, cold, fresh, pure glass of Lake Superior H20 when warm outside. In cold weather, heat then & mix with filtered decaf coffee grounds.
Chas Elsum
21. Apr, 2009
First couple bourbon and cokes, then beer yummy !!!!
Peter Jones
21. Apr, 2009
My usual is a Killian’s draft, or do you say draught?? Goes well with a cup of soup.
John Heald
20. Apr, 2009
Teetotal as well, so Lucozade for me please.
Saige Doughty
20. Apr, 2009
What a wonderful video and the owners are so friendly. We have never been to St. Andrews and it is one of my dreams so I hope before we get too much older, we can make that trip. To the gentleman who lives in the Dominican Republic, I am Dominican and would love to know where he lives. We live in California and are blessed to have great golf weather the year round. Good work Andy!
Robert Hutton
20. Apr, 2009
Teetotal since about 1982, my after golf drink is flavoured water. Refreshing and safe.
Gary Louks
20. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy,
I have a guinness and a burger. Thanks for the videos.
Gary
Larry E. Powell
20. Apr, 2009
Andy,
I saw a video were you interviewed my son and his friends. The video was great. We will be there in July to celebrate his 40th birthday. We will go to Dunvagen’ s and have a pint or two, my favorite is Bellhavens Best. Looking forward to a great trip to Scotland.
Larry
Andy’s Reply:
Hi Larry,
It was a real pleasure to meet your son and his friends. I remember him speaking about his return for his 40th birthday.
Cheers
Andy
dave jackson
20. Apr, 2009
As many beers as strokes above par!
Nauhar Rana
20. Apr, 2009
Hey Andy,
Love your videos…my drink after a morning round has to be BEER, but if its post an afternoon round then its RUM for me..
However, if I’m playing the old course(dream) I would definitely try one of the 50 malts Sheena and Jack have to offer.
Keep up the great job Andy…
John
20. Apr, 2009
Another great episode Mr B.
Nice to see the Seve photograph
That Arnie photograph when he was young too is wonderful.
I’m looking forward to my visit more than ever now!
Cheers
John
Ron Freeman
20. Apr, 2009
A nice Pot of Tea
Richard Ng
20. Apr, 2009
A nice cool beer will be great after the game. Informative video on the 19th hole hotel. Well done!
Ron Fairlie
20. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy,
After golf it’s a beer, although right now its a single malt. Will likely never be able to visit but really enjoy the videos.
Ron
Martin Rocco
20. Apr, 2009
I’ll have a beer, cold cuts & cheese selection with warm bread… Then a four hour nap! Great work, Andy
Robin Fea
20. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy,
I would love the opportunity to play at St Andrews , but realise it is only a dream, but one can have their dreams can’t they. My favorite tipple after a game of golf is a nice glass New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. My home course is Omanu Mount Maunganui Bay of Plenty N.Z.
Thanks
Robin
Skip Youngdahl
20. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy,
My favourite post round drink is a something called a Cape Codder. A healthy shot of a good vodka, in a tall glass with ice, add cranberry juice and squeeze a quarter lime into it. Cool and refreshing and of course the health benefits of the cranberry.
Warm regards,
Skip Youngdahl
Linz Perrin
20. Apr, 2009
My favourite after golf drink is a milkshake with half strawberry and half chocolate flavouring (Cherry Ripe).
This is from the Trentham Golf Club caterers and is just heavenly.
By the way, I loved the video and the Hotel.
Thanks
Linz
Warner
20. Apr, 2009
A pint of Flowers still remembered from a “business” trip with a round of golf in Wales.
Bob Hayes
19. Apr, 2009
Diet Coke is just great! I am sure it is served in Scotland. What a great time you have doing what you do. If you will send me your e-mail address, I will send you a couple of pictures of Dow Finsterwald and Herman Lang (Pro at Inverness in Toledo for 18 years)
Bob Hayes
Lynn New Zealand
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy,
Love your video. I wouldn’t mind owning that hotel. My favorite drink after a game would be a cup of tea followed by a nice Sauvignon Blanc.
Regards Lynn.
