Arizona-based architect Gary Stephenson has started a programme of renovation works at the Fairmont St Andrews resort (formerly known as St Andrews Bay).

The resort's Torrance course has closed for the works and will reopen in early 2009 to ensure a good run-up to the 2010 Open, for which the course will be a qualifying venue.

"The work involves adding a great amount of fairway and tee drainage, installing a new irrigation system, rebuilding all tees for turf health, revetting bunkers and modifying the layout of a few golf holes to create some variety and drama," said Stephenson. "We are working to make a few areas more dramatic visually, and to take advantage of some of the potential views off the site to St Andrews. There will also be a few holes with some more dramatic approach shots. In addition, we are adding a great amount of gorse and native grasses to give us a pleasing texture and colour change as well as adding a vertical element in the non-play areas." The resort also features a second 18- hole course, the Devlin, which will continue to operate fully throughout the work on the Torrance course.