University golf programme strikes up partnership with Eden Mill St Andrews

The University of St Andrews has formed a new partnership with local distillery Eden Mill St Andrews, who have become an Official Partner of the University’s Golf Programme – Saints Golf.

Starting this academic year (2024-2025), the new partnership will see Eden Mill feature on the Saints Golf clothing range worn by all competitive University teams, including the University’s top Performance Golf Scholars.

Due to open in 2025, Eden Mill’s contemporary Scotch whisky and gin distillery is based on the University’s Eden Campus and is set to become a major new St Andrews landmark and Scottish tourist attraction. The site will offer gin and whisky tours as well as a cocktail bar and a private cask ownership programme.

University of St Andrews Director of Golf, Ian Muir, said: “As Director of Golf at the University of St Andrews Performance Golf Programme, I was immediately inspired by Eden Mill’s vibrant energy and bold vision. Our shared history and deep-rooted heritage in St Andrews creates a powerful foundation, but it’s their relentless drive for innovation, quality, and success that truly resonates with the values we champion in our programme.

“There is a natural synergy between us—not just in our traditions, but in our ambition to grow, develop, and push the boundaries of excellence. This partnership feels like a perfect alignment of purpose and passion.”

Eden Campus was repurposed by the University in 2010 and brings those involved in world-leading research and development in the Higher Education sector together with local businesses and start-ups operating within the green supply chain, to deliver innovative smart energy solutions of the future. Eden Campus is a low carbon exemplar and is central to the University’s strategic drive to become a carbon neutral university by 2035.

Euan Kinninmonth, Brand Homes Manager at Eden Mill, said: “Eden Mill and The University of St Andrews are kindred spirits – we both hail from this ancient town and we’re building towards a clean, green future on the Eden Campus. Not only are we supporting the University’s Golf Programme, we even featured the iconic red gowns on our latest Art of St Andrews Single Malt Whisky Release, showing students doing the customary pier walk.

 “I work with lots of golfers in my role, many purchasing an Eden Mill whisky cask with the view of visiting when they’re in town to play one of the town’s many great courses. We’re looking forward to building upon this affinity with sport once our new distillery opens — and beyond.”

The University of St Andrews Performance Golf Team, one of five competitive teams at St Andrews, wascrowned back-to-back British student match play champions in 2022 and 2023 and is comprised of Saints Golf Performance Scholars.

The pursuit of sporting and academic excellence can be traced back to the 15^th Century when golf was first played in St Andrews and Scotland’s first university was founded in 1413. Today, there is nowhere more special than the Home of Golf in which to be a student golfer, with the University’s student golf programme, Saints Golf, providing opportunities for all levels of ambition and ability.

This includes a hugely successful and well-established programme of beginner golf lessons for hundreds of students each year, run in partnership with the St Andrews Links Trust and delivered by PGA Qualified St Andrews Links Golf Academy professionals. Full time University of St Andrews students have the unique opportunity to purchase a Links Ticket giving them year-round access to all seven St Andrews Links courses at the Home of Golf.

Student golfers can access both individual stroke play events and team match play leagues throughout the season in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) championships, with the club boasting an impressive social fixture list against clubs from across the UK.

Scholarships are supported and funded through the 600 Club, a community of donors and supporters around the world, alongside The R&A, and the St Andrews Links Trust. Scholars benefit from a comprehensive programme of training and competition and are incredibly fortunate to be able to use the world-class practice facilities at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy as their training base all year round.

Saints Golf performance scholars represent the University in tournament golf around the world, competing domestically within the BUCS calendar, across Europe as part of the R&A Student Tour Series, and with additional competitive opportunities including invites to high-level tournaments in North and South America.