Ron Parsons
19. Apr, 2009
A round of golf at St Andrews and a Grants Whisky in the Dunvegan Hotel would be the dream come true.
Peter Kelly
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy from Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, home of the Cape Kidnappers Course. My home course is The Hastings Golf Club, you must come and visit both. Would love to play the old course some day !!!
Favourite tipple is a Shandy (to quench the thirst) and if it’s cold, follow with a Single Malt.
Cheers Andy
Peter
Ron Mountcastle
19. Apr, 2009
Favourit 19 Hole tipple:Pint of Bitter with a wiskey chaser
Mick B
19. Apr, 2009
Great video all the best Guernsey Channel Islands
Dean Dearmont
19. Apr, 2009
Great show! I always enjoy a cold beer after playing.
Thanks, Dean
derek paynter
19. Apr, 2009
At our club we have a tradition that if you manage to duff your drive and do not get the ball past the ladies tee then you have to buy a round of “pink gins” for your playng partners. As our group started out as beginners together we normally had a lucky winner to buy the first round at each game. Now some time later we still start off the 19th with a “Pink Gin” (gin, tonic & a dash of bitters, it is actually pink)
happy rounds
derek
Martin
19. Apr, 2009
A pint of beer
Martin Hill
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy, Writing from the middle of the heartland, Nevada, Mo. Thank you so much for including me! I prefer a beer after a round. I would like a shot of Sheep Dip when available. Keep up the good work.
Dave
19. Apr, 2009
Brought back great memories of a trip to play the Old Course a couple of years ago – can’t wait to go back and I will be having a nice pint of Guinness in the Dunvegan afterwards … thanks for the video – very enjoyable!
Dennis
19. Apr, 2009
I am VERY Familiar with this Pub.
Been there done that.
Just listening to the caddies at the Bar was a blast.
Thanks
Dennis
Ian Graham
19. Apr, 2009
Guinness, however it can be a challenge to get a decent Guinness at most golf courses in Canada so I make do with beer.
chew
19. Apr, 2009
hi andy,
thanks for sending me your video, much appreciated. hope to get there one day.
che.
Tom Caldwell
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy, I write to you from Hattiesburg Mississippi (the Deep South), where the weather is currently in the low eighties. Great for golf and to enjoy a cool beer afterwards.
Enjoyed the video.
Gary
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy: Really interesting video (and great quality). Been a few years since we were last in St. Andrews but hope to get back. Favourite beverage after a round is either a cold beer or rum and coke.
Ezio
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy,
Thanks very much your beautiful video.
Ezio
Brbara Ellis
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy, I’m looking at a picture of my husband and I standing near rhe bridge on the Old Course. It was a wonderful day of golf. After golf we had a beer for me and a scotch for him. I’m glad he got to play he course before he died, Barb
Jimmy
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy, fab video there’s no place like home of golf that makes you pround to be Scottish, nothing better than having a beer with the guys after a game, tastes better having won the £1s now and again. Keep up the good work.
John Burnsworth
19. Apr, 2009
Really enjoyed the video Andy thanks.
My choice is either a dirty martini with bleu cheese stuffed olives or if not available a glass of dark beer.
Larry Thrush
19. Apr, 2009
I’d be having a cold budweiser, if I did’nt have to drive home. Great clips, I hope I can play there some day before I leave this short life. Keep up the good work Andy.
Larry
Robert Crawford
19. Apr, 2009
Andy: Thanks for the show. Brings back old memories. Sorry I missed Dunvegans. Didn’t know it was there.. Looks like a fabulous place. I dont have a favorite 19th hole beverage.It depends on who’s buying.. Keep up the good work. Always enjoy.Bob Crawford
tom iaquinta
19. Apr, 2009
Andy that was a wonderful video and the couple who own it seem very nice keep up the good work
Roger
19. Apr, 2009
We enjoy a “dirty martini” made with olive juice, blue cheese stuffed olives and vodka.
John
19. Apr, 2009
Guinness is my favorite.
