11 October 2023 , 17:38
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Tiger Woods faces opposition from St Andrews residents as the 15-time major winner plans to turn its independent New Picture House cinema into a sports bar.
Woods, 47, has fond memories of the 'home of golf' after winning The Open at the Old Course in 2000 and then again in 2005. Approaching a decade after the last of those triumphs, Woods plans to expand the T-Squared Social business he founded alongside friend Justin Timberlake to Fife.
The flagship establishment opened in New York City last month. It is a "premium sports and entertainment gastro pub," which features dozens of TVs, Full Swing Golf simulators, duckpin bowling and darts.
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The plans for the St Andrews venue would see only one of the three existing cinema screens remain as part of an extensive renovation. Fife Council planners are yet to approve the move.
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St Andrews Community Council member Neil Dobson is one resident who has taken umbrage with the proposals. “What’s next, Trump buying the West Sands for a hotel? I find this very disrespectful and a bit cheeky, to be honest," Dobson told The Courier .
“This town has been very good to Tiger Woods, and this is not the way to repay residents. St Andrews is unique, and that building is iconic. An American bar is completely out of keeping. It will be full of American golfers with nothing left in the town for children at all."
Tiger (Getty)However, that view is not a unanimous one across the community council. Another member, Callum MacLeod, is calling for the town to evolve.
“There has been a lot of strong reaction against this idea. But it’s the old story – if you don’t use it, you lose it. I’ve been to the cinema recently, and there was hardly anyone there. If it was a flourishing cinema, as it used to be, then it wouldn’t be under threat.
"St Andrews is a tourist destination, and the culture has changed. Things evolve, and St Andrews must evolve with it.” The cinema's managing director, David Morris, is another endorsing the plans, claiming they secure the long-term future of the venue.
“The planned T-Squared Social investment will enable the local community, students and visitors, the opportunity to experience a broader range of cinema, dining and entertainment at the popular venue.”
In announcing the move on Tuesday, Woods said: “I have been fortunate enough to enjoy many special moments here at St Andrews. We all wanted to bring out the T-Squared Social concept to St Andrews to add to the local community and be a welcoming place for those living in St Andrews and visitors alike.”
Timberlake added: "I’m honoured to be able to invest in the town and bring our second T-Squared Social here. Our new venue is so much more than a typical sports bar experience – it’s a place you can go to be entertained without sacrificing quality or comfort.”