Bobbypom
19. Apr, 2009
Shanty Gaff . 1/2 beer and 1/2 gingerale over ice. Great after a round on a hot day.
andy
19. Apr, 2009
hi andy brilliant video one day i’ll make it up to st andrew’s mine’s a single malt and i’ll treat you to a drink to.
meyers
19. Apr, 2009
sirs:
good show
meyers, Meyers & McCabe, burke, va
jake warner
19. Apr, 2009
A good cold beer is nice after a round.
The video’s you show are very nice and I love watch them.
Thanks Jake
John Diekmann
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy,
Here in the states I’d have to say the 19th hole drink of choice is a beer. Probably because it’s usually warm when we play. My wife and I are traveling to Scotland today for 10 wonderful days of golf. Perhaps the Scottish weather will effect our choice of refreshment. I’ll let you know. Thanks for the video of the Dunvegan, it was terrific.
Cheers,
John
Rosemary
19. Apr, 2009
Love the videos Andy.
I play mostly in Ladies morning comps and we finish around about lunch time. I always look forward to sweet non-alcoholic drink like red creaming soda on ice followed by a glass of chardonnay to go with my lunch.
Vic Parker
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy,
My post game drink has to be a pint of shandy, seeing as I have to drive home!
Cheers
Vic
Graeme Ford
19. Apr, 2009
Thanks to my English friend Martyn, I enjoy both a Laphroaig Malt and a Glayva – sometimes after a Guinness!!
Thanks for your always interesting material,
Graeme (Sydney, Australia)
Bryan Millington
19. Apr, 2009
I have only been to the 19th. once, many many years ago, before I actually started to play this amazing game of golf. I caddied for a friend, and twittered at him constantly to let me have a swipe. Being fairly empty, at that time, he eventually passed me an iron, which I duly hit in the general direction of the green, ( it was a short hole) and put it in the heather about 40 yds. short of the hole. Satisfied, said Tom. No! says I, and having managed to find the ball, pestered him further, so he passed me what suppose was a wedge, and I took a swing at the half hidden ball, and surprise, surprise, out came ball, along with a mountain of debris, and landed on the green. The green was very hard and dry, and on a slight crown, and 9 puts later, I picked up the ball, so never managed to put it in the hole. What a start to a not so illustrious career. Never mind, I enjoyed the hospitalty of the 19th, with a very nice Glenlivet. Cheers! Bryan
Barry Spillard
19. Apr, 2009
I like a pint of bitter.
Thanks for the video. Andy.
Graham Greenberger
19. Apr, 2009
Cascade beer (with salami & vintage cheese)
Aidan
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy, great video – really brings home the spirit of the Old Course. Have been watching your stuff on the Net for some time now – always very interesting, entertaining and a little quirky at times.
Aidan
Tam Dunsmuir
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy,
I’d have to say a beer.
I was born and raised in Dundee, emigrated to Canada when I was 21. That was 36 years ago. Never played a round of golf ’til I was in my late 20s.
While on holiday back home in the 90s my cousin from Dundee Jim Lindsay, managed to to book us a round on the Old Course, I played a pathetic round with a not so memorable duel with one of the many sand traps ha,ha,ha.
I still display my towel and club covers from St Andrews and have felt a great pride in saying “yes I have played the old course” to the numerous people who have asked me.
I did lose my putter cover, some time ago and will replace in on my next vacation home.
As a wee boy I collected lost balls in Monifieth and Carnoustie as my family was from Broughty Ferry and my cousins and I played on all the beaches of the coast and picking up balls was a great passtime , although we did get into trouble quite often.
Thank you for letting me relive a few fond memories from my childhood and reminding me that my heart will always be back in Scotland.
Thanks also for all the E-Mails, I haven’t been well enough to play for a while, but that is about to change real soon and I can’t wait to try all the good advice you have given me over the last several months.
Cheers
Tam
Matt Sturt
19. Apr, 2009
Good viewing, kept thinking Monty should be on the hall of fame, shame it didn’t happen for him back in 2005.
Its not Scottish but you can’t beat a pint of the Irish black stuff!
Kevin Lapenia
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy,
I live in Tahiti so my favorite drink after a round of golf is an ice cold pint of Hinano draft beer.
I especially enjoyed the background music in your video. I’d love to know the name of the album and the artist.
Cheers,
Kevin
Roger Garrett
19. Apr, 2009
Like Debbie, I always have a non-alcoholic drink before driving home, where i usually have a Guinness.
Having visited St Andrews in 2004, and been to the Dunvegan Hotel for a meal and a tipple, your great video has created much nostalgia for my wife and I, as have the shots of St. Andrews town which my wife absolutely fell in love with. We are Kiwis, and she wanted to move to St.A, but i told her the winters would “kill her”, and it was not always like the warm 22 degrees we had that day.
Larry Quah
19. Apr, 2009
Great stuff, Andy. Thank you very much!
Grahame Bush
19. Apr, 2009
As I now live in the Dominican Republic (nearly 17 years) & playing golf all the year round in temperatures of 75 – 84 degrees, I find a ‘limonade’ (iced lime juice a la ‘frappe’) with a hint of local rum goes down very well after my rounds.
Thanks for the memories of Bonny Scotland and if/when you get up to Golspie area, be sure to pop in and see my Mother!! I have played the course there but was SO frozen afterward the after-round drink had to be HOT coffee with a good helping of GlenMorangie single malt taken as a ‘chaser’! Once the cockles had got warmed up a tad, a decent draught Guinness (also with the aforementioned chaser) was the LONG drink of choice.
Any golfers heading North Coast of the DR feel free to drop me a line via my website!!
lea Pustetto
19. Apr, 2009
That was a great clip . I enjoyed watching it and will probably visit when I`m in Scotland . One day soon I hope. I will have a good old fashioned beer , as long as it`s cold. Thanks again.
Bob
19. Apr, 2009
Really like your podcasts, makes the internet worthwhile. Keep up the good work, look forward to more.
Shame to say, favorite drink is a cup of tea after a round, especially in the winter. What a wimp!
Thanks again,
Bob
Mick Euan Tait
19. Apr, 2009
Great post Andy. I have been to St. Andrews dozens of times as a kid, but never recently. I will have to check out the Dunvegan Hotel – especially for the 50 single malt whiskeys!
Debbie Foster
19. Apr, 2009
I always end up drinking OJ being th sober driver all the time. My husband always has as many beers as he can down before I drag him home.
thanks for the video
Munna
19. Apr, 2009
Beer is post golf drink I would love to have !
Gene
19. Apr, 2009
Thanks Andy for the reminder of my trip to St. Andrews in 1981. I was visiting the company´s Region office in Aberdeen when the Region Manager invited me to accompany 19 other golfers on a bus trip to play the Old Course. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!! Bought wetsuit and teed off in a windy drizzle. Finished nine, shot 50, just as the rain stopped and the sun came out beautifully. No rain, little wind and a 40 on the “return trip”. Had a five on 18th, but drained a bogey putt of 20 feet. HOORAY!
Ask Jack if he remembers any of the guys who worked in Aberdeen at BJ Hughes, Inc. He looks familiar to me in your video. Maybe he was among the 20 of us that made that unforgetable trip.
Thanks again, Andy. Always a joy to hear from you.
ron
19. Apr, 2009
Andy,
Great work as always!!..My years of visits were 1978-79 & 81..Loved every minute of it..Never stopped in the Dunvegan..If I make another trip,it will be nightly..Thanks for your “up close and personal” presentations..Oh,I would start with a nice ale..
Thanks,
Ron
Melvin
19. Apr, 2009
OJ + carrot juice after the round. OJ + Brandy as soon as I get home. Thanks for you videos. They are fun to watch. I am too old to learn new tricks but I still try to do so.
Karl Hebert
19. Apr, 2009
The only post golf drink Ive had so far has been a beer.
Mary Lou Diekmann
19. Apr, 2009
Hi Andy I will be in Scotland from April 19 through the 30th. I’ll come around soo you can give me a lesson. Check out my husband’s golf blog at GolfDashBlog.com thank you can’t wait to meet you!!!!!!!! Mary Lou Diekmann